Jones Family Christmas Party 2010--Our House!!!

Today we hosted the Annual Jones Family Christmas Party. A first at our house. I think it went pretty great. It was fun to plan and it was a great time today. We missed the snow and the fun sledding plans we had...but it all worked out OK. Here are Logan and Ellie with Great-Grandma Tanner. I am so glad we got these pictures. Thanks Marilyn. Grandma handed out her traditional two-dollar bills to everyone after posing for pictures.

Early on in the day, we sent the dads (and Grandma Marilyn) to feed the ducks on the bridge, and play at the park for a bit. Nobody was super excited to go do that. But since the snow-play plans fizzled (no snow), we had to at least get the kids out of the house for a short time before it got dark. Allie still loves Lucky, the dog. So cute!
Second year trying to do the nativity with the Jones cousins. Marilyn had the costumes all redone and they really are so cool. The kids were chaotic--getting costumes on and performing. But that's how it goes with no practice ahead of time. Reagan was Mary this year, and she just looks so happy!! So sweet. Logan got to be Joseph, a first for him at any cousins nativity (Jones or Daugs), so he was pretty excited. Jaida made a super star, and the rest are just as cute as can be!!

We played a pass-the-presents-game with the kids. They all got new, super fun stuffed animals from grandma, and some treats. We took group pictures to send to Maddie, and her little sisters--the cousins who could not be here. Then it was PJ time, lights out, popcorn passed, and the kids calmed down to watch "The Polar Express". A beautiful sound---quiet kids!! The adults actually had time to play their own white elephant game, and chat a bit before the sleeping giant of children awoke from the temporary movie hush.

We had the office set up as Santa's Arts and Crafts Workshop, and some of the little girls had a blast in there half the night creating treasures. Some kids ate dinner under the kitchen table--you do what you gotta do for space around here. Thirty people are a tight squeeze for us. The kids all loved the Nutcracker snow globe. And little baby Eric--well, he is just CUTE!!

Logan and Ellie performed their "When Christmas Comes To Town" song again. Dana's family gave a fun recap of their year. Ben and Jake played some piano duets, including Pat-a-Pan, and Reagan played the recorder. Dallon and Heidi sent a video of Maddie doing a talent. And they also sent us all some Ohio Buckeye chocolates!! Wish you guys could have been here.

Devarie made Darin a funny gag-gift. He hates bears--so she made him some thick hunting socks with bells sewn around the tops of the socks--to scare off the bears when he is camping. Too funny!! The picture on the bottom is a little blurry. But I loved it--The three "big boy brothers" each with one of their kids on their laps.

It really was a great PARTAY!! Soooooo much yummy food. Crab cheese ball, Symphony fudge, little smokies wrapped in bacon and brown sugar, shrimp cocktail, homemade rolls, homemade pie, and on and on!! We are all stuffed for days. Lots of fun exchanging of gifts and cards, and bustling about. Thanks everyone for coming and sharing the great time!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!