We've decided to go private

I have most of your emails but if you don't think I have it, let me know by next friday so we can keep in touch. Hope you all have a happy new year!

Shane's Agency Christmas Luncheon

I must say, Shane did a terrific job organizing a Christmas luncheon for his Agency without any help from me. All I had to do was show up! He had a caterer provide the lunch which was delicious and then we did a White Elephant gift exchange. A few of his agents were not able to make the luncheon but here's a picture of his incredibly talented organization:

Bradens School Christmas Program

Braden is in the middle wearing a brown sweater vest. He knew all the words and gestures to the songs!

This cracks me up. The girl in the middle wearing a red dress is Bradens girlfriend, Leah. Well she has a few boyfriends and Braden is one of them. She's extremely bubbly, friendly and outgoing.

Should I be concerned?

A Very Merry Christmas!

Braden made us a sweet card with a picture and a note that says "ho ho ho, merry christmas and a happy new year!" He did such a nice job!




Our gifts to each other this year: painting of the SLC temple/one of Savior & 2 boys, a few pieces of furniture, statue of the Christus and a clock with the words "Families can be together forever" written on it.

We are really glad my parents were able to come for Christmas! Just them being here has been super fun and comforting! We are going to miss them. They bring a wonderful spirit to our home and the kids love being with them. Braden doesn't leave grandpa's side. :)

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we sat by the lit tree and thought of the dear Saviors birth and of His sacrifice and example to us. He lived a flawless life! He is the perfect example of kindness, charity, sacrifice, bravery and love. It was a special moment as we expressed gratitude for our blessings and for the little things that made Christmas special this year. Grandma K. read us a story called, "A Christmas Dress For Ellen" by President Thomas S. Monson.

The message of the story reflected many of the thoughts and inspiration we've received this holiday season. We took a moment to think about those families and people everywhere whose Christmases might be 'far from merry'...a blind and wounded homeless man we met on the street, a single mother of three with scarcely enough to feed her children and many many others.

Then we received a surprise knock on the door. There was a beautifully decorated basket full of oranges and a bottle of sparkling apple cider! It came from the family who was doing the twelve days of Christmas for us. They truly made our Christmas season bright! It was neat of them to deliver another gift on that cold and windy Christmas Eve!

We listened to Christmas music and the kids picked one gift to open...

Snow!

School closed so Braden worked on his own project

it says "I lvoe braden(over the top of moms shirt), Muchelle, Braden, Shane"

giving thanks for family

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at the Butlers in Monticello this year. We played basketball, Laura & I shopped, Shane, Randy & the boys rode the four-wheelers, celebrated Laura's birthday, the whole family played gestures... we watched Quinn, Nate, Andy & Chad wrestle at the Alumuni wrestling matches, caught up with old friends, ate lots of food and thoroughly enjoyed everyones company.

papa spent a lot of quality time with the kids :)



Laura (and Addy) on her birthday! Shannon hosted a birthday party providing nine homemade pies!

Alumni Wrestling matches



found this on my camera and what can I say... a picture is worth a thousand words!

Thanks to Laura, Grandma Butler and Shannon for a delicious Thanksgiving meal!