Category: Holidays

Posted in Friday Favorites, Holidays, Travel

Friday Favorites {#201}

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!

Well, the last Friday of break sure hits different.

That being said, I am happy to be home and sleeping in my bed after a few nights away for spring break.

I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.

Here are some favorites from the week:

This is basically “Friday Favorites: Easter/DC Edition” recapping last weekend and then sharing a couple of pics from our few days in DC.

Easter:

Last Saturday morning the kids dyed a dozen eggs per tradition. They still have a good time doing this…but I’m the only one that eats hard boiled eggs. haha

Saturday evening, we went to our friends’ house for dinner and egg hunt for the kids.

I brought pasta salad and this cute cake from Kroger.

There are plenty of little kids in this group, so the big kids were warned to not hog all the eggs…but everyone had a good time.

Sunday morning, I put the kids’ Easter baskets out. When they woke up, they looked for the eggs, had breakfast, and went through their Easter baskets.

Then, we went to church. My favorite part of Easter service is when the little kids walk down the aisle to flower the cross.

The dogwoods (I think?) were in bloom this year (they weren’t last year!), so we took a couple of pics…

…a family one too…before heading home.

We packed up the car and drove to Charlottesville, VA to pit stop for the night.

On the drive, I made my April book trackers, and saved them to an Instagram highlight. Here’s one of them:

DC:

We were in DC Monday-Thursday, and had a great time. Shew! DC is a lot of work – planning, walking, etc…but we did a lot.

We took a night time monument tour Monday night.

The cherry blossoms were still in bloom, and Hadley snapped this pic on rainy Wednesday.

I’m sure I will recap our trip. We were able to see quite a bit, but, of course, there is still so much more to see and do.

*While we were gone, our area got severe storms with confirmed tornadoes nearby. All is good in our neck of the woods, but others close by lost power and had trees down. I received a few messages; thanks for checking in.

Favorite Mom Meme:

Today, all I’m asking of my kids is that they get their suitcases unpacked! I need to give myself that same pep talk.

Weekly Recap:

This week, I still had a few posts to share:

Prime Purchases
March Workouts
Pinned on Pinterest

Share Our Lives:

On Monday, we’re having our April Share Our Lives post. The topic is Favorite Make Up and Hair Products. We’d love to have you link up and join us.

What are your weekend plans? I’m going to savor the last few days of break. As much as I love a trip, you know I love getting back home. I hope to have some downtime to unpack and get my life in order as we prep to go back to school. That being said, we also have Monday off because of the eclipse.

Spring break…the gift that keeps on giving!

Posted in Holidays

Christmas Recap

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello!

I hope you had a very merry Christmas! Ours was really good, and today I’m recapping how we wrapped up the Christmas season.

Also, this month, I didn’t get a share a memes post, so I’ve sprinkled a few holiday memes in today’s recap…for a few laughs.

On Friday afternoon, we delivered the toys and food boxes to five Operation Secret Santa families.

We were assigned families in a specific zip code, so deliveries only took about an hour. The kids (and Trav, when needed), put the gifts on the porches, knocked and then hopped in the car.

The kids had a good time with this, and it was a meaningful experience that I hope we can participate in again next year.

On Friday night, Travis and I went out to dinner with my brother and sister-in-law. Once we got home, the cousins exchanged gifts. It was a nice evening.

On Saturday, we headed to Louisville around 1:00 for Christmas Eve Eve at Trav’s mom’s house. There’s always lots of food, the kids play games, and then we open gifts. It’s a long day with lots of people, but it’s always a good time.

Since we weren’t heading to KC, we were back in Lex by noon on Christmas Eve. I baked Shay’s Peppermint Mocha Bundt cake while Trav prepped prime rib for dinner.

We ate dinner…

…before heading to Christmas Eve service at church. It’s always a beautiful service ending with Silent Night by candlelight. After that, we went to our friend’s house for a bit and were home by around 10.

I was starting to feel run down with a cold, so I headed to bed once we got home. The kids went to bed not too far after, but Travis was up late putting together a few things…

Courtesy of my dad, Hayden got a new bike, and we got Hadley a new desk/makeup table for her bedroom.

I was up around 7:30. While I was fairly confident the kids would sleep in, I wasn’t sure how long, and I had a few Christmas things to finish up.

