The Budke Sprint Triathlon

If you've read my blog in the past, you know that one of our girls' favorite pastimes is playing triathlon. Actually I don't know if I would call it playing anymore... Makenna actually thinks she's training for one :) Well out came the triathlon equipment one cold winter night recently. The girls had some energy to burn and this was the perfect way to do it!

The girls before the triathlon got under way (and not really wanting their picture taken)


And of course Maya showing us all her latest cotton ball


All three girls at the start line... (and yes Maya is wearing only Dora underwear, she's going for the European triathlon look)


Yes, they take this very seriously. This is by no means our doing... they came up with this all by themselves.


Some of the blurry running action


Maryn coming around the corner


Little Maya keeping up!


Maryn is SO competitive. Hmmmm... wonder where she got that from?! This is her scheming smile... when the start "gun" would go she would run the opposite direction and wait for Makenna at the corner so she could get in front of her.


Just give Daddy the camera and you end up with lopsided pictures like this... but Maya is adorable in it so I just had to include it :)


The medal ceremony complete with Daddy's Ironman medals... so cool!


Makenna and her medal. At the young age of 6 this child has a work ethic that would outshine most adults :)


Pretty sure this kiddo is going to be the world champion of something someday.

Church Christmas Program

Makenna and Maryn participated in our church's annual Christmas program again this year. Things have been switched around quite a bit this year and I was uncertain about what the girls' roles would be in the program, but it all worked out. They got to wear pretty dresses and sing songs about Jesus... perfect!


Maya all dressed up!


Makenna before the program


And of course this is the best picture I could get of Maryn


Cute, but Maya looks like she's trying to run away


Now Maya's cooperating, but Maryn looks sleepy


Finally... Adorable!!!


Maya's typical "I'm Done!" picture


Makenna and Maryn singing


Maya getting bored watching her sisters


Makenna, Maryn and our friend Landon singing

Peanut & Serafina

I'd like to introduce you to the newest members of our family!!!

Here's Peanut....



And here's Serafina...




This past weekend Josh and I took the girls to get their early Christmas gift... two female Winter White hamsters. The girls have wanted a pet for so long, but unfortunately a dog and cat were out of the question due to my allergies. We've tossed the idea around for a long time and finally decided to go for it. So far it has gone really well (all 48 hours of it ;). The girls spent most of the first day just staring at them in their cage. We're suppose to leave them in their cage for the first 3 days (so they get used to their new environment) and it's driving the girls crazy! They just want to take them out and pet them! Can't say I blame them... they're really cute :) I've even found big, tough Daddy down there checking on them... and even leaving the space heater on for them :)

Peanut seems to already exhibit quite the rambunctious personality. She was climbing the walls of the cage and jumping from the 3rd floor the first day. She doesn't seem to tire very easily and likes to push Serafina around. Serafina is a little more laidback, but has already learned to hold her own with Peanut. They spend most of their day sleeping huddled together, under all of their bedding, in their little hut.


Right after we got Serafina and Peanut situated in their new home, this what I what I found downstairs.


And a little more hamster watching...


A little more... (don't mind the incredibly messy playroom in the background... we spent most of our weekend cleaning it)


And it pretty much continued all day!


Our proud new hamster owners :)

Just Another Dance Party

Dance parties happen frequently at the Budke house. And by frequent I mean at least a few times a week. Our girls love music and love to dance. On this particular night I sat in the corner and snapped a bunch of pictures. This is as authentic as our family gets :)




















Someone's getting tired...

Christmas Cookies

It has become a family tradition on the Boutott side to decorate sugar cookies for Christmas at Thanksgiving. I think we had a little less hand licking and a little more decorating this year from my gang! Whoo-Hoo!

Maya looking awfully cute... and serious... in her Santa apron!


Maryn in her apron


Makenna ready to decorate


Maya found the sprinkles!


Maryn - expert cookie decorator


Makenna working her cookie magic


BUSTED!!! This little one can't have very many of the Christmas treats (due to dairy allergy) but I put some dairy free frosting on a graham cracker and let her go to town! She loved it!


Makenna and Eden "decorating" :)


The five Boutott grandkids - (L to R) Eden, Maya, Maryn, Makenna holding Chase


Makenna loving on Chase


Maryn trying to hold Maya