Hey Twin!

I throw birthday shout-outs on this blog every now and again but I forgot to shoot one out to my twin brother. I guess I just got caught up in, ya know, it being my birthday as well. It has been an awesome 29 years and it NEVER gets old sharing one with my brother. Hands down, Drew is one of my favorite persons to hang out with. One of the many things I love about Drew is that he is committed to his family. I know that he would pretty much do anything for me or any of his family.
We have been though a lot together, many hard times and many great times. Drew can and could make me laugh harder than anybody. I love his wittiness, great sense of humor and impeccable timing of delivery of jokes. He is and has always been a very interesting person and I love reading his blog and one he has about my 3 sweet nieces.
I am so proud of him. He has been through a lot of changes in the past few years and it has been a joy to watch him become a husband, a father and to take those roles on so well. God has truly blessed him with a wonderful wife & kids. Here is a picture of he and his lovely family:



We have spent all of our birthdays together but one. I plan to spend every birthday with him for the rest of our lives. Here are some then and now pictures which I am all about.



For our birthday this year, we ended up hanging out at Drew's house (our spouses gave us a party). We let the kids run around and play while we socialized, ate pizza and had some cake/coffee (there is ALWAYS coffee at Drew's house). It was very enjoyable. Here are a couple of pictures from that night. At the first of this blog is a picture of my bro posing after opening up the gift we got him, a Steeler's Jersey. He is a big fan.

Thundering our Sneakers Again!

Two people who can really lift my spirits are my good friends Laura and Beth. I LOVE hanging out with them. I am so glad that they feel comfortable enough to invite themselves over or just come in through the garage of my house and make themselves totally at home. Now those are close friends!
We have started a tradition of going to the annual fundraiser, Thundering Sneakers, which Henderson's library. This was our 3rd year to do this 5K and we really have a lot of fun. I hope to be running many more years with you Beth and Laura!!!

Happy 30th B-day Charlotte!!

(the above picture was taken by Drew a year ago. Charlotte surprised him for his birthday with Steelers tickets so they went to St. Louis to watch them play the Rams - Awesome gift!)
Just wanted to make a quick post to wish my sweet sister-in-law, Charlotte. I think any given person who knows her would comment on how patient and loving she is towards everyone. She is a wonderful wife to Drew, mother to 3 beautiful girls, Aunt to my kids and sister-in-law to me...and the list goes on. I have known her even through Jr. High and High School because we played went to Christian schools that were rivals. We mainly remember each other on the basketball court. I will lower my pride just a little today and show you the beginnings of our friendship /rivalry. awwwwkward!
I love that Charlotte is so sweet but I also know about her competitive spirit which I like :) I think this picture was taken in 96' or 97'

Happy belated birthday Charlotte! Thanks for being a great friend!!

Glad I said yes!

There are plenty of things I could be blogging about right now, photos I can't wait to show you, things Pete has done that make me smile, things Aubrey says that make me laugh. However, as I was sitting here at my computer I realize that today is the day Bryan proposed to me 4 years ago. I thought it was a sign that I should tell you this fun story of my incredibly amazing husband.

First of all, I wasn't really sure when Bryan would propose to me and I was starting to wonder if he ever would. We were in a dating relationship for almost 2 years. I was living with three friends at the time (Vanessa, Laura & Beth) and worked a the Longview News Journal. Bryan was working at Satterwhite Log Homes at the time. He devised a plan to propose to me at the Satterwhite Model Log Home and then take me to the Tyler Street Bistro downtown for an engagement party. I was totally oblivious to the entire thing. I just thought we were going on a date out to eat.
Bryan said he had to check the Model Home first and make sure the lights where turned off, so I agreed to go with him there first. After realizing that our efforts were futile because most of the lights were censored lights, he called me onto the back deck...there, candles were lit and roses were at the table (Amy and Drew sneaked over before we got there). Bryan was a little nervous at first but he prayed with me then got on his knee and proposed to me. (note: Picture on the right was taken during our engagement pictures - it was where he proposed)
Friends came from Tyler and Corsicana. Family came from Tyler & Austin - Bryan even flew one of my closest friends, Megan, from Wisconsin, so that she could share that wonderful day with me. It was a great one! I don't want to possibly bore you with more details but I was completely overwhelmed by the love I felt that night from family, friends and Bryan (who incidentally is now part of my family AND my best friend).

Confirmed

People have told me that Aubrey resembles me. It blew me away when I came across this photo (of myself) the other day. I believe this does look somewhat like Aubrey.

That's so corny!

I have to back-track a little because I wanted to put these pictures all on the same post. A few weeks ago the Jones's down the street invited us to go with them to Moore Farms in Bullard one Saturday morning. We had a great time and Aubrey couldn't stop talking about going to the pumpkin patch with her friend Harper. It really was a fun place to go for all of us. Here are a few pictures from that day.












