We're almost ready!!!

We're almost ready for our horses! We are really excited for the fence and barn to be done so we can bring them home...

We are planning to ride in the Pancho Villa Parade on March 9th. As long as everything goes as planned we will be riding. The annual parade starts at the Mexico border (Palomas, Mx) and ends in the Village of Columbus, NM.

For now, we are concentrating on getting our fence up for Zip and Rage. The fence will go up just east of our house and will look amazing with the great Florida mountain view in the background.

I wish...

...I had a belt with an "M" on it and when I flip it over, I became a Super Hero.

Matthew (while watching El Tigre)
January 26, 2008

Watching the Cowboys get defeated...

The Cowboys lost to the Giants, yes; however, Matthew and Daddy had fun watching the game anyway! Matthew had only one request before the game started and again after the game was over... "Can I have a Cowboys shirt like Daddy?"

So, I begin my quest to find one his size....

NEW MEXICO SUNSET

Some of the most incredible sunsets I have ever seen have been in the Southwest. Click the picture to get the larger, more intense effect of the picture!!

Daddy's little helper!

We re-did our bedroom recently. Matthew mopped and helped throughout the whole process. He's quite the trooper. We'll just call him Craig Junior...he is so much like his Dad.

Michael's Christmas in NY with his Dad and Step-Mom

Michael had a wonderful time in New York with his Dad and Dawn. He saw the sights and got to experience Christmas in a whole new way. He really enjoyed himself and their company.

What's in a letter???

In this letter I see hard work, a sense of team, a lot of effort, pride, accomplishment, drive, and so much more!

Michael worked hard this year in football. He played both Junior Varsity (certificate), and Varsity. He earned his letter, which he received at the Football Banquet on 12/3/07. He missed very few practices and no games. I am so proud of him. Playing football was waaay out of his comfort zone and not something I ever thought he would do; however, Michael has proven to be tough and determined. Michael is NOT a quitter.

He has learned teamwork and that being a part of a team is the ultimate reward. He has made friends and has gained the respect of his peers. Very important to life in High School and an excellent life lesson.

I am very excited to now go and help him pick out his letterman's jacket. Like I was, he will be so proud to wear it. We all beam with pride now and then when our children meet a milestone in life head-on and conquer it. Michael has met every milestone and challenge thus far with a wonderful attitude and I must say...it really makes me a little teary to think about how fast and beautifully he has grown up.

Michael, I am immensely proud of ALL your accomplishments, large and small.

2nd Annual Cowboy Ball

All dressed up and ready to DANCE!

Anytime, any day, anywhere. I love to dance with Craig!

Waltzing, two-stepping....he is so wonderful to be with.

I had so much fun!

The Stevens are getting ready for Christmas!

Our little elves!

Our 5th Annual Turkey Trot

Matthew ready to RUN!

...and they're off!!!

Michael and Jessica (volunteers) running with the 30+ kids who participated.

Matthew looks forward to the Turkey Trot every year.
This year, he got to run with his pal Israel (in the plaid).

Israel & Matthew race toward the finish line!
Almost there...

Freezing cold didn't stop these two troopers from finishing 7th & 8th!
Most excellent, superb, incredible boys!

Well we have made it successfully through another Ultimate Fitness Turkey Trot.

With 208 participants, all our hard work paid off once again.

Matthew ran the kids race for the 3rd year in a row. Last year he placed 8th out of 24 in the half mile run for kids ages 3-12. This year, he was 7th out of 36 in the one mile run. The kids participating were ages 3-15.

Granny and Michael volunteered...everyone had a great time and we got many compliments on our race.

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyy Matthew!!!

Matthew loves his big brothers!

This past weekend after our Thanksgiving lunch, Nathniel laid down on the floor to watch football and put his hands behind his head. Not 10 seconds after he laid down, Matthew noticed him there, leaped off my lap and joined his big brother...exactly the same way! It was so cute.

He loves them so much and looks up to them. Most of the time they don't even realize how he absolutely watches and adores everything they do and say, or how their reaction to him can change things he will do and say for weeks to come.

Matthew is lucky to have two great big brothers who are 90% of the time really sweet to him.

I wish I had a picture of him and Nathaniel laying there... next time I will be more prepared.

Now you can be a little fly on the wall.....

Matthew says the darndest things...really! Here's a little sample for ya...

A few days ago, Matthew and Daddy were driving home from town. The song playing on the radio was Montgomery Gentry's "Some People Change". Here are the main lyrics...

His old man was a rebel yeller:
Bad boy to the bone.
He'd say: "Can't trust that other fella,"
He'd judge 'em by the tone of their skin.
He was raised to think like his Dad:
Narrow mind full of hate.
On the road to no-where fast,
Till the Grace of God got in the way.
Then he saw the Light an' hit his knees an' cried an' said a prayer:
Rose up a brand new man; left the old one right there.

Here's to the strong; thanks to the brave.
Don't give up hope: some people change.
Against all odds, against the grain,
Love finds a way: some people change.

Matthew has heard this song many, many times.
On this day, here's a recap of the conversation it sparked...

Matthew: Dad...I change.

Dad: You do?

Matthew: Yes.

Dad: How?

Matthew: Well, I used to only like the meatballs in Spaghetti O's, and now I only like the noodles!

Our New Additions...

Meet the two new additions to the Stevens Family...

Zip (brown) and Pi (white Arabian).

Zip is old and is the perfect horse for kids Matthew's age. He is a horse you can crawl over, under and around without even a flinch on his part. He can't do long rides any more with a full sized person on his back, but for Matthew, he is perfect. Zip (originally from Washington State where he was a show horse) needed a place to spend his golden years.

Pi is a beautiful Arabian who is full of spunk and energy. He has been on many long rides all over.

They can't wait to meet you in person!

Grandma's 90th, Las Vegas - Nov. 4, 2007

Grandma's kids, Dad was there in spirit...

Grandma's grand-kids, most of them...

Grandma's great-grandkids, a few of them...

Aunty Elissa

Uncle Tony

Dad's family

Uncle John

Aunty Lynn

Uncle Bobby

Michael, Kath & Craig

Michael's Grandparents visit him in Deming

Michael's Grandparents, George & Charlene (his Dad's parents) came down to Deming to visit with him and go to his last two football games. They went to the JV game in Silver City and the Varsity game against Silver City the following day. It was good to see them, we enjoyed their visit!

Golfin' in the summertime makes you sooooooooo hot!

Trick or Treat

Matthew tricks or treats at Grandpa & Grandma's house.

"Buzz Lightyear to the rescue!"

Rattle Snake!

Well this video clip speaks for itself. Today Mom walked out our back door onto the porch and took one step toward her little Casita and heard a rattle.... She turned to her left only to see a 2' rattle snake all coiled up next to the door. She kept walking (smart lady)...and called us in a panic.

Craig drove home at around 70-90 mph and killed it. Then, being the small town folk we are, we let the dogs play with it before discarding it!

Matthew & Nathaniel do homework together...

Grandma Beth's Birthday Party pictures..