Then, I did get some quiet time by the tree before the kids woke up. Hayden was up first at 9:15, and he woke up Hadley.

While this meme is relatable, I did just keep most everything unopened in boxes until I could wrap it. I think I wrapped more presents than usual this year because once they were wrapped, I could put them by the tree and the kids would have a harder time sneaking a peek!

We had a really nice morning. Hadley was excited for her “room refresh” that my friend helped put together, and Hayden was really excited for his new shoes.

Travis strikes again with the gift tags…haha

My very favorite gift was this one. Hadley did the wrapping:

…and inside the three packages were the best gifts ever. Of course, I cried.

I’m sure you’ve picked up on this, but Hadley’s easier to get a natural pic of whereas, Hayden is more hesitant…so I pick and choose when I bug him for a photo.

Anyway, Trav’s brother is a phenomenal photographer, and Travis and the kids went to his house last week for this photo session. I knew they were going there, but obviously didn’t know why. Hayden definitely didn’t leave the house in that button down shirt! Anyway, I can’t wait to find a place for these once I get all the Christmas decor put away.

Homer had a great Christmas day too!

After we face timed with KC family, we had brunch (Krusteaz cinnamon coffee cake and Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast casserole) and then Homer and I watched the Chiefs game. Unfortunately, they lost, but it was nice to have downtime at home to just relax.

Unfortunately, on Christmas, I started to feel worse, and knew my cold was turning into a sinus infection.

We all just hung out most of the day, and then we ended the evening watching National Lampoon Christmas Vacation before heading to bed.

We’re on a every other year rotation for going out of town, and it’s always hard not seeing family on Christmas day. We appreciate the extra time at home, but it still feels odd not seeing my family.

Overall, I’d say we had a really good Christmas season filled with lots of activities, traditions, baking, and more.

I went to the doctor yesterday, and got a prescription, so hopefully I will be better soon.

This week, I’m still hoping to share the books I read this year as well as a blogging recap to finish up 2023!

I hope you have a great day,

Posted in Friday Favorites, Holidays

Friday Favorites {#188}

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!

How was your week? Ours was a good one, and we’ve started out break just as busy as when we are in school. Hayden has had basketball, Hadley has had volleyball, and we’re trying to squeeze in last minute holiday fun before we run out of time to do so!

As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.

This is Friday Favorites: Festive Edition!

Here are some favorites from the week:

This is my first ever Pink Lily purchase…how cute is Hadley’s “Merry” sweatshirt?

Over the weekend, my Life in Lilac candle arrived. The gold Holiday Dreams candle is so pretty and festive.

Hadley and friends started off break having the best afternoon on Wednesday. There are close to twenty girls who are all really good friends. One of the moms is a SAINT and organized an afternoon with pizza for lunch, a Secret Santa gift exchange, and then ice skating!

What a sweet group of girls!

They had the best afternoon.

Hadley and I baked our last batch of Christmas cookies yesterday afternoon. Once she got home from volleyball, we made Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle cookies.

They turned out perfectly.

(Hayden and Travis were in Louisville for most of the day at the UK/UL basketball practice before the big rivalry game last night.)

This sweet memory from 2014 popped up…Hayden told me he was wrapping gifts for kids who weren’t getting lots of presents. Such a sweet sentiment…

…and yesterday afternoon, we participated in Operation Secret Santa. We’d never done this before, but you sign up for a shift to shop for kids from the donated items and then deliver the presents.

No photo evidence, but Travis and Hayden were there too; they shopped for two of our five families before Hayden headed to basketball practice.

Let me tell you who is a really great shopper: Hadley White!

She was so good about prioritizing what each kid should receive and keeping it all organized.

We’ll deliver to the five families today.

Last night, after the Kentucky game was over, we *finally* made it to the horse park for Southern Lights.

I think this is the 19th year that we’ve gone to see the lights.

Social Media Faves:

Tis the season for all things festive…

This bookshelf looks right up my alley!

Y’all, this is what my Instagram search looks like. I get sucked into cookie decorating videos…haha.

That being said, I stumbled upon “The Folding Lady” (@thefoldinglady) on Instagram, and her reels are mesmerizing. Check her out!

