Nativity

Matthew's smile is so cute.  This is definitely his "smile for the camera" smile.  Makayla in the middle, and Joseph on the right.

This picture shows how crazy and wild these 4 kids were.  Michael was the donkey, Joseph was Joseph (of course) and Matthew was a shepard....keep reading to see how, 4 months later, I remember this.

donkey ride or bull ride?

Don't buck off Mary!

Zachary played his part well for the picture.

see the craziness....someone running through so fast, they messed up my picture of Mary and baby Jesus.  OK, here's the funny story.  The nativity wasn't reverent at all.  I felt "was that worth it/did that count since it wasn't reverent."  But, then Rob bore his testimony about the Savior and everyone calmed down and felt the spirit and I bore my testimony, and each of the kids wanted to in age order.  Well, when we got to Joseph, he said "me was me..." (I can't remember what else besides that.  Matthew said "me a shepherd and sheep hurt me." We all burst out laughing and it was definitely a fun family memory because of that.

Instead of opening a present (pj's/slippers) from mom & dad (my family tradition), we followed Rob's family tradition of opening one present, from a sibling.  Matthew opened crayons.

Our tree with all the presents under it.  I feel like the presents are part of the decoration, but with lots of little kids around, we can't put very many under the tree, or they will be opened.  There were a few that had to be rewrapped a few times.

When Danielle and Keith's family came to visit (did I blog about that yet?  where are those pictures?!), They wore baby Joshua  (1 week younger than Zachary) like this & it worked so well for them.  So Rob had to try it out (with a less comfortable carrier.)

Loving our new yard

Pulling the sled around is always fun.  First snow is always fun.  This seems like the perfect amount...little did we know what winter would bring.

building a snow man

Makayla loved rolling the big ball for the snowman base.

Twins hanging out by the snow balls.

This is what this yard was made for.  Neighborhood football games.  (kids ages 7-11)

Down, set, hike!

Moving day

Rob, his dad, and some friends from our old ward moving the TV piano (that is definitely our piano) into our new house.  It was so hard to leave our old neighborhood.  We knew we could count on our neighbors for anything.  Our new neighborhood is very friendly (we were brought 4 meals in the first 2 weeks!...and part of that time was Thanksgiving break.), but it is hard to get used to a new area.

Rob and neighbors and friends trying to get the double recliner couch (very heavy) up the stairs of our old house.

Maybe this way?

The twins bedroom was the first put together....and we still only have this much stuff in here.  We keep their dresser in the closet, and I STILL haven't put pictures on the wall.

Kitchen and living room.  I was impressed with how motivated I stayed in putting the kitchen stuff away.  Maybe because a nice lady down the street came over with dinner and said "let me play with your kids while you work."  I definitely worked hard the whole time she was there.  And while the kids were at Rob's parent's house for 2 nights.

The twins and Makayla "helping" me organize the pantry.  I have a pantry!!!

Christopher's idea of making an aisle with the shelving was a great idea!  I'm so glad we bought shelving & its not just stacked on the floor.  So much easier to inventory and find what I need.

Our front room/kitchen, much cleaner and with our bar stools we got on a great black friday deal.

End of November

Happy Joseph and Zachary

I don't remember realizing when Christopher wore this hat and coat that they matched so well.  Matthew is happy to wear them.  (Just a small portion of our stuff)

So fun to have them all coloring so nicely together.

Turkey rolls made by Rob's mom

Michael made these cool domino designs then had me video them with "boom, that's how its done.  You tube video"....etc...or something like that.

Zachary watching tv in the new house. (temporary tv location...we mounted it...good thing too because it would not have been safe with him pulling up to furniture)

Touchdown BYU

Football game with Joseph (and Zachary)

Grandma Stephenson giving Joseph a piggy back ride.

Grandma Stephenson holding Zachary (and Grandpa Stephenson next to her)

Joseph with Grandma and Grandpa Stephenson

Sleeping baby

Joseph and the field and the Go cougars sign.  We had fun driving with Grandma and Grandpa Stephenson to the game.  I don't think I could have handled a 3 yr old and baby on my own.

Beginning of November

Michael taking a picture with his flat stanley.  We wanted to take a picture somewhere in the store, but then we realized Michael left it on the aisle he was looking for a toy for a birthday party.  So we ran back to get him and took a picture where we found him.  He went through a "shorts over pants" phase.

Riding bikes, enjoying the nice fall weather.

Rob and I went to an business etiquette dinner.  I was quite formally dressed, but this is what I wanted to wear.  I sent a picture to Rob to get his approval and he said 'the outfit looks great, but you should do your hair.' So I sent him a picture where you couldn't see my hair.  The dinner was really fun, but it felt funny being there cuz we weren't THAT old, right?  And we needed the advice as much as the students we were supposed to be hosting.  I don't think I can eat my roll pulling off a piece at a time and buttering each piece.

Fun pack meeting activity.

Twins in matchy outfits.

Michael was sick at Grandma's so we took a picture of him with flat stanley to show his class he wasn't coming to school the next day.

You need this many yogurt cups for awesome cup stacking competitions.

Michael decorating his turkey.

The bear was embarrassed by the election.

Cute fall baby Zachary pictures.

 I tried importing a picture from this blog here of Makayla at this age, but couldn't find it as import-able, so you'll have to search it....nov. 2012

Flat Stanley and cup stacking.

Joseph looks like he has Egyptian makeup on.

Walking to church.  I love the brother buddies hand-holding.

Happy Zachary!

Getting ready to move....piling all the food storage in the living room so it would be easier to move....this isn't all of it.  I love buying a ton when its on sale and 'shopping' from my pantry.  So convenient!

This is why Rob makes the cookies at our house.

In preparing to move, I didn't want to lose the kids' height marks on the wall, so I made one we could bring with us!

Close up shows I did initials instead of writing everyone's names.