My mom has done the same Christmas party since I can remember. Her siblings and all of my cousins would come over for the night and we'd eat and eat and eat and Santa Claus, without fail, would always make an appearance. As a kid, I loved it! It was magical and we would be excited for days before the party. My mom's siblings don't come to the party anymore. But my mom still has her annual party and now it's just us, the grandkids, and Santa.
Here are a few pictures from our family party a few weeks ago.
Santa needed some helpers.
Time to sit on the jolly old elf's knee and tell him what we wanted!
This is my nephew. He's pretty friendly as long as you're his mom, dad, brother or sister. If you're someone else, don't touch him. You may not even want to make eye contact with him. He's not the social type. Here he is pre-Santa time...
Santa time...
and post Santa time. Classic.
Santa doesn't let the adults slip by. Here's my brother rattling off his list to Mr. Claus.
Brian just got a haircut - a lot shorter than normal. Santa let him borrow a wig for a while.
This is my grandpa - my mom's dad. They live outside of Las Vegas and came to Utah for Christmas. I can't really remember them coming to our family party before but it was nice to have them there.
My brother Clint's turn.
Sorry Denise. It was the only picture that didn't have red eyes. Ha ha!
Here's my padre. He's not big into Christmas.
My mom's mom.
My aunt Kay. Side note: Kay is who ended up with my Festival of Trees tree. Her late husband, my dad's brother, was who I did the tree for.
Moi. I'm sorry but I cannot sit on Santa's lap for a few reasons. Number one, I would break it. Two, he is single and just a few years older than I am. He also teaches at a high school in the same school district as I do. Awkward.
The hubs.
Evidently this is where the majority of the senior citizens hang out during parties. My mom, aunt, grandma and dad. Grandpa was in the comfy recliner.
My dad is a party animal. During the party he kept looking outside,
and getting more snacks.
Yep. Party animal.
Once Santa left we had some dinner!
Clint and Eryn.
Carly and Wyatt.
All of my cute nieces and nephews.
The party was great! Santa delivered gifts, as usual. Everyone ate, visited, played and talked about the upcoming holiday. The annual party is something I look forward to each year!