Favorite Mom Meme:

Relatable….and now I’m sharing my Christmas cards on the blog (see below) before friends and family get them in the mail. I’m just getting it done however I can.

Weekly Recap:

Here are my posts from the week:

Weekend Top 5
2023 Workouts
The ABC’s of Winter

Merry Christmas!

I feel like a theme this year, but especially these past couple of months, has been living day to day and doing my best to get accomplished whatever I can whenever I have time to do so.

Apparently, that “lifestyle” is now applying to my Christmas cards…that finally arrived…yesterday. (*sigh*)

So, I will be working on getting those out today…and I guess most will receive them by December 26. It’s the thought that counts, right?

That being said,

Merry Christmas…

…from my family to yours…

I know the holidays aren’t joyous for all. My thoughts and prayers are with those who are sad, sick, anxious, and/or struggling this season.

I have some posts planned for next week, so see you then!

As always, thank you for reading…and Merry Christmas.

Posted in Holidays

The ABC’s of Winter

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy first day of winter!

So far this year, I’ve shared the ABC’s of summer and autumn, so of course I had to continue this series with…

I know I’m in the minority, but winter is one of my favorite seasons. I love when it gets dark early, I get a couple of months of the twinkle of Christmas tree lights, the start of the new year, my birthday, and even the chance of a snow day!

Here’s my ABC list for winter:

A- activities:

Hayden starts playing basketball and Hadley will continue with volleyball this winter.

B- boots:

I love my fuzzy boots, and we always have to make sure the kids have a pair of snow boots that fit!

C- Christmas (and cookies):

‘Tis the season for all things Christmas and cookie baking.

D- December:

December is a busy month, but it’s always filled with lots of fun. From Christmas parties, to traditions, to baking cookies, and more, it’s a great way to wrap up a year!

E- Eve: Christmas and NYE

Christmas Eve is one of my favorite days. If we are home, we go to the candlelight service at church. If we are in KC, we are with family. For NYE the past couple of years, we’ve been with friends which is a fun way to ring in a new year.

F-football, fireplace, and flannel pjs:

We’ve been spoiled with the Chiefs in the Super Bowl the past couple of years, and college football bowl games are fun to watch as we cheer for the CATS and the tigers.

Fireplace:

I love when it’s fireplace season!

Flannel pjs:

I don’t do flannel sheets, but I love flannel pjs in the winter.

G- gloves:

Of course, we need gloves for playing out in the snow.

H- hot chocolate:

Hadley loves hot chocolate; a couple of years ago, her friend hosted a hot chocolate bar!

I- ice skating/ice:

Ice skating is a fun winter activity. Hadley and her friends went yesterday.

Of course, ice is no fun to drive in and it can wreak havoc, but it’s pretty to look at on the trees.

J-January birthday:

January is one of my favorite months…maybe because it’s my birthday month?

K- Kids playing outside:

We are fortunate to live in a neighborhood with so many great kids who are all friends. On a snow day, they will definitely be out and about together.

L-lights:

Christmas tree lights….nothing better!

…and other festive lights!

M- (Christmas) music:

Hadley loves the “Holly channel” on XM radio.

N-New Year’s Eve and day:

Happy New Year!

O-ornaments:

One of my favorite traditions is putting ornaments on the tree.

P-Peppermint: ice cream and Bundt cake:

I still haven’t had a Chick-fil-A peppermint milkshake this season, but I did pick up some peppermint ice cream at the store this week.

I always make Shay’s peppermint mocha Bundt cake for Christmas Eve dessert.

Q- quiet:

I love the quiet that comes with a pretty snow…and a snow day! I also feel like January is a quiet month after the two busy months of November and December.

R- resolution:

While I don’t necessarily make a resolution for the new year, it’s a good time for a fresh start and getting back on track.

S- snowman pancakes:

A snow day tradition!

T- three day weekends: MLK and Presidents’ Day

Even after having a couple weeks off at Christmas, I still look forward to the three day weekends that come in January and February.

U- unwrapping gifts:

While I don’t love wrapping gifts, I do enjoy watching others open theirs. Giving is so much more fun than receiving.

V- Valentine’s Day:

While we don’t do a ton for Valentine’s Day, Travis and I exchange cards and go out to dinner at some point. We always give the kids a few things and send family members Valentine’s Day cards.

