Spangler Family Communication Center

And please don't hold back on any other cute pics of your family you think we may love. We just can't get enough of you guys.

It's funny how much family can be connected when we are all so far apart. Ali was putting on a pair of pants today and she told me they were Macy's pants. I have no idea if they came from her or another batch of hand-me-downs but I was somewhat surprised that she even realizes she is wearing Macy's clothes at all. She also proceeded to tell me she was calling Larry today because he was going to pick up her and then Macy. I wasn't sure who Larry was until she continued to tell me that he was taking them to Lena's house. I wish that I remembered stuff in school as well as she remembers EVERYTHING.

I hope Macy is all Ali remembers her to be. If not I'm sure Ali will follow her around still. Maybe they will build more tents to play in and eat snacks in and even pretend to sleep in. Fun times had by all. Even if you all don't think of us everyday. We think of everyone, through our daughters memory.

Okay I have another funny moment to share. This afternoon I was making party invitations and I was tying knots to go at the top. Ali came over to sit by me and watch. After checking out what I was doing she looked at me and sayed, "Mommy I'm impressed!" I wasn't sure if she had any clue of what she was saying so I had to ask a question. "Impressed? Do you know what that means? What are you impressed with?" She replied, "I'm impressed with you tying those bows." I thought that was so funny and silly that she could use that word that I had her call Mark right away to tell him how impressed she was with Mommy. Well, at least someone appreciates all those little knots I tied. :)

Hey woman you have some great pics of our family from the zoo and from Thanksgiving. I was wondering if you could burn them on a CD for us and bring it at Christmas. If you would I will give you a big fat kiss. Let me know! Jess

Well, we've had a good few days with our Mark. He is now in flight to TX. I hope all is going well with him. It was so hard to say good-bye. Ali was not pleased at all when we told her that Daddy had to go back to TX to work. She's been crying on and off all day. Sad times. We are excited to be seeing him again so soon though. It is going to be here sooner than later. I have so much to get done and accomplish before then. I'm sure it will help pass the time.
Jess

I just had to mention how cute Macy is in her costume. Do you have any pics of just her? I don't know if you realize Sarah but Ali remembers all of you guys. She has even named her favorite doll Macy. She talks about her aunt Sarah and aunt Leena too. She calls you guys on the phone frequently. Now she also talks about her aunt greg and niki :) She would love it if I could get a pic of Macy dressed up. She call her princess Macy. Ali is going to love nothing more then playing with her "friend" It's true. She prays for you all by name. She never misses. I'm going to have to get updated pics from you somehow to print for her. She carries pics of all her cousins around at mamaws house. Addie included. She'll be in hog heaven when they are actually there.

I'm expecting to blink and everyone be here. It is coming so fast. Every time I turn around Thanksgiving is closer and I know Christmas will come even faster.

I'm glad Mark snagged blue. I likie. Ali's crying though she wanted pink. Micah said he didn't mind but I told her daddy doesn't like to wear pink. Oh well for her. She can try to talk her husband into wearing pink for her daughter someday, but that's not how I wanted to spend my phone call. :)

Sarah we would love any ideas for adult night. I think Julie had a few but we haven't put any on the table that I remember. Tell us your brilliant plan. Wha hahahah (wicked laugh).

Niki we would love for you to cook for us. We enjoy your yummy food. We'd never deny anyone the priviledge of cooking. Like, that's a no brainer for us. I'm still kinda like a college student. It is hard to turn down a meal that I don't have to cook. :) Thanks!

Sarah, I think Mark and I will be able to use the same dates you are for some of our other obligations. It is so perfect. And I believe #1 get's in on Friday night so that will be perfect too. The fun we planned doesn't start til the next morning. Another cool thing is that on Christmas Eve in the morning service Micah is going to be dedicated so we are excited that everyone will get to be there. It was either then or after the next baby was born. Don't forget Mark and I are procrastinaters. We are both the youngest in our family after all. We're just trying not to play a different roll :) I was GREAT with child when Ali was dedicated. Oh well. Maybe we should have just waited and got them all done at the same time. We might be waiting for a while then I suppose. Who knows when the madness will end. I might keep getting better at this birth thing and have a bushel and a peck. :) (or not)

I've been rambling long enough. I suppose I'll go to bed now. I love the pics everyone. Oh yeah.....

Becca can't talk either. She called me today but I didn't realize anyone was on the phone. She just kept squeeking. Wierd. So far Ali and Micah can still talk and so can I. I hope this talking continues. If Ali couldn't talk the house would be eerie.

That's right baby we want blue. It's a favorite. I would even say it is Most favorite. Red and green not favorites, But blue is a favorite.

On another note. Brad and I talked a little while ago about maybe doing some carpentry eork while we are together. I have a very creative project that we could do at my house if the guys are interested, and we could could squeeze it in somewhere. I need to build a special bookcase for the Batman cave. So if you guys think we could knock it out let me know.

Other than that. I too am looking forward to spending time with everyone. It will rock. Well that is all for now.
Mark

Red- we pick red!

Just to clarify the picture thing- so we take two pictures--- one in dress clothes (our own pick) and one in T-shirts (colored by family)? Is that right?

Julie- I also have no voice now, so whatever voice-stealing bug it is, seems to be we're sharing it. Let's hope at Christmas we don't all share like this!

We loved having a Spangler sampling last weekend and can't wait to come visit! Hopefully Addie will be a nice girl while we're there. We posted tons of pictures from the zoo on our blog- you can go there to see (www.calspangler.blogspot.com), but here are a few to wet your appetite.













