Laurie & kids

So all of you that are concerned for Laurie...

She called about a half hour ago and said she made it out of the forest okay :)
I'm proud of her, she went out the same way so she could get it right this time. She said she liked it better and would be using it while it is open.

Phewf.

Country Fair!

The Country Fair was yesterday. In the morning Laurie, I and the kids checked it out. It sure is a big event! It's like a huge flea market with silent and live auctions.

At 7pm they had a concert with an acapella band called 'Rescue'.

Abby with her stuff animal she bought that she named 'Pongo'

Busted....Megan found some stuff animals of hers that I donated. Oops.

The kids enjoying cotton candy..

Chloe loving on Wes.

and Chloe with her 2 sippy cups, just in case.

Just take a left onto 180!

So....The Quirams came back up again to visit already!

Ugh... I was telling Laurie that they re-opened the other road to hume during the summer...and if she wanted to try it out it's simple.... "Just go out pass the dining hall and all you do is take a left onto 180." Simple.

2 and a half hours later she was at my door near tears because they were totally lost in the Seqouia National Forest. We figured out (from the map) that you need to take a right onto 198 to get to 180. Yep. She took a left onto 198 and ended up near crystal cave.
I never wondered if they would get lost...I was so sure that it was that simple. But I have only been on that road a couple of times...with Brian driving. Oops.
So, needless to say I feel horrible. Anyway, atleast they can hang out for one more night....and I'm sure the girls prayers were answered!

Pictures of our visit...

Well, the Quirams are gone already :( We had a great time but it sure was quick. Brian isnt in any of the pictures because he has been working his tail end off for the Country Fair. I see where Chloe gets her work ethic ;)

The girls were thrilled to be with their cousins. Abby was attached to Maddi at the hip, and Megan and Wes were inseperable too. It was fun to see them play just like we had never left. Wes said something that I will cherish forever. "I feel like I am at home." Love that family.

Anyway, I'm all sad that they left so forgive the mushiness. lol

Here is a few pictures off my cameras. I'm sure Laurie has a bunch of cute ones too, so I'll post them when I get them from her.

Kayaking...

Abby spent most of her time playing some vet game on Maddis DS.

Chloe liked to watch her play...

Chloe LOVED Aunt Laurie and Maddi. Heres Chloe cuddling with Laurie first thing this morning. (She cried for her to hold her most of the day)

The Quirams have arrived!

We are so happy they are here!



Not only did they bring a truckload of groceries they brought fun gifts for the girls. So spoiled!

Maddi and Abby playing with her New Diego Lego Set ...





Chloe with her new doll....




Cute one of Wes and Megan.

Last night we just hung out, ate dinner then Laurie and I went to church while Maddi watched the girls.
This morning we walked around the lake. Later we plan on going kayaking and swimming. I'll have more pictures later....

patiently waiting

So excited for Aunt Laurie, Madison and Wes to come up! Just a few more minutes....

Child labor

Child labor laws?....not in the Butler's house.

My sister in law who happens to be one of my bestest friends...(I know it's very rare) is coming up to visit for a couple of days..Yeah! But, no matter who it is thats coming over you still have to clean.

So, I put Chloe to work this morning and she really enjoyed it. What a good work ethic she has already ;)

The Altitude?

Megan and I were naming the ladies that are pregnant up here right now....
Megan commented very seriously..."Wow...I wonder if theres something with the altitude? I mean they have a lot of babies up here!"

Oreos

Chloe enjoying oreos after dinner tonight....

Sunday

Not only did Brian go down the hill on Friday night for grocery shopping, he had to go down again today. He is trying to get a bunch of furniture sanded and painted for the 'Country Fair' that is next weekend. Yesterday he discovered that he didn't have enough paint to get them done, so he took Meg and Abby down with Him to get more paint. He also stopped and got the girls new cleats and shin guards for Soccer that starts next month. What a good Dad.


