Copy Cat

Jackson is the best little copy cat right now. This is SUPER cute when we are trying to teach him the hand motions to "itsy bitsy spider" or the "slippery fish" song. Not so cute when he comes home from nursery saying "mine" and "no, no, no".

Lately, there have been a lot of little things he is picking up on, and when I see HIM repeat it, its shocking to see myself or Brian in what he does and says. One of my favorites is "awe man!" and "oh no!"

The other night, I heard him wake up and say over and over in his high-pitched toddler voice, "oh no!" I was thinking the same thing..."oh no! It can't be time to wake up!" I rolled over and sure enough, it was only 4:45 a.m. I thought he'd go back to sleep, but when he kept repeating it, I thought I'd better check on him incase he was wet or something. Turns out, he was just cold and his blankets had fallen off of him. He was sitting up in bed and pointing to his blankets saying "oh, no!" As soon as I covered him back up, he went right back to sleep. Cute....but somebody needs to teach him how to put his own blankets back on!

Today was another one of those cute moments. I was preparing for my lesson to teach Sunday, sitting at the kitchen table while Jackson played around me. Pretty soon, he had made his way up to the table and was copying me...a thing I had no idea I was doing until he made a point to copy it. He rested his fists on his cheeks and elbows on the table...he looks cuter at it than me...but I realized its my "studying" pose that I've pulled since my college days. I had to grab the camera and snag a quick photo. Too bad I couldn't catch his eyes totally open, but then maybe that's what I looked like too! he he

What will he pick up next?

New Blog Address

Warning! Our blog address will be changing shortly to beutlerfamilyclan. blogspot.com. In the light of having a new addition to our home soon, the old address of "a guy a girl and a boy" will just no longer fit.
Since this template doesn't allow comments, please e-mail me if you are interested in getting the new address. I plan to have it changed by November 9th (my birthday is the deadline!)

Thanks!

Formal Gig

Friday night, Brian and I were invited to the Utah Technology Council Hall of Fame Inductee Formal Event. Brian likes to call it a mutual admiration event...where a bunch of "business celebrities" gather together to network and pat each other on the back over a $400 a plate dinner. All in all, it was a grand evening, I'm just glad we didn't have to pay for the dinner! It was fun to get all dressed up and to spend the evening with Brian as he introduced me to some key people he works with in the business world. Sometimes I feel so far removed from his work while I stay at home and take care of Jackson.

I can't say that the preparation for this event was hassle free. I was extremely worried about finding something to wear for the evening! Afterall, how many formal evening gowns are modest AND made to fit an 8 month pregnant woman?!? I was told from one of the Ladies at Brian's office not to worry about what I wore because nobody would remember anyway, but I still felt all strikes were against me. By Thursday morning, I still had not found an outfit I felt worked. Luckily, I was able to borrow a skirt from my friend Megan, and quickly found a black maternity top to wear with it at the mall- spiced it up with a jacket from Anne Taylor and some jewelry and hair accessories- and poof! There you have it! Thanks to all who helped put me together that night!

October Play Group

Jackson is so cute in his Halloween costume! He loves to wear it around the house and will drag it out of his closet to have me dress him in it. I think it's because he knows it's a monkey suite and he totally loves monkeys! He smiles at himself in the mirror when he is dressed up and I like to think it's because he realizes just how cute he is! He has recently picked up on saying "cheese" for the camera...which is what he is saying in this picture...can't you just hear him?


Each month I host a play group and anyone is invited to attend. Some months are more attended than others, and this happened to be one of those months! We decided to have a costume Halloween Party with all the kiddos to celebrate October! The kids were so cute! The outfits stayed on all but 10 minutes, just in time for a picture, but at least they had fun.

Abby Washburn taught us the movements and words to a song about witches:

"I'm a witch with a big tall hat,
I ride my broom with my scary cat,
My nose is pointy and my shoes are too,
Watch out! Or I might scare you!
I'm a witch with a big tall hat,
Boo!"


We made paper bag monsters and had a healthy Halloween lunch (pumpkin shaped sandwiches, "witches brew," and fruit). It was a fun-filled packed hour and a half and it wiped Jackson out entirely for his nap! He slept so well after playing hard with his buddies. Thanks to all who came!

