Lake Thunderbird Sledding

On Sunday, Ms Pam and Kaylyn invited us out to Lake Thunderbird to go sledding. Joel, Callie, and Mom went. Cade and Dad stayed home to watch the Bears game.  There were a few nice hills by the clubhouse the kids enjoyed! Joel did a great job going down on the snowboard on one of the hills. It was a fun afternoon and we ended up getting to chat with a family who has been attending our church who showed up to sled too. 

Snow Removal and Lots of Sledding!

We headed out to shovel at Max and Kay’s, but stopped by church on our way to see how it looked. It didn’t look very good and while Dad talked with Pop, Callie and Joel  enjoyed a slide down the driveway. 

We then went to conquer Max and Kay’s and Cleona’s driveway. Last week, Cade and Mom shoveled the heavy, wet snow. This week, we asked Dad for help, which meant we  brought the snowblower! Callie and Joel also helped too. There was a lot of ice with this snow, which made shoveling hard, but our teamwork made the dreamwork. We completed the job! 

We stopped by the high school for a few sled rides down the bunny hill before heading home. The bunny hill gives us some sledding action even though it is simple. 

After lunch, we decided to drive over to the little town of a Mark to check out their sledding hill. We had heard great things about it, and it did not disappoint. It is a HUGE man made sledge hill from days of mining in the past. The hill had three levels and at the top was a big cross. The hill has the nickname, Holy Hill. Cade had run up this hill with his friend this last summer, and he knew it was big. Joel was up the hill and down in no time.  He had no idea the hill was as fast as it was and simply laid down and went. It was quite a site (and a bit scary!). Cade and Dad attempted all three tiers but it was too much. The hill was so steep and it was hard to be safe and under control. Most people went down the first tier, which is what Callie and Mom enjoyed for the afternoon. Having many at the first tier is also what made those coming down from the top have another level of danger. People needed to be aware of others traveling down the hill. Cade did a great job directing people when Joel took his last run down the hill.  Joel considered the hill at least 4 times from the top while we were there. Mr. Thrill! 

And we made it home by 3pm to watch Iowa State play in their bowl game and beat the Oregon Ducks! It was an exciting end to their season! We enjoyed it thoroughly! 

January Measurements

We completed our January 1st yearly height measuring! The kids each grew another 2-3” this last year.

 

The 2021 Measurements

46” - Callie

57 1/2” - Joel

69” - Cade

New Year’s Eve!

We celebrated the last hours of 2020 with our friends! The McCoys, Eggers, Bullingtons, and Us all gathered at the church for some fun together. Though we thought our friends played a dirty trick on us by all showing up over 20 minutes late, we did have a great party! We each brought some food to share, chowed down, and then played some games.  

The kids and Mom prepared some “Minute to Win It” type games for us all to play. We have four different teams with adults and kids each on them. The kids were so excited and involved. We stacked big marshmallows, put a dab of Vaseline on our noses and got cotton balls out of one bowl and into another, rolled a teammate in toilet paper, and chased each other trying to pop a balloon tied around our opponent’s ankle. The Odell kids didn’t want to stop playing but our attention spans were waning and adult fatigue was setting in! That balloon game did many in! 

We did want to try some pickle ball but we didn’t have enough interest and most of the other kids were still struggling to learn it. Maybe in a future year we can have a tournament! We all headed out about 9pm and our kids were glad to find their beds by 10pm. 

Happy New Year!! The Lord is so faithful to us and though we don’t feel like our society and culture will change much on 2021, we will still seek our Savior and rest in His care for us. He is good in an old year and a new year. 

Snow!!

Snow finally came for the season on Mom’s birthday. I have to say we were a bit disappointed we didn’t have a white Christmas, but it was so nice to not worry about snow and ice for so long. But it finally came and our first storm of the season laid down rain/sleet first and then snow on top. It was messy!. 

