Cuteness...By A Nose

Drew has been great with his new little sister. In fact, he hugs her and holds her quite a bit. He has recently realized that she has some of the same body parts as he does, only smaller.

For example, he has a nose right here...






And Edyn has a nose right there...



Who knew a baby sister could teach us so many practical things??

She's Rolling Over Already...

Yep. Edyn is only two weeks old and she has already rolled over. I put her down to nap on the bed on a little pillow like this...




...and when I came back to check on her, she was like this...




...fast asleep. I think she may have had gravity working for her, and she has no recollection of the incident that I can get out of her, but I am just going to go ahead and chalk it up to potential prodigy status. I mean, when you hit milestones this quickly, it can really only point to one conclusion: superior genetics. Not bragging, just stating the facts. (hee hee)

Edyn's First Photo Shoot...

BE ADVISED!! YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BABY BORN THIS WEEK!!! TAKE A FEW DEEP BREATHS BEFORE PROCEEDING TO PREVENT EXCESSIVE EMOTIONAL OVERFLOW AND/OR HEART PALPITATIONS DUE TO THE DANGEROUS AMOUNT OF PRECIOUS CONTENT...

I am such an amateur, but I just love to take pictures. Edyn is 5 days old today and she was posing so perfectly I could not help myself. I wished for the great backdrops, lighting, the fun baskets, and perfect little blankets to drape her in, but despite the low budget film making, I just can't get enough of her wonderful face. I am making an appointment with a professional here in Ammon (though I have friends and family who could do an incredible job for me, but live far away). I have seen her work and am just excited to see what she can do with such an amazing subject to photograph. Until that happens though, here are some of my favorites.










Feel free to "ooh" and "ahh" as much as you would like, and leave comments doing just that. Our favorite part of the blog is hearing from you!! We love you, Friends and Family, wherever you are. Thanks for your love, even from far away!! It is so great to have a way to stay in touch!! I can't think of a more beautiful reason, can you??

Edyn Isabel Bryan Nov. 17, 2009

Happy Birthday to you...

Tari and I are excited to annouce the arrival of Edyn Isabel Bryan today. She joined us at 9:14am, weighing in at 7lbs 3 oz and at 20inches. Amy Crump is the winner of the vital statistics game. Her prize is amazing..Tari doesn't want to give it away yet!! We are on pins and needles here.

We had another C-section. This time, Edyn was in a transverse breach position, which was no real big deal since we were already going in surgerizing Tari...oh how she looks forward to these.

Actually, Tari did great. She is recoverying well. She is definately a trooper willing to undergo all she does for these little kids. I hope one day they understand this and fully appreciate her even more than they do now..or then (then)! Confused..me too!

I hope some of these early pictures of Edyn allow you to see how cute she is. She is definately a mix of Tari, Avery, and Drew. I hope that narrows it down some. She has dark brown/black hair. Enough to make Drew look bald (wait..he still is mostly)! She has blue eyes right now...she has no teeth (i hear its happened before)..but cute little dimple under her lips.

Thanks for everyones support and calls. We will get more on the blog as we get more pictures. As for my narrative..ya, I will get Tari to type something much better soon.

We Love You, Luke!! You Are Home!!

Luke Taylor
Luke Hulet Taylor, 23 months, our wonderful, beautiful boy, returned home to our Father in Heaven on Nov. 3, 2009, at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center.

Luke was born Dec. 1, 2007, in Boise to Brian and Jan Taylor and was welcomed into the family by his two older brothers, Joshua and Michael. For such a short sojourn on Earth, Luke learned to do so many things. He could walk, run, talk, and boy could he climb. He would repeat everything that was said to him, but his favorite phrase was, "Where'd it go?" Our favorite thing he would say was "I Love You!" He loved cars, trains and Elmo. He loved to snuggle with his blue blanket and suck his thumb.

Luke will always be remembered for his infectious smile, his bright eyes, his horrible cowlicks and most of all his teasing nature, which he inherited from his dad. He was loved by so many people and will be missed by all. Luke, we are so proud of you and we love you. We look forward to being able to hold you and see you again.

