Stevens Family

Friday, November 11, 2011

Halloween 2012: A Love/Hate Relationship

Oh Halloween, how I love you and hate you... how you delight my children in one moment and terrify them the next... how you fill my home with excitement and gore, how you make me fatter even though I swear you won't, how you leave me exhausted while wiring my children, how you charge my creative juices, how you make me laugh and then cringe in disgust. I love you. I hate you.

This is Halloween 2012.

One thing I LOVE about Halloween is that looking back through my kids' costumes is like looking at a memory book of their interests. McKenna discovered and fell in love with Greek mythology this year. This delighted me to no end because mythology always fascinated me too. I was also thrilled that of all of the beautiful and talented heroines to love, she chose Athena--the Goddess of Wisdom.

The BBF Goddesses: McKenna & Kamry

Striking a glamorous goddess pose at the school carnival!

McKenna with friends, Rachel and Lydia, at the Ward Trunk or Treat.

Kyler and I fell in love with this costume idea from Aunt Kari... a nerd zombie that got stabbed to death by pencils. Disturbing? Totally! But this costume turned out to be the best experience for Kyler. Being nerdy and silly was a stretch for him... not really his style. But he got SO much attention from this get-up that he became really proud of it, and began feeling comfortable about getting into the character! Some houses gave him several pieces of candy because they were so impressed with his costume. He thought that was the COOLEST thing ever! He learned that it's more fun to be fun!! He wants to be something really creative next year too!

To appreciate my work, you must see the profile view!

In character? Yes! But he refused to wear a 'Kick Me' sign or have toilet paper coming out of his jeans. I was bummed.

Brady and Kyler

Halloween has become a week-long holiday... that's something I HATE! Carson wore a few costumes this year. (Funny Story: Carson found a bloody ax at the Halloween store which he really wanted, so he excitedly asked me if he could dress up as a MURDERER!!! HATE, hate, HATE!) Carson ended up becoming...

The Vampire!

"Do I dazzle you?" Eat your heart out, Edward!

He also wowed everyone with another of Kari's creations:

FRANKENSTEIN!

Mason, Carson, & Noah

Carson, Christian, & Kyler

Carson dancing his heart out in a Wii competition at the Halloween carnival.

He takes a lot of pride in being a good dancer!

One thing I LOVE about Halloween is the creativity it inspires! My neighbor (who I've wrote about before in my posts) loves Halloween and hands out candy in a different way each year. Trick-or-Treating at her house is like going to an event. You never know what she'll do! This year, her garage was transformed into a haunted dentist office! Haha! Here are her dentistry tools:

Yep... Kyler had a cavity. Open wide!

Carson was too spooked to get his own check-up, but he did get the dentist's treats... toothbrushes and apples! Brilliant... I LOVE it!

Here's the saddest thing of all... I have no pictures of Ashton from Halloween 2012! He refused to wear the TWO darling costumes I had for him! But, he really dug Trick-or-Treating and every morning he comes down asking for his pumpkin bucket (HATE). Well, on to more uplifting holidays! Let the festivities begin!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Monsters In Concert

If it seems like I've been in a witchy mood lately, it's probably due to the fact that I've been listening to nothing but minor thirds and diminished chords for two months straight... but like they say, if the broom fits, ride it! Yes, Halloween music has been in full swing since September in preparation for my "Monsters in Concert" recital! Ironically, it's a less "scary" recital because playing in costume makes it super fun!

The Goddess of Wisdom & The Witchy Piano Teacher headed to the recital!

I just about died when one of my newest students, Chapin Wiscombe, headed up to play with his face completely covered! I whispered, "Can you see?" And he simply nodded. He played flawlessy and took home the prize for "Scariest Costume!"

Kyler won "Funniest Costume." Unfortunely, my camera died half way through the recital, and I didn't get a picture of "Best Costume." Little Emily Bohman was the most darling Asian Princess you've ever seen!

Natalie & Madison Burr... these two are so talented... they are a piano teacher's dream come true.

I was so touched (and nervous) that my mom and sister, Kari, came up for my recital! Having them there meant the world to me and made the whole day extra fun! Kari was taking pictures for me, and this picture was taken while the recital was in progress... I think she and Carson were having a little too much fun together. She became his best friend that day. Carson is dying to take piano, and I promised him that he would play in the next recital.

The Witch & Robin Hood (Jacob Bohman)... one of my funniest students!

The Nerd Zombie rocking not only the music but socks and sandals!

Witch #2 (Grandma Stevens) & The Gangsta' (Jaden)!

When I moved to Ammon, I set my limit of students to ten.... and I somehow have 22 now! It takes a lot of time and is challenging working at home, but also rewarding. My students have the ability to make me smile, cringe, and gasp all within a 30 minute lesson. They're my friends and I truly care about each of them. I thank my lucky stars that I had a mother who made me practice and was diligent in teaching me herself. I spend so much time teaching others, that I often don't have the energy and patience to teach my own... but I look to my mom's example and try to keep my own children on schedule. By giving me the gift of music, my parents also gave me the ability to serve musically almost every Sunday, the ability to provide income for my family, and most importantly--the joy and satisfaction that only music can give.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Dancing Queens

Even though I have a daughter, my home pretty much feels like a house of boys. Yes, we have barbies and dolls somewhere... but McKenna can usually be found winning the WWF tournaments, sword fights, and burping contests. The male influence is very, very strong. You can imagine my surprise, then, when I came upon the entire family having a "Dancing With the Stars" moment in the family room. How nice of McKenna's brothers to indulge her fantasies for at least 60 seconds!

Ash's expressions are priceless.

Few people know how hilarious Kyler is! He's always in the center of the fun. However, after the moment passes, Kyler gets paranoid about photos of evidence. Kyler specifically told me that I was not allowed to post this picture on our blog, but I heard once that it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. He'll thank me one day.

P.S. Check out my hubby's bulging fore-arms. What a stud muffin.

(Now I'm going to hear it from Kyler AND Justin... my two peas in a pod!)

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Brooklyn's Playground

Have you ever wondered what a perfect moment looks like?

It looks like this:

Not a care in the world... just a moment of laughter and happiness. Isn't childhood supposed to be filled with moments just like this one? But have you ever wondered what it took to make this moment possible? Probably not... but thanks to my Dad, my children were able learn a little bit about the compassion and effort of a small town that made this moment possible for them.

My hometown of Pocatello, Idaho recently pulled together to raise over $800,000 dollars for the building of a park that would allow children with all abilities to play together... an exceptional accomplishment in a down economy when businesses are failing and pocketbooks are slim. It's quite a story... and I'm proud to say that my dad is a main character.

My father, Arlo Luke, has lived an extrodinary life… a life filled with hard work, talent, opportunity, adventure, posterity, faithfulness, devotion… and most importantly, influence. He stands at a mere 5’4’’ tall, yet something about his presence is very large. I’m not sure what it is exactly… perhaps it’s his passion for life… or maybe it’s his dramatic way of expressing himself… but whatever it is… this man has always stood very tall. My entire life, I’ve watched my father make amazing things happen. Whether it be his service in Boy Scouts, his company, his community, or the church, my dad has been instrumental in creation and lasting change. His latest venture, “Brooklyn’s Playground,” is yet another creation he's personally pushed and shaped that will now bless the residents of Pocatello forever... as well as his own grandchildren and great grandchildren when they stop by to play.

"Brooklyn's Playground" was built in honor of a Pocatello family's 5-year-old daughter who was born with spina bifida. While playing with her cousins at a park, Brooklyn Fisher fell and suffered a concussion. Her family realized that there was simply no safe place for their child to play. And Brooklyn is not alone. Over 11% of children in Pocatello have a disability... that 3,000 children with no place to play. This heartfelt story captured the hearts of Pocatello residents--inspiring fun runs, lemonade stands, grants, business donations, personal donations, bake sells, garage sells, carnivals… all donating their proceeds to the building of Brooklyn's Playground.

Brooklyn just happened to be at the park playing the night we visited!

It was like meeting a celebrity!

Once the money had been raised, the literal design and building of the park was accomplished through the service of sports teams, youth church groups, elementary children, disabled men and women... anyone who was willing to pull on some work gloves and dig in.

Five hundred to eight hundred people volunteered everyday during Build Week. Forty different organizations and churches took turns feeding these volunteers three times a day... Wow!

This tractor was painted by my Dad. Fun fact: My savvy Dad got the John Deere company to donate $5,000 to the park in exchange for the tractor to be painted yellow and green! Nice one, Dad!

The park was filled with Pocatello history and heritage.

A homage to Chief Poky himself!

The park was enormous! It felt more like a "destination." I literally lost my kids in there... that's one big park! I don't even think they got a chance to explore everything there.

Everything was handicap accessible...

A high and low set of monkey bars.

My boys' favorite toy at the park... the dangerous one.

What a beautiful site... children in chairs and children not... playing side by side.

Thank you, Grandpa Luke, for a family night of learning, understanding... and play!

We love you!!

Monday, October 17, 2011

McKenna Turns 11

Last Saturday, we celebrated 11 years with our spunky McKenna Lyn. How quickly time is flying right now... Is it because our schedule is too full? Is it because we're working harder than ever? I'm not sure... but all I do know is that every morning, McKenna is a little less of a girl and more of a young woman. She's suddenly sharing my shoes, jewelry, panty hose... and asking questions that are hard to answer! Though she is changing rapidly, she still retains her bubbly, energetic, and adventurous personality. Just the other day, her friend's mom told me that her daughter can never play with McKenna at recess.... because McKenna is always playing football with the boys. Yep. That's McKenna.

As always, a birthday breakfast in bed... even though she's never been much of a breakfast eater!

Justin surprised us that morning by putting on home videos from her birth. She LOVED seeing video from her baby shower, her first room, and being adored by her family on the day she was born! Boy, I forget how darling and tiny she was... only 5 pounds and 4 pounds by the time we left the hospital. I also forget how unexperienced and scared I was as a new mother. It was both painful and humorous to watch me figuring out how to take care of her... Let's just say, I've come a long way. Perhaps this is why oldest children always come with such strong spirits... They have to put up with first-time parents!

One telling sign of her age was that she was not concerned about opening presents that morning. She was content to wait until evening... something I've never witnessed with my kids before. However, it was her brothers who could not wait any longer. The excitement was just too much!

Carson and Kyler had put so much time and energy into deciding what they wanted to give McKenna with their own money. My very generous Kyler had saved up $40, and wanted to spent every penny of it on Kenna. He even gave money to Carson so that Carson could buy her a gift too. It was touching to see his love and giving heart. I couldn't bear to let him spent all of his money, so in the end, the dollar store provided a way for them to give her oodles of things without breaking the bank.

My silly boys even wrapped her gifts inside food boxes so that when she unwrapped them, she'd think she had received a cake mix and a box of Capri Suns. Such sweet brothers who love their sister so much!

McKenna modeling a few of her brother's gifts... .25 jewelry.

Her brothers were so proud of themselves.

Ashton opened all of McKenna's gifts for her, and McKenna thought it was endearing... more evidence of a grown up girl. That never would have gone down nice a few years ago!