As for Christmas- we put our stamp of approval on cookies and caroling on the 23rd, PJ's on Christmas morning (sounds fun), and all the rest. I am especially excited about BINGO! Wahoo! Also, I'd like to make at least one family meal for everyone while we're there- I have some yummy recipes. Is that OK?

Okay, Julie and I have sat down and figured out a few things and their dates. Here it goes. Let me tell you some of the stuff Mark and I are obligated for during this break first. First, I think Brad and Sarah are trying to visit friends earlier before Greg and Niki are in town so during that time I will try to schedule some of our stuff too. We will need to go visit my family at some point while Mark is in town so we will try to do this around the first few days like the 20 or 21st. Sarah tell me if I'm right about that you guys will have other stuff to do too. Also, I am trying to schedule my ultrasound for when Mark is here so he can find out the sex of the baby and have a moment with his new baby. I'll try to do that on the same two dates. I'd also like to get Micah dedicated while Mark is in town and ALL the family is here. It may have to be Christmas Eve if the church will swing it. I'll beg if I have to. I think it would mean a lot to have our family all there.

So here is the attentative schedule:
Saturday 23rd Julie's house for making Christmas cookies and holiday fun.
Saturday evening we'd like to go caroling as a family and pass out plates of the Christmas cookies we've made.

Sunday morning (Christmas Eve) Church

Sunday evening : Late lunch and Church in evening and then back to Julie's for Bingo and other fun games, snacks and eating our christmas cookies

Monday CHRISTMAS!!! Wake up and don't get ready cause we're all heading to Grandmas and our pajamas are our ticket for a delicious traditional Spangler Breakfast. Whew whooo!!!!

Christmas Evening: Diner at Julie's house and probably more games or even light seeing if we'd like.

We still have room for other fun stuff and of course the needed family pictures. We are still working on the place. Greg is in charge of that and Julie and Jess can do some of the foot work or research.

Some other stuff we may be able to do is a fun christmas theater for kids. I need to check dates to see if there are any during the week. I've heard great things about them and my mom is taking Ali and I to one shortly so I can tell you guys how it is. The cost is about 15 dollars and the food is included and since these are kids shows the food is kid friendly and buffet style.

We could go to zoo lights at some point. We can and should go to the church of joy. The guys need to figure out a time and the clubs for their golf game. We should figure out the date for our adults night out. Oh yes and one more thing that Mark and I have on our plate this holiday season is a wedding. It is the night before his going away party so we will be gone that evening on a wedding/date :) I hope I've thought of all the stuff Julie and I planned. I hope I didn't mess up the order of the christmas events. It'll be a pretty busy few days but at the same time we'll have plenty of time to take naps and enjoy each other. We'll be spending most of our time during those few days at Julie's and at church.

Love you guys! I'm getting excited.

Julie and I just went out to visit Greg, Niki and Addie and had a fabulous time. We even got to go to the zoo. Maybe Greg can put some pics on the blog cause I don't know how. We're excited to see you guys for Thanksgiving and Mark too!!!!!!!! I can't wait. He's so HOT!!!!!!!!!

Okay, there is now a way for me to put pics on our website all by myself! Yeah. So I will put pics on there all the time. I am working on putting pics on there as I type so go check it out. The link is on the side or just type markandjess.com. Good times. Mark will be able to upload his own pics from TX and from over seas. Yeah! It will be cool.

Jess

Sometimes in a man's life he must wear Stretchy pants!

Okay I like the white shirts with blue jeans. Please don't make me wear a button up shirt. The army idea will be super cute. Khakis would look good too. I'd be up for either. I think we'll all have to buy new white shirts for our kids. We have the same problem. Sounds good to me. Mark wants to wear a red speedo and blue tights. Oh and he said something about a cape of some sort. He's kinda nutty. I'm not sure how you guys feel about that. I think he may stick out a bit.

Jessica

We like the "Army" theme too, but as a second picture. We really love having a "formal" family picture in our living room to show how fabulously beautiful the family is. If we wear camoflage, no one will be able to see us! (kidding).

We liked the business-casual look of white button-up shirts and blue jeans, or khakis. I(Greg) think that black jeans will make us look like waiters.

Breakfast at Grandpa and Grandmas! Sweet!

That all for now.

One. Out.

Yes, I agree that we should coordinate dress for the family picture. We vote for white shirts and jeans. Then you don't have one person's "black" or "blue" clashing with someone else's, AND white shirts would look great in black and white pictures too. Plus, if someone doesn't have a white shirt and needs to go buy one, it won't be something they'll never wear again (everyone needs a white shirt!). That's our vote.
Niki

Sorry guys this is just for Jessie.
Here are the pix of the treadmill- it is a Lifestyler Expanse 600. It folds up to be more compact. Greg can adjust it for an incline, as shown in the picture, but I don't know how easy it is. He can explain it to you. Give us a call. Hope these help!
-Niki

 

Things are lookin good. I think I like the 25 buck generic gift exchange idea. I like fighting over gifts! It brings out the christmas spirit and makes for a good ole time :) Should we pick a theme to make it easier? There are so many themes we could come up with ex may be: Christmas, gadgets, electronic, music, games, fun in the sun etc.

Oh yeah, I don't remember if anyone has brought up dress for the family pics or not. Julie had an idea but I don't remember. It would be kinda cool to color cordinate. We should come up with something before everyone is out here so that the travelers can bring there stuff and anyone who may not have and white shirt, for example, can go get one. Any ideas of what can look good in a family pic. We did the christmas theme last time so we could do that again but I thought it would be fun to do something else this time. Like Purple and Orange for the phoenix suns!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok I am so kidding.

jess