Anniversary Loving!

To my dear husband who loves me in my most unlovable moments...happy anniversary! We were so young but so in love and I am proud to say that four years later you still make my heart throb! I love love love everything about you and couldn't be happier to know that I get to spend all of eternity with YOU! Love you my one and only Brocy boy!

Padres in Town!

Broc's parents came out to visit this past week and it was so fun! I loved having them here and felt so sad when they left! His mom is one of the most loving and kind people I know so having her in our home for about a week was so refreshing and just what I needed! We wanted to make sure that we made their trip worth it so we packed each day with fun activities! Most of all I just loved spending time with them and showing them the little place we have come to love and call home! We got to introduce them to friends, take them to our ward and show them some of our favorite places in the DC area! It was so great that I am already plotting and planning their next trip!

Cherry Blossoms were in full bloom! They picked the perfect week to come! We enjoyed walking the Tidal Basin together!

Took them to Maggianos...our favorite Italian restaurant for their 30th Wedding Anniversary!

Went on a tour of the Naval Academy and enjoyed seeing all the beautiful buildings!

Mom said Abby would be in heaven here because all the men in uniform! Makes you thankful for all the hard work to keep our country free!

Even the magnolia trees were in full bloom! It was wonderful!

We loved showing them around Annapolis and they enjoyed it too! Nice water view!

Then we took them to Mt. Vernon and explored the old stomping grounds of George Washington!

We told them that when they got home they would need a vacation from their vacation but it was so worth every moment!

After introducing one of our good friends to mom and dad she told me that I had the BEST in-laws and that I was blessed! I could not agree more! Mom and dad Buttars are a huge blessing in my life and I thank my Heavenly Father for them each and every day! Thanks for the visit and thanks for brightening our week! We miss you both already!

Easter!

Broc and I had not been home in far too long! So we both decided that no matter what we would make it up for Easter this year! I am so glad we did! Sometimes family is just what I need to keep on keeping on! We had so much fun being home and making memories! We started the weekend right with a stop in Brooklyn to see Car and Josh's place! They have done such an incredible job with their space! I am more and more impressed each time we go!

Edwin all bundled and ready for our walk to the park! Love his hat!



Josh getEdwin a snack! He wanted to help cut the oranges and apples!



Elizabeth came and joined us for dinner! So good to see her and get caught up! It had been 6 months!

We all were hula hooping and Edwin wanted to join in! He loved spinning around while my mom held the hoop! Such joy!



My dad's favorite ice cream place that just opened in OG! It was amazing!



And of course Easter weekend would not be complete without an easter egg hunt! Edwin did great!



We also took the kite to the beach for a nice fly! Edwin loved it even though it took a while for us to get it up!



Family at the Point! Just missing the little brother! Missed you Drew!

And then some basket hunting! Edwin loved looking for his basket! It was so precious!

And to finish the weekend off right Dad made a delicious lamb stew! It was amazing!

All is all I am so grateful for family that makes life worth living! I am also grateful for my Savior and His resurrection! Life is so sweet and I have my Savior Jesus Christ to thank for that!

Dinner Group Cooking!

So the ladies and I decided that Dinner Group 2013 would be epic! Though we had high hopes of kicking the year off strong, Amy up and left us for two months for Indonesia! No big deal! We made it work! And despite the fact that it has not been as epic YET as we intended...it never fails to bring a smile to my face and happiness to my heart cooking with these gals I have come to know as my dear friends! Two soup days and a breakfast day so far and 2013 is looking great to me! ;)

I Got a Bug....a Sophiee Bug!

We got to spend Thanksgiving in Utah with Broc's family and then both return within a few months for weddings! Being lucky enough to get out to Utah 3 times in 3 months between the two of us has given me a bug....a Sophiee bug to be exact! Just can't get enough of this rolly-polly, cutie-pie of a niece! Just have to do a photo dump because we have photos galore!

Thanks for being such an adorable baby Soph! It makes my job pretty easy! Being an Aunt is so great! Sure love the sweet moments I get to spend with this little bundle of joy! She is precious to me!

Marriage is a Wonderful Thing!

I have been blessed over the last few months to have lots of experiences that have allowed me to reflect on how wonderful a thing marriage truly is!

Early in December, Broc's cousin Tyson married his sweetheart in the Salt Lake Temple. Though I was unable to attend, I heard many wonderful stories of the beautiful day.

That coupled with 2 of my close friends getting engaged, 1 ex-roommate tying the knot and celebrating my parents 30th wedding anniversary has helped me take a step back and give thanks for the divinity of marriage and family! 

What a wonderful thing that Heavenly Father sends us to earth in families! I think I have the best family around! Both my biological family and the family I married into! They all bring my heart such joy and happiness simple because they are MY family! And, naturally, I also think I have the best husband any gal could request! He is just so perfect for my crazy ways--and trust me when I say my ways are crazy! I love that Broc of mine! :)

To my parents who have loved, laughed, cried, been faithful, and above all have been committed to each other  through all the ups and downs I give particular thanks! So glad we were able to spend their anniversary together as a family! They are such great examples to me! And to all the other friends and family I love that are taking the plunge, just know this, marriage truly is a gift! One that should never be taken for granted and requires lots of work but is inevitably the most wonderful gift ever given! As we like to say in the Buttars household...our marriage is our most precious asset and for that I am forever grateful!