The Budge Brood

The In Utero Budge

2010-07-22T19:49:00.000-07:00

Even after three babies, it is always a miracle to see this!

Stay tuned until December to find out if this is a boy or a girl!

Disneyland!

2009-09-28T16:51:00.001-07:00

We spent five days at Disneyland and California Adventure and had tons of fun!

Fourth of July Fun

2009-07-11T12:56:00.001-07:00

Getting ready for the church parade...look at those serious faces.

Nathan had the time of his life
Victory!

"Snorties"

Sarah and Grandpa

2009-07-09T20:59:00.000-07:00

"You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot lift the wage-earner by pulling down the wage-payer.
You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative
and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could
and should do for themselves."
~ William Boetcker

Camping at Hume Lake

2009-06-09T20:39:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to be more "outdoorsy", I decided that we should go on a family campout. So last Friday we decided to be brave and go camping with all the kiddos. Hume Lake was recommended to us, so we decided to give it a try. As soon as we pulled up to the campsite, I knew I hadn't packed warm enough clothes for myself and the kids. It does, in fact, make a difference being 5000 feet above sea level. We spent a very chilly night, and between Ryan and I probably got about three hours of sleep, but it was fun. The lake was beautiful!Yes, even in the wilderness I'm very concerned about dental hygiene.

Fun in the Hot Weather

2009-05-18T14:04:00.001-07:00

One of those delightful and rare occasions when they are getting along angelically:

ABC's

2009-05-04T00:13:00.000-07:00

The Prom

2009-05-03T20:06:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, Ryan (my brother, obviously not my husband) went to the prom. He looked very handsome!

10 Things I Like About Summer

2009-04-20T15:22:00.001-07:00

Like my mother, I dread the heat of Fresno summers. In an effort to psych myself up for the upcoming heat, I have decided to think positively. So, after great effort, I have compiled a list of ten things I like about the summer:

10. Melon (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, etc.)
9. Ice cream
8. 4th of July
7. Flip-flops
6. The idea of running through the sprinklers with my boys
5. Ice cold drinks from Sonic during Happy Hour (if they still do that....I'm sensing a trend with the edible items here.......)
4. A long growing season, I've been told, as we've never had much success in gardening. Our fingers are crossed for this year, though!
3. Barbeques
2. Cold(er) showers
1. Only that many more months until cool weather in the fall!!

I'm going to tag my mom and see if she can dig down and come up with ten items. :)

The Yard

2009-04-20T14:50:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of the progress of our yard, by request from Mom Budge:

Touching the Temple

2009-04-20T14:17:00.001-07:00

"During one year, the Primary organization conducted an effort to have the children become better acquainted with the holy temples of God. This frequently entailed a visit to the temple grounds. The laughter of small children, the joy of unfettered youth, and the exuberance of energy displayed by them gladdened the heart of this observer. As a loving teacher guided a boy or girl to the large door of the Salt Lake Temple and the little one reached out and up to touch the temple, I could almost see the Master welcoming the little children to His side and could almost hear His comforting words: 'Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.'"
~President Thomas S. Monson, "Finding Peace"

"Even our young children have been encouraged to visit the temple grounds and touch the temple. President Thomas S. Monson once counseled, 'As we touch the temple, the temple will touch us.'"
~ Elder Gary E. Stevenson, "Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples"

On Saturday, our ward had a Primary Activity at the Fresno, California temple. Each child was able to touch the temple. What a special day!

Easter Fun

2009-04-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

Coloring eggs with Chris and Sonya

Sarah with Aunt Lu
Nathan finding eggs

Our handiwork

Grant's first time dyeing eggs

Dad and Nathan

The Transformation of the Backyard

2009-04-08T16:47:00.000-07:00

From this:

To this:

The "lawn fairies" (Jason and Leslie McOmber, Ryan Hansen, and Jared Leonard) came a couple Saturdays ago and helped us lay sod! What wonderful family and friends, and what a difference!

Three Months Old

2009-03-23T12:26:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Sarah in a cute outfit from Grandma Budge:

Cute Tongue
Smiley Girl

Some comforting (and humorous) words from Brigham Young...

2009-03-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

“I might say something with regard to the hard times. You know that I have told you that if any one was afraid of starving to death, let him leave, and go where there is plenty. I do not apprehend the least danger of starving, for until we eat up the last mule, from the tip of the ear to the end of the fly whipper, I am not afraid of starving to death. There are many people who cannot now get employment, but the spring is going to open upon us soon, and we are not going to suffer any more than what is for our good.”

Mmmmmm....mule........

I love how Brigham Young doesn't mince words.

Ready for Church

2009-03-18T16:41:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture we took before church the other day. Grant is wearing some new threads.

