Lunch with the princesses at the Grotto!

Yes, we went a little crazy with this Disneyland trip, but it was worth every bit and I wouldn't change a thing. The money we saved on not renting a car and kids flying free was put to good use at the Grotto and Breakfast with the Characters!

It all started with a personal photograph and conversation with Ariel. Camrie was so excited she was beside herself. It was truly an all-girls lunch with Nana, Mom, Cam and the princesses! You couldn't wipe the smile off of Camrie's face from the moment we walked in the door. She was SO EXCITED!!!

The lunch was three course (appetizers, main course and dessert). It started with a great three tiered appetizer tray with jello, fruit, veggies, bread and some great dip! Then we each got a great entree. But the topper was the dessert plate with all kinds of little treats and desserts for everyone to share. We all felt like we were getting the star treatment!

While we were enjoying our delectable dishes the princess were announced and came to visit each table and talk with each girl personally and sign autographs. It was so fun watching Camrie and seeing her reaction. She was a little disappointed that Snow White wasn't there, but with the help of the waiter we assured her that Snow White was on vacation!!!

Belle was very sweet and soft spoken.









Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) was next and she was my favorite. She talked with Camrie for a good five minutes and asked her all kinds of questions. She was in no hurry to leave. Camrie truly felt like she was the only one in the room.









Cinderella had a sweet, tiny little voice, but seemed in a little bit of a hurry (and it wasn't even close to midnight!!!). Cam was still thrilled to have her favorite princess right by her side.















Finally, Jasmine graced our presence. She too was a lot of fun. She and Camrie talked about Agrabah and many other fun things! Camrie was pretty excited that they matched.

This is an experience I hope Camrie never forgets. She was so star-struck and beyond excited to meet the princesses. I am going to print these pictures and put them in a frame for her room.

What an great day!

Disneyland

We stimulated the economy by going to Disneyland for a few days in late September. The lines were short, the weather was great and we had a lot of fun. We also knew with Cayden getting older and Erica going into teaching this would probably be our last chance to go in the "off-season". So, with a stimulus check and a couple of cute, excited kids we jumped at the chance and went for it.

Our first ride at Disneyland - the train - of course! Who would expect anything less with Cayden, the train maniac, along for the ride!


They had fun the whole time. They were so good and got along great the entire trip. It was so fun. In fact, they are already saving for the next trip!

This is in Mickey's house in Toontown.









We ran and played as soon as we reached the hotel (really our room wasn't ready and we dropped off our luggage and headed straight for Disney the first day).

This is the third day after playing all day at Disney then playing all evening at the waterpark at the hotel and lots of walking in between Camrie was pooped and took a well deserved nap while we went on the Jungle Book. It was great because then we headed for Indiana Jones and she didn't miss a thing since she is still too small for Indiana Jones.


We had Breakfast with the Characters! The kids LOVED it and we got a great chance to get a lot of autographs! In my opinion, it is well worth the expense to not have to wait in those long lines to get autographs. Pricey, but well worth it.


Shawn has a lot of pictures on his camera. We finally found his USB cord the other day and I am hoping to finally upload his pictures to the computer this weekend. More pictures to come!

First day of school for Camrie

Camrie's first day of Headstart (pre-school). She was so excited!

Our amazing kids!!!

Cam has become such a great little person. Her personality and energy are infectious. She loves everyone, but must have it her way (we are working on that). She loves to help and is one tough cookie.

If there is an audience it must be time to perform. And someone new is always the best!!

We are so grateful to have such a spunky, strong willed daughter of our Heavenly Father (okay, so most days we are grateful! ;o)



Notice the space in his smile! I will upload a new image soon with two spaces!!

Cayden is turning into a great young man. He loves building things and creating new "inventions". He is very inquisitive and reads everything he sees and is doing really, really well.

He completed a few art camps this summer and loved it. He is ready to take on the second grade and is very excited to have Tim from down the street in his class.

Cam's waterslide birthday party

Thank you Caroll for letting us borrow the waterslide. The kids LOVED it! If you go to my sister, Karee's, blogspot you can see other cool pix of the kids going down the slide.

Cam was dead set on a waterslide birthday party. I even suggested a tea party, but she would have nothing to do with it. So, a waterslide party it was.












Cam received all kinds of great things: books, music, dress up jewelry, but the hit was the Hannah Montana wig. Our Cam has become a singing, dancing blonde sensation!

Aunt Karee created the cake (under Cam's direction, of course)! Thanks Karee it took a huge stress off knowing you were handling all the requests from the creative four year old! The green flowers were the perfect touch!

Cayden's TV Debut!

Cayden was chosen to say the pledge of allegiance at school this last spring. Mr. Clark and his 4th grade class read the announcements each morning on KRED (broadcast throughout Cayden's school). He did a great job and enjoyed watching everyone that morning.

Train Park Spring 2008

We got to go to the train park close by on opening day in April. We had a ball. This is a new "train" of sorts that runs on a full size rail. Cayden was thrilled he got to sit up front.









Cam was having fun too!!

More Hawaii!

I really liked this plant and think I took a decent picture!














We loved the black sand beach on Maui. I have a lot more pictures that I will upload another day. I know everyone really wants to see the kids!

Hawaii April 2008

Shawn & I had the opportunity to go to Maui and Oahu for 10 days. Yes, that is correct no kids for 10 days. I missed them, but loved the break and time just with Shawn. We had so much fun and slept in whenever possible (which was hard since we were one Pacific Time). It was amazing & we had a ball. This is a picture of the sunset our first night there. I still think back to how relaxing it was.






This is fire ginger. It is gorgeous and we found it on the road to Hana.












Shawn at the top of root stairs on a trail we explored on the road to Hana.


















BEAUTIFUL!!! Yes, that is the ocean in the background.












One of many amazing waterfalls on the road to Hana. More pix to come!

Yes, I am a slacker.

Sorry to all of you who are anxiously awaiting more pix and information about the Butler clan. I have been a big slacker! I am hoping to have time to redeem myself this weekend.

SNOW has been the biggest topic over the last week or so. Cayden's school was closed on Monday and Wednesday due to snowy conditions. On Monday the couple inches of snow (yes, I said inches) stuck around for most of the day. On Wednesday all was pretty clear by noon. He quite enjoyed it.

Cam enjoyed four days with Nana and Ainsleigh up in Salem. I had a meeting in Portland and picked her up on the way home on Monday evening.

Shawn is still working hard and loves yelling at the TV during Jazz games (I really do think he believes the Jazz can hear him!)

I am furiously working on school and can hardly wait until this time next year (I will be student teaching). But my favorite, most difficult, most fun, and most rewarding job is being a mom!

I will post more later my unit plan and lesson plans will never get done if I don't stop procrastinating!

Love to all,

E