Christmas Three Ways - Part 1

Our Christmas celebrations started on the Sunday before Christmas with a get together over at my Mom's house.  My sisters, Stephanie & Leslie, Leslie's husband, Zach and my Mom, Carol were there.  Gordon had to work...again...the company had an install that weekend & things are too tight for us for him to miss any work.

For lunch we had baked ham with all of the fixin's.  I brought homemade cranberry orange relish and whole cranberry sauce for my dish(es).  Dinner was delicious.  As a standard rule ever since we were growing up, the table must be cleared and the dishes have to be washed & dried before we can start opening presents.  Not that big of a deal nowadays that we are older, but when we were kids, it always seemed like it took forever to get those dishes done!!  And how rude of the adults to just sit there & watch us work & not even lift a finger to help....Geesh.  Those days are long gone & now my Mom has an actual dishwasher, so things go much more quickly!!!

Mom's tree

 GT couldn't wait to start opening presents, and once he did...he had a BLAST!!  My sisters (mostly) and my mom spoiled both of my kids with their very first taste of Christmas for the year.

This was his reaction almost every present...he sure knows
how to make a gift giver feel good!!

Pretty girls

The real surprise of the day came when my little sister, Leslie, opened a teddy bear that my older sister, Stephanie, had restuffed for her.  When Leslie was in college (it had to be at least 7 or so years ago now) her dog, Koda, tore all of the stuffing out of Leslie's favorite childhood teddy bear while she was at class/work one day...Leslie was devastated.  She was going to school in Rolla, MO at the time and the only thing she could do was call us (me, Mom & Steph) and cry...and cry...and cry...  We told her to gather the pieces and we would get him back together.  The "pieces of Teddy" were in my basement next to my sewing stuff for a long time after that.  It was a very intimidating project, to say the least, and while I knew that he could be put back together, I wasn't so confident that I would be the one to do it.  Cut to this year and to make an even longer story short....my Uncle George is dating this woman who...was able to fix the teddy bear!!  So for Christmas this year, Leslie unwrapped her bear.  For the second time in her life...on a Christmas...

She was THRILLED!!!

I'll have to get a picture of the teddy bear close up.  Stacie, the woman who fixed it, did an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G job.  I mean...when my grandma saw the bear for the first time after it was fixed, SHE almost cried!!!

So, needless to say, Christmas with my Mom & sisters was a success.  We've had a very eventful year between the four of us; a birth, a marriage, a divorce & a marathon...hopefully 2012 will be a little slower paced for all of us.

While we are not able to always buy gifts for the people that we love, we do try to give special gifts that are handmade or that we have put special thought into.  This year, I was struggling with what I was going to give my mom & sisters.  Until I came across this.  So, originally I was going to make one for my mom, but then I decided that my sisters would probably also like one.  Here they are with their presents.

I am very happy with the finished products and I think they were very pleased, too.  I let them each pick which wreath they wanted.  Pretty sure they are all already being proudly displayed at each of their houses, too!!  Success!

Our second round of celebration came on Christmas Eve when we met Gordon's mom, Wanda & her husband, Dr. Lowther (OK - I feel really weird here for explaining who they are to you like this...I call them - Wanda & Jer.  aka - Mimi & Papa) for dinner at Andria's Steakhouse in Chesterfield, MO.  Gordon's sister, Regina, her boyfriend, Chris & our neice and nephew, Morgan & Mason were also there.

(Ok...so...if I'm ever going to get of this posted...I'm going to have to do it in parts...You just read Part 1 - Parts 2 & 3 are a work in progress.  : )  I'll leave you with a few snapshots so you will definitely want to come back for more!!  LOL

Christmas Three Ways - Parts 2 & 3 to come...Stay tuned!!

Confession Friday 12-30-11

*  I confess...we are SICK.  I know, not much of a confession, but it is what has pretty much taken up the entire week for us here in the White Household.  First GT (complete with 102.2 fever), then me, then Gordon, then Miss V.  : (  That is the absolute worst thing...six months old and a nose FULL of S-N-O-T.  Poor baby.

