A Few Days is Never Enough

Home for the holidays.

There is just a ring to that phrase now and one I look forward to.  It amazing how much you look forward to something to just fly right on by in a few short days.  It's always good to head back home.  I'm pretty bias, but I'm thinking my family is the BEST. My dad and mom made everything extra special this holiday season.

Here's all the details that I can remember!

Jordan and I headed home early on Christmas Eve, of course after stopping at Chick-fil-A for an early breakfast.  How does a vegan eat Chick-fil-A?  Easy.  Tater Tots and Sweet Tea.  This was the start of unhealthy, always filled with sugar week!  My parents went above and beyond to make sure I was always included in on all the meals with my vegan planned entrees.  Upon arriving at home, we had Boca burgers.

Christmas Eve we always go to our Grandma's house.  This year was no different.  We sat down to have a nice meal, followed by presents, then we headed to Christmas Eve service.

Christmas morning fell on a Sunday this year, so we headed out early to attend a quick service.  This year I had signed up the family to work in the St. Joseph Food Kitchen.  We arrived in our matching shirts (just the girls) and helped serve food for a couple of hours with the Jewish community.  I think we all enjoyed ourselves as Jordan helped count the meals, Zack handed out silverware and candy canes, Dad kept everything running and of course harassing the staff, Mom was in charge of the whipped cream, and I just helped out in all kinds of stuff from sitting people to taking their dirty tray.  I hope to be able to do something similar again.

We anxiously waited for the Andrews to arrive in town and they finally did!  Hooray!  Christmas can now begin.  To see the joy on Ty and Brady's face was priceless!  They were so eager to see that Santa arrived in St. Joe also!  We passed out presents, opened one by one in a circle, stopped for meal/snacks and took our time enjoying each other. 

For the few days after Christmas we had a family ping pong tournament, played tons of games with the boys, went to Kansas City shopping, watched a movie, ate, ate, and ate some more.  Above all else, we just had fun hanging out! 

I usually get to spend more time at home, but this year I returned to St. Louis early.

Thank you all for making Christmas one to remember!  I appreciate the thoughtfulness down to the "perfect" present, all the food arrangements, and the feeling of such a close family!  I wouldn't trade this for the world!

Love you all!

Christmas Exchanges

Here were a few pictures that I had forgotten to post.

Amanda and I had a Christmas Exchange.  We both got each other the same present!  Tea from Teavana! 

Also, with having Friday off I was able to take my little's to the Boathouse to eat.  They got me a box of chocolates and I got them each a movie and book!

Kelsey

Kendal

I was also able to attend the Drummer Boy this year.  Another church in town puts together a production of all drums.  They bang on trashcans, big and little drums, and anything else that makes noise!

Also, I had a special gift exchange with my new friend.  We had previously went shopping at Whole Foods and of course I hardly "adventure" out with foods.  So, I have a box of food to try and also a night to Cunetto's!  According to the note, the value equalled one trillion dollars!

Let the Christmas Season Begin

It seems that you blink and before you know it another week goes by, especially this time of year.  This Christmas season has been busy, but worth EVERY second.  I have had so much fun, this blog can't capture half of it! 

Here's what I have been up to since the previous blog:

Wednesday, December 14th:  Christmas Dinner with my EM's, plus a guest.  Yes, I mentioned a guest.  A lady doesn't kiss and tell.  We went to Kobe's Steakhouse where I think everyone had fun!

Back Row: Ann and Blake, Front:  Beth and Cassandra

Friday, December 16th:  We had our Christmas party for our entire campus at the Lemp Mansion.  We took the morning and made Christmas goodie bags for the Ronald MacDonald Association.  Afterwards, we headed to lunch and some fun holiday games.  Lemp Mansion is a haunted bed and breakfast.  We kept looking, but we never saw a ghost. 

Saturday, December 17th:  The St. Louis Zoo has "Wild Lights" during the Christmas season.  It was a little chilly, but it was fun to walk around and see all the sights.  They had monkey, penguin, and polar bear lights.  All of the trees were decorated so nicely. 

Tuesday, December 20th:  No Christmas is complete without the Nutcracker.  Jodi and Paul organized an evening out where we went to Jimmy's on the Park to Eat then the Nutcracker.  Jordan actually got to attend also!

This Christmas season is already turning out wonderful!  Soon Jordan and I will be heading home to make it complete!

Happy Birthday Lee Ann!

Lee Ann has now been in St. Louis for a few months and I love having her around!  She has saved the day more times than I can count.  She likes all the things I hate to do:  clean, cook, iron, and wrap presents.  She is such a blessing to me.  She says I'm a blessing to her also, but I'm not sure how.  I can just keep it light and fun!  I'm really going to miss her, but I think her time in St. Louis is almost coming to an end.  We'll have a huge celebration and she'll be happy to reunite with her family!

