Pretties, Parties and Fun with great friends!!!

It's that "holiday season" when we all begin to think about hosting dinners and having family over for Christmas. I love doing this. If I could have a dream job, I think I'd like to be a table decorator for family gatherings. I could say more about this, but I won't! : )

Dennis and I invited 3 other couples from church over for what we hope to be an annual "Peaches" Christmas Dinner. Each of these ladies is sooo sweet and all love the Lord, which makes our time together even sweeter! And now, we found out the "hubbies" get along well too!

I think this had something to do with it, don't you? ; )

Pamela made this breathtaking specimen of a Carrot Cake!!! She is going to share her recipe, so hold on to your shorts girls...it'sa comin!! Oh is this wonderful in the morning with a cup or 2 of coffee. I can give testimony to that one!!

We sat and chatted.....

Listened....

Smiled...

And watched the candles flicker...

Until it was time to get SERIOUS and play a game!! Brian and Amy went to a party the other night and played this game and I loved the idea of it so I copied! Get a "token" gift for each couple represented, put it in a box that matches all the other boxes. They get a roll of paper, roll of tape, scissors and a roll of ribbon. 3 min. time limit. GO!!!!!! OH WAIT!!! I forgot to tell you that each of them can only use ONE HAND and they have to wrap the package together. Time is an issue, but so is prettiness, soooo now....GO!!!!!

First up: Mike and Paula Drexler, LaPorte, IN. What brave souls they were to go first! Ha!!

They did pretty good, but they couldn't manage getting that ribbon tied up!!!

Then, here come Jeanne and Tom. Jeanne's part time job is "gift giver" so I was quite certain they'd win. She's at a disadvantage however...her fingers are very short. We gave her no mercy for that...just told her to keep wrapin'!!!

Then up were Jim and Pamela. They were whispering before they sat down. Some thought it was love chat, but we knew they were strategizing. Sure enough...they had a plan...and it ALMOST WORKED...
Until Dennis and Cheryl stepped up to the table! Normally we are totally opposites...if he wants to go right, I'd probably turn left. We do not, nor have we EVER, balanced the checkbook the same way. I stop and ask for directions...he drives for hours heading towards the "sun"...or the "moon" or the "water". Oh have mercy on me....now we have to do this!!!
But we did it with time to spare AND we have a curlie ribbon on top!! Ha!! WAY to go hubby!!! You must be getting those fingers of yours limbered up to do a gift wrapping marathon next week!! YEAH!!!!

Anyhow, even though we beat everyone's time AND had a bow, we showed true humility and gave the winning prize to the second place couple...Pamela and Jim. May they enjoy burning their candle and not their house! Each couple got to keep the little gift they wrapped to. (It was a little birdhouse ornament for their tree...or they can just keep it wrapped and take it to their white elephant party!) HA!

We sure had fun. Lots of food, the most delicious carrot cake ever made..EVER! A lot of fellowship and chatting how the Lord is so good to us. Can't wait to meet with these "peaches" again!!

Have a party!!! Your house gets cleaned up, you have a GREAT meal, and the best part for me...getting up the next morning, pouring a cup of coffee and reminiscing the evening before...and how much you are blessed for having such wonderful friends!!