Butikofer Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas 2013 ~ 2014 Happy New Year

 

In June, James and I celebrated our first anniversary.  I love being happily married!  Most of our trips this year featured lighthouses and/or family.  In addition to a trip to Las Vegas, we’ve visited the Gulf Coast, Virginia Beach, and Upper and Lower Michigan.  James loves the water, and is proud that he has now  seen over 100 lighthouses in the US and Canada.  (I’m at about 440 only counting lighthouses in the U.S.) 

 James is at the Department of Labor, and I am still at the Census Bureau. It’s nice to have similar schedules.  I drop James off at the Metro in the mornings, and pick him up again in the evening on my way home.  Fridays we get to work from home, or I get the day off!  As a result of budget cuts I have been reassigned.  I am no longer working to prepare for the 2020 Census, but am now in Human Resources learning how to do harrassment investigations.  I am learning a lot, but hope that this is a temporary assignment.  Early in October we both had 16 extra days off during the Government shutdown.  

Instead of just Saturday visits, we now have the children in our home every other weekend, and alternating holidays.  Joy (4) enjoys being outdoors and has learned to ride her bike.  She loves playing with dolls and looking at picture books.  She is good at making messes, but also willing to clean them up.   Jenna (7) is into pirates and Star Wars right now.   She enjoys learning and we are happy that she is willing to help around the house.  She often complains of being bored, but in reality has quite a knack for making things exciting.  Hyrum turned 8 and was baptized this year.  He enjoys cub scouts and has taken quite an interest in fishing.  He loves running and most all sports.  Jonas turned 12 this year and joined the Deacon’s quorum.  He is active in scouting, loves to read and cook, and particularly enjoys his time alone.   Joseph (14) loves basketball and is outgoing.  He is good at taking care of his siblings, enjoys creative games and activities, and watching Studio C and other funny You Tube videos.  In October we took Joy on her first ever camping trip. It was also the first camping experience that Hyrum and Jenna were old enough to remember, and a lot of fun for the whole family.  The end of the summer we had fun painting the bedrooms and making other preparations getting ready to have the kids stay overnight.

James is now the Elders Quorum President.  He often finds it awkward to have people refer to him as President, but does a good job keeping track of people and finding ways to encourage people to do their home teaching and set family goals.  I was released as building scheduler, but still serve as the Relief Society Fellowshipping Chair. 

We had a special assignment this spring and summer to help with the youth conference.  We were on the food committee for a pioneer trek, and had a lot of fun planning and preparing food.  James particularly enjoyed being able to do so much Dutch oven cooking.  It was a good experience to meet so many dedicated people from around the Stake.  It was also important to contemplate some of the hardships we have and how we can be more successful and positive in meeting those challenges. 

In life there is both times of smooth sailing and rough waters.  We’ve had two miscarriages and other disappointments this year, but much happiness and success as well.  We are so grateful for our rock and redeemer, Jesus Christ, and His light and guidance. 

We had a lot of friends move this year, and were reminded of how grateful we are for good friends and what a blessing they are.  Thank you for the positive impact you have had on our family.  We hope that you stay in touch... and if you are local that you come over to play games with us! 

Merry Christmas 2013

I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

One of the songs that stuck in my head a lot this year was "I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas".  Although no one got a real hippo for Christmas, I think most people where pretty happy that Santa had come and brought them presents.  Joseph and Jonas got new bikes.  Hyrum got a remote control helicopter like he wanted.  Jenna was happy with her Jedi outfit, and Joy got the ballerina doll she had asked for.  Everyone got gifts from Dad and Carrie, we drew names to give gifts to other family members, and were quite blessed with gifts from extended family and friends.  The unwrapping goes so fast, but I must admit I love the chaos Christmas morning with presents and wrapping paper strewn everywhere.  We got matching shirts.  My idea for a pyramid didn't work out so well, but we still were able to get a family picture.  It was a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

We started out our day with a trip to Krispy Kreme (pajamas optional).  It was fun for the kids to see how they make doughnuts, and of course pick some out to eat!

There was a lot of excitement for Christmas at our house.  After breakfast we went swimming, in hopes of burning off some energy!  I took a break and was able to enjoy some time in the hot tub for a while. 

We had four missionaries over for our Christmas Eve party.  We watched Joy to the World by the fireplace.  We had a spread of food with cheese fondue, shrimp, lil' smokies, spinach bites, fruit, vegetables, pie, cookies, and truffles.  Joy helped prepare some goodie bags/stockings for the Elders, then proceeded to fall in love with each one of them, particularly Elder Oyler.  Joy shared how sometimes her brothers called her "Oyster" and made fun of her.  Elder Oyler made her laugh, and laugh, and laugh and said that sometimes people made fun of his name as well.  She was so wired that we had her run up and down the stairs 10 times to release some more energy.  We also had some good laughs playing Apples to Apples. 