What happens when your kids get ahold of the camera...

2009-03-18T16:24:00.000-07:00

So the other day I caught Grant sheepishly holding the camera in his room. While I was looking through the pictures later, I found these....

This one of Nathan is actually pretty good.

Nathan Turns Two

2009-03-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

The Baseball Cake
The Birthday Boy

So excited!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

2009-02-26T14:15:00.001-08:00

The other day when asked what he wanted for lunch, Grant replied "chicken maggots" (chicken nuggets). Then, last night I sprinkled some baby powder on Nathan after bathtime. When it was Grant's turn to come out, he said, "Mom, put some powdered sugar on my back." I kept a pretty straight face when he said these things, but Ryan and I had a good laugh about it that night. It is so delightful to hear what these kiddos say!

A Visit From Grandma and Grandpa Budge

2009-02-09T13:09:00.000-08:00

Grandma and Grandpa Budge came for Sarah's blessing, and they stayed with us for the weekend. We had a lot of fun!

This is Grandpa Budge "eating" the boys' "tasty toes". Grant told his Primary teacher, "Grandpa Budge eats my feet", which naturally raised some questions.

We got to celebrate Grandma budge's birthday a little early, too!

David O. McKay Quote

2009-02-05T20:59:00.000-08:00

Here is a great quote for all you mommies out there:

“This ability and willingness properly to rear children...make motherhood the noblest office or calling in the world. She who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions deserves the admiration and the plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come, whose immortal souls will exert an influence throughout the ages long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statues shall have decayed or shall have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God. In her high duty and service to humanity, endowing with immortality eternal spirits, she is co-partner with the Creator himself.” (Gospel Ideals, Salt Lake City: Improvement Era, 1953, pp. 453–54.)

Sarah's Blessing Day

2009-02-04T00:32:00.000-08:00

We blessed Sarah on Sunday. Nathan and Grant were curious about the fancy dress Sarah was wearing.
Grandma Petersen made the beautiful dress.

Grammy Kimmy made the lovely bracelet.

We're actually all smiling!

Sarah Bear

2009-01-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

Here are some recent pictures of Sarah. Aunt Sally made the cute onesie that says "S is for Sarah". We love our Sarah! She is growing fast.

Getting into the Spirit of Valentine's Day

2009-01-29T01:10:00.000-08:00

" Good Night, Good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow. "
~ William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet (Act II, Scene II)

My Hubby

2009-01-27T13:43:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged by my mom to post things about my husband. He is such a wonderful husband, and I'm lucky to have him in my life.

5 of Ryan's Favorite Things (not ranked in order of importance):

1. College football games on TV

2. Playing with the boys

3. A clean garage

4. Being with family

5. Watching movies we've never seen before with me at night when the kids are in bed.

5 things on his TO DO list:

1. Build a hobbit hole in the backyard (seriously....he has the "plans drawn up")

2. Finish the backyard (i.e. plant a garden, get rid of the bermuda grass, put in irrigation and sod, etc.)

3. Get his bachelor's degree

4. Start his own company

5. Take me to Holland

5 Favorite Snacks:

1. Swedish Fish

2. Nachos

3. Popcorn

4. Homemade chocolate chip cookies

5. Homemade chocolate chip cookie dough

5 Facts you might not know about him:

1. He can speak Dutch fluently

2. He has his contractor's license

3. He did dance in high school

4. His eyes have very unique pigmentation and color, and an eye doctor told him that he had never seen anything like them and that if he were to make an "eye calendar", Ryan's eyes would be featured.

5. He loves the book (and A&E movie) Pride and Prejudice

5 Quirky Things:

1. He thinks that wearing socks is only acceptable if you're also wearing shoes. He will go barefoot inside in the winter and NEVER will sleep with socks on. One of the most repulsive things to him are those socks with individual compartments for each toe.

2. He feels strongly about the difference between dish towels and hand towels.

3. He has an aversion to curry because of a lady he encountered on his mission whose home reeked of curry. Apparently she used it quite liberally in her cuisine.

4. He doesn't like wearing long sleeves (except at church) and will always roll up his sleeves, even in the dead of winter.

5. He likes being the one "in charge" of the remote control of the TV, or the "squirter" as his dad calls it.

A Muddy Day

2009-01-27T13:34:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we planted some fruit trees in our backyard, and the boys got ahold of the hose. Consequently, a lot of mud was formed, and we let the boys go wild in it since they were already so wet and dirty. I have never seen them more filthy or more happy! Luckily it was an unusual 70 degrees that day.

The Maiden Voyage

2009-01-14T18:54:00.000-08:00

I have finally succumbed to the blogging craze!