W- winter weather watch/warning:

I truly love watching our local weather guy when there’s the possibility for winter weather. Chris Bailey is a snow day hype guy for sure! In KC, I remember watching meteorologist Gary Lezak be so excited for snow!

X- eXtra days off, snow days:

Sorry for being redundant…but I love snow and snow days. The kids and Homer do too!

Y- yummy treats: hot chocolate, Christmas cookies

Calories don’t count in the winter and during Christmas. haha

Z- ZZZ (sleep): no alarm and sleeping in on break.

I’m on day two of break, and while I’m not sleeping in super late, it’s nice to wake up on my own and ease into the day.

This was a fun post, but admittedly a few letters were hard for me to immediately come up with an idea. Oh well!

Happy winter!

Posted in Holidays

Ornaments and Memories

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

I always enjoy getting the mail this time of the year because of all of the festive holiday cards we receive and packages with gifts I’ve ordered (that I can check off my list!). This year, one of my packages that arrived is a gift I gave myself…

I think I shared in a previous post that last year, I decided to make a few ornaments with the kids’ pictures that we’d used for holiday cards or their pics with Santa through the years. I used Shutterfly which is my typical “go to” for holiday items, but the over $30 for shipping stopped me in my tracks!

This year, when I got on Shutterfly to click around for cards, I saw the ornaments still in my cart. I decided to go ahead and finish this project because the ornaments were half off again, and the total price meant free shipping! I did put a year on each side of some ornaments. Other years, the kids were too cute in their holiday outfits and Santa pics, that I had to add both.

Anyway, the ornaments arrived this week, and I decided to put them on the tree in our bedroom. They are so cute.

A look at the ornaments:

I’ve had the first ornament since 2009. That Christmas, with two one month olds, I really leaned in to online shopping, and we gave these ornaments to family members.

2010- The kids would barely sit still for a photo under the tree.

2011 – We contained them in a laundry basket while Hadley hugged Hayden. (awe!)

2012 – The kids sat by the tree before we headed to Trav’s work Christmas party.

2013– I think Pinterest became all the rage (for me?) in 2013. Christmas lights on the kids in their Christmas pjs by the “Merry and Bright” sign…why not?

2014-My brother snapped this pic of the kids with his fancy camera. Hayden is missing his bottom two teeth.

2015- Again, my brother took the pic of the kids on the left, and then this was the first year of visiting the really fun Santa at our favorite place.

2016- I took the kids’ pic (with my phone) this year…Hayden was out playing football with friends, and came in the house with a fat lip right before we left for these photos. The red blanket they are sitting on is still in our living room during the holiday season. We saw Santa again that year, and I remember him guessing which kid was the naughty one…and he guessed Hayden. haha

2017- Sweet moments with the same Santa and then our friend hosted a kids’ Christmas party, and the Santa who was there was so sweet. The kids looked at him with such innocence in their eyes. So precious.

2018- We went to “Cookies with Santa” at our club, and the kids had a great time. Ms. Claus was there too!

2019– I’m glad we got one last visit with our favorite Santa because, as we all know, the next couple of Christmases looked a bit different…and my kids “aged” out of some of the special traditions of Christmas.

2020- Our club hosted a visit with Santa…outside… in 2020. I remember that we almost didn’t go, but I’m so glad that we did. I think the kids were just obliging for me, but it was a fun visit, and they still got cookies out of seeing Santa.

2021- We went to KC for Thanksgiving in 2021, and we made a visit to Union Station. Santa was there! Even though the kids were older, it was still a fun surprise to see him.

For 2022, I used a family beach photo for our card…

…but I might add it to an ornament with a photo from this year because it’s fun looking back on the kids through the years.

I’m so glad I went ahead and had these ornaments made. I know I will look forward to putting them on the tree every year.

Moms of littles: learn from me…and go ahead and order the ornaments every year rather than play “catch up” when your kids are 14!

Posted in Holidays, Home Decor

Holiday Home Tour 2023

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello!

It’s the time of the year when I really love my time at home enjoying the twinkle of Christmas lights. It’s always quite a bit of effort to get everything in the right spot, but I’m always so happy when we have our holiday decor out.