We closed out the night watching Polar Express and setting out some cookies for Santa.

What a blessing it is for us to be with our family for Christmas.  We are so grateful for missionaries around the world who are away from family at this time, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Christmas Cards

Every year I look forward to getting Christmas cards.  And then I worry if they will really come.  Thank you to friends and family who keep up the tradition!  It was fun this year to see that the kids were interested in opening the cards and reading about someone they had never met before!

Christmas Goodies

My attempt at making snow globes didn't work out so well.  The kids picked cute designs, but the glue kept dissolving in the water.  Instead of a cute squirrel in the snow or a magical dolphin, we ended up with dead animals.  I guess some things are just harder than they appear to be online!

I did get some help making our Christmas goodies.  Monday night we went to visit our primary teachers and a few other friends with treats and some carols.  I really enjoyed going Christmas caroling with the family!

Mount Vernon

A visit to Mount Vernon at this time of year means:
- No lines!  :-)
- Aladdin the camel
- Mansion tour includes a visit to the third floor
- Stories of 1800 Christmas traditions.  Decking the halls, mistletoe (and why you didn't want to be the last person caught under the mistletoe), and why it is better to give than receive.
- Gingerbread houses
- Still included are the blacksmith hut, sheep, and a fabulous view of the Potomac.

Festival of Lights

Sunday we had a great program at church.  I was able to talk James into singing in the choir with me again.  That evening we went to the Washington DC Temple.  There were a LOT of other people there as well to enjoy the Washington D.C. Temple Orchestra, nativities, Christmas trees, temple, and lights.

 

Upgrade

We got a 55" flat screen, with a surround sound and new entertainment center set up just in time to be ready for our biggest Christmas present - having the kids with us for Christmas this year.  2007 was the last time they spent Christmas with their father.

The Christmas Spirit

The spirit of Christ means a lot of things.  Today I was thinking a lot about the anticipation of a new baby and the joy it brings.  Mary may not have taken a pregnancy test or had an ultrasound, but she was visited by a holy messenger.  The angel Gabriel told her she was pregnant and that it would be a boy, the Son of the Highest, whose kingdom would have no end.  Even so, Mary still had to see her son suffer and die.  The scriptures say how Mary was highly favored, and blessed among women.  We don't know all the sorrow she experienced, but I'm sure it was not limited to the death of her son.  

Earlier this year James and I were expecting to have a new baby around the end of December.  It's hard coming to this time of year knowing that there is no baby for us at this time.  I don't know what Heavenly Father has in store for our family, but I am grateful for the miracles in my life and the lives of those around me.  The sorrows we experience in this life can be temporary.  I hope that I can be better at recognizing the gifts that Christ has made possible for me.  I love this time of year.  I am so grateful for the sacrifice of my Savior Jesus Christ.  Through His atonement, we will live again.  I am so grateful for the spirit of Christ and much joy in my life.

Some traditional December activities: Decorating the Christmas tree, Santa, and Snow!

 

Joys of Christmas

 
 


I brought one of my dolls from when I was a child home with me from Thanksgiving.  I'm glad that Joy helped her find a match!  I'm also glad that she made sure the nutcracker king visited the baby Jesus.  Ahh... it's so cute to have kids around!

And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care

The kids were with their Mom for Thanksgiving, and we get them for Christmas this year.  :-)
Here's a fuzzy picture of me getting their stockings ready...

Hoover Dam

On our last day in Las Vegas, and decided to go to the Hoover Dam.  I've been there before, but James wanted to see this modern wonder.

"Because of its size, technology and the monumental effort it took to build, Hoover Dam has been named on of the Top Tem Construction Achievements of the 20th Century, one of the Seven Civil Engineering Wonders of the Modern World, and a Civil Engineering Monument of the Millennium."

And they finished early and under budget.

St. George, Utah

 

Saturday we went up to St. George for the day.  We were able to celebrate my brother-in-laws Birthday with breakfast and a hike.  I got to see my sisters "new" player piano.  It's actually quite old, and they are having fun fixing it up. 

 

The timing was such that James and I were able to attend the funeral of Ethel Bayles, Devin's grandmother.  It brought back memories of when I met her 8 years ago at Devin's funeral.  It was good to see the Bayles family again.  I have a great love for them and all they have been through.  I am often reminded of what a good man Devin was, and am grateful for his example.

 

Also in St. George we were able to get together with James' brother Jason and his wife Becca.  They were passing through on their way to Idaho back from their time in Arizona.

