Little Star by Anthony DeStefano, illustrated by Mark Elliott

Blogging for Books sent us the book Little Star to review. This a sweet, sentimental story about the Christmas Star. It chronicles what the Christmas Star saw leading up to and during Jesus' birth. It depicts how the littlest star in the universe was the one to do the most marvelous act of leading the way to the stable. It was vividly illustrated. It is sure to become a Christmas tradition in our home and we will think of the story every time we put the star atop our tree.

Mason City Tourney

Last weekend we made the trek to Mason City, IA. It was "old home" weekend. Braeden played in the very arena and on the very sheet of ice Brad and I got engaged on in January 1998. It was very sweet!

Poor Brae was feeling punky at, yet, another tourney. Saturday his first game was at 7 AM. So, Brad and Braeden hitched a ride with another Dad and teammate and we brought the mom and little brother with us later. After they left for the game I feel back asleep soundly and was awoke to Tammy telling me her and Justin were ready whenever we were and waiting in the lobby. Yikes, did we have to scramble! The Huskies ended up losing to Mason City in the first game. Back at the hotel Braeden was looking tired. I asked Brad to feel if he felt warm. Brad said he did and we took his temp, 100.9. I gave him a probiotic (the wonder drug in my arsenal) and told him to rest. His next game was at 2:30 PM. Closer to game time I pumped him with Motrin. I usually don't like to give the kids ibuprofen or Tylenol. I find they don't rest and I like to let the temperature run it's course unless it gets too high or they are in too much pain.

They won there next game and Braeden played very well. He has been playing Defense the majority of this season. Although, he would definitely prefer forward. But, the kid is too darn good on D and by far the fastest skater on the team. The Motrin did the job and he was able to enjoy some hotel time with his team mates. After, we took Laken, Clara and him on the tour de Mason City!

Sunday, we were awoke by a Thunderstorm and Braeden's temp was at 101.1. We followed the same regime of probiotic and Motrin. It, again worked as his team brought home the 2nd place trophy in this round robin tourney!

Hockey Tourneys and Tidbits

The end of January Braeden had a home Tourney. It was also Grandparents weekend. Braeden was thrilled to have all his Grandparents in attendance. They ended up winning the toilet bowl. Earlier this season we had our first experience with game suspensions. I'm sure my Brae-Brae will roll his eyes at me posting this, but we have told him he will be telling his Grandkids this story someday. Braeden and a player from Kasson were tangling and the other player had Braeden's stick locked with his own and wasn't letting go. Braden let emotions rule, lost his head and off came the gloves and a he threw a punch. He was thrown off the ice for the remainder of the game and was suspended for two league games. Brad and I didn't even have to say anything more. The natural consequences were way more stiffer and his own self-talk were harsher than anything we could have said. It practically killed him to watch his team from the sidelines. Ironically, every game since when there is some scuffles he is always first to throw his arms to say, "Wasn't me."













Then, last weekend we were in Willmar for a Tourney. Which involved a weekend a hotel stay. I think we all needed that to combat cabin fever. We call, Clara, Braeden's team mascot. She has a Husky hat with a blue bow on it and one of her favorite new words is "go, go". Braeden's team took second place and received the above trophy. Notice the "A" on Braeden's jersey. His team voted him the team Assistant Captain. It is quite the honor for him to serve as a leader this year. When I was tucking him into bed Sunday night, he was tear-eyed. When I was finally able to get him to tell me what was wrong, he said, "It's just that I may never be on team with all these guys, again." He has been having such a fun year and these guys are like a family to him. That there makes this season completely successful.

Owatonna Chamber Annual Dinner

The Chamber Annual Dinner was held in January. One of the fun parts of the evening is the the table showcase. Sponsors pay to have the privilege of decorating the center pieces on each table. The 1st picture is a bouquet of flowers made to look at like a dog. The 2nd picture the entire centerpiece was made of chocolate and the lucky individuals seated there got to eat it! The third was a head mannequin decorated with flowers and beauty products. A person at each table is then, picked to take home the centerpiece from that table.








Nick & Terra Lewis. Nick was the Chair of the Chamber Board this year. His wonderful wife Terra is a distant relative of mine. She was an Ihrke and my Grandma Leola was an Ihrke. So, Nick has no shortage of jokes about the "Ihrke Clan".








My Amazing husband and I. One of our all too rare date nights. Brad works his tail off for this event that hosts over 300 people each year and we rarely see him the week of, but it always turns out spectacular.

A 1st Birthday for Princess Clara

We held Clara's 1st Birthday Party on New Year's Day. The day started with Braeden's 2nd annual outdoor game against the other Owatonna Squirt B team. It was bitter cold. I tried bundling the girls up to watch, but it was waaayyy to cold for either to tolerate. So, I tried putting them in the Durango with a movie, so I could watch the awesome action, but soon the battery died. For the rest of the 1 1/2 periods we hung out in the warming house. But, Preston survived the cold and so did Nama and Grandpa. So, Brae had some fans who cheered him and his Dad (the coach) onto a victory. After we got the Durango jumped it was onto the AmericInn for the 1st Birthday Pool Party!












Clara was excited to see some of guests waiting for her arrival.












The first order of business was to dine on Godfather's Pizza.








Then, it was time to hit the pool for some great swim action!








The Grandparents kept an eye on the action from the pool deck.








After swimming everyone had worked up an appetite for cake. Clara even had her own little cake to dig into.








