Fa la la la la...

Each year we kick off our Christmas party season with a friends Christmas party. Over the past four and a half years the party has grown exponentially - from 0 kids at our party in 2005 to 12 this year! There were four little blessings added this year alone. We always have a fantastic time together. Here is a photo/video recap of the evening:

Eating a very delicious dinner (and better yet, we stuck the kids in a different room in an unfinished part of the basement; close the door with no cares about a mess!)
Making edible Christmas trees out of sugar cones, frosting, and candy
Playing a fun game
The gang (how many more years do you think we can get them to all fit on the couch??)
All the 4 year olds with Santa (a.k.a. Eric - with props to Dick V.D. for letting us borrow his "retired" Santa suit once again!)

And Brooke's response to Santa's entry to the party...

Brooke's Santa trauma continued as we ventured to our annual visit with Santa (Dick V.D.). I think this event may have even scarred her for life. I'll let you be the judge...

Attempt #1 - Put Brooke on Santa's lap (FAILED)
Attempt #2 - Daddy hold Brooke and gather around Santa (FAILED)

So, in the two years of trying to get Brooke to cooperate with Santa, we've come away with a big fat 0 in the happy category. Here's hoping for next year!

This Christmas was Grant's 3rd time participating in our church's Christmas program. Three years already??! Wow. This year, each child dressed as a character or animal related to the Christmas story. Grant's animal - the cow. His role - make the appropriate animal noise on cue. As a very proud mother of the cow - he did a fabulous job. Unfortunately, though, he was behind a very tall angel, and I could not for the life of me get a good picture of him up in front. So, these will have to do.

OK, off to another Christmas party!!