Photo Shoot

Thanks to my dear and wonderful friend, Mrs. Erma Rainey...We have these amazing pictures of our children (minus Colten, of course).
Thanks Erm!

Mission Life!

Another great zone conference. The zone "Sur del Estado"

And...another misionary memory...as told by Colten:
"Oh. We about died the other night. We were in divisions. Elder Carnohan, our ZL from San Diego, came to Jimenez to have diviciones with me. Elder Aguilars bike was flat so for the night we rode around on our...devils? They aren´t called devils in english. The things you put on your back tire so that someone can ride with you standing up. They use them to grind and stuff in the X-games. Anyways, he was standing on those things and i was riding the bike. When we came to a crucial moment - a speed bump. I began to slow down so that we would go over it really slow, but Elder Carnohan started to tell me to pick up speed, and told me to do it. So we hit that speed bump pretty fast. Ya we crashed. Elder Carnohan literally flew over my head and landed on the street. I got all tangled up in the bike chain. It was so funny. The amazing thing is that we are both good. We didn´t even have a scratch. I wish we could have snapped a pic of that. It would have been great."
Colten's companion, in their laundry room.

Ryan's eventful week-end; Hadie Sawkins, and being turned down at Burger King.

This was quite an eventful week-end for our Ryan. His first adventure was going horseback riding with a friend of his. I don't know why, but Ryan got the most "active" horse, which isn't good, because Ryan doesn't have a great history with horses. For some reason they thought it would be awesome to go through the drive through at Burger King on horse-back. But turns out, they got turned down, and as Ryan said "We got STERN looks". They are going to try for Wendy's next week. I'll keep you posted.
Also, this Saturday was Hurricane High's "Hadie Sawkins" dance. (Boys ask girls, opposite from Sadie Hawkins). So, of course Ryan took Danielle. Their group day date was going to dinner, and Walmart to get some funky matching outfits. I guess they did pretty good because they won "best dressed", and got their pictures for free. We are so proud.

Danielle, Ryan, Shad, Kenzie - quite a group. They are all such awesome kids!

The church is so true it's ridiculous!

These are all guys from Colten's "generation"...meaning, they all entered the MTC together, and came into the mission field together. They love seeing each other. Colten truly loves these guys.

Colten is doing so awesome. He is so happy. We love to hear his testimony and his excitement for the gospel. Here's is a part of one of his letters:
"I have gained such a testimony of the importance of prayer. I love the fact that nobody has to believe in the words that we tell them. I love telling people who are a lot older than me, and have seen a lot more things, that i dont know everything. I dont know what its like to have a kid, to not have work, or to have to pay bills. im young, and in MANY ways unexperienced in many things, but what i do know is that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints is the church of Jesus Christ here on the Earth. The best of our message is that we ALWAYS invite people to act. To pray and ask their Heavenly Father if the things that we are teaching them are true. Our message is amazing. It can get discouraging when so many people reject us, not even knowing what they are rejecting. The Church is true. If i choose to know one thing without doubt, i would choose to know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints is the restored church of Jesus Christ. I love how our church is EXACTLY the same as the church that Jesus Christ established when he came to the Earth. So many churchs dont even have a clue. Its so important for us to preach this message to everyone. I know this is the true church. There isnt a doubt in my mind.
Our church is so true its ridiculous."

Happy Sweet 16!

Well, after counting down for over 150 days until the big day...it finally happened. Makenna is officially 16, and legally driving. Heaven help us all. Her birthday, January 5th, was quite a day. We had a big snow storm that day. I picked Makenna up from school to take her to the DMV. When we left it was snowing...lightly and pleasantly...and when we came out, it was a full-on storm. Black ice, cars turned over everywhere. It was quite a drive home. But, she insisted on driving (of course), and did fine. I can't believe how fast my kids are growing up.

Ahh...The Annual Polar Bear Swim

Every year, Christmas morning, don't ask me how, but it's becoming a tradition in the Butler household that no child shall open any presents until we have our annual polar bear swim. So, we open the pool, to partake in the FREEZING water. You can probably guess that this tradition was not my idea, but Barry's. So, here are some of the pictures. And of course, Grandpa Butler, will NEVER pass up a challenge, so he's done it every year as well. Grandma Butler has even done it. She's made it up to her hips two years in a row! Big Fun!

Grandpa jumps in first!

Building up courage!

Now that's cold!!

Recovering in the hot tub.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

The lights are up, the house decorated, Christmas cards sent out...the shopping is done, presents wrapped, neighbor gifts finished and delivered, visiting teaching and home teaching gifts delivered, gifts to friends done, cookies made for the ward from the Elders Quorum (Barry is in the presidency)....We are officially ready for Christmas!
We might even have a white Christmas. It's been snowing here in Southern Utah, which is unusual. In fact, last Thursday, the kids were actually out for a SNOW DAY! That's big news here! We still have some lingering snow on the ground from last week here in Hurricane...and there is rumor that it siposed to snow again next week.
But the very best part is that on Christmas day we get to talk to our missionary. I am SO excited. We miss him so much, especially at this time of year. This will be his last Christmas in the mission field. Next year, he will be here, and Ryan won't. Life moves forward.
I hope everyone has a wonderful and Merry Christmas!