birthday – meet the butters

Lola’s 3rd Birthday Party

Published on July 3, 2021July 5, 2021 by JButtersLeave a comment

Young, Wild & THREE!

July is hot, so when looking for a place to hold Lola’s 3rd birthday party we wanted somewhere indoors with a park-like feel. After a lot of searching, we settled on one of her favorite places: the gym! It was the perfect place for a family birthday party. Mimi, Maman, Grandma, Grandpa, Jaron, Alex, Shani, Brian, Lincoln, Bentley, Dad, Mom and Bodhi all came to the jungle themed event. The birthday girl got to run around on the mats, climb ropes, ride her scooter, hit a piñata and even eat her requested pink cake! And even though she managed to fall and bust her mouth open, once Dad turned her favorite Purple Hat Song on and the bleeding stopped she was back to her normal shenanigans.

We love you, Lola Moon! Happy 3rd Birthday!

Bodhi’s 1st Birthday Party

Published on May 22, 2021July 5, 2021 by JButtersLeave a comment

Super Bodhi is ONE!

We celebrated the big birthday boy with a superhero-themed water day at Grandma & Grandpa’s house. Mimi, Maman, Aunt Taffy, Grandma, Grandpa, Jaron, Alex, Shani, Brian, Lincoln, Bentley, Dad, Mom and Lola all attended. The kids played in a sprinkler toy while the adults enjoyed the misters, although Bodhi wasn’t a fan of the sprinklers themselves. He warmed up to the idea eventually once he found the water toys. His favorite part, however, came later when he found out what cake is. He did not hesitate to dive right in!

We love you, Bodhi Bear! Happy 1st Birthday!

Lola’s 2nd Birthday Party

Published on July 6, 2020July 31, 2020 by JButtersLeave a comment

This year was a little different than her 1st birthday, but we still had a great time! We scaled down our guest list due to COVID-19 because it just isn’t very safe to gather in large groups right now. Instead, we got our Nance side and Cindy (AKA Grammy) together for a celebration of Lola.

Some of Lola’s current favorites are swimming and Minnie Mouse, so we made sure to incorporate the two into her party. Uncle Jaron helped keep the our ambitious swimmer entertained during pool time while I snuggled with Bodhi during his first dip in the water. And you better believe Grandma Nance had Minnie balloons, a Minnie swimsuit and matching Disney t-shirts ready to go. Lola even picked out her Minnie slippers for shoes that morning!

For food Andrew picked up Zeke’s Pizza and Krispy Kreme 4th of July donuts. Lola loved her sprinkle one. She was pretty impressed by our singing and almost figured out how to blow out her candles.

At the party she received a Moana doll (which she gave a kiss!), purse, hairbrush and bracelet from Grammy, Barbie accessories from the Reeves and Barbies/baby doll accessories from Grandma, Grandpa and Jaron. Her big ticket item at the party was her Barbie house, refurbished by Brian, Shani and Grandma Nance. It had originally been built by Lola’s Great Grandpa Arrington and Great Uncle Dwayne as a Christmas present to Grandma Nance when she was a kid, then was passed to me as a birthday present when I turned two. It was fun to keep the tradition alive.

Other fun presents she got were: Bowling set & golfing set from Grammy, adorable pink 2 lb weights from Maman the Great, electronic ride in car from Aunt Mary and Uncle Randy, adorable clothes from Mariah and a Peppa Pig set from Papa Butters & Karen.

We’d say it was a success! Happy 2nd birthday, Lola!

Lola’s 1st Birthday Party

Published on August 7, 2019August 7, 2019 by JButtersLeave a comment

Lola’s 1st birthday party was… epic. She was surrounded with so much love and we couldn’t have asked for better. Happy 1st Year, Lola Moon!

Date: Saturday, 06/29/2019

Theme: ONE in a MELON

Location: Grandpa & Grandma Nance’s House

Activities: Hanging out with all the baby friends, cake smashing (cherry chip flavor made by Amber) and pool fun

Guest List: Grandpa & Grandma Nance, Grammy Butters, Great-Grandma Candy, Great-Grandma Butters, Grandpa Butters, Aunt Mary, Uncle Jaron, Aunt Mariah, Shani/Brian/Lincoln, Taffeta & Lan, Rose, Kathie, Matt/Beth/Austin/Lily, Brian/Heather/Harrison, Brian & Alex, Casey/Jean/Logan, Jay/Sam/Atticus, Cait/Justin/Maddox, Lindsay/Gregg/Colette, Kristi/Cory, Erin, Lyn, Macy

Dobby’s Adopt-a-versary!

Published on September 11, 2017 by JButtersLeave a comment

I honestly can’t believe it. Tomorrow our baby has been with us for 3 years! Time definitely flies – it seems like just yesterday he put his sweet arms around my neck for the first time (read his adoption story here).

Some things to know about Dobby:

Since Bella joined our family, he has become more welcoming to people that aren’t mom and dad. He used to shake with fear and run for the other room, but now he might even go up sniff them!
He loves to be in charge. When playing with his cousins Ella & Hazel, he has his own way of letting the group know he is the alpha. By the end of each play date they are all following him around.
He enjoys being held. Try picking up Bella and she’ll squirm until you stop, but Dobby will hold still, keep his arms around your neck or even nuzzle your chest.
He loves his kennel. Every morning before I leave for work he knows it is coming, and even waits by his crate if I’m not moving fast enough. He has his favorite stuffed animal (a purple bunny) that he’s had forever to snuggle inside, and I think it makes him feel safe.
He LOVES to swim. If we take him over to my parents’ house he will spend hours jumping in, swimming back to the steps, hopping out and repeating. If someone is swimming laps he will try to swim right along with them, and he loves to fetch in the water.