Luke is survived by his parents, Brian and Jan Taylor; his brothers, Joshua, 8, and Michael, 6; his grandparents, Arlen Butikofer, Janis Butikofer, Karen Taylor and Kay Taylor; a great-grandparent, Wanda Whittier; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who love him and will miss him very much.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Kuna LDS Second Ward, 224 E. Avalon in Kuna with Bishop Layne Thornton officiating. A viewing will be from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, both at the church. Interment will be at 4 p.m. Saturday in Ririe-Shelton Cemetery. Arrangements are being provided by the Zeyer Funeral Chapel in Nampa.

In lieu of flowers, an account has been set up by Nathan Price and donations may be made there to the "Luke Taylor Memorial Fund" at any Idaho Central Credit Union.

We Are A Scary Bunch!!

Scroll down and pause the music box on the right column!! You don't want to miss this!! Happy Halloween!!!

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If You Chance To Meet A Frown...

If you chance to meet a frown, I hope yours is this CUTE!!!

Okay, One Pregnant Picture

Here I am in all my 30+ week glory. I know. I know. Eat your heart out. I will love to get back to doing things I used to do. You know, like bending over to tie my shoes, painting my own toenails, sleeping on my stomach, etc. But this pregnancy is our last, so I intend to enjoy every kick, punch, hiccup, and Braxton Hicks. Hopefully the next picture you see of me will be after delivery. I would much rather show you what she looks like, than what I look like before she gets here, but I have had some requests. So here ya go.

Perfect Popcicle Eating Technique

Avery loves popsicles. The only problem is the cold exterior. We are usually having to wrap a paper towel around it to lessen the intensity of holding it. Well, this day, Avery didn't want to ask for help, so she couldn't reach the paper towels on the kitchen counter. Being a thinker, she quickly devised this plan: wear oven mitts and the cold will not overwhelm your little three year old fingers. I thought it was ingenious. We need to think of a way to patent that. OR maybe next time we buy popsicles, we will buy the ones with sticks. Either way, I am proud of her resourcefulness.

One More Camping Trip

Ahhh, camping. The perfect excuse to get completely dirty and stay up late.



Ahh, swimming while camping. The perfect excuse to clean away all the dirt without the kids catching on.



Drew, is that a hint of mischief I see in your face as you sit on that four-wheeler?



This little car was a big crowd pleaser. The four-wheeler would pull it up the hill with the kids inside it. Then at the top of the hill, they would turn the car around and push it back down the hill. Gravity could get that rickety car going almost 18 miles per hour. The kids would giggle and scream like it was an amusement park ride. I am sure we used a tank of gas just on that round trip up and down that hill. Good times.



A view of our camper from the hill. We had a great time.

Labor Day Weekend was too crowded and my husband was on-call anyway. So, we decided to go the weekend after that to Lava. Our neighbors' parents have some land there and we were invited to camp with them. Well, it was dusty and rocky and hard to park the trailer, but once that was all taken care of, the fun began. We went four wheeling, and swimming, roasted marshmellows, cracked glow sticks and got completely filthy with all manner of dirt, bugs, and whatever else the children found. It was great to go and spend time with our friends and young family. We know these are times that will not last forever. Our kids may one day not want to camp with old Mom and Dad. For now, though, we have to take things as they come and find ways to enjoy it all right here in the moment. We are glad we went. I hope to have many more fun trips like this one. Thanks, Lasleys.

Everybody Can-Can

Our crew!!



Our setup. We had two Camp Chefs and four pressure canners going.



One of our Camp Chef operators. Doesn't he look like he is loving his job?



Our finished product!! Beautiful and delicious!!

