Chucky Boy

Our sweet Chucky boy went to Heaven on Thursday.  He had a couple of seizures on Sunday and his health declined from there.  Our vet, who was great throughout the last week, said that it would be best to let him go.  While it was such a sad decision, Ryan and I know that we made the right decision.

We miss him and we know that Lucy misses her buddy but we also know that he's up in Heaven and has found some friends to play with and probably some human that will let him be a 70 pound "lap" dog!:) We love you Chucky...you were a nuisance at times, but faithful until the end!

Saying good bye to Chuck

Arrgh...Chuck the pirate

Chuck the clown

Chuck and Lucy's first meeting...instant friends

Relaxing

Not helping with the unpacking of boxes

Dora and Diego

Where Have We Been?

Here's a not so quick pictorial review on what's been going on with the Butlers...

These sweet girls were supposed to be surprised
with a trip to WDW for Valentine's Day but...

this sweet boy woke up with a 103 fever,
double ear infection, and bronciolitis therefore
cancelling our trip (they still don't know about
the WDW part - good thing it was a surprise!)

Kate and her date to her Daisy sock hop

5 stitches as a result of falling off the slide stairs
at school

Go Sparkles!

Maggie enjoyed her field trip to the zoo
and she and Liza loved the petting farm

Spring break in Haslet - at a Haslet town event

Ben loved "driving"

Cheering on the Jayhawks and hoping
for a win over UNC sending them to
the Final Four

And it worked! Although we lost
to Kentucky in the championship game.

A fun Easter egg hunt at Lexi's house - checking out
their loot with Catherine Wynn

Maggie's egg hunt at school - her favorite friends, Liza
and Anna (we were missing Lucy in this one)

The Cariker Easter egg hunt - lots of kids, lots of fun!

A worn out Ben at Easter brunch




Ben makes it difficult to get a good picture!

Happy Easter!

In addition to all that, we moved in March into a rental and are hoping to break ground by May 1st! Whew...hopefully I'll stay on top of this blog thing!:)

It's Been Awhile

A 6 week review in pictures....

Ben has been hanging out
in Chuck's bowl

Kate has been earning some
Daisy awards

Kate celebrated the 101st day of
school - dalmation style

Ben has loved this unseasonably warm
winter weather

The girls loved the Micky/Princess Live show

Mags was excited to hibernate
with Snuggly Bear

Maggie and Lucy enjoying their Bear Breakfast
in their "cave"

Kate and Caroline had a blast at
their first Jayhawk game at
Allen Fieldhouse

In addition to all that, I had gum surgery to correct my receeding gum line and our house is under contract so we're looking for a rental while we build our house. Busy times!

Christmas

What a fun and Merry Christmas we had! The kids were thrilled that Santa had them on his "nice list" and brought them just what they wanted. And daddy and PopPop were a little less thrilled that Santa doesn't assemble his presents!:) We had a great Christmas and loved sharing it with Mimi, PopPop, Glammy, Papaw, and Uncle Brett. Hoping you all had a very Merry Christmas!

After Christmas Eve church service

Mimi and PopPop with the kiddos

Christmas pjs and a book!

Peppermint Oreos and milk for Santa

Ready to see what Santa brought!

He loves it!

Kate was super excited about her Barbie panties

And Mags couldn't believe that Santa brought her
the Mickey Space movie too

Ben's new bike from Glammy and Papaw

Taking it all in

Lots of great Barbies from Glammy and Papaw

Nanny and Bumps got Ben a Harley Davison motorcycle
rocking bike

Celebrating with Glammy and Papaw

All the great grandkids...Maggie, Coleman, William holding
Ben, Mitch, Preston and Kate

Ben loves his Nanny

December in Review

December is the busiest month always, but it's even busier with all 3 kids in school and their various activities. Throw in a few parties and December becomes a blur. All that said, we love December because the house is decorated for Christmas, the girls and I love listening to Christmas music while we're playing, and it's almost like you're not living your "real" life until after it's all over. Fun!

Annual treat...hot chocolate during our tree decorating

The finished product

Mags asked for a Mickey rocketship,
Kate asked for a Barbie Dreamhouse, and
we asked Santa to bring something for
Ben to climb on (Santa did not disappoint!)

Starbucks run and a walk around
Utica to look at the Nutcracker scenes

Maggie's class visit to the Santa
House at Utica (Mags is standing
in the doorway of the house)

Monte Cassino's Christmas party

Kate and Ava enjoying hot chocolate
during her class Santa House visit

Making Christmas cookies with Glammy

Ready for their book exchanges at school and Kate
was excited to wear her pjs for Polar Express Day

Mags singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
during her Christmas program

I love this picture...giggling with her friends, Gus
and Liza, because the baby Jesus in the manger
wasn't smiling!:)

Playing Christmas Bingo during her class party

Always climbing on something!

So fun...a Christmas lights limo tour hosted by
her friend, Lexi (Kate is in the second row wearing
a white coat)

SHCC Christmas party with Charlotte and Simon

A great picture with Glammy and Papaw