The other day my sister reminded me of a Dobby story from when she and Brian were dog sitting, and I think it describes him well:

When Shani and Brian had first moved back to Arizona, they dog sat for us while we made a quick California trip. They had Ella (way bigger than Dobby), and she liked to play on the porch of their 1st floor apartment. As I dropped off Dobby to them, I mentioned the half-wall on the porch might be low enough for Dobby to jump. Ella had never tried this, so we all figured it would be fine.

Fast forward to the next afternoon, when I call to check on Dobby:

Me: How’s he doing?

Shani: Do you want the truth or a lie?

It turns out that when Brian got home from work the day before, he tried to go say hi to Dobby. Being the timid dog he is, Dobby freaked out and hopped their wall, forcing Brian to chase him (at full speed) around the entire apartment complex until finally cornering him on a 2nd floor landing. But that’s Dobby – unsure of people, fast and determined!

I’ll close this post out by trying to emphasize how much this fur baby has changed my life. He has seriously brought out the mama bear in me and I don’t know how I would survive anything without his snuggles and affection. I love my mama’s boy! Oh – and Andrew loves him, too 🙂

–Jory

Happy Bella-versary!

Published on June 20, 2017June 20, 2017 by JButtersLeave a comment

June 19 is a very special day. One year ago yesterday, Bella joined our family. She was only about three months old when we got her, so she’s now been a Butters the overwhelming majority of her life. Here are a few pictures from when we first adopted her:

You can read her adoption story here.

One year later she’s grown up to be the most lovable beast who we couldn’t imagine life without. Some things to know about Bella are:

She LOVES people. Like almost has a heart attack when people come over because she is so excited.
She gives lots of kisses. You might want to bring a towel with you if you are coming over.
She doesn’t know her own strength or capabilities. She’ll get scared to make a small jump or almost knock you over coming down the stairs.
She adores Dobby. If they are separated at all she’ll whimper, and she always tries to snuggle with him at night (much to Dobby’s dismay).
Tennis balls are her favorite toys. She’ll carry them around in her mouth, nudge them off the couch or bed to see them bounce, and race Dobby for them during fetch.
Green beens (and possibly zucchini) are her favorite food. She goes gaga for those veggies!
She often lays with her back legs on the couch and her front ones on the ground, just for fun.

Our Bella-boo is the absolute sweetest, and we can’t wait to spend many more years getting to know her!

-Jory

May Wrap-up

Published on June 6, 2017June 6, 2017 by JButtersLeave a comment

I’m a bit biased, but May is my favorite month. It is the end of the school year, beginning of summer and the month of my birth. It has Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and while growing up always meant dance recitals. May did not disappoint this time around – here’s a look at another wonderful month in the life of the Butters Family:

On Wednesday, May 3, we found that Baby Reeves is a girl!!! We can’t wait to spoil our niece with so much love. October can’t come fast enough!

Cinco de Mayo fell on a Friday, so we chowed down on Los Dos Molinos New Mexican food with Cindy to celebrate. Not exactly the right geographical location, but good food nevertheless.

The first Saturday of May I joined Heather and her bridal crew for a fun bachelorette weekend. We got glammed up at a Scottsdale hotel, played some party games, met Carlos the Uber Driver, chowed down on Kona Grill and hit Whiskey Row for drinks and dancing. We had so much fun jamming out in our little corner that we stayed there the whole night! By the time we made it back to the hotel we were exhausted and ready for some Zzzzs.

A week later was Werner Wedding Weekend! Friday was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner (where Andrew had to make an impromptu thank you speech and I killed it in cornhole), along with a groomsman sleepover.

Saturday was wedding day, but also my dancers’ competition day. I somehow managed to teach dance, drop in to see the number compete, make the ceremony, drive back for competition awards and get back in time for the reception without missing a thing!

The wedding itself was wonderful. Heather was beautiful, Andrew gave a heartfelt toast and we danced the night away wishing the Werners a happy and blessed life together.

Sunday was Mother’s Day. We started the morning with breakfast at Crepe Bar with Cindy and Mariah (still in town from the Werner Wedding) and Gardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Then we had dinner with my mom and family, where we got to celebrate two moms this year due to the pending arrival of Baby Reeves!

For my birthday, Andrew surprised me early with The Apple Dumpling Gang movie, then birthday burritos, a Target Gift Card and beautiful flowers. At work we went to Windsor for lunch and I got my favorite chicken salad sandwich. I had to teach dance the night-of, but everyone made me feel very special by singing and constant “Happy Birthday!”s. My mom and sister even stopped by with dinner and presents.

On May 24 we took off for our 25 hour turnaround trip to see Mariah graduate. We crammed in manicures and pedicures, meeting Mariah’s new boyfriend, a graduation ceremony and a super-fun graduation party all before our flight home. Congrats Mariah!

Memorial Day Weekend helped to round out the month. Friday at work I was charged with the student worker seating chart and moving logistics for our new building. I then partied at Board and Brush with my mom, sister, Aunt Katie and cousin Macy and ran back to GCU for an overnight event.

Saturday I had my Andrew birthday dinner at Olive Garden. Sunday we met up with Bailey and her family at OHSO for her dad’s birthday, then had dinner at Blue Adobe for my family birthday dinner. Monday was Murph, so after the workout Andrew and I played pool volleyball with some gym friends.

We stay busy, but are blessed to have such amazing family and friends to keep us sane and entertained. Happy June!

-Jory

25 Days of Andrew

Published on April 20, 2017April 25, 2017 by JButters1 Comment

In honor of Andrew’s 25th birthday I had the grand idea to gift one present a day for 25 days leading up to his birthday. I did not manage to keep up, so it turned into “25 Presents for Andrew” instead. Here’s how it turned out: