October 2013 Rewind: Halloween

Here's just a glimpse of Halloween 2013!

A Ballroom Zombie

After we had a melt down over the newly purchased Wolverine costume for Carson, Carson generously allowed Ash to wear Wolverine FIRST for his preschool Halloween party! True brotherly love!

Halloween morning: S-T-R-E-S-S. 

I hardly slept the night before because I had never practiced Ky's make-up and wasn't sure exactly how to make the magic happen. Totally winged it. 

Homemade costume by yours truly.

I think it turned out pretty alright if I say so myself.

Waiting for the Spook Parade! 

BFF's in Disguise!

Opening my door to these trick-or-treaters made my heart want to burst with happiness... It's the neighborhood gang! I love these kids, love seeing their excited faces, not to mention my cute neighbor in the background! Our neighborhood is the best: Full sized candy bars, homemade scones, music... 2013 Halloween was SPOOKTACULAR!

October 2013 Rewind: McKenna Turns 13

One event that we surely can't skip from 2013 is the arrival of our family's...

FIRST TEENAGER!

It's seems like just yesterday that I was sitting in the hospital and holding my first baby in my arms... amazed and changed forever. How can it be that she is 13 years old? Yes, time passes too fast, but we are so pleased with the sweet, elegant, and kind little lady that Kenna is becoming.

Here's a look at her special day last October 15th... Absolutely no skimping on Kenna's breakfast in bed... this girl LOVES food!

I think she likes her new boots....

Funny brothers enjoying her unwrap gifts!

Kenna's sweet best friend, Kambria, decorated her locker.

Kenna checked out of school for a lunch date with Ash, Mom, & Dad! We had to celebrate early because McKenna's birthday was a dance day (i.e. busy, busy day!) She took cupcakes to dance rehearsal, went to a bonfire for mutual, and was up late with homework... but we tried to make her feel extra loved amongst all the running of a usual Tuesday.

Here's a look at McKenna Lyn at 13 years old...

Favorite Book: "Austenland" and "The Penderwicks"

Favorite Treat: Anything gummy and sour

Favorite Color: All shades of blue... and she particularly loves "Peacock" colors! (Teal, Emerald Green, Purple, Royal Blue...)

Favorite School Subject: Choir

Heros: Mom & Dad

Dream Day: Touring Paris, France

Best Friends: Kambria, Liandra, Abby, Annaliese, and Jessica

Dream Date: Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice

Her Loves: Dance, art, music, and cousins, and playing "A Thousand Miles" a thousand times a day on the piano

Favorite Possessions: Her sketch pad & phone

Best Traits: Determined, hard working, brave, creative, and kind

Worst Traits: Undeceive (like her Mom!), looks 15, too darn cute for her own good, not her brother's favorite babysitter, and hates to do her own hair.

Favorite Ballroom Dances: Samba & Swing

Goals: Winning at Nationals, serving a mission, studying art in school, and marrying in the temple.

McKenna is a sentimental girl. She loves things with ALL of her heart--whether it be traditions, gifts, or events, she is always excited and appreciative. She loves the Gospel--particularly the young women's program. She is continually reminding our family to do better at our spiritual goals and she currently serves as the Beehive class president. She is fun, giggly, and so very talented. 

We love this girl. 

So much. 

September 2013 Rewind: First Day of School

EXPLANATION: I don't know why I completely dropped the ball on blogging last year. There are so many things I missed, and I feel bad because this is a historical record for our family... which is getting very, very incomplete! So, I'm jumping back a few months and posting a few memorable things I missed and really want recorded!

The first day of school for the 2013 school year was an exciting one for us... we could now WALK to school for the first time ever and McKenna was leaving her Rimrock brothers behind for the big leagues!

These are the "Pills" I made the kiddos for the first day back.

McKenna was pretty nervous for Jr. High! Jumping from one class to seven is tough! But the real stressor for her.... The dreaded lock on the locker! Dropping her off was not comforting to me at all. The other kids going in the school looked very big and scary! But she did great! I'm thankful she has some sweet friends.

The first day of school was a long one for Ash. He really missed Carson! Mom did too... she played a lot of Wii that day! We were anxious to see them at the cross walk! 

We always have a special treat on our first day back.

Ashton started school a few days after his siblings. This is him coloring his "Back to School Bug" for his school's bulletin board. (Ashton can't do ANYTHING without sticking his tongue out and wiggling it all around. It's his second brain.)

