A Christmas Party & Parade

Friday night was our Church Ladies Christmas Party. I look forward to our party every year, as we have SO much fun, and I was especially looking forward to hosting the party in our home this year.

We had about three hours of fun, food, gifts and games. And did I mention food? Oh my goodness....my kitchen had food in every possible inch of countertop (and more). I never dreamed I would have trouble finding enough room for the food. I had to bring out TV trays to help hold the overflow of food! I guess when you factor in 30 women bringing what we call "Heavy Hors D'oervres", that explains it!

Before the party, here are all the plates, napkins, and utensils awaiting the ladies....



See for yourself! (Keep in mind this is after we ate...with all the cups, napkins, etc...sitting around everywhere....plus that explains all the food missing from the dishes!)









Well, after "gorging" ourselves (yet another "sin" that we would commit during the evening..lol!), we played a Christmas Trivia game with questions from the movie, It's a Wonderful Life and Frosty the Snowman, and a few from some Christmas songs as well.

And then our Ladies Party would never be complete without our gift exchange, or should I say......"Dirty Santa". We laugh about the fact that we really have to pray after our party....all that "stealing" of gifts and all! But really.....we have so much fun! In the end, this is what I got to keep:



It will be perfect for my little Santa wall.

The ladies presented me with a gift certificate (in the cutest little gift box) to my favorite store.....Gordmans. That was such a thoughtful, generous gift. It's one of the rare places around here that sells the primitive decor that I love! Now I get to go shopping!



From the comments I received, I think everyone had a great time. I know I did. I certainly enjoyed having the party here and having everyone over! Here's a shot of the group...missing a few ladies that had already left.



Oh, and after everyone was gone, I went back to my bedroom and there was a gift sack for me from one of the ladies, Mrs. Ruth,......and this was in it!



Wasn't that sweet? It goes perfectly with my new coat! Hmmm....I wonder if she knows me well enough....

I know you all would have loved the party and fellowship and I wish all my blogging and forum friends could have all been here too!

Oh and here's a cute picture of my mom (on the right) and my friend Betty (on the left), the friend that we go to visit in the Ozarks, taken right before all the rest of the guests arrived. Don't they look hot? (Okay, they're going to kill me now)! lol! Sorry, I couldn't resist! They did look really good!



Then next up on the weekend's agenda was Saturday evening's parade. Joy, and her best friend, Katie Beth, marched in the Christmas parade.....or I should really say they danced in the parade (with their dance school). They danced down the street to a Caribbean themed song......Santa's Run Off to the Caribbean although it was far from tropical weather...actually VERY cold! Joy was bundled up in many layers of cothing....and I was wishing I was bundled up in as many layers!

Joy danced by on our side, thus I did get a good close up shot of her. That's Katie Beth, a row up in front on the far opposite side (smiling toward us). They went by so fast, I had trouble finding her and getting a picture!





Joy and Katie Beth enjoyed the rest of the parade on the curbside (after their daddies went and walked them back)since they were 11th in the parade. Here they are being silly with the pom poms given to them by folks in the parade.



And what parade would be complete without a visit from Santa at the very end?



The girls ended up with a lapful of candy (lots of candy canes!)

Now I know I did promise Christmas pictures of my living room or kitchen, but I just had to share our weekend of fun first. My next post will most definitely be Christmas photos of my living room. And please don't give up on me....I dream about sitting down with my cup of hot chocolate for a couple of hours and catching up on my blog reading and leaving comments! Everything has been SO busy and time is flying by....I need just a few more hours in a day! Hopefully tonight or tomorrow night.....

Until then, have a great week everyone! :)