Anderson Family Christmas Party

One minute it was Thanksgiving and the next it was Christmas.  When that Friday came, there was no looking back.  Everyone had expressed their thanks in pipe cleaners and were ready to spread Christmas cheer!  Because we aren't going to be all together for Christmas this year, Sonya planned a rockin' Christmas party. I got this email the week before (I think she means business).

The festivities started with light gazing and holiday music listening at The Riverwoods in Orem.  Of course, we wanted the 8 month old to meet Santa Clause (SANTA! I KNOW HIM!) for the first time.  And of course, Sonya and I couldn't resist also sitting on Santa's lap.  Just looked too comfortable not to.

After our outing, we had a delicious meal consisting of ham & cheese sliders, buffalo chicken dip w/ red & green chips, artichoke dip w/ pita chips, veggies, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and gingerbread men, accompanied by delicious homemade Italian sodas.  Remember how I just ate five times too much the day before on Thanksgiving?  Just add another two or three times.  What's the difference?

Time for game faces.  There is some serious competition in the Anderson family and there was no shortage of it this time.  In fact, Tyler may have even cheated a time or two....tsk tsk tsk.  Sonya set up 6 different minute to win it games, including (FYI, these are my own names):

Marshmallow Bucket Toss - see how many you can get in in one minute

Cup Stacking without a Thumb - stack a pyramid then unstack it as fast as you can, all without using your thumb

Ornament Balancing - see how many ornaments you can hang on a ruler in one minute

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Nerd - try to stick the red pom pom on the giant mound of Vaseline on your nose

Catch the Gingerbread Man before He Runs Away - place a cookie on your forehead and get it inside your mouth without using your hands

Unwrap a Present Wearing Ski Gloves Without Thumbs - oh wait, there's a present inside a present inside a present inside a present.....(good luck)

Surprisingly, someone different won each game (mostly).  Such a fun fun time!  Time was allotted for some gingerbread decorating, but I think we were all running out of steam by that point.  I mean, it's pretty serious when the Anderson family doesn't even finish the movie Elf.....surprisingly only got halfway.