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!

Ethan

Ethan, Ethan, Ethan! He is a pretty cute boy. Whether he's looking at you with his big blue eyes (thanks Sandi for the picture), laughing when you tickle him, or talking non-stop in his baby jiberish. Avery and Liam were pretty mobile at this age, but Ethan is our mellow little one. He is content to sit with you or be held. He has a great personality, rarely cries and likes to smile. It was pretty funny. The other day he was rolling around with Liam in their room. He saw something under his crib and rolled towards it. Brooke came in to find him underneath the crib, with only his legs sticking out.

Tagged!

Brooke has good intentions Tannya, but probably wouldn't do the tag so I am going to help her out (emphasis added). I am dictating for her, hope your ready to go. Here are the rules as well.

#1 Link to the person who tagged you.

#2 Post the rules on your blog

#3 Write six random things about yourself

#4 Tag six people at the end of your post

#5 Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

#6 Let the tagger know when your entry is up


6 random things:

1. I love dots!
2. I just finished The Count of Monte Cristo, last months book club book.
3. I love to write lists. Checking them off is my favorite part.
4. Brady loves it when I say, "I have an idea" or "I have a hot idea" (This usually entails more work for me).
5. I am 6', but have been measured at 6' and a half inch - twice.
6. I wore my last pair of earrings until they rusted. (I even bought her a new pair for Christmas and she didn't wear them)

Here are the next taggers:
Christa (hope the spelling is correct this time), Rueben, Tiffany, Sam, Tommmy, and Elisa

4th of July

We had a great time over the 4th of July. We hosted our annual 4th of July firework extravaganza. The fireworks were pretty anti-climactic compared to our neighbors. The meal was great and it is always fun to get together with friends. The kids had fun trying to find the cats and playing in the playhouse. The adults liked the conversation.

We also got to see Charlie and Kelly, who were visiting from Cal. They were up for the Olympic trials. Charlie was a high jumper with Brooke and Kelly did about everything, ran and jumped with Brooke in college at Weber.

Grandparents visit

We were very fortunate to have both grandparents come for a visit. Brookes' mom and dad came in first. They were visiting Oregon for their wedding anniversary, and spent a few days at the coast. While they were here they got to pick strawberries, make freezer jam, go the park, and visit spend time at home. Brooke really enjoyed the visit. Next, we got a visit from my parents. They were in town for the trials. My sister Alissa came down from Portland to join us and have fun. Liam liked playing with his cousin Emilie at the park. My dad and I got some good rides in, and got to sport the new GC Connection shirts.

Olympic Trials

We are very fortunate to be living in a great city like Eugene, the host of the 2008 Olympic Trials. Eugene is definitely track town U.S.A. It has been fun to watch and follow. Last Friday my parents came into town and my dad and I went to the opening day of the track meet. It was quite the experience. Saturday my parents, Brooke, and I went to the meet. It was extremely hot, up in the 90's. It is amazing to see the athletes and the sacrifice they made to get there. I always feel bad for the 4th place finisher. Their the first one to not make it on the team - that's rough.

It also has allowed Brooke and I to flash back on her career in track as a high jumper (personal best of 184 cm). Brooke qualified for the 2000 Olympic trials, but didn't compete because we were cast members in the LDS Hill Cumorah Pagaent. She has no regrets with her choice, but it would have been cool to see her compete in it.

Bubba's 1st scrapbook page

Here is a link to my first scrapbook page!:) Margaret this is for you.

http://scrappingconnection.blogspot.com/

Visitors!

We have had many visitors over the last month, starting with Kricket and her family. Garrett was in Europe studying abroad for school, so Kricket was making the road trip to visit family and friends. It was great to have her here. Liam and Cooper spent the time working on "cooperation" and "sharing." Kricket got to see friends and visit old hangouts.



Next we were lucky to have my parents stop by for a couple of days. My little sister is moving with her little family to Portland while her husband is going to PA school. It is always fun to have family in town. While my parents were here we got to take them to the Saturday Market. That is always an interesting time.



Finally, we got to have Brooke's youngest sister, Elisa, come and stay with us. She is a fun lady and always makes us laugh. She and Brooke stayed up way to late talking into the night about this and that. Avery really watched to see what Elisa was doing, even not doing, including not eating her oatmeal (which Avery thinks she doesn't have to eat now - thanks Lis). Sorry we didn't get a picture of Elisa. Lis if you have one send it our way and we will post it.