*  I confess...I couldn't live without this thing:

Nothing kinky here folks...it's a bulb syringe.

*  I confess that I had big plans to do a "Christmas Three Ways" post this week to share all of our Christmas excitement, but with us all being sick...it didn't happen.

My Santa Babies

* I confess that it bums me out when I read that my favorite bloggers are getting burnt out on blogging every day.  I would miss them for sure if they stopped.  I mean...I know I don't blog every day, but I READ blogs every day.  Keep on keeping on, ladies!!

*  I confess that I am super psyched about signing off of facebook for a while.  I decided that January 1, 2012 would be my first day facebook free.  I'm thinking that might get me blogging more.  I will miss keeping up on everyone else's goings on, but I'm just kinda burnt on it.  It's been a good few years.  LOL.

*  I confess that I am Grateful (notice I used a capital "g") for my Mother-In-Law, Wanda, who is watching GT for me today while I continue to nurse my baby girl back to health.  We both had a rough night last night.  Let's not even talk about how much GT & 'Mimi' have been missing each other...

*  I confess that I thought I would sleep the ENTIRE time GT was gone today (and while Vadyn was sleeping, of course) but I haven't slept a wink.  I've been cleaning like a madwoman, getting stuff done that I've been putting off all week since we've been down and out.

*  I confess that I have the awesomest boss ever.  He is letting me make up the work I missed (albeit 15 hours) over the next couple of weeks rather than trying to have to cram it all in next week.  Seriously.  He's awesome...and quite flexible for an older gentleman.  :-P

*  I confess I am in L-O-V-E.......................

I mean, how could you not be?!?!

She is one HAPPY baby!!  : )
See her dimple???

*  I confess I can't remember the last time I saw my Mom smile like that. LOVE IT!!

Very Christmas From The White House

You heard me right...As GT says, "Very Christmas"

"And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord'" Luke 2:10-11

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a New Year of health, happiness and prosperity.

Love ~ Gordon, Melissa, GT & Vadyn

Fa La La La La, Man!!

I'm beyond tired today...Gordon & I were up playing "Santa's elves" all night last night and decorating the Christmas tree.  Yes, you heard right.  It's finally decorated.  I think it turned out great, if I do say so myself...what do you think?  And how awesome is my husband for helping me?!?....VERY!!

This is the same tree that Gordon had in his house growing up.
It's at least 30 years old.

This blog post is going to be kind of all over the place.  (I am going on total lack of sleep - we're talking like 3 hours, MAYBE) 

For instance.  This story & video.  Read it.  You will thank me.  It gives you a warm fuzzy feeling just in time for Christmas.

...and this guy is freaking CrAzY!!!!!  I mean...hasn't he ever heard the story of the woman who got her faced ripped off???

I couldn't help but share this story, it's another good one that should bring a smile to your face.

I've been having a lot of fun over the last week doing Christmas-y kind of stuff.  Last Saturday was spent at home with the kids baking cookies, making rice krispie treats and putting the finishing touches on our handmade gifts.  Christmas is my favorite time of year to bring out my inner crafter.  I mean - hello.  I don't think there is a better holiday to break out the glue gun & glitter.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Speaking of having fun...I just wanted to mention how great it is being a Momma at Christmas time.  I don't think I ever remember loving Christmas this much as a child.  Seeing Christmas, mostly just through GT's eyes, has brought me a new appreciation for the holiday.  I can just imagine what it will be like when Vadyn is old enough to really enjoy it.

