Introducing Damian

This is Andrew and Samantha's newest nephew, Damian Jeffrey Barnwell. Can you tell that we are very proud parents? He has us wrapped around his little finger!!!

Rebecca and Jonathan get to know Damian while visiting Nanna and Grandad. Damian loved the attention.

On windy days Damian likes to wear his beanie. Well I think that his mum likes the beanies more than Damian.

No, I want to ride Dumbo!

We didn't make it past the front gates before Hana proclaimed "I want to ride Dumbo!" Sure, she was distracted for a few mintues by Mickey-shaped waffles and roving Fairy Godmothers at the character breakfast, but no sooner had she stopped dancing with Eeyore than she asked, "Where's my Dumbo?"

Through Main Street, across the bridge at Sleeping Beauty's castle, past the Mad Hatters and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride - "Hey, I want to ride Dumbo!" And so, here were are finally, at Dumbo.

Just Some Thoughts...

I had a great friend pass away this week, some of you may know him, Glenn "Sam" Butchar. I first met Sam when I was on my mission in LA and you couldn't help but love him right away. He was a crusty old guy that had this tough exterior (he thought it was tough especially with his turtle tattoo :)) but he was a big softy that loved his wife and sons. What amazes me is how many people love Sam.

The first thing I was introduced to when I met Sam was his photo wall (you can see it behind Hana in the photos below). People would often send Sam and Joan photos requesting a space on the wall, but let me tell you it was not easy to get a frame hung on that wall. It took me two and half years, a marriage, and living with them for a month to get a photo up there. The great thing about the photos were not the new faces that would make it to the wall but the constants that were there. There are a couple that stand out to me, the obvious one is the first photo I ever saw of Samantha (named after Sam) was up there, the next is a picture of my mother in law sitting on a deck by the lake, these photos (and a couple of others) remind me of the impact that Sam has had on our family. If not for Sam I don't know that I would be married to Samantha today, so I hate to say that will always be in his debt but I guess I will be.

He also had photos of his boys that were permanent, those photos illustrated how important family really was to Sam and in many cases they represented a better time and place but simply through those photos he/we can be transported back to that time and the memories that were associated with it. My dad introduced me to the works of Wordsworth and in particular Daffodils:

I wandered lonely as a Cloud
That floats on high o'er Vales and Hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

4th verse
For oft when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude,
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the Daffodils.

As with the daffodils and our memory the photos are a stimulus to remind of our loved ones and good memories. May we all carry in our hearts a photo wall to remind us of good times, family and friends, at the same time look forward our next encounter with a field of daffodils.

Sunday in "The Valley"

Before heading to Disneyland, we spent the night at Grandma Michiko's. We ate lots of great sushi and tried to figure out how to use the new camera.

We also stopped by to visit Grandma Joan, and Hana did her very best dance to "Pass the Dutchie."

Stay tuned for photos of our big day at the Magic Kingdom...

Benja and Peggy Sue's

We're on our way to the Happiest Place on Earth, otherwise known as Disneyland. On our way through southern Utah, we couldn't help but stop at my Aunt's new restaurant, Benja's Thai and Sushi (delicious!!). Andrew just bought me this camera yesterday, though, and I don't really know how to use it yet. We spent the night in Vegas before making the trek across the desert to LA. By the time we hit Yermo, CA, we were all ready for a break and a little personal space, so we stopped at Peggy Sue's diner for an ice cream. Finally, after 25 hours total travel time, we made it to San Diego. We're on our way today to Michiko's house in Van Nuys, and then it's off to Disneyland in the morning!

Dove Campaign

I saw this video last night online. It's a great reminder to any of us who look at magazine covers while we wait in line at the grocery store.

At long last!

Yes, yes, yes, we've finally posted pictures on our new site. Take a look at what we've been up to, and feel free to leave comments. I haven't made the blog public, so if there is anyone you want me to add to the list of approved viewers, just send me an email at mbuttie@hotmail.com

Auntie Jane's Dress

They're still a bit big, but I just couldn't wait to put these dresses on the girls! Auntie Jane sent them all the way from Australia. Hana's latest dance is the Charleston, which she did with gusto in her new frock. Lane was somewhat less impressed, but at least thought the dress tasted good.

The last day at the park

Here is one of our last trips to the park while the weather was still warm. We picked up some sandwiches at Gandolfo's, and convinced Melissa to come along.

A Lazy Morning

The girls take time out to enjoy some cartoons. Hana's become a bit of a television afficianado. Whatever you do, don't change the channel during "Between the Lions." Fortunately, she only likes the cartoons on PBS (mostly because we don't really have cable), and we're breaking her of the habit. She loves preschool and nursery, and can't wait to start dancing lessons in the spring. We just went to visit the fire station this week, and she climbed all over the big red fire trucks.

Lane's just happy as long as she has a toy to eat. She's getting a lot better at sitting up, and has just started eating her rice cereal and applesauce. And, to our great surprise, she has two teeth coming in. Hana was almost a year old before she showed any signs of teeth, so we just weren't expect them so soon.