Our Little Monsters

The boys had a great Halloween. Our first activity was carving pumpkins. Anton loved helping. Zackary would show interest for a few minutes every once in a while. I am sure next year we will have more fun with both of them helping. Zackary did decide to help by finding the magic marker I used to mark the pumpkin and coloring all over the table. Luckily, thanks to Sol u Mel, I was able to get most of the marker off the table. Anton and I carved the spider with the pumpkin. He chose the design and helped me clean out the guts and was quite intent the whole time we finished carving, making sure I was still doing the spider with the pumpkin. Linden created his own design and carved the boys' names in the other pumpkin (which they loved seeing) after he got home from his study group.



The next activity was on Friday. We went to Melaleuca to the Trick or Treat path they have for employees' children. Anton went as Sully. Zackary was a pirate. Anton was sure to get extra warm in his outfit, but he LOVED being Sully (thanks to Aunt Lori for letting us borrow the costume). We had Zackary be the pirate so he wouldn't get to warm in his cow outfit. And, of course we have to use both the costumes that Aunt Misti and Aunt Claudette got for the boys. Thanks.



At Melaleuca the boys enjoyed getting the candy. We couldn't get either of them to relinquish their candy bags so we could help carry them. As always, Melaleuca was decked out, from a Winter Wonderland, to a Pirate Ship, to Disney themes, to an Alien Experience, to Dr. Suess, we saw it all. Zackary had a blast and Anton at certain times was afraid to continue walking. During the Alien Experience all he would say as we tried to encourage him to continue along the path was, "I don't like it, I don't like it!!" Luckily we made it through. He was also pretty hesitant about the pirate ship and the guy with the skeleton mask he didn't like very much. Zackary could care less, as long as he got more candy. It was fun and we got WAY to much candy. Of course we had a chance to visit Uncle Brad while there and he spoiled the boys.



After the trick or treat path at Melaleuca we stopped by to visit Jen and Sadie and got a cute picture of Sadie in her Eeyore costume. She is so adorable. I am sure Chris loved seeing his little girl as Eeyore.



Up next was going to the Pumpkin walk at North Bingham County Park on Friday afternoon. It was incredible. We got pictures at some of the character boards. The boys enjoyed it. I should have also taken pictures of some of the pumkin scenes. They were amazing. We saw so many great ones. The artistry and creativity in painting the pumkings and creating the scenes was incredible. Can't wait to take the boys again next year. We enjoyed looking at everything. They especially enjoyed the Sponge Bob scene and the Monsters, Inc. scene. Anton also got pretty excited when he saw spiderman, superman, and so many other characters that he recognized. I really liked the scene that had all of the animals made from pumpkins with the different plants used to create the fur on the animals. Such patience and amazing talent. Thanks to all those who worked hard to get it put together.

The boys were quite excited to see Sponge Bob.



Too bad they didn't have a spot for Zackary, also. He wasn't always interested in staying still long enough for the photo ops, though.



Taken especially for Grace and Anne and Grant, Tucker and Evan. Wish you could have been here with us. Grandma said the same thing.



Anton was quite excited to see Thomas the train.



Our Halloween festivities terminated with FIVE hours of trick or treating. We really didn't stop that many places, but of course you have to visit with all of the grandparents and wait for them to take pictures. I was glad to finally get home that night. I also decided that trick or treating would be much easier without car seats. Getting our little Cow and Sully monster in and out of the car seats at each stop was quite the chore. We'll just say that car seats are for little boys and not furry monsters and fat cows. Although we sure had a cute little furry monster and an adorable fat cow with his extra padding in the hip and buttocks area, guess he takes after his mama.

Thought we would share a picture of the boys with Grandma Butler and Oliver. They refused to let go of their sacks for the picture. Grandma's house was the first stop. By the end of the night I was carrying the sacks for them.



The first time Anton saw his costume he was quite thrilled. He put it on and wouldn't take it off for three hours. The first thing he said was that he could be Sully and Zackary would be Mike. Sully was big enough that it will still fit him next year, so if I am brave enough I will make Zackary a little Mike costume and Anton can be Sully again. We'll see if that happens.