Anyway, it's just Chloe and I today. We went to church this morning, had lunch and have been just hanging out. Now that summer camp is over it sure is quiet today.
Here's a picture of Chloe and her baby taken just a few minutes ago. She insisted that I put shoes on her... and her baby :)
A little fuzzy, but still cute enough to share!

Swimming

Shannon called and said she was going to the swimming pool and invited us to meet her. I wasn't going to go because I am kinda grumpy. Then I realized how dumb that was....So, we hurried on over there. No one got locked out of anywhere, I did not lose anything, nor did anyone puke or have any meltdowns! I was glad we went. The girls had fun ;)

Here is a cute one my friend sent over today of Abby and her friend.

TGIF?

So, my morning started early with Abbs about 3 inches from my face at 6:15...."Chloes awake Mom!"
So, everyone got up. Well, Brian was already gone for a 6am bible study. Meg got ready for school. I got Abby, Chloe and I ready for our morning walk.

My friend couldn't make it this morning so I figured we would go down the hill instead to do grocery shopping. Why not? Saves Brian a trip tonight and it breaks up my day a little bit.

So, we took Megan to school, came home, got ready and then took off. Well almost.... Abby accidentally locked the van when we got home from taking Megan and both set of keys were inside. After a phonecall to Brian, Floyd and Brian broke into the van super quick. I'm thinking he might have a second career opportunity.

So, off we go. About 30 minutes into the drive, Chloe got car sick...all over Abbys shoes, backpack and the diaper bag. I stopped to move Abby to the way back and to clean up Chloe as much as possible. A Ranger stopped and found it necessary to tell me "After you're done, please get off the side of the road." Okay.

I turned around and got home at 10:00. After trying to get the carseat out...I realized that Brian actually did the 'latch system' thing which was too hard for me to undo. Atleast I know it works ;) So, I had to call Brian again at the paintshop.

Anyway, while I waited for Brian to come, I put the girls in the bath. But first I had to put all the stuff in the washer. Meanwhile, Chloe went pee all over the carpet.

Once the bath was over...Abby had a melt down for reasons I still don't understand.

Brian came home and got the smelly carseat out for me. He didn't say much...smart man that he is.

As I was taking it apart, the little metal thingy that keeps the belts fastened fell down between the deck slats.

Now its lunchtime. I don't think I should use the stove, use knifes or anything else that could be dangerous. :)

Health Inspectors?

Chloe has been pulling her diaper down today. I was telling her to stop..."You don't see us pulling our underwear down all day" I said for Megans amusement.
Megan said "Plus, we don't want her to be doing that in Huckleberry (nursery) because all the other babies will start doing it and then the Health Inspectors won't like that very much."

Few Pictures for you....

My sister just sent this one over. From our last visit at Grams house...What's scary is that the scooter goes FAST. I remember watching her going around the circular driveway and asking Brian "Wheres Chloe?"

"She's on the floorboard."

Too funny.

And today...heres Chloe again with her 'accessories' as Aunt Laurie calls them. Who needs clothes when you have a shoe and a pair of goggles?

Groovy Chick

Grams has always spoiled us, I actually don't know what we would do without her... not only has she totally taken care of us but she always has goodies for us when we come down. This time she had a bag full of books for the girls, cookies for Brian and a book for me. I had to giggle when I read the title. I knew it... She thinks I'm a hippy. It's gotta be the hair ;)

Chloe's 'special' talent

What can I say? She's goofy like her mother....and her father. Poor thing, a double dose.

Megan's 1st Day of School!

Wow...3rd grade!

While I was gone...

I went to visit my Dad for the weekend and just got back tonight. Heres a few pictures that Brian took while I was gone.

I guess Chloes new thing, as of this weekend, is wearing goggles around her neck all day long. Brian said she didn't take them off all day yesterday and when I got home she had them on again. Quirky one I tell you...

Heres the girls watching a movie on our bed...and of course you cannot watch a movie without your goggles...around your neck.

