Let's Get This Party Started!

As if the fantastic Tea wasn't enough excitement for a weekend, Saturday evening following the Tea, Jeff & I had the joy of being able to attend our Sunday School class Christmas party! I pretty much arrived home from the tea with the car full of dishes & decorations, unloaded it all (well, Jeff did that!), and got ready to leave again for the party! My mom & dad were kind enough to babysit our munchkins (my mom even unpacked all the china, put it in the dishwasher & then emptied it when clean!), so that we could attend this couples only event hosted by the wonderful Walfords, Sam & Ginger...

(And they're even super photogenic!!)  

They have six children, both work full-time (Ginger is a great dentist!) and yet have graciously & fabulously hosted our Christmas party for the past 3 years! No detail is over-looked, every aspect of the evening is planned, thoughtful & beautiful...from the gorgeous decor & table settings right down to the festive party favors! We certainly appreciate all of their hard work to create such a beautiful evening for so many!

 The evening started with lots of h'ors d'oeuvre...

and mingling with one another. 

 The kitchen table set for a feast!

 Getting ready to dig into the food! I forgot to take a picture of the island, but it is about 4 miles long & was jam-packed with foods of every sort...a huge turkey, ham, stuffing, and probably every side dish imaginable! NO ONE left hungry!

 The dining room table beautifully adorned

 The dessert room!

 Singing Christmas carols in the family room

 And after carols the annual "interactive" 12 Days of Christmas...where 12 names are drawn out of a hat to act out the 12 days of Christmas...wonderful props are provided!

Sweet Jenny's name was drawn to be the Partridge in a Pear tree for the second year in a row...and yes, it is a toucan's bill for the partridge...I have no idea why!

And Jessica was selected for the 2 Turtle Doves.

 The Swans a'swimming, the Maids a'milking & the Lords a'leaping...

 The audience/paparazzi!

 My own dear husband represented the 3 French Hens & he got to wear the lovely feathered mask!

 Nikki (seated) won the "coveted" role of the 6 geese a'laying!

 Reggie had the 5 golden rings & Susan (background) had a lovely coo as the 4 calling birds!

 Dan (Maids a'milking) in action!

 Stephanie showing off her moves as the 9 Ladies Dancing...I think this is the first year this role has gone to a woman...it is quite hilarious when a man has to wear the red dress!

 And for the finale the turtle doves came to a rest on the pear tree!

 Everyone celebrating a job well done!

 Sweet baby Blythe somehow slept through the whole 12 Days rendition, but was awake & happy later in the evening!

The evening wrapped up with a reading of the Christmas story from the Bible & some Christmas reflections from our new Sunday school teacher, Pastor Phil Divine. 

And then everyone had the opportunity to have their picture taken in front of the Walford's beautiful Christmas tree...I think the last picture we had taken together was at the Christmas party last year!

Thanks to the Walfords for another amazing evening & thank you to my parents who kept the kids for us so that we could enjoy a great evening out! What a way to kick-off the Christmas season & I'm already looking forward to next year's party!