Sunday, the kids and I celebrated Christmas with my Mom and sisters. (Gordon was working again)  I want to share pictures and a recap of the fun from the day, but I'm planning on doing a "Christmas Three Ways" post next week, so I'll share them then.  Until then...here is a sneak peek. Just because I couldn't resist.  : )

 



Baby's First Christmas





We are looking forward to celebrating Christmas this weekend with Gordon's family - well, the part that lives here.  His mom & sister Regina's family.  Then on Sunday we have plans to spend the day at home!!!!!  We've got a TON of wrapping and crafting to do before now and then, so I've got to scoot...but MERRY MERRY!!!  I hope you all have a VERY AWESOME CHRISTMAS!! 

When One Updates!!

I am so proud of myself!!  I added a gadget!!!  : )  If you knew how long I worked at it, you would be proud of me, too!!

So...what have we been up to in the last week, you ask?!?...Maybe you didn't ask, but I wanted to update anyway.  Here goes:

Saturday - Gordon had to work all day, which is a GOOD thing in our household.  The man LOVES to work...and in our industry, Heating & Cooling, some times are busier than others.  Needless to say, we like the busy times.  That means $$!! So...while Gordon worked, the kids and I enjoyed a lazy day at home.  Saturday night we enjoyed dinner with my in-laws.  It was our last visit before they head up to Chicago this week to see our nephew Justin Paul's show, A Christmas Story! The Musical.  Don't even get me started on how sick I am that we are not able to go, but...that's just the way the cookie crumbles.  That kind of stuff takes money.  Believe me when I say that I am there in spirit.  After we got home from dinner and put the kids to bed, Gordon & I watched the Republican Presidential debate that we had recorded and were thoroughly entertained!!  Wow!  Was the crap flying!!  I could spend a whole blog post on just that debate!!


If you are anywhere near Chicago this weekend, and you do not have tickets to this show...
...you should be ashamed of yourself.  Just sayin'.


Sunday - Gordon had to work again today...I headed off with the kids to my hometown, Red Bud, Illinois for a birthday party for my nieces and nephew.  (Step-nieces and nephew to clarify - no, my sisters, Stephanie & Leslie haven't had any babies for me to be Auntie to YET)  The birthday/bowling party (or 'bowling pin party' as GT called it) was at The "V" in Red Bud.  I've spent a lot of time in this building in my lifetime, as my dad managed the bowling alley more than once.  I know the place like the back of my hand.  No joke.  The party was great.  My stepsister, Michelle, did a great job putting the party together for her three kids.  She has a son, Kyle, who turned 6, and twin girls, Lily & Morgan, who are turning 4.  Brilliant idea to have the parties together!  Get it all done in one day!!  : )  As I beginning to say, we were having a great time at the party - until - GT dropped a bowling ball on his finger.  Bummer.  BIG TIME BUMMER.  It hurt him.  A lot!!! We ended up having to leave the party early because of his injury.

My Hometown...a.k.a. Blossom City! LOL

OuCh!!!!!

Monday - GT went to the doctor to have his finger x-rayed.  Turned out it was broken...what do you think the likelihood is of a three year old 110% boy leaving a splint on his finger??? Not very.  Also on this day, Vadyn turned 6 months old.  So hard to believe.  Gordon took GT to the doctor (this is the first time IN HIS LIFE that I haven't been to the doctor with him) and to spend a little time getting spoiled at his Mimi's...Vadyn & I went into the office.  This is where I discovered that my little Miss had sprouted 4 new teeth overnight!!!  She's really something.  She hadn't even been that fussy...I guess she figured she didn't want GT's broken finger getting all of the attention. 


My sweet Cupcake...where has the time gone?!?

Tuesday - I worked around the house today & got things together for our visit to Santa.  I had to make sure that I had just the right bow picked out for my Little Miss.  She didn't mind modeling for me either...

Howdeeee!!!

We met some friends up at Bass Pro Shop in St. Charles that evening, to go to the Winter Wonderland that they set up.  It's awesome.  We've been there the last three years.  You just can't pass up what they put together for Christmas.  This year they had a carousel there, too!!...one of GT's favorite activities!  I'm kind of surprised we only rode the thing twice!

A picture of the official picture...but you get the picture, right!?!

