Fake or Real?

Last night, on our way home from the church after delivering dinner to Shane(he's now the ward clerk and had to stay with the Bishop for Tithing settlement appointments), Braden surprised me and insisted that "I tricked him" and that Santa wasn't real afterall.

Braden: "Mom, I need to tell you something. I found something under your bed. You tricked me"(shaking his head with a half smile on his face).

Mom:(OHhh dear!!!!!!!)
"Oh really. What did you find under my bed honey."

Braden: "Just let me show you as soon as we get home. I don't want to talk about this right now.......Mom, I can't believe this. You tricked me."

Mom: "Tricked you? I don't know what you are talking about. You can tell me now if you'd like... I really want to know what it is you found under my bed" (shooting off a text message to Shane-- "Oh no, Braden found the special wrapping paper from santa and he keeps saying "U tricked me." help! what do i tell him"

Braden: "Mom, just let me show you when we get home."

Shane's text back: Tell him, "Santa left it behind because we were the last house and rudolf was too tired to carry all the extra paper home. Santa said he will be back next year and will pick it up then"

Mom:(hmmm, not sure he's going to fall for that line)
"Hey Braden, when we get home, let's make popcorn and watch one of the Book of Mormon story movies! What do you say?"

Braden: "Oh YES! I love Popcorn. I know exactly where it is too. I will get it for you when we get home. And, I know which Book of Mormon story I want to watch. When the Savior comes to America!!"

Mom: "Sound good to you Kyle?

Kyle: "YEAH!!!!!!!"

Mom: "Ok, but we have to clean up your toys in the front room first. Will you do that for me?"

Boys: Yes!

Mom: "Thanks" (whew, that was a close call).

Later that night before bed Braden comes in my room...

Braden: "Mom, let me show you what I found under your bed"

Mom: (DANG! He remembered).
"Sure honey. What is it?"

Braden: See, this wrapping paper, is from Santa but it's under your bed. (hand on hip)

Mom: Oh, I didn't know that was there? Wow, that was so nice of Santa to leave some of his wrapping paper behind for me to use next year. We must have been his last stop for the night. Afterall, remember how late you guys were up on Christmas Eve?"

Braden: (surprised and happy) "Ohhhhhhhhh! Ok that makes a lot of sense. This is great news."

Mom: "Yeah, (stooping down to see if there was anymore paper), infact, I remember a few times growing up when Santa left behind extra paper for Grandma K because we were his last stop. She was so grateful. Look at all this paper! He left a few rolls behind for us! How nice of him. Thanks for pointing this out to me!

Braden: "YES! I'm so glad we figured this out. It's all making sense now. Let's go show daddy!!"

I can't believe that he would even question if Santa is real?!

Merry Christmas!

Here are a few traditional late night pictures that mark the moment when we can breathe a sigh of relief and start getting excited for what's to come! Lisa baked Mom's mouthwatering homemade chocolate chip cookies. Santa drank all his milk and ate all but half a cookie!

We had such a nice, quiet, slow Christmas morning. We loved staying in our pajamas and playing with new toys all day! It was the perfect way to spend Christmas together as a family. We finished off the night with a big turkey dinner that included turkey, stuffing, mash potatoes & gravy, rolls, green bean casserole, yummy yams, sweet corn, cranberry sauce, great grandma Butler's raspberry jello salad, pie and icecream.

A special red dress, sweaters and Santa

We love Christmas and everything it entails. We get to spend a whole month as family, friends and community celebrating our Lord and Saviors birth. We know that He is God's greatest gift to us, and that all of our greatest gifts come through Christ our Lord and Redeemer. He suffered every affliction so that we may live with him again and be a forever family. This time of year simply, but powerfully brings us closer together and allows us to reflect again upon the Savior's perfect example. We love the peaceful heartwarming feelings we feel. It is the time we become less selfish and more generous, giving warm smiles, hugs and well wishes to all. We think and attend to others in small but special ways. We are a little more kind, loving, and giving. There is laughter, music, well prepared homemade meals, baked goodies and gift exchanges. We count our blessings and witness miracles. It is a time to carry on our old family traditions and begin new ones for our own family. We are filled to the brim with gratitude and take as many opportunities as possible to gather together with family and friends. The decor and beautiful lights remind us of the one true Light of The World, Jesus Christ.

I love the color red, especially this time of year.
My sister Lisa, was able to spend the Christmas holiday with us and it was a real treat having her here. She and I baked, cooked, gift wrapped, talked, laughed, cried, shopped till we dropped, played with the kids, and gabbed on the phone together with family and friends. I hope that she will come back soon because we had so much fun. It is our hope to never be away from each other for the holidays. Words cannot express my appreciation for all of her help with everything. Christmas would not have been the same or possible without her. The boys keep saying, "We have two moms!" Everytime we read scriptures and say family prayers instead of wanting to cuddle up next to me, they want to snuggle with Lisa!


Shane and I enjoyed a Christmas Eve lunch together.
Mom and Dad sent a few special presents early on... We were able to enjoy these gifts before Christmas: a darling little red Christmas dress for Aleah which we LOVE, a Christmas carosaul we all treasure, and a new wolfgang puck breadmaker & recipes which we have savored!

O Christmas Tree and Chocolates

On Saturday mornings, Lowes building supply store does something special for kids--so a few weeks ago, Dad decided he wanted to take the boys on a special Father & Sons there. The boys put on their aprons and got to work building... goal posts! At home, Shane captured a picture of their final product:

The goal posts were finally put to use for our Family Home Evening this week. The lesson was on becoming a Forever Family. I printed out a football field and used the homemade goal posts the boys made to complete the football field. One side of the field says "Forever Family Team" and the other side says "Sad Team." We put a football in the middle and had an official kick-off. At each yardline we had to decide together as a team, what our "game plan" was...for example, whether to be kind or fight with each other. We discussed each principle right or wrong, and how it effects our family. Then I did a special recognition by reading a sentence about each member of the family. Everyone had to guess who the person was. It was a great way for us to get to know and appreciate eachother's gifts and talents. Then we signed our name on a special paper that says we promise to do the things discussed on our family game plan. We finished off the night with another special activity...

After our family tree went up last week, I asked the boys what they wanted for Christmas. Braden wanted to make a Gingerbread house and Kyle wanted his very own little Christmas tree. So this year I got a 4 foot tree for Braden and Kyle's room. They were thrilled to be able to decorate it with little ornaments we bought especially for their tree. They think they're so cool to have a Christmas tree in their room! Their first present was a box of chocolates...