Look at that coloring job! I think the tongue helps!

Ash is quite the comical poser. He loved his new alien shirt that allowed you to open the alien's tummy and peer inside at his food!

This is one smart preschooler! His personality is so much like Kyler's... very mature and well behaved! What a cute boy!

Christmas Eve 2013

Christmas Eve 2013 was so much fun! We started it out right by going out for breakfast! (Perkins, by the way, is officially my favorite restaraunt because they keep the temperature nice and toasty for their more "mature" regulars. I'm down with that!) After breakfast, Justin and I got the opportunity to be part of a touching ward service project for a family in our ward... not a better way to spend Christmas Eve day and fill our home with Christmas spirit.

We love Grandma and Grandpa Stevens' annual Pajama Christmas Eve party. (Not sure why Justin donned the nerd specks... but he's cute as always!)

Kenna with her lovely Duck Dynasty cousins--Kass & Kinz.

Grandma & Grandma Stevens--true party animals.

Our annual Stevens nativity was the best EVER because all parts were played by the kiddos! Wahoo! (I look really bad as a Shepherd!) As always, it was beautiful and fun. Kyler played "Joseph" this year and Carson played a "Wiseman."

Ashton as the "Kind Inn Keeper"!

Angelic angels

Amazing costumes... amazing backdrop... 

great traditions... cousins that love each other.

Non "Elf" December Fun

Although our December posts revolve around our Elf, we actually have more going on... actually, a lot going on other than Elf sightings! Here are just a few of our non-Elf activities this December!

Kenna and friends have discovered Jane Austen... and have each officially fallen for "Mr. Darcy." (I'm okay with that for a first-time crush!) We had a P&P morning... pajamas, pancakes, popcorn, and Pride & Prejudice! It was hilarious to hear the girls squealing downstairs as they watched it. Great fun!

Carson played on his first basketball team this month! 

He was pretty darn aggressive!

Mom and Ash at Ashton's Preschool Christmas party.

Look closely at that Santa... He's an old friend! 

Curtis Browning from Showtime!

We love our yard! 

The annual Luke Christmas Party!

And yes, at Luke Christmas parties, we sing! It was so funny to watch the new nephew in-laws peer around in confusion at our Christmas Party Choir. That is how we roll, guys. Come warmed up next time!

Ashton was even the big winner at the party. Kids had to guess how many 'Santas' Grandma Luke had in her house. Ash guessed 50... correct number was 54! (Mom likes her Santas!) Ashton was so pleased with himself!

We had an inversion throughout the month--making the trees "flocked" and so beautiful!

Random funny pic... I came upon this spilled wax from my candle. Not one of the kids fessed up to it... but Ashton suspects that is was Cocoa.

Kyler and his buddies at the Rimrock Christmas Assembly!

Kyler is the one on the front row with large ears! I didn't get a pic of Carson because I was directing his group. It has been so fun teaching music for the second grade this year. The kids treat me like I'm a celebrity.

McKenna at her first choir concert. She was heart broken to be made an "alto" on the first day of school (Haha!) but she has come to love singing harmony.

On top of all this fun, I was made the YW president in my ward in December. That added a lot of stress to this month--but it's sinking in and feeling better. Life is full and we are grateful for the opportunity to grow, to raise wonderful kids, and live in a great neighborhood and community. December was busy and great! We are so very blessed.

Packed and Ready to Go - Day 24

We knew it was coming... on Christmas Eve morning, we awoke to find Cocoa packed and ready to head home. (Thank goodness that Cocoa's yearly departure coincides with the happiest morning of the year... I don't think we could handle it otherwise!)

Like last year, Cocoa left us a fun letter!

Again, Santa temporarily lifted Cocoa's magic so that the kids could touch him for the first time that month, give him a squeeze, and say goodbye.

Thankfully, we only had staged tears this year! (We had real ones last year!) The kids handled saying Goodbye so much better our second year with Cocoa-because Cocoa proved that he COMES BACK! We know it will only be 11 months until he moves back in for another 24 days!

 Mid day, I walked by Cocoa and found that one of the kids had left Cocoa a goodbye gift–his own pile of mini marshmallows. This little act touched my heart. We really do love Cocoa--all of us, young and old. Cocoa represents so much more than silliness and pranks... he represents the magic of childhood... the magic of Christmas time... and the power of family tradition.

Until next year, Cocoa... we'll miss you. 

Merry Christmas!