Wednesday - I was headed back to work.  This time with both kiddos! It's so great that my employer allows me the flexibility to take the kids to work with me.  It helps that my children are very well behaved (most of the time) and we haven't run into any problems with that so far.  Most of the time when Vadyn is with me, she just sleeps anyway.  Wednesday night we had the most delicious steaks for dinner (Thank you, Wanda) and then wrapped up the night watching a movie after putting the kids to bed.  Also today, I had to get a new splint for GT because he chewed the other one to pieces.  Have I mentioned that my child is part beaver?  I'm hoping he leaves this one alone...what do you think the chances are???

Do you see the look on his face?!?!

Thursday - We found out early that our plans to go to the Zoo for the day weren't going to go through, so the kids and I stayed home and "did our thing" there.  I worked on my never ending pile of laundry & dishes & bounced from room to room trying to tidy...as I sit here typing this...I wonder if I made any progress at all.  : P  We wrapped up the night by watching A Christmas Story! Then, there was another debate on.  It wasn't as 'good' as Saturday nights debate, but it was still a 'good' debate.

And here we are back at Friday - see how that works?  : )  I had to work today...the kids stayed at home with Gordon.  This weekend we've got BIG plans to celebrate Christmas with my family (well, my mom & sisters) on Sunday.  I am really looking forward to it.  We have had a very eventful year in our family...my m om got divorced, I had a baby, my little sister, Leslie, got married & my older sister, Stephanie ran a marathon...let's hope 2012 is a little less eventful!!  The only bummer about Sunday is that Gordon won't be able to join us.  He's working again all weekend.  Duty calls.  Sometimes at the worst of times.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I've got a 'laundry list' of things that need to be completed...pun intended, as I have plenty of laundry to do, too!!

XO,

Melissa <3

Why Didn't I Think Of That?!?

I guarantee you’ll be uttering those words more than once at these ingenious little tips, tricks and ideas that solve everyday problems … some you never knew you had!

Hull Strawberries easily using a straw!

Rubbing a walnut over scratches in your furniture will disguise dings and scrapes.

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Remove crayon masterpieces from your TV or computer screen with WD-40 (also works on walls).

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Stop cut apples frpm browning in your child’s lunch box by securing with a rubber band.

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Overhaul your linen cupboard – store bed linen sets inside one of their own pillowcases and there will be no more hunting through piles for a match.

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Pump up the volume by placing your iPhone / iPod in a bowl – the concave shape amplifies the music.

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Re-use a wet-wipes container to store plastic bags.

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Add this item to your beach bag... Baby powder gets sand off your skin easily.

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Attach a Velcro strip to the wall to store soft toys.

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Look up! Use wire to make a space to store gift wrap rolls against the ceiling, rather than cluttering up the floor.

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Find tiny lost items like earrings by putting a stocking over the vacuum hose. - GENIUS!!

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Make an instant cupcake carrier by cutting crosses into a box lid.

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For those who can’t stand the scrunching and bunching: how to perfectly fold a fitted sheet.

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Use magnetic strips to store bobby pins (and tweezers and clippers) behind a vanity door

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A tip for holiday packing...Store shoes inside shower caps to stop dirty soles rubbing on your clothes.

(You can find them in just about every hotel!)

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A muffin pan makes an awesome craft caddy. Magnets hold the plastic cups down to make them tip-resistant.

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Bread tags make the perfect-sized cord labels.

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Bake cupcakes directly in ice-cream cones – so much more fun and easier for kids to eat.

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Brilliant space-saver: install a tension rod to hang your spray bottles. 

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Turn your muffin pan upside down, bake cookie-dough over the top and voila –

you have cookie bowls for fruit or ice-cream. Click here for recipe.

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Freeze Aloe Vera in ice-cube trays for soothing sunburn relief.

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Gutter garden: Create a window-box veggie patch using guttering.

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Use egg cartons to separate and store your Christmas decorations.

Do you have any tips or tricks to share?