Whooo Hooo!!! Drew is TWO!!

Time goes so fast. It seems so recently we were having Kendal's second birthday party. I have learned so much from all my babies and Drew is no exception. He is quite an incredible little boy. We are so blessed to have him in our family.

Let me tell you a little about Drew. The first thing anyone ever notices about him is his great big dark brown eyes. It may be his light complexion that makes them so striking, but they are beautiful. He also has very little light brown hair. I have only trimmed his hair once in his entire two years.

Drew has a BIG personality. He can be grumpy and frowny, or happy and silly. He makes up words like "do-bu-dee" that he walks around chanting just because they are fun to say. Some other favorite words are: NO, YEAH, shoe, apple, DADDY, Kendal, baby, bye-bye, night-night, happy, puppy, kitty, meow, moo, neigh, nose, eyes, ear, drink, snack, etc. The list is getting longer by the day.

His favorite food is whatever you put in front of him, but he loves fruit snacks. He loves to open oreo cookies and just eat the filling. He loves chocolate milk. One of his favorite things to eat is a bite of whatever you are having. The food on your plate seems to always taste better than what is on his.

He loves his DADDY!! I never have to wonder where my Drew Baby has gone. If Cameron is around, Drew is right in his lap, or in his arms, or on his back. He likes his daddy to rock him, and dress him, and change his diapers. He likes to call his daddy on the phone when he is at work. He watches Cameron go to work out his window with tears streaming down his face. And when Cameron returns home, Drew is standing at the door to welcome him.

Drew is also a great brother. He will play with whoever is at hand. Kendal gets a kick out of having him play on the top bed bunk with him. If he plays with Kendal, it is a transformer, car, truck, airplane or train. If he is playing with Avery, it is a doll....or better yet, HE is the doll that she feeds and covers with a blanket. If he is with Edyn, he talks so sweetly to her and always let's me know if she is awake or crying. When he is alone, I can hear him singing what sounds like "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and "Old McDonald Had A Farm".

The best part about Drew is that he is always just himself, and we think that is just wonderful!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DREW BABY!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Precious Pictures...Edyn Is 2 Months Old

Okay...Let's all say it together..... Ahhhhhhhh!!

Elmer Fudd

Shhh!!

Be verwy, verwy quiet!!

I'm hunting WABBITS!!

Butikofer Family Christmas Party 2009

I LOVE THIS ANNUAL PARTY!! I cannot tell you how much I love to spend time with these people (okay, maybe not so much Brian, tee hee hee. Just kidding, Brian!!)!! I have the best brothers and sisters EVER, and they have all married the greatest people!! We always have WAY too much food, lots and lots of noise, and tons of fun!! This year I am just happy to be with them. We couldn't help knowing and feeling we were missing one. I know Luke was there, but we sure missed seeing him there.

I am so glad for the knowledge we will ALL be together again. I am so happy to be in this family. We all have our trials, but I feel less alone having these smiling faces in my forever family!! This is my heaven; this wonderful, loving, supportive, adorable family!!

LOVE YOU ALL!! Thanks for everything!

Drew's First Haircut

Drew is almost two years old and has NEVER had a haircut. In fact, I debated even doing it, but the back was getting a little wispy, so on went the cape, and off came the smallest amount of hair you have ever seen. I gave him a ring pop to keep him still and he did great!! I am a little sad to see all the baby hair start to go. It means he is growing out of the baby stage. He looks more like a little boy instead. However handsome that may be, I guess I want him to be small a little longer. The time just goes so fast sometimes. He does look adorable, though, right? I know.

Look Who's Smiling!!!

December 27, 2009

Edyn 5 1/2 weeks

Edyn has been smiling for a couple weeks now, but by the time we get the camera, the photo op has dissipated. This is the first one we have captured since the one we caught at 5 days old.

We think it is a great one!!

Keep it up, Edyn!!

Christmas Day!!

Well, Santa made it to our house and also Grandma and Grandpa Bryan's house for Kendal, Avery, Drew, and Edyn. Kendal got his Hex bug, Avery got her doll, Drew got some puzzles and toys, Edyn got new clothes and bows for her hair... we are all spoiled. It was a great day!!

We had dinner and left completely stuffed, us and our car. It really makes us reflect on how truly blessed we are. We have a home with warm beds, clean clothes, good food, and lots of love. We have family all around. We have health, safety, peace and love. Did I mention LOVE?? We have everything we need and more. We are thankful and blessed.

But it is more than earthly blessings we have. Christ was born to the Earth and we celebrate his birth on this day. He is the real reason for this day, this season, and this life we have!! We are thankful for a Christ, a Savior!! We would not have eternal blessings without him. Christmas Day is about forever, and I have what I want forever every day. Today just makes it feel special because Christmas only happens once a year.

Merry Christmas!!

Cookies for Santa

Christmas Eve!!!







Well, Santa can't be hungry tonight. We have to leave him a sweet treat or two for his long journey.





Kendal wrote his own letter this year and I have to share it. Translated it says:

"I like Christmas, and I love my presents. I want these toys but I have been a good and bad boy. I don't know if I should get any presents or if I should get some presents. I know that you will think of something. Love, Kendal"

Well, Santa, we know you will think of something, too. He has been a great boy, for the record!! Hope you have a safe and wonderful trip around the world!!

Merry Christmas , Everyone!!

Sitting on Santa's Lap

December 19, 2009

Santa looked great this year, as always. And his lap is as strong as ever. Our kids have really grown, as well as the family all together.




Kendal is six years old. He wanted a Nintendo DS, Bakugans, a remote controlled Jeep, and Hex bugs.



Avery just turned four years old. She wanted a hundred dollars, and a new doll.



Drew is not quite two years old. He first and foremost did NOT want to sit on Santa's lap. He wanted to spend more time outside with daddy.



Edyn is 5 weeks old. She was a little sleepy for Santa. She was happy to just be here for the festivities and family parties. She met lots of family on her first Christmas!!

It is always great to be with our families for Christmas!! We played games and laughed!! We wouldn't miss them for anything!!

Edyn's First Bath...

December 2, 2009, at two weeks old, Edyn Bryan had her first at home bath..



She loved it!!



And then she slept...

Birthday and Bowling For Our Avery

December 13th, 2009






Avery is four!! I can't believe it!! This year we thought she was old enough to decide what she wanted to do for her birthday. I offered to take just her to the new Princess and the Frog movie, but she was not interested. She wanted to go bowling...I kid you not, BOWLING!! So we went bowling as a family with the bumpers, the crazy shoes and even the greasy french fries from the snack bar. It turns out she is not bad at bowling. She has a very unique approach. She puts the ball down close to the line, gets a running starts and pushes with all her might. The ball rolls this way and that way until it finally reaches the pins. Sometimes a few fall over, and sometimes the ball stops altogether resting on the pins. We all had a great time!!

Four Things We Love About Avery:

1. We love her smile!! There are few things more deightful than her joyful smile and contagious laughter.

2. Avery loves her brothers and sister. She follows Kendal everywhere he goes and does everything he does because she loves him (Kendal does NOT love that much attention, but is patient anyway). She helps Drew pick up his toys and helps him put on his shoes. And Avery is such a great help with Edyn. She rocks her, picks out her clothes, sings to her, and even tries to change her diapers. Avery is just born to nurture.

3. Avery is musical. Her mom is especially happy about this one. Avery is always humming or making up her own unique songs. She loves Primary hymns and puts her won spin on them. She is also a dancer. It is great to see her move to the music and bop her head with the songs on the radio.

4. Avery is her own person. She can write her name, say and sign her alphabet, draw happy pictures of all her friends, and loves to read the scriptures (with help from mom and dad). She can pump herself on the swings, almost ride a two-wheeler bike and can navigate her Barbie Jeep better than most licensed Idaho drivers. She has her own sense of fashion and has an adventurous sense of fun!! She has a spark of greatness and we love her very much!!



Her favorite gift this year was a new church dress with a matchng dress for her favorite doll, Natalie Sophie.



The perfect touch was a glittery silver pair of shoes from Grandma-by-the-Temple.

Happy Birthday, Avery!! Hope you had a great one!!!