A Cheeky Discovery

Last night, I was washing the dishes while the kids took baths.  Ashton came running in, stopped with his back towards me, and said, "Look Mom."  I glanced down, didn't notice anything, and continued drying dishes.  He repeated, "Look Mom!"  That's when I spotted it... his new-found discovery.  Can you spot the Star Wars figurine light saber? 

Oh the bum... so many uses.  You can sit on it, shake it... even store toys in it! 

Who knew?  What can I say... my kid's a genius.

A Nativity to Remember

If you're a Stevens, the annual Christmas Eve Nativity re-inactment is serious business.  Grandma Stevens keeps track of which grandchild plays which part each year--so that everyone gets equal "Star" time.  After checking her records, she discovered that Kyler has never played Joseph... ever.  This isn't because he hasn't had the opportunity.  Year after year, Kyler has declined the role, saying he just prefers the Wise Man part better.  Well, when I pressed him further this year about why he refuses to play Joseph, I got the real truth.  Kyler (who has always taken life very seriously) does not like the idea of being MARRIED to his sister or cousin... even for a 10 minute skit, once a year!  I tried to convince him that Joseph was such a cool guy, and that it would be an honor to play his part, but Kyler simply wasn't having it.  I let it go.   You can imagine my surprise, then, when Kyler happily suited up in the Joseph garb and beard on Christmas Eve!  The biggest surprise of the night, though, was not Kyler... You know that 2-year-old of mine who runs a million miles a minute, destroying everything in his path?  That busy, ever-in-motion, little boy crawled up in that manger and pulled off the most sweet, docile, calm Baby Jesus you've ever seen!  Sleeping on cue, smiling on cue... you name it.  He stole the show---and how appropriate, being that Baby Jesus IS the star of story and all!   It was nothing short of a Christmas miracle.

Ashton as Baby Jesus

Jaden & McKenna

Carson as the Inn Keeper

Second greatest moment of the night.... When the Wise Men presented their gifts to Baby Jesus, Ashton sat right up and accepted them!  He then proceeded to open the gift, pull out the gold beads, and drape them around his neck.  It was so funny!

Number one moment of the night.... When Ashton pretended to fall asleep while we sang the closing number, "Silent Night."  He truly understood that this play was all about him.  He loved that everyone was circled around him, gazing at him, singing to him... He ate up every moment.  Move over, Lady Gaga!  I think we may have a male diva on our hands!  Look out, World!  A Star is Born!

 The Stevens Family--Bethlehemfied!

As always, a wonderful and memorable Christmas Eve!  

Thank you, Grandma & Grandpa Stevens, for always making it so special!

Christmas Eve - Part 1

Christmas Eve... I think it just might be the funnest day of the whole entire year... with the exception of Mother's Day, of course!  My kids woke up with so much excitement that I thought they might burst.  Especially Kyler!  In order to keep the sanity at a reasonable level, we started partying at noon.  We had to keep those kids busy!

Somehow our plastic, dollar store goblets make any celebration extra "sh-mancy" and special.  Since Grandma Stevens hosts a fun Christmas Eve dinner every year, I always try to make a fun, festive lunch.  As you can see, Kyler was really on one that day.  He looks like a mad man in almost every single one of these photos!

  

We have a tradition of everyone one pronouncing a Christmas toast.   Yes, I know this a drinking tradition, but my kids think it's super cool.  They could clink those glasses together all day long!  I think Justin's toast went something like... 

"Here's to a very Merry Chirstmas & Good riddance 2011!"

I concur!

I purposefully planned a "Gingerbread" themed day to go along with the kid's Christmas Eve gift.  I had been saving this kit all month long... they were so happy to finally make it!  (Oh Kyler...)

Next up, gingerbread-shaped sugar cookies for Santa!
 (Ky--you're killing me.)

Ashton thoroughly enjoyed this activity... especially the eating part!

This picture reminds of Grandpa Stevens.

Looks like "frosting love" runs in the family.

After hours of begging, I relented and let the kids open their Christmas Eve jammies at 3:30 p.m.  No, it wasn't even close to dark yet, but I couldn't hold them off any longer.  I was a little nervous that they might not like them, but they were so hyped up, I think I could have given them rags and they would have been thrilled! They love their annual Christmas jams!  Super sad note:  I think this will be the last year for them to have matching pajamas... sniff, sniff.  Kenna's sadly officially in Gymboree's largest size.  BOO HOOOOO!!!  

(Give me a moment.)  

Alright, I'm okay. 

 Now, prepare yourself for a seriously silly P.J. photo shoot:

Are you confused?  They're trying to be gingerbread men.

Ash, however, had no idea what that meant obviously!

Really Kyler?  This could've been the cutest photo ever!  (Sigh.)

I don't know... I think they're excited! 

 

Tune it later for the funniest Christmas Eve Nativity ever. 

