Gavin's Baptism

Gavin Grant White was baptized on Saturday, December 27 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Orange.   

This, of course, was a very special evening for our family.   I believe Gavin is the 5th generation in our family to be baptized into the Lutheran faith.   He was able to wear his great-great grandfather's (Pop-pop) christening gown.  Which I know is at least 95 years old.  

Ricky, Ev, Lauren, Braydon, Aunt Cherie, Grampa Mike and Gramma Lori also attended the service. 

So sweet!

The White Family

Pastor Tim, Sarah, Gavin, Zach & Cassidy.

One of the really cool things about Gavin’s baptism is that Pastor Tim Klinkenberg performed the service.  Pastor Tim has a very special place in all of our hearts.   

Christmas Morning.

I got to Zach & Sarah's at about 6:30 on Christmas morning.  Everyone was asleep but Sarah. We unloaded my car, stuffed stockings and started breakfast. 

Zach and the kids woke up around 7.  It was a super fun morning!   Cassidy loves opening presents but gets bored quickly.   I think she opened her last gift at about 6:30 PM!  We had a really nice, peaceful morning.  

Zach's dad and wife stopped by for Christmas dinner.  It was nice for Zach to get to spend part of Christmas with his dad.  I think this might have been the first time in about 10 years. 

Christmas dinner was awesome.  Sarah, Zach and I started something new at Thanksgiving and decided we'd try it again at Christmas.  We all pitch in and make dinner.  Zach was in charge of the ham -- he did a brine.  The ham was yummy -- very tasty and moist.   Sarah did the corn and bread and I handled the scalloped potatoes and apple/cranberry compote.    It's really fun to all be in the kitchen together making sure that we're following the recipes correctly!   

Yes, Sarah they really do make cream cheese in 3 oz packages.   We almost had the cheesiest cream corn ever -- Sarah wanted to add four-8 oz pkgs (32 oz) of cream cheese instead of four-3 oz pkgs (12 oz).  Like I said,  good thing we're all in the kitchen together to keep an eye on one another! 

Santa came!

Zach & Cass opening stockings.

Sarah and her sweet girl!

Zach & Cassidy playing the harmonica.   

I think the harmonica (.99 cents) was her most favorite gift!

Pretty sure it's not her Mommy's favorite.

Zach & Cassidy looking at Gavin.  We're pretty sure he got cuter overnight!

Daddy reading Cassidy the Dora Potty book.

Cheese!

Christmas Eve!

This Christmas Eve we started early -- about 3:30.   Lauren was singing at the 7:00 candlelight service so we had to eat, open and load cars by 6:30 -- that's not a lot of time! 

As always, we had a great time.  We had mexican food this year -- enchiladas, tamales, rice, beans and appetizers.  We were all kinda full after the appetizers -- so there were lots of left overs. 

We should have also enjoyed a fabulous mexican green chile corn bread.   I made it from scratch.  However, I forgot that it was in the oven and didn't find it till I got home on Saturday.  Fortunately, Sarah & Evie remembered to turn off the oven (I always forget).   It was still burnt to a crisp and VERY hard!  Oh well!

Braydon, Lo, Evie & Rick

Braydon

Cassidy in her Dora outfit

Braydon & Ricky

Project 23

Greetings Family & Friends! 

Most of you know about Project 23.   For those that don't, here's a quick run down.  God led some incredibly cool people to start Project 23 three years ago at St. John's Lutheran Church in Orange (the church that I attend).  The premise of Project 23 is to provide a welcoming place with a hot breakfast and some new articles of clothing to the homeless, shelter families and people just down on their luck.   

In 2007, we provided food and clothing to approximately 450 people.  This year we had nearly 800 people in attendance.  It completely blew me away.   I knew that we would have more people than last year -- due to our country's economic state but I had no idea what the morning would bring.  

Saturday morning started bright and early -- the devotion started at 6 am and the first folks were welcomed in about 7 am.  There were several people in line when I arrived at 5:30 am! 

Our guests were greeted with a smile, an awesome breakfast on beautifully set tables.  After breakfast they were led into the Gym where we had towels, beanies, knitted scarves, sox,sweatshirts, underwear, blankets, sleeping bags, backpacks and toys.    We also had Mrs. Keiser (Ricky & Sarah's Kindergarten teacher) drop by some quilts that she had made.  What a blessing that was!  It was fun to talk to her --- she remembered Ricky!

God's grace and faithfulness is so amazing.  The fact that we were able to serve so many people in need was incredible -- it was kind of like the bible story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish!   I kept thinking we were going to run out and of course, we had just enough!  God does provide just what we need! 

The Project 23 volunteers were able to touch so many lives on Saturday morning by sharing the Joy of Jesus with them - as well as socks and underwear! 

This year was truly special for me. . . Ricky & Lauren helped with set up on Friday and Evelyn came Saturday morning.  Such a blessing! 

