Ford Family Christmas

On Christmas night we got together with the Ford side of the family. We enjoyed great finger-foods and fellowship and fun with the gift card exchange. The Sparks Clan
The Ford Clan

The Sparks Grandkids
Ashley and Hannah Grace with matching sweaters (what does this mean for us? ha! ha!)
Samuel with his Hamricks gift card he chose in the gift card exchange.

After the Ford Family Christmas, we went over to Grammy and Big Daddy's and once again, we were all so tired I didn't get any pictures, but we had a great time together.

Thank You's

Our kids are very good at saying Thank You for a gift before they open another one. Here are some pictures of the "Thank You's" on Christmas morning.

Christmas Morning at The Sparks House

Thankfully, Christmas morning was not too early at our house. The first to wake up was Samuel and then Faith and then our sleepy head, Hannah Grace. Santa had it pretty easy this year, Samuel asked for games for his new game system.Hannah Grace asked for Elefun and board games.And Faith skipped right over Mommy and Daddy and went to Santa and asked him for ballet and tap shoes and dance lessons.Here are a few other pictures of the gifts the kids got. Samuel with his Clemson sweatshirt.Samuel got each of his sister's bath robes.
Faith giving her new baby ice cream.

Hannah Grace with her Hannah Montana doll.

I let each of the kids choose a place where they would like to get Daddy a gift card to use during the week for lunches. I love the look on Faith's face as she watches him open the one she gave him.

We enjoyed a great day at home with lunch with Grammy and Big Daddy and a wonderful Christmas Day nap. What could be better than that?

Merry Christmas 2008

Love, The Sparks Family

Travis, Alyssa, Samuel, Hannah Grace and Faith

Milk and Cookies for Santa

Happy 6th Birthday Hannah Grace

BirthDAY Celebrations for Hannah Grace

On the day of Hannah Grace's birthday she got to open her gift from us which was a Cupcake maker and a sweatshirt to wear to her party on Saturday. I took the day off and was able to go spend it with her in her class. I was a great morning - I loved being with just her. After school, we met Daddy for a birthday lunch at her favorite place to eat - Zaxby's. It was a great day to celebrate our little girl who isn't so little anymore.

A Day of Remembering

Three years ago today is a day I will never forget and I began this post with great intentions of sharing some memories and thoughts, but they just won't seem to make it to the computer screen. I guess the Lord wants me to talk to Him about them...

So on this day, cherish the moments you have with those you dearly love and thank God for the time He gives you with them.

Two Five Year Old Girls

Until Friday Hannah Grace and Faith are the same age - five. Yes, you can laugh!

BirthDAY Celebrations

For Faith's birthday she got to spend the morning with me at work and then we let her pick the place she wanted to go on a Mommy- Daddy Date; she picked Chuck-E-Cheese (surprise, surprise!) But before we left, she got to open two presents from us; one was a gingerbread shirt to wear to her party on Saturday and the other was a Barbie car with a Barbie who has already drove many a mile through the house.

Faith was beyond excited yesterday. She kept saying, "It's my birthday, It's my birthday" and then she would come to me holding up one hand with all five fingers up and say, I'm one hand today! Before she went to bed on Sunday night she was sitting on my lap while I was telling her the story of the day she was born and when I was finished I said, "Faith, when your five I'm not sure you will be able to climb up in my lap like this anymore". So, when she got up yesterday morning, she jumped in my lap and said, "Seeeee, I told you - I can still sit in your lap!"

It was a fun filled day and at bedtime she had "hit the wall" so hard she was crying, but it only took her about 30 seconds (really!) to fall asleep.

The Best Christmas Padget Ever

While at Memama's and Grandaddy's this past week-end, the girls were playing dress-up while we were getting things ready for our Christmas dinner. They came down the stairs dressed as Mary and an angel and wanted to do a "play" for us. It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen. Memama and Samuel were Shepherds, Faith was Mary, Daddy was the star and Hannah Grace was Gabriel who read the Christmas story.

Baby Jesus in His manger of straw (it's really a grass skirt).

Samuel helped Grandaddy read the Christmas story this year while the girls acted out the story again.

As I sat and watched and listened tears filled my eyes and I thanked the Lord that they seemed to be "getting it" - they get why we have Christmas: the birth of Jesus. Even in the times when we are giving and excited about getting gifts and getting excited about Santa coming, they still get it!!!

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!!

Handsome Young Man

Samuel had his Chorus Christmas concert last week. Doesn't he look so handsome?

Gingerbread House

Last week we went to have supper at McDonald's and to make Gingerbread houses. I had seen it on their board and figured it was going to be little graham cracker houses, but I was wrong. They were giving big gingerbread houses for the kids to decorate. Hannah Grace and Faith had so much fun decorating, eating and eating the decorations.