Monday, December 8, 2008

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! :)

24 comments:

CozyGirl said...

That party looks like so much fun Tammy ! Look at all that food ! :-)Cute scarf too!I love Christmas parades ! I'll have to find out if we have any around here cause I want to go to one ! Have a great night !
Janae

basketsnprims said...

How fun that must have been and all of that food looks delicious. Love your kitchen, too.

blessings,
~ Pam

Janene said...

Tammy~I know that you were showing pictures of the food, but I couldn't get past how wonderful your kitchen looks!
I sounds like you had a great time... looks like it too!
I like the gift you received or stole!

Anonymous said...

What a fun weekend you have had Tammy..i bet tiring too..lol..I love Christmas parades and we had our own small towns this past weekend too..it is only small, but i love it all the same.
luv Ann.xx

Farmhouse Blessings said...

It looks just perfect, Tammy! Would have loved to have been there, too. So glad that you have a fun evening.

Joy looks like she had a ball!

Christmas blessings,
Lea

Julie said...

How nice of you to host the party--that's a lot of work for you. It looks and sounds like you had a great time. What a cute scarf, too. Blessings---Julie

Kindra-At Home With K said...

What a great feeling it must be to be a part of such a great group of gals! I would love that! So glad you had a great time. Love your goodies from the party!

Joy looked like she had a great time out there in the parade!

Never So Simple said...

Ok I just published my first blog entry. I have to tell you I mentioned your blog because you were the reason I started a blog. Here is the link. I will try to email you tomorrow.
http://never-so-simple.blogspot.com/

The party looks like it was so much fun. What a great looking bunch. I bet it was a lot of fun. I love to have parties when the turn out is big. I love your dirty santa gift. Every time we play that my husband ends up with a candle.

Joy looks like she is having a great time in the parade. With all those big smiles you would never know it was cold there.

Donna

Tammy said...

Oh wow, that party sounds like too much fun! It makes me wish I could have been there! :D

Joy looks like she had so much fun at the parade, too!

Come on over (if you haven't already) and see the tree farm pictures and the Christmas concert...we're smack in the middle of 10 performances, taking a break now between the two weekends...whew!

I certainly understand what you mean by wishing for more hours in the day right now!

Have a great rest of the week!

Hugs,
~Tammy

Sue said...

You and I are so much alike...we love to have these parties and fill our homes. I enjoyed seeing your great pictures and what a wonderful time these ladies had.

Shelley said...

Your party looked like so much fun and I can tell you had a lot of wonderful food there! I would have loved to come to something like this!!

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

It's great to see that you've been busy with so many wonderful Christmastime activities, Tammy. That's what this time of year is all about -- spending time with family and friends and enjoying all of those big and little traditions. It's the best!

I look forward to your upcoming photos!

Cat Nap Inn Primitives said...

wow what a lot of fun you had with all those ladies..I love get togethers like that when we do them at church especially at christmas time..love the progressive dinners we do..just wish we did more of them...this year is a cookie swap so all of my baking will be on 3 dozen of cookies and I will come home with lots and lots and no baking..it will be done for me...have a great week..can't wait to see the rest of your decorating...

Michele said...

Hi Tammy ~ your party looks and sounds like so much fun. I with there was a church group like that around by us. I love your scarf...too cute!

Joy looks so cute in the parade!

Hugz,
Michele

Anonymous said...

Tammy, looks like you all had a really busy, but fun weekend! From all the smiles I see in the pictures you shared,it looks like everyone had a great time! It does a heart good seeing that friends and family are enjoying the togetherness and good times with each other! That's what this time of the year is all about!
Gosh, I wish that we lived closer together! I would have loved being at your Christmas party plus watching that wonderful parade that Joy marched in too!

Love the red scarf that one lady left for you! That was so sweet of her.. I really love the picture of your Mom and her friend too..

Have a great evening Tammy!

Love % Blessings,
~Lynn/Okc

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

I love this post, Tammy.
Your Mom is beautiful. It's great to see 3 generations getting together for the holidays. Your party looks delightful!

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

Hi Tammy!
Glad your party was a huge HIT! :) Sounds like so much fun!
Your Mom and Betty are both beautiful lady's!
Looks like the parade was a fun time too!

Looking forward to more pics of your beautiful home! ;)


holiday hugs-Kath

Simply Shelley said...

Hi Tammy, what a fun time you all had. Our ladies from church will be having our Christmas party on Saturday,at the home of one of our church members. I know we will have a wonderful time as always. Yes,we will all eat to much and share gifts as well,and feel as if we should all confess and repent afterwards to,for having just to much fun....smile.

Blessings,Shelley

Paula said...

I love parades!! Your goodies all looked so yummy- was that a crockpot full of little smokies I saw, Tammy? Why wasn't I invited? LOL
I love the scarf... it was so thoughtful of her to do that for you!

Anonymous said...

Everything from the party looks great! Looks like Joy was having a blast, have a good week!

Terry said...

What fun! Looking at all that food made me mighty hungry, but it's bedtime, and I'd better not go find a snack.
I love your kitchen too!
This month is flying by isn't it?
Can't wait to see the rest of your pictures.
Terry

Wendy/TheCozyYellowHouse said...

Its so nice when ladies can get together and have a great time!:0) We need to let loose sometimes!! It looks like you all had a great time and I love your ho ho ho box you won!! And what sweet ladies giving you a gift card to a prim store!!:0) We don't have any Christmas parades around here, it would be fun to go to one!! Have a great day and no baby yet!!.....darn!!LOL Wendy

Anonymous said...

Tammy,
Look delicious~fun~excting day for you...Is it snowing up your way...It's snowing here...YES..It definely is...I'm excited..Yippee...It's 33 degrees today...You have a bless day...Kathy

Mandy said...

What a great party! Your house looks warm and festive. There's nothing better than a houseful of Christian girlfriends!

Mandy