Just Another Weekend, but One I was Excited About!

This past weekend was another weekend filled with fun, laughter, and new adventures.  Friday night I went to see, "A Week with Marilyn" followed by dinner at Caldwell's.  Above is the outfit my fashion consultant put together.  I think she did a mighty fine job!

Saturday, December 10th Amanda had a pharmacy alumni event at Molly's in Soulard then we went to Blue's game.  I decided that hockey isn't the most interesting sport to watch, especially if there aren't any fights.  It was just great to finally be able to hang out with Amanda since it had been so long.

After church on Sunday, Jordan and I went to Winghaven to eat at Llywelyn's.  We found the street block was just the cutest place ever!

Presents Are Wrapped

Lauren's 30th Birthday Weekend

December 1st was Lauren's 30th birthday!  I couldn't find a flight back into KC in time for her surprise birthday party, so she decided to come to St. Louis for the weekend.  I love Lauren because we just go with everything.  We never have anything planned and we just laugh and come up with everything on the fly.  This weekend was no different, except the fact that Lauren didn't have a voice!

On Friday, Jordan and I took Lauren to a Mexican restuarant where we had the most random time.  No one else would think it was even close to being funny so we'll keep that between us 3.  Let's just say, they can't dance on tables!  Afterwards, Lauren had a friend in town that had a bonfire.  We visited his house after making a stop to get smores!  I heard it was the greatest treat in the world for Jordan and Lauren.

Mario

Saturday Lauren and I went shopping, took a nap, and then headed to one of my employees houses for a Christmas party.  Afterwards, we headed out for a short time before calling it a night.  I think we were both exhausted from the week.

Ann- One of my EM's

A Perk of the Job

November 29th-December 1st

One of the perks of working for the University of Phoenix is the frequent trips to Phoenix.  It is definitely a perk when the weather is turning nasty and it is still 70s in Phoenix.  Come the summer it can still be fun, but a different INSIDE fun.

This time in Phoenix I was anxiously waiting to see my friends.  It had been six months since I had seen most of them, so we had plans every evening after the conference.   Actually it was refreshing to be in Phoenix this go around as it was more relaxed and very few meetings. So, what that meant, more FREE time!

I committed to my friend James from NW Indiana that I would run at least 2 miles.  I somehow successfully completed 20 minutes of running and actually felt great!  We stayed downtown so we were in walking distance to the stadiums.  In the Diamondback stadium is a TGI Fridays so Wednesday afternoon we headed to the stadium for an evening of fun.  I love seeing new baseball stadiums.  At the end of the trip I was exhausted, but it was great to hang out with those I network with daily!

Blake was selected as an EM to attend!  Jeremiah--my previous boss in STL.

Karen and Tamara

Fossil

I have found a new store that I love, Fossil.  There is one Fossil in St. Louis that has clothes!  Look at this great outfit!

A Time To Be Thankful

Wednesday, November 23rd- Sunday, November 27th

What a great Thanksgiving weekend and so much to be thankful for.  I love my family and they made the trip to St. Louis for the weekend.  Not only that, but they also brought all of the food so no one had to risk their lives by my food---everyone should be thankful for that!  The best part about being around my family is I am always laughing.  Everyone came to the 'Lou including my Grandma! 

Wednesday we started the evening off with dinner at California Pizza Kitchen and the boys saw Santa.  It is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen, those boys are SOOO excited about Santa.  I just wish that I could hear their wishes to Santa! 

Thursday we got up bright and early and went to the St. Louis parade.  It was a little windy, but overall for a November morning it was very nice weather.  We snagged a great parking spot and watched as go-carts, bands, and big balloons all floated by.  We ate Thanksgiving dinner at the hotel before heading over to the Muppet's.  A Thanksgiving movie is always a tradition.  That evening Chris and I enjoyed our first ever Black Friday adventure with Rach and Jordy.  We headed to Toys R Us.  We waited about 30 minutes outside before we finally were let into the store.  The best idea we had was for me to get in line while the others went shopping.  We took turns and 2 1/2 hours later we finally received our treasures.  I'm pretty sure no one got any HOT items that saved us any money, but it was fun!

Friday and Saturday we spent alot of time shopping and I've got a great grasp on my presents.  If you know me, I can't get very good secrets.  So, I anxiously wait for the day for everyone to find out their present!  Most probably already know their gift, but maybe you'll forget!  Also, my brother decided to take a bus back to KC for the KU/Missouri game so early Saturday morning I found the Greyhound bus line.  This was a great story we don't want to ever forget as Zack got permission from Jordan on how to proceed on this adventure!