We had two driveways we had to shovel for a friend and their elderly neighbor. Normally we can knock it out quickly but it took a lot longer this time around. The snow was so heavy because it was so wet. While driving to the Wallace’s home to shovel, we saw Ms. Beverly out. Callie played with Odett and Joel helped Ms. Beverly shovel, while Cade and Mom worked at the Wallace’s. It was a working morning and Mom enjoyed getting outside on her birthday! 

When we got back home from shoveling, Callie tried on her snowshoes and walked around the yard for a bit. It would be fun to go use them out on a trail! 

We also made some winter fun by going over to the high school to sled. We decided to try the hill by the back dumpsters. It is not a big hill, but it is the best we have in town. Definitely a bunny hill, but we still tried to make it a lot of fun! A fun way to leave 2020!

Church from Home!

We have had church streamed on Facebook the last two Sundays - December 20 and 27. It wasn’t what the leadership of our church wanted to do but it was necessary to keep people safe during this time. This has been such a challenging year to know how to conduct life with all the factors of this world. So many opinions and voices speaking loudly and unkindness. We know that things will not get easier in our country and we pray for strength and boldness to continue on. The Lord is on the throne. 

The kids were great about sitting down to enjoy the service each week. Sometimes our sitting positions looked a little funny but we made it through and look forward to being back at church next week in 2021!

Anderson’s and our Anniversary

On December 27th we had church streamed over Facebook. Mom got the treat of having Dad say nice things and sing “happy anniversary” on Facebook Live during the church service. What a special husband! He really does love me. 

The Anderson’s were in town and came over after church. We ate lunch, opened a couple gifts and enjoyed chatting with them with the Bears game on. Josh and Tori have all the kids Star Wars books for their gifts. So fun!! Ben and Luke are growing and it was fun to see them play and play with them in the afternoon. Plus, Tori brought a cake to celebrate Mom’s birthday. Mom got Josh’s special opera birthday song before we ate it up! 

Mom and Dad didn’t go on a dinner date for their anniversary but enjoyed the evening with everyone at home. 

Lambert’s Are Here!

After our family Christmas time, we enjoyed time over at Tom and Bev’s with The Lambert’s on Christmas Day. Tom smoked pork belly, Curtis made homemade biscuits and delicious gravy, and Bev made her sweet rolls. What a delicious Christmas morning brunch. Pop also made ribs for us for our evening meal, along with brisket a couple nights before. The food over the time the Lamberts were here was yummy!!! 

The kids had a great time playing together for the few days the Lamberts were here. Trips to the gym to work out, football in the yard, laser tag, an on going game of Risk, football and movie watching, and more. It is so fun seeing the kids enjoying one another. What a gift and joy! I didn’t snap as many photos as I would have liked but here are a couple!  We are so blessed. 

Christmas Morning

What a special Christmas morning we had together! The kids didn’t wake up super early and we enjoyed opening gifts together! They all quickly ran to their stockings to find fun new little fidgety toys and a few Playmobil characters. 

Cade got the new Xbox Madden 2021Video game, a smart watch, books, an audio book, the movie Miracle, a new sweatshirt, and a work out band system. Callie and Joel gave him Virtual Reality goggles. They were so excited about their awesome find at The Closet. Cade’s ornament this year was a western style horse because of his great love for horses this year. 

Joel got a new Star Wars Lego Set, a magnet set, clothes, books, an audio book, the Playmobil movie, and a football. He feel over with awe when he opened his Lego set. He was so excited. Joel’s ornament this year was the Mandorlian figure. 

Callie got an American Girl doll, a PCA shirt, a new hat, glove, and sweater set,, Lady & The Tramp on DVD, Ferdinand on DVD, five Boxcar Children books, a Lamplight Audiobook, a Dr. Seuss audiobook collection, and snowshoes! Callie got Baby Yoda for her ornament this year. 

What a wonderful Christmas! The Lord is so faithful to us and provides all we need and gives us more than we deserve. We are thankful.