December 15 – “On to the next project”

Well, the whirlwind of preparations for the annual Seaside white elephant party finally came to a close yesterday.  The party has officially happened, and I think Chris may even be thinking about doing some Christmas shopping.  On to the next project.

We had a hefty mixture of tall and short people running around last night.  Christina brought her crew over.  Kel met them here after he finished delivering mail.  We were keeping Cailyn for the night, so she was here, too.  Brennan had his piano recital and his Daddy’s violin students had a performance, so they weren’t here.  Sure missed them.  We ended up with eighteen or twenty folks, though.  Quite a houseful.  Just enough for some semi-controlled chaos and a lot of fun, I hope. 

The Reindeer Games were back with some new twists this year.  Winter Wonderland, the shifting of snowballs (AKA marshmallows) from the table to the travel bowl, was won by the creative transfer procedures of Lauren.  Santa’s Cookies turned into a draw as all three of the kids found a way to get their double stuff oreos into their mouths.  It was a close battle in the Candy Cane Shuffle, but Jim’s adept use of that cane crane in his mouth gave him the victory.  And Noa, assisted by her Dad Kel, by far won the Reindeer Name Game.  They had the reindeer listed in order using their candy cane paws before poor Bryan knew what hit him.  To his credit, he knew Dasher was on one end or the other and Rudolph was supposed to go in front.  Beyond that … Bryan, you need to learn some Christmas songs. 

By far the Games hit of the year, though, was the Frosty’s Melting speed challenge.  Two different groups were going at the same time, so there was little time to rest.  Each group was given a huge portion of poor old Frosty’s body (AKA a roll of saran wrapped miscellania).  One person began unwrapping while the next in line rolled dice to get a double.  Once the lucky roll happened, the ball moved on.  As you can imagine, it resulted in some wild and crazy … disorder.  There was more than one winner in this one.  Anything unwrapped while the ball was in your possession became yours.  Perhaps the most amazing coincidence that I noticed came when Cailyn unwrapped and claimed a pair of Christmas socks with llamas on them.  Why so unusual?  She was wearing a sweater featuring that very same llama.  Coincidence or government plot?  Only Frosty knows, and he is, well, melted until next year. 

The food was fabulous as usual.  Chris made a huge crockpot of chili that was enjoyed by all.  Jim brought his famous little smokies.  Cailyn brought a tray of veggies and some dip she and her Daddy made.  Cathy brought me some crab dip.  Suffice it to say that the entire table was full of enticing goodies.  Best part of the night, though?  Getting together with portions of the two families God has blessed us with, the one connected by the blood of a parent and the one connected by the blood of Jesus.  Love ‘em both. 

And now … On to the next project …

Psalms 17:6-7 says, “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.  Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.”

Father, thank you for both of those great families you blessed us with.  Amen.