Christmas Gifts

With the three snow days we had the first week back to school after the new year, we got to play with a lot of our Christmas gifts. 

Cade loves rocks. Grandma Bev got him Rocky Bingo. You put markers on the different rock names. 

Joel got a melty beads kit. His fire truck he loves that we made together. 

How blessed we are to have new items. 

The Best Daddy

Callie is slowly desiring to sit in one's lap to read books. All my children have a sitting problem. It has to be in the way I have done things that has caused them to not be able to sit more than three seconds. I thought maybe with the girl, it would be different but it isn't looking like it. 

Curtis is a patient and kind dad. He is able to sit and enjoy the kids. I on the other hand am always going and moving. Is this how my children see me - too busy to cuddle and be still? What conviction. Lord, help me to be more patient and kind and relaxed about life. 

Christmas Packing

I have slowly been picking up Christmas. I put away all the nativities the morning the kids went back to school in the Ndw Year. I needed some of the clutter put away, but more has just replaced it two weeks later!! Oh well!

I loved this nativity and had to take a picture before I put it away. Joel loves little figures so this nativity is right up his alley and it just made sense to add his Squenkies, right?

Christmas Girl!

I finally got a cute picture of Callie in a Christmas dress in front of the tree. Plus, she is playing by her turtle jumping toy she received as a gift for Christmas. What a fun memory!

Game Time!

We were blessed with a new game from some friends for Christmas called Lrdt, Right, Pass, if I remember correctly. It is a fun dice game with tokens. It is very simple and easy. Definitely one to take when traveling because it is so small. I think it will be a family favorite for years to come!

Ice Skating

We took an adventure to a park in the next town over named Ech Bluff on Friday night the 2nd for some outdoor ice skating. The Lambert kids had never ice skated before so this was a first for them! Pop and I took the big kids, while Grandma took care of Callie and Ethan. Daddy wasn't feeling well so he stayed home. Kim and Chuck were traveling back from California. There was also a great deal at the rink for entry fee and skate rental. We had to donate five canned food items for free entry. I also invited Pam and Kaylyn, who I know have wanted to skate outdoors this winter. 

The kids flopped and fell the first 20 minutes on the ice. We had tighten and re tighten skate laces in order to get them going and staying up. Thank goodness Pop was there to help. It was hard work keeping 6 kiddos on the ice. The kids had a great time. 

I love watching Cade skate. He can crossover around the turns and has been improving his stops  with hockey skates. It would be so fun getting him involved with hockey. I know it isn't a possibility for a number of reasons. One, the distance to skate. We would have to go at least an hour to Peoria or Quad Cities to find a club. Then most practices and games are on Sunday's. And last, it is super expensive. Hopefully it can be a great pastime for him. 

The night didn't end so well when jake took his last lap around and crashed. He hit is head on the ice. We are pretty sure he got a concussion. So many of his symptoms led us to that conclusion. It was not a fun way to end our enjoyable evening. 

Surprise Package!

We arrived home from Wyanet on January 2nd to find s package on our front step. Grandma Glenna sent Cade and Joel a new outfit for their Build A Bear animals. A few days before this Grandma sent Joel a new robe. We love getting special packages. What a gift!

Grandma Donnie

An unexpected visitor arrived on New Year's Day, Grandma Donnie, Pop's Mom. We don't see her often so it is hard for the kids to remember who she is. It is also difficult because we are not in each other'so lives much to have connecting points. I appreciate the effort she made, though, to come see us. We had a nice time together. 

Cousin Time

Christmas break is filled with cousins. Though we get tired and worn and emotions get on edge, the memories are wonderful. Last Christmas I gave Bev a plaque that read - A grandparents house is where cousins become best friends. There is no doubt best friends are being formed when the Lambert's are here!

Barker Christmas 2014!

We had a great evening of food, conversation, and playing with the Barker family. All but 6 members of the family made it. What a great turnout!

I enjoy getting together with the Barkers because it doesn't take activities for us to have a good time. For the most part we all have stayed in each other's lives so we are friends. Also, the most important ingredient, is we all have Christ as our core. It looks different in all our lives but all of us seem to allow Christ to rule our hearts and lives. 

Grandma and Her Girl

Callie loves her Grandma Bev!

NOT a Happy Anniversary and Birthday!

I work up the morning of December 27th with a sick stomach and ended up on the toilet for three hours. I was in bed all day with major aches and pains, as well as a sour stomach. I was miserable. It was awful. I thought my stomach was better by my birthday so we went out to eat. I  ended up feeling awful on the way home from Peoria. It stunk. 

Curtis or myself are always sick on our anniversary. It has happened the last 3 years in a row and even years before. It is always so disappointing. I get so sad that my birthday and anniversary days are such let downs because of the Christmas chaos. I don't know how to change this because life is life and it is just the way it is. I think this year was the first year I was okay with not feeling like I needed to be treated extra special on my birthday. It was just another day. 