While it doesn’t change too much year to year, today I’m sharing how we decorate for Christmas.

Come on in!

I changed up the console in the front hall a bit compared to last year. I just moved some holiday items to different spots, and then added in a couple of my cute new houses from Kirklands.

This year, I did print out old pics of the kids with Santa to change up the frames that are out year round. They are sweet memories.

This year, I changed up the trunk in the living room. Last year, I made note that I wanted to get a couple of pre-lit trees for the trunk and then add in a mix and match of trees that I’ve collected through the years. I love these trees from Walmart, and it was fun adding in various trees I had in my Christmas storage bin.

I love my morning view of the coffee table tree and scented candle.

On the fireplace, I put out my favorite Santa and some nutcrackers.

On the built in, I switched out the picture in the frame to include my favorite Santa pic of the kids.

I added snow globes and another LED house from the Kirklands set to a couple of shelves too.

Just like when I shared my fall decor, I have to be honest and say my couch will never really look like this, but I love when it does. The couch is usually covered in order to Homer proof it! haha

I’m still loving our new tree, and it’s even better now that it’s decorated with ornaments and a few presents.

Nothing new in the office area…but a few of my favorite decorations and the sweet pic of the kids under the tree for their first Christmas.

I love my view from the kitchen when I’m cooking…and I love the little pic of Hadley being Hadley…and Hayden being embarrassed of Hadley. My brother took their Christmas pic many years ago. I also picked up a snowy fern from Trader Joe’s.

On the kitchen island built in, I added the bell and candle. The Santa plate isn’t really a spoon rest, but that’s what I’m using it for currently. The Merry and Bright sign is of KC’s Plaza lights which I love. I’ve had the monogrammed hand towel for years.

I’m still loving how I decorated the mantle this year with new garland and “Merry Christmas” sign from Smallwoods.

I decided not to hang the stockings yet…and Hadley is beside herself 😆

I added a few things to the tray on the kitchen table; I decided not to use a table runner this year.

Hadley’s favorite part is the village…She put it out the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

It looks even better at night.

A few other festive touches in the dining area:

A couple of years ago, my mom gave me this Santa cross-stitch that she made.

Much like the living room couch, the sun room doesn’t often look this neat and tidy, but I love when it does!

It’s similar but different every year too. I always change what I put in the tray and what I add to the side tables. The pillow slip covers are an easy way to decorate.

At the end of the hall, I added a few things. I put out some of the cards that I received last year from my mom, Gma, and aunt. They always make the best cards. The LED trees are also from Kirklands and provide the perfect glow for the nativity scene.

In our bedroom, I have our pencil tree and reindeer crock. When the crock has a candle in it, the stars shine on the wall. I love it.

Some years, I wish I had more neutral decorations, and this year, I wanted to “do less,” but Hadley wouldn’t let me! haha

Posted in Clothes, Friday Favorites, Holidays, Kids

Friday Favorites {#185]

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday…and happy December 1st!

It felt odd not posting last Friday, but I’m back this week to link up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.

Here are some favorites from the week:

I think I usually do some kind of Thanksgiving recap, but never got to it this week.

Last Wednesday, we traveled to KC to spend Thanksgiving with my family. On Thursday, I watched a bit of the parade, per tradition.

Then, we hung out at my mom’s house before heading to my dad’s cousin’s house for Thanksgiving (late afternoon) lunch.

She outdoes herself, and the tables always look so pretty. Per tradition, we have chocolate turkeys with our names on them. How fun!

We were able to get a family pic…

…and hang out with family for a while. Unfortunately, we had to leave a bit early because Travis wasn’t feeling well. We ended up getting a hotel room in hopes that we wouldn’t spread germs, so I dropped Travis off and went to my dad’s to get his things.

Unfortunately, he shared his stomach bug with me, and by Friday morning, I joined him at the hotel.

Thankfully, the kids are old enough to (mostly) fend for themselves. They hung out with my dad, my brother’s family, and my mom and Gma on Friday and then again on Saturday morning.

On Friday, the kids baked cookies and made waffles with my mom, Gma, aunt, and my brother’s family.

Then, they went to the nearby “magic tree” that we usually visit when we are in town for the holidays.

My sister-in-law sent me this pic which I really appreciated.

