Yes, it's that time of year again - and we know you have been wondering, "What's up with that Stephens family? Or maybe not, but we are going to tell you anyway!
Our big event this year was our trip to Orlando. We left the day before school was out and were down there for 12 days. We went to all four Disney parks and two days at Univeral Studios. We saw everything and did everything and by the end of the trip, Ray and I were so done with amusement parks. But we all love roller coasters and all kinds of rides, so we checked everything out. Our biggest thrill was getting on the new Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios. It was set for the grand opening that week but we were able to go on it twice earlier in the week while they were doing "test" runs. It was fantastic!
Our family did a lot of camping this year and most of it was with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. We did go on a our annual family camping trip with Grandma and Grandpa Fenton to Hoffman Lake and enjoyed it immensly. It was pretty hot that weekend so I kicked Jake out of the air conditioned RV and sent him to the tent with Ray! As for Scout camping, if it involves outhouses, port a potties, or lack of showers, then it's a guy thing and I stay home and scrapbook and watch chick flicks!
The boys and Ray continue to be active in Scouting and many of our activities are related to Scouting. Riley is helping Ray with his den this year and completed training as a Den Chief to assist with the Webelo den. It takes all the help you can get to wrangle 4th grade boys. Riley is working towards his Star rank in Boy Scouts and hopefully will have that the first of next year. He is looking forward to a High Adventure camp next summer.
Verizon was bought out by Frontier, so Ray is now an employee of Frontier. He is in the same position, but as with any buyout, things are very different and it's a stressful time of change. I finally gave in and went to work part time to help feed these growing boys!! I am currently working 3 days at week at the Fort Wayne Community Schools Nutrition Center. The hours allow me to put the boys on the bus and be there when they get home. Not to mention have the same vacation days,s now days, and summer vacation. I am still a substitute worker, but for now it seems to be working out.
October was a difficult month for us as Ray lost his mother on October 13th. Her health had been declining and she had some heart issues. We traveled to Ohio to help plan her service with Ray's sister and we had a family service at the gravesite. We all miss her a lot and we remember how generous she was to our boys and our family. Then four days after we returned from Ohio, we had to send our Sasha dog to doggie heaven with the help of the vet. We knew she was going downhill and as much as I didn't want to let her go, we knew it was time.
Which brings me to the new addition to our family, a rowdy, crazy, dog named "Brownie". We got her from a rescue about month before Sasha died. She is a boxer mix and is about 11 months old now. The boys love her because she plays like crazy, frisbee, soccer, football. Riley seems to have a special bond with her and she sleeps on his bed every night. It's been difficult for me going from my 11 year old mellow Sasha, to a dog who is always running, biting, and stealing food. But she is a lot of fun and makes us laugh.
The boys continue to be active in sports and Riley was on the Blackhawk Middle school soccer team this spring. Riley is playing indoor soccer at the moment and Jake has just started Upward Basketball. They both consisently are on the honor roll at school and seem to do very well at school. We continue to marvel at how blessed we were to get these boys! Don't get the idea they are little angels, we have our share of arguing and pounding on each other.
So that's it in a nutshell! We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and good things coming your way in 2011!! Pam, Ray, Riley and Jake
Our big event this year was our trip to Orlando. We left the day before school was out and were down there for 12 days. We went to all four Disney parks and two days at Univeral Studios. We saw everything and did everything and by the end of the trip, Ray and I were so done with amusement parks. But we all love roller coasters and all kinds of rides, so we checked everything out. Our biggest thrill was getting on the new Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios. It was set for the grand opening that week but we were able to go on it twice earlier in the week while they were doing "test" runs. It was fantastic!
Our family did a lot of camping this year and most of it was with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. We did go on a our annual family camping trip with Grandma and Grandpa Fenton to Hoffman Lake and enjoyed it immensly. It was pretty hot that weekend so I kicked Jake out of the air conditioned RV and sent him to the tent with Ray! As for Scout camping, if it involves outhouses, port a potties, or lack of showers, then it's a guy thing and I stay home and scrapbook and watch chick flicks!
The boys and Ray continue to be active in Scouting and many of our activities are related to Scouting. Riley is helping Ray with his den this year and completed training as a Den Chief to assist with the Webelo den. It takes all the help you can get to wrangle 4th grade boys. Riley is working towards his Star rank in Boy Scouts and hopefully will have that the first of next year. He is looking forward to a High Adventure camp next summer.
Verizon was bought out by Frontier, so Ray is now an employee of Frontier. He is in the same position, but as with any buyout, things are very different and it's a stressful time of change. I finally gave in and went to work part time to help feed these growing boys!! I am currently working 3 days at week at the Fort Wayne Community Schools Nutrition Center. The hours allow me to put the boys on the bus and be there when they get home. Not to mention have the same vacation days,s now days, and summer vacation. I am still a substitute worker, but for now it seems to be working out.
October was a difficult month for us as Ray lost his mother on October 13th. Her health had been declining and she had some heart issues. We traveled to Ohio to help plan her service with Ray's sister and we had a family service at the gravesite. We all miss her a lot and we remember how generous she was to our boys and our family. Then four days after we returned from Ohio, we had to send our Sasha dog to doggie heaven with the help of the vet. We knew she was going downhill and as much as I didn't want to let her go, we knew it was time.
Which brings me to the new addition to our family, a rowdy, crazy, dog named "Brownie". We got her from a rescue about month before Sasha died. She is a boxer mix and is about 11 months old now. The boys love her because she plays like crazy, frisbee, soccer, football. Riley seems to have a special bond with her and she sleeps on his bed every night. It's been difficult for me going from my 11 year old mellow Sasha, to a dog who is always running, biting, and stealing food. But she is a lot of fun and makes us laugh.
The boys continue to be active in sports and Riley was on the Blackhawk Middle school soccer team this spring. Riley is playing indoor soccer at the moment and Jake has just started Upward Basketball. They both consisently are on the honor roll at school and seem to do very well at school. We continue to marvel at how blessed we were to get these boys! Don't get the idea they are little angels, we have our share of arguing and pounding on each other.
So that's it in a nutshell! We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and good things coming your way in 2011!! Pam, Ray, Riley and Jake
