We Survived the Spudman 2008

When I signed up to do the Spudman six months ago, I never dreamed I would feel so many different emotions. This was the biggest athletic event I have ever done...so I felt major anxiety. There were a few times during training when I thought...there is no way. Ha, you've got to be kidding me...after I bike 25 miles...I'm supposed to be able to run 6?? And that is all meant to happen after a mile swim. Good Luck!!

Well we drove up to Burley, Idaho on Friday, picked up our race packets and I tried not to feel too intimated with all the "Real Triathles". Now I definately knew I was out of my league. Okay, so I didn't sleep very well that night. 5:30am - time to wake up, not sleeping anyways...here we go...force down some calories and start hydrating. It's way too early to eat.

We drove over to the start line. The race was started and we anxiously waited until wave 6. The swim looked far but, the river helped. My sisters, Tina and Kathy swam in the same heat as me. Derek, Kayli and Jake were 2 heats ahead of us. They stayed together the entire event and finished in 3 hours - Awesome!!. When they crossed the finish line the announcer said, "From Highland there's Kayli Butters, Jacob Butters and Derek Butters...now that's a lot of Butter!" I was hoping to finish in less than 4 hours... More realistically to Just Finish. Well, WE DID IT!! It was awesome to complete. Tina and I finished in 3:30, Kathy in 3:12 and Roger in 3:28. Yea!! It was so fun to do together. It was hard but, it's over and now the excitement outweighs the pain.


Congratulations Jake, Derek and Kayli. You did amazing!!


Yea!! We finished!!

How about this for a family trip? We had a fantastic time.

Harrison was so nice to come up with Grandpa and take pictures. They waited in the heat for 4+ hours. Thanks for cheering us on and especially for being so patient.

Derek with his good friend Kevin

Cooling down in the Snake River - Yes, I loved this part.

It's Great to Have an Older Brother

Going to Jr High Together.

We made these blackboard cupcakes from an idea in the Family Fun Magazine (Thanks Aunt Lynda). They were so easy and fun. The kids loved taking them around to their friends.

Back to School 2008

This ones for our Dad who missed our first day of school. He's out working hard in Florida this week. WE MISS YOU!! We missed seeing him tonight and telling him about all the different adventures during our first day. Here's a rundown:

Kayli - Came upstairs smiling at 6:45am...which was nice to see being that she's not ready to start school again. Senior year...here she comes. I can't believe we have a Senior.

Jake - Had a great day and can't wait to play his Drums this year in a school concert. Invited a bunch of friends over afterschool to play Rock Band.

Alli- Since she started a day early, she spent the day shopping, getting her haircut, and going to lunch with Mom.

Madi - Woke up extra excited about the new outfit she had coordinated last night along with new shoes. She's thrilled about her 3rd grade teacher and told me she's exactly who she wanted.

Sara - Happy to finally be in school all day like Madi. Ate school lunch today and can't wait to do it all over again tomorrow.

Summer just wasn't long enough this year. Could it be because we were gone 1/2 the time? Another school year begins and as a mother all I can think about is how fast my kids are growing up. Is there a way to slow down time? I love having them around.

Family Cruise

We had so much fun on this family trip with everyone!

Heading off to Junior High

Alli wakes up way early Friday morning...she relays to me all the nightmares she has about her locker not opening and not being able to find any of her classes...it is her first day of Junior High. She is overly anxious but, excited!!! Timberline had all the 7th graders come the day before school started so they could all try and find their classes without the intimidation of the 8th and 9th graders. Great idea!! She loves all of her classes - especially drama. Alli had a fantastic first day. She just keeps commenting on how boring elementary school is. SHHHH, I tell her, Madi and Sara still need to think it's great. It was definatly time for her to move on.