We also went to a corn maize with Alpine (located off of I-20 near 271 exit) and had a good time. Aubrey was anxious to ride the bus there (it was her first time to ride one). She was so excited to see friends Grayson and Mallory there when we arrived. After an exchange of hugs, it was off to the corn they went. The kids loved the huge pool of corn, even Elizabeth and Pete played in it for a while.
We rode a hay ride and watched the pig races as well. I did not go through the corn maize but I heard it was pretty fun.
It was awesome to share this experience with my friends too!





My beautiful, glowing, pregnant friend Amanda is always so silly. I think she enjoyed the corn more than the kids did.











I love this last picture Mindi took of Aubrey chilling out in the corn.

These two buddies

I was just thinking about my friend Jessi and remembering fun times I had with her at LU playing intramural sports, drinkin' coffee, watching Waiting for Guffman, or just chillin' out at our trailer (yes, we lived in a trailer on Green street one summer)
I took some pictures of Pete and her son, Lars, when Jessi was in Texas last. She was due with Lars Mid-April and I was due with Pete late-March but we ended up having our boys about 12 hours apart. Also, it was pretty cool because neither one of us found out the gender of our babies early. (note: the above picture was taken in 2002 when my friend Jessi and I were going to LeTourneau - aw, sweet memories and sweet tea)

Jessi always pays me a visit when she comes back to her great home state and it is so much fun to hang out and catch up. She has been residing in VA for several years now.
I love my dear friend and I think it is awesome that we can share the bond of motherhood. She is so laid back and easy to talk to and is one of my truest friends in which I can confide.

I am sure these boys will have a photo shoot most every time Jessi and I get together until we hear the boys say "MOM, not again!" Of course, they will know the drill by then. This was the first time Lars and Pete met. - Lars born April 4th & Pete -April 5th

Here they are at 5 weeks



Here they are at 5 months


Here's to many more side-by-side pictures of these two buddies. We will take pictures of Pete and Lars together as well.

I dedicate this clip to Jessi - DQ Country misses you!

"Something's up with Jack..."

HE JUST TURNED 3!

My ONLY nephew (outside of the womb anyway), turned 3 this past weekend! I am so proud of him and I love him very much. He has such a loving and sweet nature.
These next 2 pictures are of me and Aubrey with Jack when we went to visit in Wyoming just before his sister, Evie, was born.
Although I haven't been got to be near him geographically, I have really enjoyed the times we have been together AND I love keeping up with him through pictures and videos my sister posts on flickr or her blog. Every time he and Aubrey get together, it is pure joy!
I also wanted to say how proud I am of my little sister - she has proved to be an awesome mother. I know it hasn't always been easy when there little family moved to Britten, CO and then to Casper, WY with to Jeremy's job. She moved to these places not knowing anyone in these towns but she has managed to make friends and take great care of two beautiful, awesome kids. GREAT JOB SIS!


Not to be biased but Jack is the most handsome 3 year old I know, there, I said it :) There are WAY too many cute pictures to choose from but here are a few of my favorites of Jack.























Did I mention he is a great big brother to little sister, Evie?

We are so excited to be near them soon. The Butlers are moving soon to Bossier City, LA from Casper, WY which is only an hours drive from Longview as opposed to an 18 1/2 hour drive. This makes me happy to get to see them A LOT more often than I have, to be with them over Christmas and for the birth of my second nephew, due in January! YEAH!

WE LOVE YOU JACK!
I leave you with a video of he and Aubrey the last time they were together this past June at Grammy's house-

Goin' down the track, clickaty clack...

All aboard!

Hop on the party train as we celebrate Pete's 1/2 birthday! Yep, he will be 6 months old tomorrow. It has gone by so fast and I still can't believe we have a son. We will have his 6 month appointment soon so I will let you know the details of how much he weighs and all that good stuff.

His status for now:
He can role over now from his back to his front both ways (meaning over his left and right shoulder), he can sit up for a good amount of time by himself, he is cutting his first tooth, he is getting more aware of faces/places, he is talking a lot (don't know what he is saying yet, but we will), we will start him on some rice cereal soon and he still loves his jumperoo. I will also add what Aubrey likes to tell people about her brother; as she raises her arms, she says "He is getting bigger, and bigger and BIGGER!"

As for now, I will leave you with some pictures Debbie asked me to take of Pete wearing a train engineer outfit his daddy wore when he was a little man. She even moved the buttons on the straps because Pete was a little too long for the outfit.

Bryan at around 7 or 8 months of age:


Pete at 6 months of age: