Christmas Card 2011

Merry Christmas from
The Stephens!
2011

I hope that this post finds you healthy and well! We here in the South are doing fine and have been busy as I'm sure most of you have been too!  So as not to bore you with all of our particulars, here is a highlight of this past year.

Dakota:

• Spent much of the summer in Colorado & Pennsylvania 
• Began High School!
• Turned 15
• Made the jv soccer team!

Kye:

• Loved camping in Colorado this summer
• Began 3rd Grade
• Turned 9
• Continues to love his HipHop Class & Cub Scouts

Kru:

• Also had a blast in Colorado this summer
• Began all-day Kindergarten 
• Turned 6
• Played soccer again, but has decided it's not his sport

For the other 2 Stephens, everything is pretty much the same.  We have the same jobs, still live in the same place! and still trying to keep up with the boys and their craziness! Although during the past 2 weeks, we have gotten rid of both of our old vehicles.  Just yesterday we bought a new little 2011 Soul.  We are pretty excited to have a reliable vehicle!  We are having to get used to everyone sitting so close together after the van, but it runs! it's under warranty! it has heat! it has ac! the windows roll down! it doesn't smoke!!!burn oil! So YAY!

After spending Thanksgiving alone, we are excited to see family during the Christmas season!!! In fact, only a few days away!  I hope that all of you will have a blessed Christmas and that Jesus will be the focus of all of our celebrations!!!

A Birthday, Parties, Field Trips & Halloween

Dakota is 15!  How did THAT happen? 

Not sure, but it's crazy!  He is soooo a teenager 

and of course can't wait to drive!

He is loving high school and is a good kid that

I don't have to worry about!

I'm very thankful and blessed!

Didn't do too much for his birthday...

presents of course!

and  a cake with pink icing!

 Forest Ridge had their Falcanpalooza

and Kye and Kru had a blast!

 My school had a fall dance, Fallapalooza, and 

Dakota was invited! Talk about fun! We danced for 

4 hours and had a great time!

Kye had a museum day and was a caveman!

 Kru had a field trip to the Oil Ranch!

I was able to go along and even though it was chilly,

we had some fun! He milked a real cow with success,

fed cows and goats, rode a train and hayride!

 I loved being able to go along!

 And then, Halloween!

 Our church, Connecting Point, participated/sponsored  

BooFest again this year. This was our 1st time to go.

 Dakota trying to "win" a trip!

Nice pitch!

 And then the night, of trick or treating!

Dakota's idea of trick or treating!

 At Kru's teacher's, Miss Farnie, house

 And then today, I was able to go with Kye's 

class to the Renaissance Festival.  It was his

first time and he loved it!

 Shootin' some paint ball guns with Thomas, 

Bryce and Caleb!  Look at Kye's intensity!

 Of course we had to see the animals!  He wanted

to ride the elephants and horses as well, but

the petting zoo had to do!

 Cheering for the blue knight at the joust!

He didn't win :0( Kye was bummed!

 Kye and his buddy, Caleb!

 It was a great day!

I'm super thankful that I was able to spend a 

day with Kye and Kru!  One on one time

is rare, but really important! 

Back to School 2011

Really need to update about our summer happenings, but thought I should get up the first day of school picts at least! Seems I can't find time to keep up with the blog!  So here are the pictures from the first day of school a few weeks ago!  It's hard to believe that we have been in school for a month now!

My high schooler! 9th Grade!
Dakota

My 3rd Grader!

Kye

And my Kindergartener!
Kru

Walking into Forest Ridge

Kru-man at his desk! He was way excited!!!

And Kye-Kye at his!

Then it was off to the high school!

Where did the time go??? Seems like yesterday that I was dropping Dakota off at Kindergarten!

Snow Day in Texas

Today we had a snow day from school!

Out of the 5 years we have been in Texas,

I believe it has snowed 3 of them!

This year we have been cold! Coldest temps in 20 years, so they say.

Still not as cold as other places, but for here, cold!

The 1/2" of snow was very dry today,

but the boys got out and made a few snow angels on the tramp,

tried to throw snowballs and Dakota and Kru made a snowman.

Hot cocoa was a must afterwards!