Bev was super sweet and did make me a Twinkie cake on my birthday. I wasn't able to eat it because I wasn't feeling well. I finally did eat it five days later. It was so nice of her to care for me. She always gives me a gift and makes me feel special. 

Curtis did buy me a thoughtful gift this year. I received a new ESV study Bible. Very nice of him. Now I just need to read it!!

Crafting and Puzzles!

Anna and I enjoyed some time together this last week when we worked on her new pom pom craft kit and a Super Mario Brothers puzzle. Anna and Jake spent the day at our house New Years Eve Day, so we had loots of time to "play". We even took a special trip to Pizza Hut for lunch. What fun!

Odell Family Christmas!

The Lamberts got into town on December 27th. We celebrated Sunday evening with a yummy ham meal Bev prepared. She is so good at making a beautiful table. I am so practical and always jus set the dishes on the table I cook the food in to save on dishes. She makes it so nice, and always wants the family to be together around the table. 

After dinner, Tom read the Christmas story from the Bible. It was then present time. We start out by each person opening one gift and showin everyone, and then Grandma Bev lets everyone open at once. It is craziness but so fun. The kids are pulling gifts out of wrapping, smiling, shouting, running to the person who has them the gift saying thank you, and moving on to their next gift. It is all over in a matter of five minutes but then the kids run off and play with their toys while the adults open their presents. 

The boys LOVED their gifts they got this year. I didn't get any pictures of the fun, though. 

Cade got a electronic connectors set for kids. It allows kids to understand how electricity works. He tore into it right away and loved it! He also got two Schleich Knights, and clothes. Joel received Cars Squeinkies from Aunt Kim and some nice clothes. Grandma gave Joel the movie Planes, and some people figures where you can form families of different colors and organize them. He will enjoy it. Callie received some cute clothes from Aunt Kim and Grandma. She also got a fun magnet book from Grandma, and a baby doll bottle set from Aunt Kim. All the kids received the Veggie Tale Viking movie. How blessed they are!!

Curtis got a bone saw and gut hook from his parents. I got a photo album for my hard copy prints. And Kim blessed us with a big Norwex towel, new shoes for for Curtis, and a pretty wall hanging for me. What fun!

Our Family Christmas 2014!

We drove home Christmas night from Eastern Iowa. The next morning we treated like it was Christmas Day in our home. We woke up and opened gifts. I remember the uncontainable excitement as a child. It was so hard to wait to see what was in those packages. The boys were just as excited. 

Curtis read the Christmas story and the boys followed along acting the story out with the nativity figures. 

Then it was present time! We have felt it is important for the kids to give each other gifts so it was fun when they opened up the gifts they had picked for te other. Joel gave are a Bionicle Lego set. Joel was so happy! Cade gave Joel two airplanes from the Planes. 

We have the boys each an Imaginext set to put together. Of course I bought them at a garage sale so there were missing pieces, but with all of our other Imaginext pieces, I am sure they can build some pretty amaIng stuff. Mommy did feel bad though. 

We also got Cade a Playmobil set. He just loves those figures, and Joel an etch- a-sketch. Plus a the movie Turbo for Cade and How to Train Your Dragon 2 for Joel. They also received a few books to add to our collection! And don't forget all the figures in their stocking, including a Playmboil guy for them both and Squienkies for Joel!

Callie got a rise in turtle that plays music. She loves to dance to the music and is figuring out how to ride on it. She also got a glowing unicorn pillow pet and a few books. She loved walking around grabbing the wrapping paper and her brother's toys Christmas morning. 

Daddy got me a new pair of boots and two nice sweaters. I love new clothes. I usually only buy clothes used so buying something new is exciting!

I gave Daddy two pairs of jeans, new tips for his arrows, and a Redhead camo sweatshirt. Joel got daddy REALLY Nice new gloves and a nativity scene he had picked up at the PCA Christmas sale. Cade got Curtis a phone charger and a mug from the PCA Christmas sale. 

It is so fun to give!!

Sparks Christmas 2014!

It is a privilege to be able to share Christmas with my mom's extended family. I know many extended families who do not gather on Christmas Day. It is a gift we still have our grandmother with us. 

We have had a lot of different traditions throughout the years at the Sparks Christmas celebration. When I was young, we use to have a piñata. I remember making it with mom a number of years. During my elementary years, we would usually put on some sort of "program" for us kids to share our talents - piano playing, instrument playing, reading, etc. We did a grab bag exchange during my teen years. I loved playing the stealing game. During my early married years, we did an ornament exchange. Then there is always the annual football game after lunch for the kids. It is fun to have traditions. I love it. 

This year was our second year to have our Christmas celebration at Joan's home. We do a great grand kids $25 gift exchange and Grandma still finds it important to get all the adults gifts. Usually it is just a simple ornament for the girls and simple tool for the men. 