Summer Fun

So, it has been FOREVER since I have posted anything. I decided I would finally try to start getting caught up again. I have downloaded all of the pictures from the camera and now hope to be able to get them posted. Here are just a few random pictures of fun things we did this summer. We had lots of fun and miss the warmer weather. We went on several picnics to North Bingham County park with Linden's family and also with Maria, Josh, David and Dani (welcome to the USA, Dani is the current Butler Family exchange student from Finland). But there will be no pictures from those picnics, on one we forgot the camera, the others the pictures were to horrible to use. I would have some pretty upset people saying, "Why did you post such a horrible picture of me?!?!" So here we go. (For those that don't know to get a better view of any picture simply double click on it for a larger version to appear and then click the back button in the browser to return to the blog.)

We had a bridal shower for Leonora, the glowing bride. I was in charge of the game where you ask the groom (Kevin) a whole bunch of questions and see how many the bride can answer correctly. Unfortunately, Leonora didn't fare so well. Instead of having her put a piece of gum in her mouth for each incorrectly answered question I chose to have her put on another item of clothing. I don't remember what all she is wearing but here is what you can see. A scarf (worn as a turban), swimming goggles, a vest, a sweater, shorts, soccer socks, and a bra (stuffing was inlcuded). Since it was in August I am sure she was glad when the game ended and she was able to take the stuff off. I do have to give her credit for being a good sport. Thanks for the fun Leonora!



I am ready for marriage, bring it on!!



Here is my future Chip 'n Dales dancer. (I hope not!!) One Sunday morning Linden decided to have some fun with Zackary while getting him dressed for church. Too bad we didn't have him at Leonora's bridal shower. That would have been great for a few laughs.



Zackary in his cowboy hat riding his trike.



No more pictures please, Dad!



One of the boys favorite activities during the summer is playing in the water. Grandma Nielsen got them a slip 'n slide, but I always forgot to take pictures of those fun times. They also really enjoyed the kiddie swimming pool that Aunt Shanna and Uncle Benjamin gave Anton for his First Birthday (yip, we still have it). Again, no pictures of that. What we do have, though is pictures of the boys playing in the irigation water at Grandpa and Grandma Butler's. The boys love it!! I think they look adorable after I get them all slathered up with sunscreen everywhere, inlcuding their hair. It sticks up so cute.



Out on the lawn, during a break from splashing each other.



What is that over there and how can I get in trouble playing with it?



Anton with his splashing stick. Luckily, he just used it for splashing and hitting the apples that had fallen off of the tree.



Feeding the ducks, geese, and other birds at the green belt. The boys LOVED watching the bread get gobbled up. They were glad they were on the bench, though. Some of the birds can be quite aggressive.



We'll have to go again next summer. Maybe by then Zackary will eat less and share more with the birds.



One morning Zackary found some of Anton's underwear and insisted on wearing it. (That is more than we get from Anton.)



Anton loves "spelling" everyone's names with his blocks. He lines them up clear across the floor and proudly tells me where my name is, where his name is, where Grace's name is and anyone elses' names that he thinks needs to have their name spelled out in blocks on the floor.



My handsome husband with my two adorable boys. I decided I needed to get a picture of them wearing their matching ties that I made for them for Leonora's wedding. (They actually turned out well enough to wear, though I do need more practice to get a perfect tie.) This was taken one Sunday after church, hence grumpy boys ready for naps and lunch. I told Linden he only had to wear the tie twice, once for the wedding and once to church when we all wore our matching outfits. He doesn't really like the matchy, matchy thing. Nor does he like solid colored ties. Thanks, Linden.



Me with my two adorable boys!! I am in the dress I made. Again, more practice is needed to get a perfect result, but it worked.



One day Linden fell asleep on the couch. The boys decided they didn't want Daddy to get cold, despite the fact that it was rather warm. So, they piled all the blankets and stuffed animals they could find on top of him. He actually stayed asleep. I just had to get a picture, it was an irresistable moment.



No, he isn't sucking his thumb. He is just sound asleep.



A few weeks ago Linden spotted something I have never seen in Idaho before. It was right outside our front door. We think it is a salamander, not a lizard because it isn't scaly, but I am sure a biologist could tell us what it really is.