Here are a few photos of set up and Saturday am.

200 army blankets on my back patio.   The smell of moth balls was overwhelming albeit kinda of cool -- the smell reminded me of my Pop-pop's basement. 

My girl, Lo - after 'accidentally' knocking over the blankets!

Lo being silly!

Ricky and Lo after we delivered the blankets to the church.   

Friday before the volunteers arrived.

Saturday morning.

TOYS! 

The toys that some of these kids received will be the only toys they receive for Christmas.

Socks!  We had another successful Socktober!

Undies!

Pastor Tim totally sold Undie Sunday!  We collected over 8 big trash bags of underwear!

The breakfast buffet! 

Scrambled Eggs, Hashbrowns, Sausage, Fresh Fruit and Pastries! 

YUMMMY!!

It's SOOOO early!!

The Cooks! 

2500 eggs, 150# of potatoes, 300# of sausage -- they were busy!

Bammie & Cassidy's Afternoon

Saturday afternoon, Zach & Sarah took Gavin to his 'well baby check' at the hospital.  They dropped Cassidy at my house for a couple of hours.  First, we went for a hair cut (photos later) at Zach & Sarah's friend Nikki's salon.  Cassidy was such a good girl for her first 'real' haircut.  Nikki did a great job. 

Next stop was Irvine Park for the Santa Train.   Cassidy was very excited to go on the 'choo-choo'.   She was even excited when we got to Santa's village and saw Santa.   It was when we approached Santa that things went sideways!   Just as we were approaching Santa, Cassidy was crying -- "No, my Daddy, my Daddy!  No man, Bammie, No man!   She was SO not into Santa aka "the man". 

Cassidy & her new haircut!

CHEESE!

After 'the man'.  Bammie's quick fix -- a chocolate chip cookie!

Gavin's first visit to Bammie's House!

Thursday morning Sarah and Gavin were released from the hospital.  Zach drove them all over to my house to pick up Cassidy.  She was VERY excited to see her baby brother. 

Here are a few photos.  Trying to get Cassidy to look at the camera is such a challenge! 

As you can see, Cassidy is delighted with Gavin.

Lots of kissin' going on!

First family photo.  

It was so hard getting Cassidy to look at the camera. 

 If you even mention the word camera -- she says, "NO CHEESE!"

Baby Gavin meets Big Sister Cassidy!

Cassidy giving Gavin a kiss.

Still gotta have that Daddy/Cassidy time.

Cass checking out the toes.

I know that I'm biased but how darn cute is Cassidy?   

Cassidy holding Gavin while Mommy watches.

Our Christmas Angel!

He's here! 

Gavin Grant White was born on Tuesday, December 16 at 10:17 pm.  He weighed in at 6 lbs., 10 oz. and is 19 1/2" long.  

Sarah is amazing!  She called me about 1pm and said that 'maybe' she was in labor.   By 3:30, she was on her way to pick Zach up at the shop to head to the hospital.  5:00 pm she had checked into the hospital and was ready to go.  10:17, Gavin arrived.  Sarah had a fairly easy labor and delivery.  So easy, that the Dr. and Nurse invited her back since she was such a great patient. I'm pretty sure that Zach has different ideas. 

Zach is a great labor coach.  He's so calm and gives Sarah so much strength.  They are such an awesome team.   

Big sister Cassidy, has not seen her little brother in person yet.  We'll head up to the hospital a little later this morning.  I've shown her pictures and she just says 'my baby'.   

Here are a few pictures that I took with my phone - forgot my camera! 

First Dance

One of the great things about being a grandparent is watching the "firsts".   The first steps, first words, first day of school, first 'crush'.  Not only does it allow for great new memories of my grandchildren, it also gives me the opportunity to reflect on the memories of my children.   As you can imagine, there are tears!   

Last night, we had a new first.  The first dance!  The weeks prior were filled with anticipation, for sure!   New dress, new shoes.   Trying new hairstyles.  It was so much fun to talk with Evie and Lauren and hear their stories.  It took me back to memories of Sarah and how much fun we had preparing for her dances -and- the year that Ricky went to prom and wanted to wear RED Vans tennis shoes!  He won! 

I've not spoken with Lauren yet about how the dance went.  But I'm looking forward to hearing her stories of 'the first dance'.    Life is good! 

Lauren was glowing! She looked incredibly beautiful and was so excited!

Beautiful smile and sparkly eyes!

Grammie, PLEASE no more pictures!!!

Trying to get a photo of Lauren by herself was a bit of a challenge.  

'Someone' wouldn't leave her side!

This is our Lolo when she was about 4 years old.   

Where did the time go? 

I will admit that while writing/downloading and posting this there were lots of tears.   I feel like a big 'ol baby.  But, the tears are tears of joy and thankfulness.  The Lord has blessed me beyond measure with the treasures he has entrusted me with.  

Hugs and Kisses! 

Sharon