Cade really enjoyed playing with my cousin Lee's kids this year. My brother's family did not come, so the kid dynamic was different. Cade got to play without getting left out this year. It was nice for him.

We did take the time for each of us to share our greatest accomplishment of 2014. It is always fun to hear what people have done over the last year even though it is just a short snipit. Joan also took the time to read a poem about Jesus. And Mom read a fun book about Santa flying all over Iowa. She had maps for us of the state so we could follow right along. You just can't take the teacher out of that lady. She is so talented and thoughtful. Austin did sing for us too. And don't forget the Domino tournament!! My Grandpa loved to play Dominoes. When we would visit, we would stay up late playing dominoes with Grandpa. It was fun to play again with everyone!

What fun! Family is a gift. 

A Hotel for Christmas!

We drove to a hotel Christmas Eve to be closer to our Sparks cousins where we would be spending Christmas Day. Curtis nor I could not recall staying in a hotel for Christmas, so it was a new experience for us all. 

Uncle Steve, Aunt Opal, and Lance were staying at the hotel, as well. Opal made cute signs for all of our rooms and bought the kids extra presents for Christmas morning. It was so sweet of her. The boys got candy and a Nerf gun. Callie got a MegaBlocks pink car and candy. She even gave Curtis and me candy. The boys were so excited. The Nerf gun was Cade's favorite toy all Christmas! 

After some breakfast and Aunt Opal's gifts, we went to the pool to swim. Our kids love to swim so it was so much fun. Even Callie wanted to get in. 

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for a fun Christmas morning at the hotel. 

Christmas Eve 2014!

After the Christmas Eve service at Grandma and Grandpa's church, we had a DELICIOUS ham and opened gifts! It was a big surprise for us. We didn't know we would be receiving gifts. Grandma and Grandpa give us gifts all year around so we are always treated with kindness. Christmas gifts are an extra special treat! 

The boys got two things they REALY wanted. They got a new Imaginext castle and Knights. It was on their wish list and Grandma didn't even know. Crazy! And the received NEW pogo sticks! This summer Grandma counted over 300 jumps Cade did in his stick before it broke. He can't wait to get jumping again. And Joel will get to start his pogo adventures soon with his own stick! What fun fun fun!!

Callie got some fun new toys too! Grandma made her a really nice scrapbook of pictures of her family and familiar objects. She loves looking at it. 

Mommy and daddy each got a gift too. Daddy got a beautiful framed piece of artwork about how special daddy's are by Grandma's favorite artist. Mommy got new warm cotton pjs!!! I was so excited. Plus Grandma gave us all new bath soap an dishwashing soap!

We are so blessed. What a wonderful surprise! 

Christmas Eve Ice Skate

We enjoyed going ice skating on Christmas Eve day at the Ames Hockey Rink. Callie stayed home with Grandma Glenna and Grandpa Bill. The boys ha a great time!

Cade is a fantastic skater. He has been roller blading like crazy this last fall and his practice paid off on the ice like we thought it would. The only thing that was different was stopping. He worked and worked on the ice at stopping. We asked a college aged man who was wearing hockey skates how to stop. He gave us a nice little lesson, which helped Curtis and I to help coach Cade as he tried. He is so much fun to watch skate. 

Joel got better and better as the day went on. Unfortunately, though, near the end, he took a bad bad spill. His head landed on the ice first when he fell. I was just inches from him but couldn't catch him. It was as to seem him crash. He was tough but I know he hurt. He bruised and scratched up his face but with some Lavender Essential Oil, he was fixed up in no time! He next day he didn't even have a bruise!

The boys both want to ice skate again soon. I am looking forward to seeing how they progress. 

Bents Wii Party

We spent time with my brother's family on Tuesday, December 22. My brother's family doesn't enjoy gift exchanges so we decided to just spend time together. We debated going to a game center, but decided to stay in and play games on the Wii together. The kids were beyond excited. We had some struggles with selfishness and attitudes throughout the day, but we made it. I think time was spent together through all the yelling. 

I know my kids will be looking forward to re summer time when they can come back to Incle Jeremy's to ride horses!

Good Morning Grandma!

Callie LOVES Grandma Sparks. She went right to her the moment she woke up on Tuesday morning. She wanted to be on her lap and receiving Grandma's attention. It was so special and sweet. I am so glad Callie was so friendly with her. 

Hickory Park

We made our way to Ames on Monday, December 22. We were suppose to go to Jeremy and Katie's house for Brody's birthday during the evening, but Celeste got sick. We decided to go to Hickory Park Restaurant because of evening plans changed. Curtis and I were quite excited. We love to eat at Hickory Park and don't get the opportunity often, so this was a treat! I even tried something new on the menu!!

We ended up celebrating my 33rd birthday with the special Hickory Park birthday song. We even got some yummy ice cream (David's Delight!!).  

It was a privilege to have Grandma with us too!