The Olympics

Now that the Olympics are over I feel I am finally getting back to sleep at night. We spent many hours up late watching the events. There was definitely a lot of hype and excitement with Michael Phelps, Misty Mae and Kari Walsh, and Bolt. But what about synchronized diving. Every Olympics Brooke and I get into a random and unusual event. This year it was synchronized diving. It was pretty entertaining watching the 5' 1' chinese boys do their thing. They killed the competition! NO one was even close. Their synchronization, style, and entry were tough to beat.

We were pretty inspired by the Olympics and had a family home evening to celebrate. Brooke bought a 4x4 plank and I sanded it down to make a balance beam. We had our own Olympics out in the back yard. I am sure the neighbors got a kick out of Brooke in her swimsuit trying to land a cartwheel on the balance beam (she did land 2 of them). Avery and Emily have been out in the yard all week coming up with new routines.

Pigeon Mix

With all the ladies sharing recipes and great meals I decided to get in touch with my feminine side and share one with you. Melissa takes pictures of her amazing food, so please don't compare this to hers. Actually, we went to hear Ben Cryer play his guitar for family home evening and we brought the pigeon mix to share. Some people wanted the recipe, so enjoy the calories.

Pigeon Mix

1 large box of Golden Grams
1 large box Corn Chex cereal
1 cup sliced almonds
2 cups shredded coconut
1 1/2 cup butter
2 cups Karo syrup
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups sugar

cook sugar, Karo syrup, butter until boils. cook and stir 2 minutes. add vanilla and soda. stir down foam (Brooke let ours over flow last time and it took a lot of scrubbing to get the sticky mess off). pour over cereal in a big bowl.

Avery and the Chipmunks

We just watched the movie Alvin and the Chipmunks. It was a pretty funny movie. I didn't even recognize that the main guy was from the the show My Name is Earl. He looked a little different without the stache. Avery's favorite part is when the Chipmunks first sing "Funky Town" to show Dave their skills. So Avery decided to do her own version. We got a good laugh.

More summer pics

Here are some more summer pics.Liam and his glasses, Avery and her new glasses, and popsicles.

Summer Break

After my intense classes this summer at the U of O I was feeling a little brain dead, which lead me to take some time away from the computer. It felt great to unplug and walk away. This summer we have been able to do many fun things. So instead of a weekly update, here is our summer fun update.

Avery had her 11th birthday! I know it is hard to believe she is that old. She is 5' 1" and will tell anyone she is going to be 6' 2". Avery was very excited to decorate her own cake.


Boating with the Hansen clan out at Fern Ridge. We got to knee board and tube.

McCall Trip

Every year Brookes' family goes to McCall for the annual Butler family reunion. It is a fun time of boating and seeing family. It was packed with water skiing, wake boarding, tubing, and playing in the water. I am still trying to recover from all the tork on the old body. Liam and Avery got to play by the water. Ethan was trying to take it all in, but got to see his little (only in age) cousin Will. Brooke was even able to do some water skiing. The last year she was pregnant and unable to do much, but she got up on the slalom ski her first try!

Liam and I on the tube. He would say, "Hit the big bumps!" It made me proud to call him my son.

Brooke showing her stuff on the ski.

I was able to give Brooke's little brother Sam an extreme make-over. It only lasted for two days before he shaved it all off.

Grandpa Marcheschi and Ethan after a night cruise.

The next Picasso?

Avery the next Picasso? Maybe. From the day she was born that girl has been amazing us with her creativity. A couple of weeks ago Avery was able to do an art class. It was all day for a week. We are glad she was able to learn more in this class. Some of her pictures turned out really well. She keeps asking if she can sell some on Craigslist. Maybe someday!