Sunday wrapped up with us going to church, followed by my Dad and I getting my littles and taking them to the Ram's game.  I got great tickets from my work (10 rows off the 50 yard line).  It wasn't that great of a game, but it was great spending time with my Dad and showing him my littles!

Notice anything different on my Dad?  First time I have EVER seen my dad with no facial hair!  Lookin' Good!

Thank you to my family for making this weekend amazing.  We always have to much fun and I'm usually exhausted!  Visit again!

Official Lighting of the Christmas Tree

Sunday, November 20th

After a good ol' time at the Christmas Tree farm, I was inspired to get out my decorations.  I found my Christmas tree and we had an official lighting of the tree.  We decided to sing Christmas carols as we plugged in our tree!  My Grandpa Jim made this tree and Ty and Brady added the top piece!  I can't wait to wrap my presents and I will take a picture of the finished product.

I also somehow found a reindeer towel for my kitchen, a gingerbread dish, and 4 Santa plates.  This is getting way to exciting!

Smell of Christmas

Can you believe it is already Christmas?  You can start to see stores transforming, lights being hung outside, and most of all the radio stations are being taken over with "Jingle Bells" and "It's Beginning to Look Alike Like Christmas."  Today I had a great experience at my first EVER Christmas Tree Lot.

My family has never had a REAL Christmas tree so the Clark Family Christmas tradition of picking out the perfect tree has never occurred for our family.   (I'm not saying I will ever carry on the tradition of the Clark Family either).  So, I have never been to a Christmas Tree Lot and had no idea what to expect.  I volunteered with GenEx today to set up a Christmas Tree Lot.  There is alot of hard work that goes into helping a family pick out their perfect match.  We started with tagging trees while others built the structure.  Then we cut the wrapping off the tree and stood it up so families could pick their prize.  Sounds pretty easy, but you forget there is sap involved.

I am not sure how this gets you in the Christmas mood when you are covered head to toe with sap, but the smell reminds you of the holidays.  Did I mention that sap is sticky?   Still we had so much fun and I can't wait to get my Christmas decoration (yes one decoration) out.  My wooden Christmas tree will do just fine for another year. 

Overall, I was just glad the Christmas vacation squirrel (or any other creature for that matter) didn't fly out of the stack of trees!  Here is the before pictures.  There was no way I could even reach my hand into my purse for an after photo! 

Time Flies When You're Up to Nothing

I have sat down several times over the past week to blog, but it appears that nothing good is going on.  I'm not sure where the past few weeks have gone, but I always seems to stay busy. 

The weather has been outstanding in St Louis, so as much as possible I've been outside.  Sunday, November 13th we headed to the winery followed by the park.  It's just been enjoyable to be outdoors.  Amanda, Lee Ann and I went out to Clayton one evening for dinner.  It was after a long week at work (there was a full moon) and I finally took a deep breath to relax.  Tiredness has never overtaken me like that before.  I was immediately exhausted.  Below is the picture before I crashed.  I went instantly home and slept for almost 12 hours!

Thursday, November 17th we went to Bar Napoli for a charity event.  It was for the Crisis Nursery and tickets were expensive.  Amanda found a great deal on Groupon and away we went!  It was a great night for a great cause!

Amanda's Co Worker Monica Also Came

Bringing Out the Wild Side

Friday, November 4th

This weekend started off with a birthday party for a friend of Lee Ann's.  We met in the Central West End at Sub Zero.  Jordan and I made a new friend who made the night hilarious.  We visited several restaurants before calling it a night.  Jordan is my fashion consultant and I always love to see what she'll find in my closet. Here's the outfit for Friday.  It's called color blocking!  She even find my cheetah shoes, which have never been used since I had no idea to wear them with.  You might wonder then why I have them.  It was just a too good to be true deal years ago!   I love her here!

Saturday, November 5th

On Saturday, Amanda had arranged for us to meet at Cunetto's before we went to Billy Elliott at the Fox Theater.  We all agreed that it was a good show, but we probably didn't need to see it again.  It was a very long show, but the 13 year old Billy was extremely talented!  He knew how to ballot and tap dance!

Howard the Organist

Sunday, November 6th

After church and lunch, I went to pick up my Littles for a day at the zoo.  It was a perfect day, not to hot and not to cold.  All the animals were out so we saw everything from rhino's to alligators!  Honestly, every animal was out so it was one of the best visits! They are working on getting ready for Wild Lights, so we stopped by the purple tree before calling it a weekend!

Kelsey in the Blue, Kendal in the Pink

Even though we surrounded ourselves with animals, it is just a disappointment that we were so tame!