Ouch-e!

BEWARE: I start this off by warning any readers that this can be gross and graphic. It is not to be viewed by the young and innocent or faint hearted. In the words of Liam, "Ouch-e!" It happpened in my time trial race on Saturday. Luckily I wasn't seriously hurt, other than minor scraps and bruises. Two guys on my team hit wheels and fell down, causing me to go right over them and land hard on the ground. When I hit my legs cramped up and it was pretty painful. But I am healing and feeling better. I am looking forward to the next race:)

Avery!

Avery is finishing up her final weeks of school. At her assembly she won an award for lifeskill in Effort and Sense of Humor. We are very proud of her.


I had the chance last Friday to go with Avery on her class field trip to the coast. It was great to be able to spend time with Avery and her friends. She and Emily are two peas in a pod. First, we went to the aquarium in Newport. It was fun to walk around and see the shark tank, touch the star fish, and look at the exotic fish.





After the aquarium we loaded back up on the bus and headed to the coast to visit the tide pools. If was my first experience at a tide pool and I was not disappointed. The kids were enthralled with the purple sea urchin, green anemones, and multi-colored sea stars. I am always entertained by the kids conversations, it is never a dull moment. It was great to spend time with Avery!

Tagged

Thanks Chrysta for the tag, I didn't know guys were supposed to do this kind of thing. I have seen many versions of being tagged, so I am assuming, from your blog, I need to write down three things in each of the areas. I am not claiming that this will be anything entertaining or shed some light onto my weird self, but here you go.

Joys
1. Coming home from a long day at work and having a bowl of vanilla ice cream with the family. I get to have two of my favorite things: family and ice cream. I love ice cream! My favorite is home made, but it is a rare occasion that that happens.
2. A day with no projects. Brooke likes to keep me busy with projects. You can always here her say, "I have an idea" or "I want you to do something." Usually they are good ideas and turn out for the best, but once in a while it is nice to do nothing but be with the family and enjoy.
3. Sitting for 4 or 5 yours on my bike. Love it! Road today with my dad on my favorite bike ride, Wolfe Creek. It is absolutely beautiful out here in Oregon, and I get to see it while peddling my bike.

Fears
1. Avery turning into a teenager! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
2. After number 1 there is nothing else to fear.
3. Well, maybe when Avery turns 16 and starts dating. I am doomed.

Goals
1. Not to eat off others plates. I am always finishing the fam's food. It is a bad habit and always getting me in trouble.
2. To post a comment on Margaret's blog. She is always posting on ours and I feel bad that I never post on hers (sorry Margaret I will try to do better).
3. Win a crit. I won two cyclocross races last year, but never won a crit. I took second 6 times.

Current Obsessions (Me obsessed?)
1. My bike.
2. My other bike.
3. My other, other bike.

Random Facts About Me
1. I hate broccoli, but eat it because I know it is good for me. And I know that Liam and Avery are watching me. Avery has become the broccoli police.
2. Once someone asked how I got the big scar on my head and I told them I got in a fight and was hit in the head with a bat.
3. I made a DIGITAL scrapbook page for my mom's birthday. I will never do that again. My mom is hard to buy for and she is the most talented scrapbooker, so I decided to make her a page on Photoshop. Like I said I will never do that again. I have yet to see the fun in that.

Hope that met everyones expecations. I guess I am supposed to tag someone else? I don't think any of my guy friends would actually do it, so actually going to tell Jill she needs to do it. Have at it.

Tagged?

Chrysta, I guess I am a little lame with this, but don't know what that means to be "tagged." I have seen them a couple different ones, so I don't know what I am supposed to do.

Avery's track meet

Following in her mother's footsteps, literally, is what Avery is doing. Avery joined the track and field team at her school. Whenever I see Avery run I am reminded of all those years of watching Brooke compete at WSU. Avery looks just the same: skinny long legs, determined face, and loving to talk with everyone of her friends. I think we have reincarnated Brooke. Avery did very well in her first track meet, winning her heat in the 100 m and winning the long jump (Avery said around 10 feet). We are proud of her.