Another Christmas Party....

I'm backtracking just a bit again, but it's all important.

The Sunday before Christmas, our Community Life Group (a.k.a. small group, care group, etc.) got together one last time before the end of the year. It was our annual Christmas party.

To keep it simple, we had a potato bar (prepared by Johannah), had a White Elephant Gift Exchange, and played a brief game. I know that "Ugly Christmas Sweater" parties are quite the thing right now, but we don't have too many second-hand stores in this town. I'm sure all of the ugly Christmas sweaters might have been taken already. We hear and see about quite a few Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties.

Kids were with us, and therefore, we didn't party real late.

Also, Mark and Lisa joined us. Since Lisa had been undergoing a stem cell transplant, they hadn't been able to join us for awhile. It was great to have them with us again -- even if it wasn't for the whole evening.

You know how it mostly goes with kids -- they eat first. So, here's a photo of Sarah preparing potatoes for their kids, and I must say that I was right behind her -- preparing a potato for Luke.



And, here are a couple of photos of Collin and Luke at the dinner table.





And, of course not only do kids generally get their food first, but they're also generally finished first. This dinner was no exception. The kids were immediately back and forth between a play room and the living room.

Here is, however, what I found Collin and Natalie doing at one point (and Luke joined them some)....playing nicely.



Then, on to the White Elephant Gift Exchange....

Our rule is that the gift has to be something from your house that you don't want. In other words, nobody is to go and spend money on something. Collin and Natalie joined our gift exchange this year.

Natalie happened to draw #1, and so, she was first.

She received a necklace -- which was perfect for her to play with. It's too bad it truly was ugly. I don't know if you can see it in this photo, but it's a "present" necklace.



Luckily for Natalie, nobody stole this gift from her :)

Here are a couple of other gifts received....

Johannah received a lunch box with a can of Pepsi.



Next to Natalie's necklace, Marc might have just received the next ugliest gift -- a blue candle. Just for your information, this candle has now been placed on the "white elephant gift" shelf in our kitchen. Beware! Somebody might just get it next year.



However, also ugly -- Sarah did receive a snowman with small candles.



And, Tim received some lovely lotions.



I didn't quite get everybody, but you get the point!

After the gift exchange, we played Catch Phase.

We played men against women, and the guys did ultimately win. We'll play again sometime for the victory (hint hint).

Funny Story -- During this game, the doorbell suddenly rang. Tim said, "I just saw a Santa running across my yard."

So, we all ran to the door. There were carolers on a trailer pulled by a lawn mower (driven by the Santa). None of us had ever been caroled to, and so, that was kind of fun.

Thanks groupies for the party! It was fun. We hope you all had a Merry Christmas! But, I guess our Community Life Group women have already met since Christmas. That's how late I am on this post.

*****

And, for today's dose of thankfulness -- This is all one I'm sure you're thankful for -- #783 -- Deodorant.



(O.K., so now you all know what kind of anti-perspirant/deodorant I use).

But, it's something I'm thankful for...I'm thankful I don't have to smell too much B.O. in the summer heat. I'm also thankful that I don't have to feel sweaty and wet armpits all of the time.