Fall is in the Air

Fall is totally here. My house is decorated with all the trimmings. The weather is cool. We wake up to frost on the ground each morning and afternoons are just beautiful lately!
I was especially in the fall mood this morning and decided to boil some cloves, cinnamon and oranges in a bit of water to fill our house with the wonderful fall aromas. We had pumpkin muffins and gingerbread for a snack....it just seemed to fit!
At lunch today, we were surprised to find a Turkey had wondered into our backyard! Another sign of fall! We took a break from lunch and snagged this video....Jackson was trying to mimic the gobble- so cute! When the Turkeys head was extended, the thing was way taller than Jackson, so he was a bit scared of it...

Annual Family Halloween Party

'tis the season to dress up in funny costumes, buy miniature candies to "pass out" to trick -or-treators, and eat food that looks totally unappetizing! Each year, our family has its own tradition for Halloween. My mom hosts a big party for us all and cooks her special "meal in a pumpkin" dinner. It's a family favorite that is made only once a year...we all look forward to it! The little Halloween flair makes the meal so much fun and a special treat to look forward to every year.

Although this "eyeball" fruit salad may look unappealing, its actually really good!

Parmesan bread sticks AKA "lady fingers"

And of course, Witches Brew.

The grand kids searched for treats and prizes in a huge haystack, broke a pinata, and we had a cookie decorating contest (I'm not sure if the contest was for the best looking sugar cookie, or the one who could eat the most cookies....but it was fun).

We all dressed up in costumes, Brian's "favorite" part! Everyone looked great!! Some costumes were a surprise and it turned out to be quite a show!

Jordan and Taraleigh paired up as Bacon and egg (she's due in 3 weeks, so the yolk is her baby bump)


Carissa and Braxton were Harley Davidson riders and their girl Chloe was a butterfly.


Jaran, Claire and their family came dressed as Goldie locks and the three bears.


Jackson was a monkey, I was a scarecrow ( the overalls barely fit over my belly! 6 weeks to go!), and Brian put on a wig and called himself a clown ;). If I had thought about it more, I would have coordinated the family like Jaran and Claire. I'm sure Brian wouldn't have minded dressing up as a big banana.... maybe next year!


Whitney and Brandon switched roles: she was a football player and he was a cheerleader


And last but not least, my parents dressed up as clowns.


Thanks for the great evening! Happy Halloween!!

Quircky me

So my sister-in-law, Taraleigh, tagged me a while ago about this, and I'm finally getting around to posting it on my blog. I am usually the picture taker and so I don't often have pictures of me...I guess this one wil have to work.

Here are the rules: Link the person who tagged you. Mention rules on your blog. Tell about 6 quirks of yours. Tell 6 fellow bloggers to do the same. Leave a comment to let them know.


1) I hate being “underprepared” for things. I know that my definition of being prepared is what some might consider “over prepared”. For example, last year I planned my Christmas cards in June and this year, I will have them done before Thanksgiving, but that's partly because I know I won't have time to worry about it after the baby is born. Nothing is a last minute deal (except for dinner sometimes) otherwise I stress out too much and can’t sleep.
2) In the age of technology and computer-phones, I still prefer my method of post-it notes and printed calendars. I hand write a “to-do” list daily, and love to see items get crossed off the list. On the calendar, my menu for the week is planned in one color, activities in another, and reminders or appointments in another. The messier the calendar, the better I feel about having a so called “life”
3) I ask Jackson questions that I know he won’t respond to….like when the cashier at Harmons asks what color of balloon he wants, I turn and ask Jackson “What color do you want?” knowing he won’t respond to that…but it’s good practice to get him engaged in conversation, right? At least I don’t feel like I’m talking SOLELY to myself all day.
4) I have a hard time completing sentences, and along with that, I expect others to know what I’m talking about, or finish the sentence for me. Bad habit of communication…I know!
5) I love just sitting in Zoey’s Nursery and looking at the little pink clothes, waiting for her to come! It also helps me fight the urge to go shopping for girls clothes, if I just take a trip to the closet and see what has already been given to me, then I can feel somewhat relieved of the urge to shop!
6) I get bored of projects quickly. I have several things going at once so I can switch tasks depending on my mood that day. I switch between painting, sewing, card making, scrapbooking and reading. All started, few completed…but don’t worry, I’ll get there (especially if I have a self-imposed deadline)!

I tag: Mauri, Trina, Claire, Christina, Lindsay, Ashley Jones

Just like Dad!

