Santa

This week we went to a Christmas party at the boys preschool. Guess who was there?! Santa! We were all so excited to finally see him. But then Kyler quickly informed us that this guy was NOT the real Santa! Kyler explained he was probably an elf--just one of Santa's helpers. He said his face wasn't old enough to be the real one. We were in shock at first, but then we realized Santa can't possibly be at EVERY Christmas party so he must have lots of helpers. So we told him what we wanted anyways . . .

Our Christmas Wishes:

Kacin: A moterbike, a car

Kyler: Spider-man ("a play one"), a skateboard, a trampoline

Laura: A trampoline! And our adoption to be FINAL

Eric: Dr. Pepper

A night with Emily

Emily FINALLY invited us over to her new house in Spanish Fork. We were so excited to see it--it is very cute! They did an awesome job fixing it up. Plus, Emily made some of Grandma Mary's famous enchiladas (which means layered el pato, cheese, tortillas--not rolled, but flat). Eric, especially, loves them! Yum!

Then we look down at Kacin. Being almost 4 years old, he is really good at dressing himself now. Wait a second . . . something's not right . . . oh, his pants are on backwards! He had been to preschool and out running errands with me. Who knows how long?

The Adoption Song

Just a sweet moment that makes all of the tantrums and whining, hours of various appointments, pee in the garbage can, sweeping the floor 3 times a day instead of once a week, cars and legos under my feet, and the unknown-ness of what will happen all worth it . . .

Kyler and Kacin were outside in the backyard riding their scooters with pretend "i-pods" on. They didn't know I was there, but I just came out to take the garbage out. I heard Kyler singing, so I stopped and listened for a moment (eavesdropping--terrible!). He went on singing (tune unknown)"My mommy loves me . . . My mommy loves me . . .(something that I couldn't hear)". He stopped, smiled, and announced "This is my adoption song!".

We Don't Shop at Wal-mart

I would say it's been about 3 years since Eric or I had even been in a Walmart--Let alone shop around for anything. While the "evils of Wal-mart" must be saved for another conversation another day, let's just say that the boys have quickly picked up this very important lesson: We do not shop at Wal-mart.



One day, while I was working, the boys were staying with a neighbor. She told them that she needed to run an errand to a store and asked them to get ready to go. They stopped and asked "We're not going to Wal-mart, are we? We don't go to Wal-mart."



We drive by Wal-mart or see an ad and the boys quickly say "Wal-mart is bad."



Then we got a gift card to Wal-mart from the adoption shower. . . We were most appreciative! A gift card was a fabulous gift! But then we had to explain it to the boys . . . We pull up at Wal-mart. They ask "Why are we at Wal-mart? Wal-mart is bad." They have shocked faces as we explain that we are going in. How could we be such hypocrites?!

We used our wonderful gift to get a Christmas tree! Eric kept the empty gift card until we got home and then offered it to Kyler (the boy who is obsessed with receipts, cards, paper . . . trash). He was most excited to get a "credit card". And then he realized . . .it was from Wal-mart! So later he sneaked into Kacin's room and put the card under Kacin's pillow. He found Kacin and kept hinting to him to go look under his pillow. Finally, Kacin lifted up his pillow and saw the card. His face fell. He started whining and throwing a fit "Not Wal-mart!".


Look what we've done to our children! Should I be proud or embarrassed??

Hide and Seek

One of my favorite family memories of growing up is playing Hide and Seek in the dark! I loved sneaking around and then getting scared because you never knew which corner you would reach into and all of the sudden feel a head or have a hand grab you instead. This was one game that we all loved.

We had tried to play Hide and Seek with the boys when they first came to stay with us, but the game always went something like this: I cover my eyes and count . . . the boys run screaming and laughing to some inconspicuous place like the bathroom and slam the door shut . . . I shout "Ready or not here I come!" . . . laughing from the boys . . . I say "Where are you?" . . . Kacin yells back "In the bathroom!".

I am now proud to say that we all understand the game of Hide and Seek. Tonight we had a successful game--in the dark!

Zoo Lights

A couple nights ago we took the boys to the Hogle Zoo to see the zoo lights! It was beautiful! And really cold. We did get some hot chocolate to keep us warm though. The boys had fun. All of the lights must have had a soothing effect though because Kacin kept telling us he was ready for a nap!

The way cool glasses that turned all the lights into snowmen! We even looked at the moon through them and it looked like a snowman. We were all impressed. :) Doesn't Ky look good here? We were on our way home and he was pretty wiped out (hence, the face he is making).

Kacin finally got his nap on an elephant statue's trunk!

Ornament Exchange

I am NOT a crafty person. Very rarely do I enjoy really creating something. I don't have the patience or the perfectionist personality (well, in that area) to make it look good and then be happy with how it ever turns out. So, when I was approached at church to be a part of a 12-person ornament exchange--in which you bring homemade ornaments--I was very hesitant and ready to say "No". I would've too, except for she came by my house later and personally gave me the invitation. . . Her advice was "Just get chipboard, modge podge, and put glitter all over and it'll be great. Everything is great with glitter." I really couldn't say no, so I was in. So I griped and complained the whole time (just ask Eric :) ), but I made 12 ornaments. And learned an important lesson--never stain wood in your basement when the windows are stuck and won't open. . . .

I probably should've used glitter . . .

Then I went to the Ornament Exchange last night. And it turned out to be really fun! We had a yummy Mexican food dinner and ice cream for dessert, lots of laughing, and exchanged ornaments. I will admit, I'm grateful that our tree isn't quite so bare anymore. I guess with my can't-say-no personality everything turned out well this time. Except, guess who's hosting it next year . . . you're right, the girl who can't say no!!!!