O Tannenbaum

Tonight we got our Griswold Buteau Family Christmas Tree.  It was only the second tree we looked at but as soon as we saw it we knew it was the one.  When we finally got it home and put it in the stand we discovered it had a bird's nest inside.  No squirrels, luckily.

Movember 2010

Here's the drill:  1) I'm subjected to a month of mockery attempting to grow a moustache, 2) I ask people for money to soften the blow to my ego, and 3) together we get one step closer to beating prostate cancer.

http://uk.movember.com/donate/your-details/member_id/81382/

Thanksgiving in New Hampshire

Over the last two weeks I had to do a class in the Boston office. We were lucky enough to find really cheap tickets so Erin and the kids could meet me on Wednesday night to drive up to Lancaster for a long weekend. Manah and Dubbah were surprised (understatement!) when their three little London grandbabies walked in the door.

It was a fantastic weekend with family and we wish we could visit more often!

To Blave

Just over 12 years ago I met a girl.

She was blonde, sweet, and had a radient smile which glowed with kindness, compassion, and intellect, unlike anything I'd ever seen.  She wore a Sarah Mclaughlan butterfly t-shirt and a pair of grey knit stretch pants.  She seemed to smile at everything I said which had the effect of physically making me float.

After a trip to Krakow and a brief touch of hands (her doing), I knew I would spend the rest of my life with her.  Propelled by love but deterred by cowardice, I left a pair of 'Oliver!' tickets and the duty of asking for the first date with her roommate.  The first date turned into a second and then a third and then a fourth.  Before I knew it I was completely and utterly head over heals.

This weekend I was given a rare and unique gift -- a time machine.   A weekend trip back to 1998 where I spent time with the same girl in the same city.  True Love.

November, 1998

November, 2010

Rally School

For Christmas last year Erin gave me a certificate for a day out driving a rally car.  Well life is busy so unfortunately it took me 10 months to schedule a weekend away.  Let me tell you, it was worth the wait!

We spent the weekend in Swindon since it was close to Gwynne Speed Rally School.  We drove there on Friday night and woke up early Saturday to head to the race track.  It was on an old airfield and all the corners and chicanes were laid out with tires.  It was fantastic.  It reminded me of all those Friday afternoons out on the Ingerson Road with my Dad learning how to handle slides on loose gravel.  (Thanks for the tips Dad!)

After racing we had lunch at a local pub and then met some friends at a pumpkin patch.  Dinner was at another local pub and the next day was spent discovering the power of STEAM.

What a great weekend and a great Christmas present.  Thanks Erin!

Chloe's Birthday Party

Perfect Peppa Pig piñata party!

Skeleton Jammies

It's that time of year again....

2009

2010

Sophie's first day of school

Last week Sophie started going to nursery school. She was really excited and settled in quickly. She especially loves the drama guy (or "funny guy") that comes on Tuesdays and the cooking activities on Thursdays. I can't believe she is old enough to go. Today after dropping Edison and Sophie off at school, I got home with Annabelle asleep in the stroller and it sure was a strange feeling.

First Day of School

Reception - Squirrels

Year 1 - Hedgehogs

Year 2 - Badgers

One in Wales

Well, I'm a bit late on this one - but lately I feel like I'm always catching up.  I really can't believe how fast this year has gone.  It seems like only a couple weeks ago we were driving through Richmond Park to get the the hospital, with my mom coaching me in relaxation from the back seat.  I think I still have a blog about Annabelle's birth that I never finished.

Bella had her first birthday while we were in Wales on a motor home trip (an absolutely gorgeous country that deserves another blog!)  We had pancakes with candles for breakfast and the kids decorated the motor home with balloons and a banner.  After a long day at some caves in the Brecon Beacons, then checking into one campsite, leaving to find another, and setting up there we were pretty late when we ended up at a pub for dinner.  Luckily sweet Edison insisted on asking them for cake (and he brought along a candle) for a party there at the pub, because by the time we left and got back to our campsite Annabelle was asleep.  She loved the chocolate cake Edison picked out - and especially the berries and ice cream on top.  Everyone was so great at the pub - late at night with 5 kids counting our friends (who we had a blast with and made it feel more like a party!).