I cannot believe I have not blogged about all the canning we have done this year. Peaches and pears were quite a sight this year!! Kristen, Sheri, MY GLORIOUS MOTHER and I canned last year together and had so much fun (sticky, messy, did I mention sticky?) we decided not only to can but to can MORE than we did last year. We have also acquired a few more soon-to-be enthusiasts as they have never actually canned but wanted to learn. It was hot, sticky, messy fun as always. We were able to do 124 quarts of peaches and 164 quarts of pears. It is hard work, but they are beautiful and incredibly gratifying to see full shelves of our hard work. Cameron and I have also made batches and batches of raspberry-peach, raspberry-huckleberry, raspberry-raspberry, and soon will do pear-vanilla freezer jams. We have also canned and juiced apples.

We are lucky to live where these things are available to us at great prices, grown in our own state, by local farmers, and sold in farmer's markets or fruit stands right her in our little town. I love that in the deep of winter, we can enjoy jams, juices and fruits as if it were summer. We are so blessed.

I also love that my mom has been able to teach me about how to can and what to can. I think this is a tradition that is dying. It really is a time to be with friends and family and truly work hard with so much to reap in the end. I hope to pass it down to my children (yep, even the boys will get a good opportunity to learn this)because we have been told to know how to be self sufficient. I believe canning will be something we will need to fall back on.

Right now, it is just good fun with delicious benefits.

Avery's Preschool Begins Again

Avery really likes being busy. She loves school. She doesn't always like the ride there and back, but she does great once she gets there. This year some of her very favorite friends are in her class: Alexa and Ginny. These sweet three year olds have been playing at our house and Avery at theirs all summer and well, almost all their lives. They live close in the neighborhood and go to church and do just about everything together. This class is going to be especially fun for them. I told Avery's teacher that these girls were like sisters: sometimes great and loving, and sometimes...not. She said she knows about that and is sure all will be well. I am sure of that. These opportunities for Avery to get out and experience things is just so good for her. I want her to feel like she can do things for herself and help others do things as well. She can do anything. I believe that she will be really great at whatever she throws her passion at.

Good Luck, Peach!! You'll be great!!

FIrst Day Of First Grade!!

It is hard to imagine my firstborn in first grade for the first time. He has grown into someone I really like as well as love. I am a HUGE KENDAL BRYAN FAN!!! We have tried really hard to steer him in a good direction but I think he is just genuinely good.

In his father's blessing this morning he was told he had a intelligent mind and that he would be able to learn things easily. He was told he would be able to make friends with many around him and that many would know him and be happy around him. He was told he would be safe when he was away from home, and there would always be good people to help him when needed. He was told he would be a leader and that he needed to always try to do his best and choose righteously. He was told that Heavenly Father knows him and is pleased with him.

I fixed his lunch and drew a fun note on his napkin with markers (love doing that). He is in FIRST GRADE!! Hard to believe....FIRST GRADE!!!

WE LOVE YOU, SON!!! HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

Let's Go Fly A Kite!!

I just had to post these pictures of Drew. We were cleaning out the garage and trying our best to organize some or the chaos out there, and Drew found this kite. There was no wind to fly it, but he has seen us run up and down the yard with it before and the wind just seemed to pick it up. He tried and tried, and then got Daddy to try and try. The poor kite never left Earth, but it was fun to watch the attempt. Drew is just so cute!!

Rigby Lake On A Summer Afternoon

I have to admit I am not fond of taking all my kids swimming without my husband to help me out, but when my friends are doing the same thing without their husbands, it gives me the determination to do it anyway. The best part is that my kids had a blast!! I am so proud of them when they just jump into things bravely. Kendal had made 3 or 4 friends by the time I had unpacked the car and was building sand canals and castles with them. Avery was just like a fish. She was in the water and taking rides in the canoe without a small hesitation. Drew was just loving the sand and it took quite a while to get it all off his clothes, out of his shoes, and out of his thin blonde hair. I went wading and the water was refreshing and the sand was squishy between my toes.

I am glad I did not waste this day inside. I am glad for friends who encourage me to do things I am not sure I can do by myself. I am glad my kids are strong and trusting and just kids. I am glad for days like these.