What a cute little naked bum!!! I hope you don't mind my sharing this picture. Linden and I thought it was really cute. We have been earnestly trying to get Anton potty trained. He does EVERYTHING he needs to except actually use the toilet. As a consequence, Zackary is getting closer to being potty trained than Anton. This picture was taken after one of his successes. He was trying to wash his hands by himself. The stool isn't quite tall enough. He uses the stool to get up to the sink and then climbs up further to try to turn on the water. He usually ends up getting distracted by all of the "toys" at the sink. I think after he got up Anton moved the stool because it was his turn to sit on the potty so he needed it instead of Zackary. So, Zackary was left hanging at the sink. Luckily he didn't even notice the stool was gone. He was having so much fun.



More posts to come later this week. I'll hopefully then do better at keeping current.

Bear Lake Reunion

The last weekend in July we got everything all packed up and headed off for the KOA at Bear Lake for a Hocking family reunion. We had a BLAST. The boys enjoyed swimming in the pool and at the lake, they enjoyed a "train" ride through the KOA campground, lots of visiting, playing and eating. The best part was the visiting with all of the family that came from everywhere. I actually remembered to take some pictures with the camera, also. Most of the time I forget. Hence, this post is FULL of pictures. It was nice to visit with Sally, Becky, Nancy, Leah, Aunt Bonnie, Uncle Mike, Aunt Becky, Mark, Tami, Dan, Chad and so many others. I met lots of great family members and look forward to getting to know this family even better through the years at more reunions.


Are you really going to make me do this, Mom? It was one of the first rides through camp that night and just way too crowded for me to dare put Zackary on.


Mmmm! That tastes good!


The train coming back with Anton on it. He had a great time. Later it wasn't quite as crowded so Zackary and Anton both got a ride.


No, No, No! Not without you Mom. Anton and Zackary both got to go for the last ride, Aunt Brook was nice enough to ride with them so I didn't have to worry about Zackary falling out. It looks like he would have preferred mom, though.


That actually was fun, thanks for making me go!


Dan and Linden visiting in the shade of a tree.


Tami and the others from Seattle got there after the boys and I had gone to bed, so I had to wait to get some pictures until the next morning at breakfast.


NO, I WANT MY MAMA!!!


Everyone's favorite Aunt Bonnie.


Linden first got wet and enjoyed playing with the boys in the water, but then he decided to make better use of his time and become a sculptor.


Linden the sculptor, making an image of Uncle Mike.


We even got the real hat from Uncle Mike for a minute to take a quick photo. He relented after enough asking.


Uncle Mike observing Linden sculpting him.


The final result.


Tami, relaxing at the beach.


Uncle Alex encouraging Anton to splash Aunt Claudette and Aunt Brina


Aunt Claudette, Zackary, Aunt Brina and Aunt Brook playing with the sand and water.


We all posed for a group photo before leaving Bear Lake that day, minus Claudette the photograper, of course. Linden, Rachel, Zackary, Uncle Mike, Brina, Alex, Brook, Tami, Misti, and Anton.


Brook (or maybe Brina, sorry ladies) with Alex lounging around visiting with everyone.


Aunt Bonnie with her favorite T-shirt.


Aunt Becky, Claudette and I visiting while Zackary took his nap. (It was HOT!)


Someone gave Anton a fishing pole with a seahorse, octopus and crab. He played with it for about three hours straight, catching everything over and over.


At the reunion Alex and Linden participated in a Redneck horseshoe tournament. They WON!! They must be the most competetive players there or something!


Alex getting ready to throw.


One night Zackary wasn't patient enough to wait for me to get him a piece of cake. He reached over and grabbed one while I was dishing a piece up on a plate for him. Instead of using the plate and fork he just used his hands and would put the whole piece up to his mouth to eat while everyone laughed at him. He really enjoyed the cake. I think he decided that this is how he should eat it every time.


Getting ready to shove another bite in his face. Chocolate cake sure is yummy!!


Anton with his five (Yip, count em!) hats, drinking water, patiently waiting while Mom and Dad get the tent all packed up and loaded with everything else.


Aunt Becky and Dan.


Mark, ready for the long drive home. He wanted to make sure he didn't dehydrate.


A big family photo. Front:Rachel and Zackary, Mark, Tami, Chad Back: Linden and Anton, Uncle Mike, Alex, Brook, Claudette, Aunt Becky and Dan.


A little family photo.


Uncle Mike with his nieces and nephews that were there the last morning of the reunion. Front: Brook, Claudette, Tami, Mark. Back: Alex, Uncle Mike, Linden


A Big THANKS to all of those from the Seattle area that made the long trip. It was wonderful to see you. We hope to see you again SOON!!,