After our doctor's appointment on the 24th, we found out that Cohen was nowhere near ready to join us...so we decided to go camping. Although most places we checked were booked for the week-end, we did find a really great "first come, first serve" campground on the way to Oceanside called Gale's Creek. We didn't do much but take long naps, eat smore's, did I say...take long naps, took a little hike, and sat by the campfire talking about what we thought life would be like with Cohen. Then on Sunday we joined Chris' parents in Oceanside to enjoy the beach and the annual Hoedown. We had a great time, as always!!

July 22, 2005 is an important date for Chris and I...as it was the first time we met Now, 3 years later we're married and expecting our first baby. It's amazing how fast one's life can change!

To celebrate I surprised Chris with an overnight get away to Bonneville Hot Springs and Resort. If you ever have the chance, I'd highly suggest going there. The surroundings and staff were superb and the mineral baths were to die for...my skin has never felt better! Plus we had a hot tub on our deck that was also filled with mineral water! AMAZING

I wish I could stay there until Cohen is born! Looks like were about 14 days away from the big day...Time is a tickin'

We'll keep you posted...

On our way home we also stopped by the Cascade Locks for a tour. It was pretty interesting as well as "Jane" our Cascade Lock expert!! Check out the funky carpet...too funny!

What a wonderful day! Cohen(Baby Butler now has a name) is very lucky to have two amazing, energetic, loving, and organized grandma's who can do anything they put their minds to! Chris and I feel very fortunate knowing we'll have the support we'll need when Cohen arrives in August

The grandma's hosted the shower at Peterkort Woods, which was perfect. The guys (Chris, his dad/Dick, my brother/Mark, and my uncle John kept the kids entertained in the pool, so the ladies could mingle, eat, and play games in the clubhouse. The best game was a "birthday card" activity. First, a note card was passed out to each person with a number on it. Then the number corresponded with an age Cohen will be in the future. So, if you picked the number 5, you'd write a birthday card to Cohen for his 5th birthday. Cohen will be sent a card each year from each person who attended his shower! Pretty cool, huh

After reading and researching about sailboats for the past 6 months... Chris with the experienced knowledge of Roger, his dad and his uncle (who waved good-bye after the launch) went for his first sail last Wednesday. Chris enjoyed every minute of it and can't wait to go again! I think "sailing" will be a new Butler family hobby.
Anyone up for a sail?

I usually tend to think I'm not easily surprised...but oh my goodness, did my sister pull together a wonderfully executed get-together!! It all began on Friday night when Dee, Chasen, and Gavin arrived in town. (The Peabody's are back in the States from Japan, Yeah! and moving to Virgina/Washington D.C.)I thought I had planned a BBQ with my sister's family and the Peabody's but apparently I was just a decoy in the master plan.
Click read more...

Little did I know, awaiting me at my sister's house was Lauren, Mark, Maile (who I hadn't met yet), Nicole, and Laura...who were there to surprise me. You see, we rarely have the opportunity to get together these days. Everyone is so busy and life pretty much takes over when you calculate in kids, work, etc....Plus, it's really hard to see Dee when she was living half across the world!
So, when I walked in the door at my sister's house and saw Lauren peek around the corner, it took me a good 5 seconds to even register who it was... I thought I was losing it! I was thinking to myself "that girl looks a lot like Lauren...." That's weird, then out toddled Maile and Nicole, etc....and it finally sunk in. Then I was thinking they were here to surprise Dee, but of course Dee was in on it too!

All I can say is..holy cow! That was the best gift ever We totally enjoyed our week-end together just hanging out, eating, and watching the kids play. What more could you ask for!! The girls even took me to Mother's Bistro, on Sunday morning for a wonderful breakfast and baby shower.