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