Annabelle at 1 year old:

loves blueberries

loves music

is so smiley

loves playing with her brother and sister, especially laughing at Edison

gives kisses

waves goodbye

stands up on her own - (but not just by letting go, she does it carefully holding on to nothing in the middle of the floor)

thinks pulling Sophie's hair is a game
born in London and has travelled to California, Utah, New Hampshire, Spain, Gibraltar, Switzerland, Wales, and Ireland - and what a wonderful baby she has been through it all!
is just so incredibly sweet
We love you Annabelle!  Happy Birthday! 

I love this one - everyone loving Bella!

peaking through a hole at Raglan Castle

-

Nun Run

Today I braved the typical London weather to run five miles along the Thames dressed as a nun. It was a real spectacle to see 1000 nuns run around central London!

Time flies

In August of 2008 we spent the day at Brighton Pier.  I distinctly remember walking along the beach pushing an empty stroller as Edison and Sophie ran ahead thinking to myself, "someone's missing".  Well, nearly two years later it's very clear who was missing!

Do you hate cancer too?

Following my success raising money to fight prostate cancer by growing a moustache[1], coupled with surviving the Hell Run[2], I've entered the Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon to raise money for Cancer Research UK.  The half marathon is taking place this Sunday (March 14) so there's still time to donate if you want.

http://www.runningsponsorme.org/andybuteau

Wish me luck!

-Andy

[1]

[2]

Scalextric & Lego

Since Nana left we've turned the upstairs bedroom into a huge Scalextric track.  Tonight we had a lot of laughs when the Lego spectators stepped onto the tracks.

Happy Birthday Edison!

I can hardly believe I am the Mom of a six year old.  It has really been a joy to watch Edison grow up, to see his personality in everything he does.  I love his silly faces and how he gets so excited with a new idea.  He is an incredibly good big brother and enjoys playing with both Sophie and Annabelle.  He is an excellent reader and now has quite an English accent (Of course if he thinks I need it, he is more than willing to speak "American" for me).  He has lots of friends, and we have heard about a few girls that really like to play with him at school.  In particular he has a little friend named Georgia who he says he will marry (she agrees).  We have had a few conversations about how old he has to be, etc.  For him it seems pretty matter of fact that it will just happen, it is just about when.  I guess we'll wait and see.

For Edison's 6th Birthday he decided he wanted a pirate party.  We hired a great guy "Captain Davy" and really enjoyed the low stress party after last year.  Edison loved the party too - his friends, the magic tricks, the parrot, pizza, and cupcakes.

Since last year we have moved house, he moved into the top of a bunk bed, he can read almost anything, he is writing in "the Sheen Mount Way" very well, and really enjoys football (soccer) club.
Here are 6 things he loves at 6:

• Superheros - primarily Batman, but loves to pretend play superheros and "baddies"
  
  
• Transformers, legos, other toys and games involving building stuff

(I love the concentration here...)

• Racing - while running, Daddy driving, scalextric cars, go carts, or just about anything - and always made better if he wins :-)
• His sisters - he really is such a sweet, loving, helpful, kind big brother
  
  
  
• Making stuff - such an imagination, he will make just about anything out of paper, glue, egg cartons, tape, paint, scissors, etc.  He loves a show called "Mr. Maker" to get ideas.

• "Band Practice" with "Star Rock" i.e. Guitar Hero with Daddy and Sophie

Here are a few more of my favorite pictures from the past year:

Keeping it exciting - even at one of many airports

Edison loves the family to match - skeleton jammies, batman shirts, etc.

Happy Birthday Edison!  We love you!