On Saturday, we were feeling good enough to head home. I was bummed that I didn’t get to hang with everyone on the trip, but I was glad the stomach bug seemed to only be a 24 hour one.

Fave clothes:

I have a couple of Walmart finds that have been great this holiday season. I shared these pjs the other day…

…and this green fleece is so cute and warm. I’ve already worn it a few times, and I love it. It comes in a few colors and is under $20.

Our Angel Tree gifts are due this weekend, and due to our crazy schedule, I ended up taking the kids shopping individually for gifts.

I know I can find most things on Amazon, but I really want the kids to be intentional about choosing gifts and thinking of others…no matter how busy of a season we are having.

On Sunday, Hadley and I headed to Target. She got us drinks at Starbucks while I picked up a few things I needed, and then we shopped for the girl she chose.

I didn’t know what I was ordering, but I saw the iced gingerbread latte on the menu and went for it. I don’t want to know how many calories it has…because it is delicious!

On Wednesday, Hadley had volleyball practice after school, and I picked up Hayden from school and headed to Target. We shopped for the brothers that he’d picked from the tree.

On Sunday, I suggested we go ahead and put ornaments on the tree. The house was a mess, but I knew we had a busy week ahead.

I’m so glad we took the 30 minutes to do this. The tree looks even better now, and it’s always fun to see the ornaments year after year.

On my Sunday Trader Joe’s run, I picked up some seasonal favorites!

Last week, Hadley’s volleyball pics came in, and there were so many great ones. This one was my favorite:

Tuesday was 8th grade night for volleyball. I honestly can’t believe we are hitting these middle school milestones.

The school did an awesome job celebrating them, and some of the volleyball moms were so thoughtful to order flowers and a balloon stack.

The posters the coaches put out were so fun to see.

The athletic director even took family photos after each girl walked in. This might just have to be our Christmas card pic. haha

Favorite Mom Meme:

I’m not sure I’ve ever related more to a meme than this one…lol

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday

When I was making the Shutterfly ornaments, I went down a rabbit hole of old pics. These ones of the kids with Santa about did me in!

So sweet.

I decided to print them and put them in frames I already have out. It’s a cute way to “decorate” and share memories as well.

Weekly Recap:

I had a few posts this week including some memes and a couple of fun link ups:

Monday Memes
What’s Up Wednesday
Monthly Musings

I’m thankful for a pretty chill upcoming weekend, but I do think it’s going to include monitoring a science fair project. Bah humbug!

Thanks for reading,

Posted in Holidays, Monthly Musings

Monthly Musings

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello!

It’s the last Thursday of the month, so I’m linking up with Patty and Holly for this month’s Monthly Musings.

This is a fun linkup sharing answers to a certain topic.

This month’s topic is how we holiday.

I feel like “how we holiday” varies year to year, but we also have some traditions that we don’t pass up.

1. Favorite holiday traditions

Some traditions have changed as the kids have gotten older, but we always watch Christmas movies, go to the horse park to see the lights and bake a few batches of cookies.

One of my favorite traditions is putting ornaments on the tree.

Another favorite tradition is letting the kids choose a gift for each other…and then they usually open then on Christmas Eve after church.

2. Favorite holiday fashion items or accessories

I love plaid during the holidays…

3. Favorite holiday recipes

Besides baking, I don’t really have any recipes that I make specifically for the holidays.

For Christmas dinner, we usually have salmon, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

4. How do you celebrate holidays?

As far as celebrating Christmas with our family, we either have a lot going on or very little.

If we are staying home, we celebrate with Trav’s family on the 23rd, go to church on Christmas Eve, and then we celebrate Christmas at home on the 25th.

If we are going to KC for Christmas, we have our family of 4 Christmas on the 22nd, go to Louisville on the 23rd, and then head to KC on the 24th. In KC, we go to my dad’s side of the family on the 24th, and then we spend time with my dad, mom, and Gma on the 25th. It’s a lot, but we make it happen and are happy to see everyone.

5. Do you go see holiday lights?

Besides the horse park, we usually check out other displays in Lexington.

When in KC, we’ve gone to see the Plaza lights a few times, and often go to the “magic tree” in my home town.