And dig she did! There was no hesitation on her part. She loved it:)








And, finally we wrapped up the party with some wonderful birthday gifts. For some reason she enjoyed eating this present from Chrissy and Ben. The kids think this should become Clara's birthday tradition.












On her actual birthday we had gingerbread decorated cupcakes at home and gave her, her gift of a coupe car which she will enjoy so much outside this summer. But, she is already loving it inside the house this winter.

A Wild Treat

Brad came home the week of Christmas and informed me he was able to get 4 tickets for free from Wells Fargo for the Wells Fargo Suite at the MN Wild game on Dec. 28th. We wrapped the tickets up for the boys for Christmas. On Christmas Day Grandpa Dick volunteered he and Gammy to watch the girls.

It was Preston and I's first time in a Suite and it was AWESOME! They provided us with all you could drink beer, wine, soda, salads, hot dogs, pulled pork, pulled chicken, desserts and snacks. You could set in the suite at tables to watch the game or bring yourself and food down to theatre style seats with little tables next to them. You could also high five the people in the suite next to you. Turns out the gentleman who gave us the tickets has a son in Preston's class and they are in Park and Rec hockey together. Neither of us were the wiser and the family even has 4 kids, too :)

Christmas with Nama and Grandpa

We celebrated Christmas with Nama and Grandpa on December 26th. The kids were very excited to have there Christmas extended another day.









Nama and Grandpa have tradition of giving everyone a Christmas Ornament each year. This year Laken got a ballerina, Clara a my 1st Christmas and the boys hockey ornaments.








Braeden was excited to get a Hotwheels RC stealth car.








Laken and Clara were surprised with a new play kitchen in this big package! (And of course she wouldn't be without wearing her Cinderella dress Gammy made)








Braeden and Preston got a new Lego Creationary game.








Braeden and Preston both got these awesome Paper Jamz guitars.








Ckara enjoyed some fun new tights in her stocking.









One of my favorite parts of Christmas is watching what the kids decide they want to buy or make for their godparents. Braeden made this cute photo display of some of the highlights of his year--Viola solo, hockey, badger contest, school picture and reading at Chrissy's wedding.












I had to help Clara this year. We made Uncle Eric some class etched beer mugs that say, "Beer Bully" with a bull picture on each one.












Laken wanted to buy Bean a purple dress and lo and behold we found one!








We gave the Kleven girls Tickets to Blues Clues live and I even made them each a handy, dandy notebook.








Braeden was excited to give Grandpa and Nama these Owatonna Hockey Grandparents Sweatshirts.

Christmas with Gammy, Grandpa and Mike

On Christmas Day Gammy, Grandpa and Mike made the trek down to our house. I think the kids were excited to show off all their goodies to them. It certainly was easier for us. No worrying about packing everything up and making sure we try to arrive on time (which never happens with the 6 of us). We had a buffet of hors d'oeuvres and snacks so everyone could eat whenever and often. Later we feasted on some Copycat Olive Garden soup. Some of the gift highlights included:













We gave Gammy a crossword picture frame complete with a picture of the grandkids from Chrissy and Ben's Wedding.













Grandpa Dick received a Gopher Fleece from us.












We gave Gammy and Grandpa Ken Burn's National Parks DVD and our traditional calendar gift of the year in photos.












Gammy and Grandpa gave Clara "The Very 1st Christmas" recordable storybook. Very appropriate for her 1st Christmas.








Gammy and Grandpa gave the boys Star Wars helmets that they have requested forever. The were very pleased!








Laken gave Mike some Gopher slippers.












Gammy made Laken this beautiful Cinderella dress that she has barely taken off since. Also, a matching doll dress.

Later, the guys went out side for a mean backyard hockey game which include Grandpa slightly injuring his knee. The girls stayed indoors for a nap for Clara and a whole lot of doll hair styling in Laken's new doll salon chair.

We wrapped up the gift giving festivities by playing the dice game that Gammy started as a new tradition last Christmas. The coveted prize this year was a magazine subscription gift certificate that Mike ended up winning.

Christmas Day

The Boys of course were up first and waited patiently for everyone else. It is always so fun to ease drop on their conversations that morning. Then, Laken was up. We let her go out into the Living room to check out the loot. Brad and I had bought the girls a Playhouse off of Craigslist. Laken was so excited! Then, the kids were adament we should wake Clara up. We told them no way, but I think in the end they did end up waking her up. Oh well! Clara's favorite part of the playhouse was ringing the doorbell over and over again. They'll have a blast playing in it outside this spring and summer, but for now it is set up in the living room for the winter. They love, love it!

Here are the rest of the gift highlights: Braeden was so estatic to get his air hogs hawkeye video helicopter. He loves flying it inside the house and plays with it almost daily. It's even attacked some of us due to operator error.

Preston got goalie pads. He is our little goalie in training. He loves everything about hockey and can tell me more about teams and players and stats then I'd every want to know about. He has had fun using his new pads on the backyard rink and he looks forward to the day that he can be on a "real" team just like Braeden.

Clara got a American Girl Bitty Baby that she loves loving up as you can tell by the picture. I think her favorite part is that her baby's eyes open and close.

Laken got an easy bake oven. This girl loves to bake. I think she would choose to bake some sort of treat everyday if I would agree. She loves the decorating part, too. Braeden sometimes gets annoyed by her sprinkle overload, but everyone still ends up eating the goodies.

But, I think our favorite part was that we didn't have to go anywhere, so we could stay in our pjs, snack all day and play with all the loot, because Gammy, Grandpa and Mike came to us :)