Thanksgiving

James and I went to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving.  We got to meet our nephew Alec, and see all but one of my siblings and their families.  We had a lot of fun hanging out with family.  We got pictures with some family members, but missed opportunities with others.  It was particularly fun to see the youngest kids that we've only seen a few times and the cousins playing together.  Of course all the nieces and nephews are growing up fast.  We were happy that my Uncle David and Julie were there to celebrate Thanksgiving with.  I really have much to be grateful for.  Family is at the top of the list.

Being a military BRAT means not giving blood

My Dad was in the Air Force, and we moved a lot growing up.  In 11^th grade I started my 11^th school.  I loved my experiences.  I still enjoy traveling and exploring the world.  We were very close as a family.

I’ve lived in the following locations:

Sacramento, California

Las Vegas, NV

Lakenheath, England

Mountain Home, ID

Adana, Turkey

Clovis, New Mexico

Moenchengladbach, Germany

Provo, UT

Austria

Alexandria, VA

 

I got an email at work requesting blood donations, so I thought I would refresh my memory on the eligibility criteria for blood donation.   Note that I lived in England from 1977 – 1980, Turkey from 1982 – 1984, Germany from 1986 – 1989, and Austria from 1996 – 1997. 

Here’s the link to the American Red Cross donor eligibility rules related to VariantCreutzfeld-Jacob Disease (vCJD).

In summary, you can’t donate blood if you met any of the following criteria:

1) 3 or more months in the United Kingdom from 1980 – 1996.

2) 6 or more months at a military base in Belgium, the Netherlands (Holland), or Germany from 1980 through 1990 or 6 or more months at a military base in Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy or Greece from 1980 through 1996.

3) 5 or more years in European countries since 1980.  The list includes Austria, Germany, Netherlands (Holland) and Turkey.

I strike out on all three accounts.  Even if I am older and could fill a bag within 20 minutes (previous reasons for not being able to successfully give blood), I don’t think I’ll be allowed to donate blood anytime soon.

Daily Preparation

Wednesday night I forgot to charge my phone.  Because I had spent quite a bit of time Tuesday night playing games, the battery was nearly dead.  I wasn't meeting James at our usual time and place after work, so I turned the phone off to conserve what battery I did have let.  It was hard not having use of my phone during the day, and to make matters worse, I only got one message to James about extra bad traffic before the phone died all together.  It's a first world problem to be sure, but it reminded me a lot of the story of the ten virgins.  I wasn't prepared.  I hadn't charged my phone.  I didn't have an extra cord to charge my phone at work or in the car.  It was cold outside, and my lack of preparedness affected more that just me. 

We read about the story of the ten virgins in chapter 25 of Matthew.  The consequence for those who were not prepared was that they were not received into the presence of the Lord.  D&C 45 also talks about the ten virgins, how "For they that are wise and have received the ^atruth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their ^bguide, and have not been deceived". 

As I sat in traffic Thursday, I reflected on how I am doing spiritually, and how much I want to be welcomed into the presence of the Lord.  Preparations from my youth and previous service are not sufficient.  We must prepare regularly to have the Holy Spirit as our guide.  We need to constantly build and share our testimonies to be prepared for the challenges of today.  Recent counsel from church leaders have even indicated that we need to increase our efforts to hasten the work of the Lord. 

I definitely have room for improvement.  It's easy to spend time playing games, or otherwise become distracted by my own comfort or entertainment.  There are times relationships are hard and I am tempted to ignore them rather than work to fix them.  Satan is a great deceiver.  I'm grateful for the prayers of others on my behalf.  I am grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost.  I am grateful for reminders of how I need to live.  I am grateful for gentle reminders of how I need to improve.  I am grateful for inspiration.  Heavenly Father wants us to pray ALWAYS.  Life is hard, but I know that if we remember the Savior, we will be lead and guided.  If we loose our focus, we will be lead away and will be unprepared.

I'm glad that I was able to reach my destination Thursday night in safety.  James was waiting for me at the temple, where we were able to enter together into the House of the Lord.

Museum Tour

To celebrate Native American Heritage month, the Census Bureau arranged for a tour through the museum/storage facility in Suitland.  It was interesting to see how everything was stored.  Most items were stored by geographic location, except the boats, totem poles, and other large objects.  There was embroidery work done with porcupine quills, doll clothing made out of animal intestines, bent wood boxes that were only connected on one side, amazingly small baskets, foot-long ear pieces, and so many other fascinating things.

 

 

 
 

Where does all the time go?

It was Veteran's day, so we had a little extra time for turtles, trees, Wii, playing at the park, computer lessons, board games, and hot chocolate by the fire.

November Birthdays

My attempt at a chocolate fondue castle cake to celebrate birthdays.