This year, Travis and I ended up sick the day after Thanksgiving, but my mom took the kids to the “magic tree” that evening (bottom pic)

6. How do you decorate your house for the holidays?

I do decorate for the holidays. I will say that decorating for Christmas stresses me out a little bit more than decorating for fall. It’s probably just because I feel more of a time crunch, and I always feel busier this time of the year. It can be a lot of effort to enjoy for only a few weeks.

My decorations don’t change much year to year, but I do tend to buy a few new things every year. I just can’t help myself. That being said, after I decorate, I try to toss or donate what I don’t use as to not have too much Christmas decor pile up.

This year, I did buy a new sign from Smallwoods and new garland from Kirklands. Year after year, I try to piece together the mantle, and I’m never happy with the garland. I wanted something pre-lit and substantial, and Kirklands had the perfect garland for my mantle…and I think it ended up being 50% off…and only around $30. (The sign was on sale too!)

Hadley set up the Christmas village which is her favorite thing to do.

7. Real or fake Christmas tree?

We always used to have an artificial tree, but then for about six years, we got a real one at one of our favorite places.

I’ve also been putting up a couple of pencil trees for the past couple of years in my bedroom and the sun room.

This year, we’re back to an artificial tree, and I’m loving it.

8. Favorite holiday treats?

We usually make cookies over winter break. We never really seem to have time before then. When we go to KC, we make German Christmas cookies…Pfeffernusse (my fave) and waffle cookies using the waffle iron made by my mom’s great grandfather in the late 1800’s.

This year, the kids helped bake while Travis and I stayed away because of our germs.

At home, we make peppermint crinkle cookies (I use this recipe and then add in a splash of peppermint extract), peanut butter blossoms, and usually some kind of sugar cookie.

For Christmas dinner dessert, I always make Shay’s Peppermint Mocha Bundt Cake.

9. Do your pets get gifts?

We’ve always given our dogs something…whether it’s a toy, a treat/bone, or a new bed.

Our pups have always had their own stocking too.

10. Best tips to make the holidays less stressful?

I try to make a list early. I wish I shopped earlier too, but I always feel like I have to get through the kids’ November birthday first.

A few years ago, I started making an Amazon list for the kids (and myself) to share with the family for easy shopping. I think everyone appreciates that.

Also, I’ve found that it’s ok to say “no” to things if/when needed. I do like to “do it all,” but I’ve been trying to find that balance through the years. That being said, some things have been taken off my plate as the kids have gotten older…and sometimes that’s actually a bittersweet feeling.

Ahh…after writing this post, I feel really ready for the holidays!

Posted in Holidays

Thanksgiving Fun

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy day before Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving break has always been one of my favorite times of the year. It’s just enough time off, and Thanksgiving calls for great food and no gifts!!

In honor of my favorite time of the year, I’m sharing a few fun ideas I’ve seen…mostly thanks to Pinterest!

1.

I’ve shared @ashton.creates posts before, and this Enneagram one is perfect for Thanksgiving.

I’m a 5w6, and it rings true for me. (FYI – my favorite side is green bean casserole!)

2.

How delicious does this Thanksgiving punch look?

3.

I will be the first to admit that I don’t gravitate towards the veggies on Thanksgiving Day, but this turkey veggie tray is too cute.

4.

Oh! I love a pretty tablescape!

I’ve sat at some pretty tables through the years thanks to my cousin and my sister-in-law.

This site has some great ideas.

5.

Here’s a fun turkey day “Table Talk” idea:

6.

These glitter nails are so festive!

7.

I’m still obsessed with cute cookies!

8.

This snack mix looks delish and so thoughtful.

9.

Maybe you can snack on it while watching some family friendly Thanksgiving movies.

10.

I saved the best for last. Who doesn’t love Thanksgiving leftovers?! Honestly, I really do love to warm up a plate of turkey, green beans, and mashed potatoes this next day. We also always make turkey rice soup! It’s a great way to use up the white meat that tends to dry out more quickly.

I hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving Day tomorrow.

See you back here on Saturday for Share 4 Somethings.

Posted in Holidays, Kids

Birthday Recap

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Tuesday…a Tuesday that feels like a Friday! I’ll take it.

Yesterday was the kids’ birthday, and it was an action-packed day.

Today, I’m recapping how we celebrated them these past few days.