Chloe fell asleep in Abbys bed while watching Blues Clues...how come they never do that when I'm home?

Who knew storage bins could be so much fun?

welcome home drawing

Megan made Keri a welcome home picture. Pretty cool. I better clean the house or something or she'll make me look bad.

Chloe's first trim

Megan and Abby didn't get a noticeable amount of hair until they were 2. Most of you knew that...and also know that Chloe has followed in her sisters footsteps. Anyway, she has had this 'tail' and wierd cowlick thing for awhile now. I didnt have the heart to cut it... until today. She was beginning to look a little 'rough'. Anyway, I think I might of over did it a little. Maybe a little too short? LOL Thats why I never went to Beauty School.

Heres when I asked if I could take a pic of her.....

And here is her 'haircut'.

Post Padding for our friends....

So the kids have been scraping themselves on the post that is in the middle of the walkway by our house when they have their races on Friday. A couple of weeks ago the infirmary made a padded top for the post. Brian, of course, had to have fun with it.

Hope

I am reading 'To live is Christ' by Beth Moore right now (which is an accomplishment in itself) and had to share a part in the book that was a good reminder for me and thought it couldn't hurt to share it with anyone who will actually take the time to read this post ;)

Beth is talking about the storm that Paul, Luke and others were in on the way to Rome. Keep in my mind that God had made it clear to Paul that they would make it to Caesar. I wonder if he shared that info with Luke before they sailed off?
Anyway, Acts 27:20 says "Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally gave up."

It's believed that Luke wrote Acts...and here is what Beth pulled out of that scripture:

'Luke uses the word we when identifying those who gave up hope. He wrote one of the Gospels! How could he lose hope? He had witnessed miracles! This text reminds us that anyone can lose hope when a storm rages. The original word for "gave up" in verse 20 is the same one translated "cutting loose" in verse 40. We might say Luke and the others cut loose their hope when the storm continued to rage day after day. The psalmist offers us a lifesaver in our raging storms in Psalm 62:5: "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; / my hope comes from Him."

The "hope" in Psalm 62:5 is the word tiqvah, which literally means "a cord, as an attachment" (Strong's). The Psalmist contrasted the disappointment he often experienced in man with the security he found in his faithful God. His cord or rope was attached to God alone. We're all holding on to a rope of some kind for security, but if anyone but God is on the other end, we're hanging on by a thread! Hang on to Christ for dear life when the waves break harshly against you. He will be your survival no matter what the storm may destroy. Only He can keep you from becoming bitter. Only He can rebuild what gale-force winds tear apart.'

One Man Band

Maybe now Chloe can play the harmonica for Megan and Abbys 'Free Iced Water' customers.

Sneaky Chloe

Everyone finished their lunch and dessert and were doing their own thing...except Chloe. She was still in her highchair eating her 'lunch'. Usually she is loud and lets me know when she is done but this time she was quiet as a mouse. We checked on her and found her quietly eating Megans leftover icecream.

Psalm 86:11-13

Teach me your way, O Lord,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

Movie Night

I started mentioning having a 'movie night' before school was out but never really got around to doing it for Megan. I figured since there is only one more week of summer I better actually do it. So here is Megan, Abby and their girlfriends. They were going to watch Wall-E (no, we dont have a pirated copy, I guess my bro-in-law's uncle is involved in Pixar somehow.) but the disc wouldn't work in our DVD player. Blue-ray or something? So,they ended up watching Mr. Magoriums Wonder Emporium, then eating Icecream Sundaes! They had a blast...

Kayaking

We put the little ones in Huckleberry tonight which made it possible for us to go kayaking! We had a lot of fun...Megan was thrilled to be able to go out with us! Anyway, here is some fun pictures...

Auntie Myn enjoying the scenery...

Brian really enjoyed having my sis up here....they bonded sooo much. J/K They really do get along great.

Megan and I shared a kayak...She actually did well and I enjoyed her company.

And last but not least here's Brian!