The O'Dell Observer

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Christmas with the O'Dells

Silas tearing into a present

It's hard to believe Lainey and Silas are big enough to do this!

Grandma Donna came over to share the day with us. It's always so wonderful to see her.

Papa opening his alumni shirt from Brian and Crystal

Uncle Brian and Lainey checking out his gift

Sweet Aiden with his momma

Nana showing her school pride

Lainey and a new friend, Fancy Nancy

The babies opening their gifts after a nice long nap.

Nana and Coop playing

I forgot this picture on my last post. Our Christmas snow man.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

What a wonderful Christmas celebration our little family has enjoyed. We traveled to Excelsior Springs to visit our family the weekend before and enjoyed our first Christmas at home this year. I promise (Seth) to post pictures of our Excelsior Springs trip soon, but I have so many pictures I have to do multiple blogs! The picture above is of our jolly, baby boy. How is it possible that he is 6 months old already? What a joy he is. I think I say that over and over on our blog, but it's just so true. There is nothing sweeter.

Christmas eve began with baking sugar cookies.

Frosting sugar cookies.

and sampling them of course!

We had a wonderful day at home watching it snow and then enjoyed our church Christmas eve service. Our pastor has a tradition of doing a children's message at this service and Lainey climbed up right next to him. He asked her a few questions and she just gave him a blank stare. I think the microphone made her nervous. She was not about to talk into that thing!

Just after the candlelight Christmas carols. Love that tradition. It reminds me of the Christmas eve services at Pisgah with the drippy candles and the big stockings full of the prettiest candy they would give to all the kids. I love that we are making those same memories for our little ones.

Little Coop looking oh so sophisticated in his hat from Mawny. People were amazed that he left it on the whole service. I think he knew he was looking oh so cute and enjoyed the attention : )

Nothing more fun for this momma than coordinating Christmas outfits.

Oh...and coordinating Christmas jammies

Snuggled up in Daddy and Mommy's bed for our Christmas Eve sleepover. Lainey has started a new fun game of coming into our room every night, in the middle of the night, to "snuggle" and I didn't want her walking through the living room seeing all of her presents before we were up. Hence the sleepover. Have to get a little creative with this 3 year old!

Santa's surprises (and yes, we play Santa! I've had so many people act like I'm crazy this year because we let our kids play Santa. It's just a game people. Relax.)

Checking it all out

Like I said...jolly boy.

The beloved pillow pet. Why couldn't I think of this?

About 4 inches of the fluffiest, powdery snow fell on Christmas eve. Just beautiful.

We couldn't resist getting out in it.

Our Happy Birthday Jesus party

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

December Essentials...

Our annual trip to Eckerts for the perfect tree

A visit with Santa

Tree hunting

Our prettiest tree ever

The nativity to remind us what it's all about.

Stockings hung by the chimney with care

The finished product with a goofy, little girl

Lights on the house

Her first gingerbread house

Our 8th anniversary celebration

Lainey's new favorite

My sweet 6 month old with our favorite story

Snow ball fights

Throwing one at mommy while I take the picture

Coming inside to warm up

Friday, November 12, 2010

A Little Bit of Everything

This is likely going to be the most random post I have ever done so I am going with a bullet point format to give you a quick update of our goings on.

*Cooper had his 5 month check up yesterday. He weighs 17 lbs. 11 oz. (85th %) and is 27 1/2 in. long (90th %). We are about to begin rice cereal. Post to come!

*Lainey is learning the fruit of the spirit and can quote each of them from Galations 5:22-23. We do a behavior chart each day where she earns stickers when she shows any of the fruits. Funny thing is she was riding with her daddy today and didn't hesitate to tell him, "no daddy, you must be patient" as he reacted to a driver who cut him off : )

* I nearly lost my mind yesterday after a long day with the kiddos and soothed myself with some retail therapy last night.

* It is November and today we went to the zoo in short sleeves. A glorious 75 degrees!

* Cooper strongly dislikes his car seat. Cries almost every time I put him in it. Makes for some interesting car rides.

* I have given up on trying to have a clean house all the time. It's a losing battle at this point in my life. I'm not sure when or how it happened but I woke up one day to a 3 year old that turned into a tornado! Jamie has instituted a no toy policy in mommy and daddy's bedroom so that we can walk at night.

* Cooper has two of the cutest, little teeth you have ever seen and is becoming an expert roller. Tummy to back and back to tummy.

* I am studying the book of Revelation on Tuesday mornings at our church. It's a Beth Moore study and has been challenging and a little overwhelming. Thankful for the group of ladies studying it with me that I can ask lots of questions. Funny how the message of the Bible is so simple, yet SO complex. I've never heard so many different interpretations of scripture from the various scholars. I would highly recommend the study if you have a chance to take it. It's called Here and Now, Then and There.

* Jamie is hard at work making Cooper a rocking horse for Christmas. Love that man.

* We made a quick trip to Excelsior Springs last weekend for our nephew Aiden's first birthday party. So fun to see Jamie's family. Very rough car ride with little Coop.

Enough of my randomness!