July 24th Butikofer Family Reunion

We had a great big slumber party in the downstairs dance studio with Grandma Butikofer!!!



Not sure how much sleep was actually achieved!!



At the fairgrounds, we watched Billie Jo's dancers dance, we had great exotic smoothies and enjoyed the summer day. There was even this great train ride!!



We had loads of fun, and just wore ourselves out!! What a fabulous family reunion!! Thanks Kamas Butikofers!!! We had a great time!!!!

What a great time!!! There was so much to do, I didn't have much time to snap shots of it all. It all started when Grandma Butikofer and I (Cameron was detained because of work)packed up the kids to head out on the 5 hour trip to Kamas, Utah for the Buikofer Family Reunion!! We were just about there when....we took a bad veer in the highway and, well, all seemed fine until we saw a sign that read, "Wyoming Welcomes You".

Wyoming??? Really??

Turns out we went an hour past our correct veer in the highway and had to jump the median twice to actually get back on track. The kids were tired, cranky and a bit "put out", but we made it and began our reunion, much to the shagrin of Billie Jo (sorry).
We had slumber parties with Grandma Butikofer, fried shrimp late into the night, watched Billie Jo's dancers, walked around the fair, played in the sand, jumped on the trampoline, and ate, and ate, and ate. After we left, there was still a truck derby, more food, and more fun to be had by all!!

Memories are made by just these outings. We must learn that however imperfect they may seem at the time, when we look over the years of reunions, we have made many perfect memories out of imperfect circumstances!! We should never give up striving to make these memories!! Thanks again, Tim and Billie Jo!! You have brought us one busy and fun reunion closer to each other!!

Isn't She Lovely...

Can you see her?? This is the best picture we got at the U/S. It is a profile shot of her little face. We think she is going to look like our Avery. That will be just fine with us. It is amazing catching a glimpse of her before she is even here. She is quite a wonder. We love her already, of course. Just a few more weeks and she will be here. What an adventure she has ahead of her.

What a great little face!!

Gone Fishin'!! or Gone Crazy!!

Jan and Brian took their boys camping to Mackay this week. Mom and I (and my kids) decided to join them for the day. After a crazy 90 minute drive where nobody took a nap, and nobody could get along, we finally arrived. We went to the fish hatchery and let the kids fish the ones out of the pond. The water was so clear and shallow, you could literally put the worm right in front of the fish's face. Avery was the best angler of the day with the biggest fish (I had no idea a Barbie pole could bend so much), with a close second of Mike, who just kept bringing in fish, time after time, then Kendal, who decided to fish in the restricted area, and got one to bite.

Next came dinner that my children were completely not interested in and in the process, Avery had an "accident" (and I use that word suspiciously)in her clothes. Well, being in the wilderness and at the end of my rope, although having access to a camper with warm water, I chose to rinse her off in the creek (I know, many of you have wanted to, but few have actually done it. I was surprised at myself). I had to go in up to my knees, and it was refreshing only for a few seconds, then it was just cold. But after a few minutes of crying and drip drying, she was put in clean clothes and was fine the rest of the time. It may be old school parenting, but it worked like a charm. (I am researching ways to put a snow runoff creek in my backyard for the reduction of fits and overall tantrums. If my research proves promising, I may just write a book.)




Kendal also got to try out Josh and Mike's new Honda 50. It is so cute and just right for a 6 year old. Kendal didn't want to get off. He actually could ride it without help within 3 or 4 tries. Needless to say he wants his own now. Boys are just all about creepy crawlies and dirt. Even harder than that, is a GIRL that is all about creepy crawlies and dirt. I think if I had to pick between dirt and tantrums, I would pick the dirt and the bugs and the fish and the worms, etc. It is quite a thing to realize you don't get to pick, AND that they can all hit at the same time.

Sometimes motherhood is just so much better than we can possibly imagine it, and I mean that in the most sarcastic way!! Seriously though, I love them very much, and this will be a day I can laugh at for years to come. If I can't, I think I will just go fishin' or maybe just completely crazy!!