While the month of November leaves me feeling frazzled, we’ve had luck the past few years having a free evening the Friday before the kids’ birthday.

So, we penciled in a little birthday celebration with them and their friends.

While Hayden wanted to go to Sky Zone, Hadley wanted to try something different and requested Breakout Games.

All the kids came over around 5:00, and Travis took the boys to Sky Zone.

Our Breakout Games session wasn’t until 6:15, so Hadley and friends hung out for a while, and she opened her gifts from them. These girls know her so well. She received a cozy blanket, a Lululemon gift card, and a basket of baking supplies.

Then, I took them to Breakout Games. We’d chosen Mystery Mansion, and it was kind of spooky.

At first, I wasn’t going to go in with them, but then Hadley said she wanted me to come. I was just trying not to “cramp their style,” but I’m glad I went with them.

I think they’d all been to these types of places, but they were spooked a couple of times, and they were all over the place with trying to solve the clues. I was like, “Girls! Focus!” haha

Mystery Mansion was a total of three rooms, and we broke out with five minutes to spare.

The boys were finished jumping, so we met them for pizza and cake. One of our favorite Italian places has a room with a long table, so the kids sat in there while Travis and I sat in the main dining room.

Middle schoolers are funny…the boys and the girls sat at opposite ends of the table…haha

We had pizza and cookie cake…

…before heading home.

This is a great group of kids, and they’ve all known each other since kindergarten (give or take a year or so).

The boys ended up at our house for a bit to play basketball, but I took the girls home since most of them had to be up early for the volleyball tournament.

Saturday, Hadley had her tournament, and Hayden had a race in Louisville.

That evening, we met Trav’s brother and his boys for hibachi. We did this a couple of years ago too. We have lots of November birthdays to celebrate in the family.

On Sunday, Hadley had more volleyball, and Hayden had a basketball game. That evening, we had leftovers from hibachi, and then we went to my brother’s house for cake.

We hung out for a bit and watched the rest of the Missouri basketball game before heading home.

Yesterday, was their actual birthday.

Hadley was with me at Kroger last week and requested the cinnamon swirl crumb/coffee cake for birthday breakfast. So, the kids had that yesterday morning before going to school.

Hadley had a volleyball game last night, so they didn’t open presents until after we got home from the game. When I picked up their Bundt cake on Sunday, I got some “Bundtinis” for Hadley to share with the volleyball team, and an individual cake for them to have for dessert on their birthday.

Yes, we consumed lots of cake over the past few days, but we were always sharing it with others…so thankfully there weren’t a lot of leftovers!! haha

Overall, I think they had a great birthday.

Gifts:

Tis the season for gift giving.

We have to “double down” on gift ideas due to the kids’ birthday and Christmas being so close together.

I’m not sure if I will have any kind of “gift guide” posts in December, but if you have a tween or tween, they might like what my kids like too!

Hayden is definitely harder to buy for than Hadley is, and he also didn’t send me a power point like she did either! haha.

Anyway, it’s very specific to him, but he needed new running spikes, so Travis gave those to him before his race on Saturday. I usually get him the Kentucky Basketball magazine that’s at our local Joseph Beth bookstore. Travis got Hayden a hooded sweatshirt and some basketball shorts. Hayden told me he needed a new Gatorade bottle, so I purchased this two pack. It’s a tradition, but I always get the kids Christmas pjs, and Old Navy prices can’t be beat!

As for Hadley, she requested this pair of camo Athleta leggings. They are $89 leggings that are on sale for $22! She loves Aerie, and had her eye on the Chill Crew sweatshirt. It comes in lots of colors and is 40% off. During “Prime Days” this summer, I got this mini bluetooth speaker for her, and held on to it as a birthday gift. She requested a new straightener after the one we’ve shared for years died. I thought this one looked like a good option because it is a 2 in 1 straightener and curler. Hadley leans into the holiday season, so she appreciates the Old Navy pj tradition, and I also picked her up these cute slippers from Target.

I think the kids like having a birthday on a school day, at least Hadley does. It was a busy evening with volleyball, but I’m glad we took the time to have dinner, open gifts, and have one more bite of cake even if it was a busy evening.

I guess I say it every year, but it’s hard to believe how big they are getting!