Ropelato Family Christmas Party

Tonight we had the Ropelato Family Christmas Party.  Jerry and Darinda let us have it at Jerry's new place, White Cloud 3D Printing.  It was a great place for a party.  There was plenty of room and lots of fun games to play.  The older kids interacted a lot because there was more to do.  It was so much fun for me to see everyone mingling and getting along.

After Darinda and I set a time and place I got things organized.  I asked each of my sister in laws to be over something and everyone was very willing to do whatever they could.  I ended up getting to make the food arrangements but it came together nicely.  I was able to text everyone their item to bring and everyone was quick to respond.  I liked knowing that they got my text and was willing to help.  I kept it easy.  We had lasagna, (3 and dad's big pan) salad, (4) rolls, (8 doz...4 people brought 2 each) and doughnuts. (same as rolls) We did have some left overs but I still think that was an okay amount of everything. (Darinda had peanut butter sandwiches for the littles if they wanted)  I ate a doughnut first while everyone was getting their food and I was holding Behr.  I usually say no to doughnuts but they looked really good and so I started off with one.

There was lots of chatting and visiting going on.  I love seeing everyone and visiting with them if I get a chance.  I really hope that we will continue to get together even as the families continue to grow.  I love our Christmas Party Tradition.

It's so fun seeing my grands interact with Darinda and Tami's grands.  I think its so important for them to all know each other.  I think family is so important.  I seriously enjoy watching them all grow.  It's fun for me and I usually take my own little trip down memory lane.

The Nativity is a big deal!  We have always done it and I think the kids look forward to it.  It's fun thinking back over the years remembering these kids parents being in the Nativity.  I am so thankful for memories and traditions.  Darinda is a champ for always heading up the Nativity.  She has a basket full of costumes so that everyone can be participate.  These little's make me smile and sometimes my eyes sweat.

Santa finishes off the fun.  This year our Santa was very interactive with the kids and I thought he was wonderful.  The little's that are about 1 1/2 weren't too sure about our Jolly Friend...but everyone else quite liked him.  Santa gives our kids socks and every year they get excited about them.  I just think it's the gift they like.  It's all very fun for me.

We had a lot of help cleaning up which was a good thing because there was a lot to do.  I'm glad that others pitch in and help...it sure does make it easier.  

The party was fun and I'm so happy that we took the time to get together.  The Ropelato Family is seriously one of the best!  I love being part of them!

Celebrating Carla

Today I took Carla to breakfast to celebrate her birthday that is really this Friday.  Carla will be going to Spokane on Wednesday to spend her birthday with her daughter and grands.  Both Carla and I have Family Christmas parties tonight and so that's why we decided to go early. I had heard that Warren's has a good breakfast and so we went there.  They had us sit at a table and a gal came and took our order so it was really like a little diner.  It was as good as I heard it was.  Carla and I both got french toast and it was really yummy.

Carla has also been going with me to the nursing home to help the Relief Society do a little program each Monday this month .  It's fun having her go with me and I think she is enjoying it as well.  Today we helped Lorraine back to her room and she told us that she has eight children and none of them come to visit her.  I am going to give her kids the benefit of doubt and a little credit for doing more than their mother says.  I bet they come but just not often enough.  Carla and I felt bad for her though and we were glad that we could help her a little.

We went back to Carla's and got some things ready for her Party.  We prepared the beans, rolls, and cheesy potatoes.  Then I left because Carla's daughter was coming to help and I needed to run to a friends to get some vinyl for some gifts.

Today it snowed and everything was a beautiful and white.  I loved it!

Linda Love made me vinyl pictures to put on my kids Yetti cups they are getting for Christmas.  She had me bring the cups and helped me put the vinyl on them.  They turned out cute and it was really fun visiting with Linda and spending a little time with her.