Jackson IDOLIZES his dad in so many ways! He always seems to be looking at Brian for affirmation and affection, and he loves to copy ANYTHING Brian does. Just yesterday, Brian was leaving for work and yelled out to us "I love you!" and Jackson immediately responded back "I love you!" It was hard to catch at first, so Brian repeated it, and Jackson said it right back- clear as a bell! It was so cute, it brought a tear to my eye!

Lately, Brian has been giving Jackson rides on his back down the stairs in the morning for breakfast (and other times too). I guess Jackson is old enough now to understand what "Hold on tight" means....which makes me less worried that he's going to fall off. Brian had early morning meetings yesterday, and so we were heading down to breakfast by ourselves. Jackson always leads the way, hungry as can be as saying "let's go!" That's when we know he's ready to eat!

Jackson had his monkey's and was trying to put them on his back, but couldn't figure out how to make them stay. They HAD to be on his back before we went downstairs- So- I helped him out a bit and stuffed them down his shirt, and they stayed there for quite a while! It's so funny to see what he picks up on..he just makes me laugh!

3rd Annual Dutch Oven Cook-off

We held another successful cook-off last night....thanks to all who participated! It was our third annual and our best attended event yet! The competition gets tighter every year....

We had 11 dutch ovens overflowing with saucy, creamy, gooey goodness. It was hard to narrow down to 3 winners (one in each category: main dish, side dish, and dessert). We had pork tenderloin, stuffed beef tenderloin, chicken pot-pie, enchiladas, cheesy chicken and rice, chili-cheese sauce, corn bread, berry cobbler, peach cobbler, chocolate raspberry cake and a caramel apple dessert. We all left with our mouths happy and our tummys full. Pork Tenderloin made by Sam and Julie took best main dish by one vote, chili-cheese sauce made by Ben and Ashley took best side dish by one vote (we think they stuffed the voting jar to side in their favor), and berry cobbler made by Merilee and Peter took best dessert (also by one vote)! Congrats you guys!
The visiting and friendship kindling was a highlight. The boys played a good round of soccer, until Bob hurt his bog toe by kicking the concrete....way to go Bob! I guess three hours of sleep each night for the past week has its effect. The girls chatted and tended to the kids, like girls do, and gave Bob dating advise while he iced his toe :). The kids played to their hearts content and Jackson even found it entertaining to collect keys, cell phones and wallets that were left withing reach and throw them away....hope everyone got their stuff back!

After swatting 42 flies out of our kitchen and 5 garbage bags of paper products and empty 2-liter soda containers later, the party was over. We had fun and enjoyed everyone's company.

Until next year!

Oh! The Joys of Pregnancy...

If you were to ask me how I am feeling, "pregnant" is about the only appropriate response! The baby and the belly continue to grow, leaving less room to breath and to bend, making it hard to find the distinction between my ribs and her feet! I get the backaches and the ligament stretching, and all the other woes of the third trimester, but I decided I am not going to complain about this from now until the birth! You can mark my words, Brian....

I was thinking earlier this week about all of the reasons why we decided to get pregnant again (besides the obvious gift of having another child in our home), and all of those things I love about pregnancy... looking back with fondness after forgetting all of the discomforts, that is! I found an article on babycenter.com called "50 things to love about being pregnant", I narrowed it down to a list of ones that I like:

• The early weeks when only Brian and I knew our special secret.
• Knowing I've got nine whole months to plan and prepare.
• Pregnancy is Nature's way of making me feel good about putting on weight.
• At last I've got the bosom I've always wanted...
• Feeling a new appreciation for my own mother and all she went through having me.
• Decorating the nursery
• Feeling those first fluttering kicks Going for healthy walks with Jackson or Brian and getting fresh air in the lungs because it's good for me and good for the baby.
• Feeling a little pair of heels prodding under my ribs and knowing I'll soon be meeting the little person they belong to!
• Choosing baby clothes - or just surfing babygap.com and planning what I’m going to buy.
• Knowing that from now on, whatever happens, I'll never be bored again.
• Making new friends whenever I go shopping - everyone has a pregnancy story to share.
• Imagining what she will look like
• Looking at my growing bump in the mirror and realizing there's a person in there!
• Making all those phone calls to announce the arrival. Telling everyone the news and hearing the excitement in their voices.
• Waking up to see Zoey, outside of my tummy and thinking, 'Wow! This is real. I'm a mom-again!'
  

So in case I ever forget, there are wonderful things about being pregnant!