Pictures of December

25 days.  That's all we get to pack in all the parties, traditions, worship, and magic of Christmas.  These 25 days always feel like a blur to me... so much to do in not enough time!  Here's a glimpse at our month in pictures.

A miracle happened and we had a spare two minutes before church for a mini photo shoot.  I need to mention that my children's beautiful clothes (from head to toe) were passed down to us from the Magleby family.  They have dressed my children since McKenna's birth.  Their generosity is unbelievable.  Every time we see them, they're giving us boxes of clothes and shoes, toys, food... so much.  We can never re-pay them. They have blessed our life so much.  Thank you Brooke & Brett!

So grown up and so pretty.

 This is her last Christmas in Primary!

Carson's Kindergarten Christmas Party. 

 Ashton went to every station--having the time of his life!

On the last day of school before Christmas vacation, the kids were bursting with Christmas Spirit... so much that Kyler asked to wear an elf hat... very uncharacteristic for his 'cool' persona! 

Carson asked me to paint his shoes black so he looked more like Santa!

9:00 a.m. on the first day of Christmas vacation.  This is my backyard by the way.  We live in the best neighborhood.  This wouldn't be allowed in most subdivisions, but our neighbors are super cool. 

I risked my life to snap this picture with my phone and endured sneers from Santa's elves afterwards!  They aren't too jolly if you don't pay $20 bucks for their photo.  This is also the first time that ALL of my children are in a photo with Santa.  There's usually one child bawling and totally terrified (usually Kyler)--so this was a first!

Letters to Santa--amongst the clothes in Macy's.  

Even with a stupid 5th grade teacher who almost ruined the magic of Christmas, we all still BELIEVE!!

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,  

Thank you so much for bringing Ashton that new, colorful race track with all of complicated, tiny pieces!  He really loved it... for the first hour.  However, you could really save yourself a lot of time, stress, and money if you would just simply wrap up a kitchen appliance!

Love,

Mom

It Is Finished

I'm a person who makes lists.  I have lists everywhere---in my purse, in my coat pockets, on the fridge...  I think I like making lists... not because they keep me organized... but because I like the feeling of crossing off a task after I complete it.  You can imagine, then, the overwhelming feeling of relief I felt when I tied the last knot on a little project that I've been working on for eight years! 

Behold:  THE STOCKINGS!!   

I stole this tradition of homemade stockings from my sister Lori.  When Justin and I were first married, we spent Christmas Eve in Lori's home.  I watched as Lori's kids lay in front of the fireplace--gazing at the stockings they'd had their entire life--and laugh and fight over why their stocking was the best!  I loved that they loved something their mother had made them... something that would be passed down and remembered forever.  I'm a sucker for all things sentimental--so right then and there--I decided to adopt this tradition.  It seemed like a great idea at the time... But boy, I had no idea how many years that little decision would affect me!!  As I look at these stockings hanging neatly in a row today, I love them.  But in all honesty, I hated those stockings most of the time.  They made me bleed once or twice and swear a few times more than that. They were truly a labor of love, but I can now proudly say:  IT IS FINISHED!  I think each stocking deserves a tribute of their own... 

Justin's:

Mine:

Kenna's:

Ky's:

Carson's:

And, as of December 23rd, Ashton's:

They really love them!  See?

A little stocking trivia:

The Hardest Stocking to make:  Kenna's

The Easiest Stocking to make:  Kyler's

My Personal Favorite Stocking:  Kyler's

My Least Favorite Stocking:  Carson's

The Kid's Favorite Stocking:  Ashton's

Stocking Detail I Hated the Most:  Candy Canes & Scarves

Stocking Detail I Enjoyed the Most:  Faces

The Stocking That Took the Longest to Make:  Ashton's... 3 years!!!

If you ever stop by and get a chance to see the famous stockings, please tell me how fabulous they are... even if you are lying.  It makes my tired hands feel better!

He's BAAAAAACK!!

Our kids were delighted beyond measure when we heard a pounding on our door pretty late last week... only to open it up and find our traveling neighborhood Santa!  We love this neighborhood tradition and feel lucky when we land the big guy since their are so many houses in our subdivision and only 25 days in December!  However, we've discovered that this jolly fella is only fun when the lights are on.  Quail Ridge Santa proceeded to make every single one of us jump, gasp, and even scream during his 24-hour stay with us.  It's pretty scary to see the figure of a man in the dark when you're not used to having him there... even if he does have rosy cheeks and a twinkle in his eye!  The lyrics, "He see you when you're sleeping.  He knows when you're awake..." have an all new meaning for me.  Think "Twilight Zone" music or the theme from "Jaws!" It's downright terrifying, I tell you!  It's probably a good thing that he only visits one night a year.

"Although it's been said many times, many ways, SCARY Christmas... to you!!"