Ropelato Family Christmas Party

We had our Ropelato Family Christmas Party tonight.  I love that we still get together with Larry's parents and siblings and their families.  I am so glad that Jerry has a nice, big place to host our party and that Darinda organizes everything so well.  Those two really do take good care of us.  This year instead of me assigning everyone things to bring we made it simple.  Gramps makes such BIG pans of lasagna that we had him do that.  We also asked Erin to bring one just in case his isn't enough...it was enough.  Erin makes a yummy lasagna where us older sisters might prefer to just buy one. ☺  We then just had everyone else bring a salad, rolls or dessert.  It worked out great!  We had plenty of everything and no stress.  I made jello jigglers this year and they were a hit.  The food was yummy but the company was better.

I rotated around the tables so that I could at least see everyone.  I like staying connected and wast to be sure to take advantage of these times since they don't happen but once a year now.  Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.  Larry's cousin, Wendy and her hubby and son with his family joined us tonight.  Larry's other cousin Dan and his wife did as well.  I am glad they did...the more the merrier.

 After dinner, Darinda got out the Nativity costumes and the little ones dressed up.  I love looking up and seeing all the little angles.  Our family is short on boys this generation...we only have a few and so this year even Joseph was a girl.☺  I love including the Nativity in our Christmas Celebration since that is what Christmas is all about.  I think the little's enjoy it too.  Larry was the narrator and was prepared with his reading glasses.  Darinda has asked him for years now and so he came prepared.

 Santa visited after the kids did the Nativity and the only little that wasn't real thrilled was our little Sadie.  She was frightened and hid her cute face in her mommy's shoulder until he was gone.  I remember last year the little ones that were about her age were the same way.  (she's 20 months)  Santa brings the kids cute socks which isn't really a surprise to them but they all enjoy getting their gifts.

Everyone helped clean up...or at least were suppose to help.  Actually we got off easy this year because Jerry had us leave a lot of the tables and chairs up since he was going to use them in the following days.  It was a fun night.

I love watching everyone grow up and interact.  My cute niece, Kaylee made my night.  She came up to me and started talking and mentioned that she had read the book I wrote about Jared's experience and ours.  She was touched by it and made sure to tell me.  She doesn't know how much that meant to me.  I always remember who approaches me and especially when they compliment me.  I left feeling happy and thankful.

Sista Christmas Party

Oh my heck...I have such fun friends.  We met at Carla's for our Christmas Party.  Since I learned to make caramel apples from Lisa it was decided that I should teach everyone else.  I was okay with that because since Lisa taught me I have made over 20.  I know what I'm doing.  I tried to remember all the tricks Lisa taught me so I could teach everyone else.  I think that lesson went well.  The apples were made and looked lovely by the time we were done.  Have I mentioned how fun my friends are?

We had a little lunch before we got started on the apples.  We had pizza and salad and a few desserts.  I made Carla a rice krispie cupcake since her birthday was yesterday and she loves rice krispies.  

A few weeks ago Carla and I bought everyone a Christmas Stocking and  we had them hanging on the chairs.  We all brought gifts to fill them. I really thought that was a fun idea.  We had a fun variety of gifts.  The gift I had bought didn't get put in the stockings because I didn't think I had enough.  I did have enough though because a few gals that said they were coming didn't show up.  I decided I will give them to those that came anyway.  They were little fans you plug into your phone to cool you off.  A "cool" gift for gals my age.

 After enjoying our lunch I demonstrated how to make the caramel apples.  We washed the apples before in vinegar water to help remove the wax.  Everyone made their apple as we went.  The caramel was soft and worked really well.  Getting the caramel on the apples went much smoother than it has for me.  Next we dipped and sprinkled cinnamon sugar on them.  I melted the white chocolate and explained that you didn't want it too thick but nice and creamy.  Everyone dipped their apples and the chocolate remained good for them all.  Jodi double dipped her apple and so her chocolate was much thicker.  She wanted it smooth. I have noticed that sometimes the apple isn't as smooth as I would like but once they are done it isn't noticeable.  Piping the colors on the top was hilarious to me.  It isn't as easy as it looks.  However, the sprinkles kind of disguise that too.  I think they all turned out well when we were done.  We put them in cute bags and added ribbon and they were perfect for gift giving.

We had to take a few more pictures before everyone left.  I love having pictures though because they help me remember all the fun we had.  Those cute aprons we are wearing were in our stockings along with a pillow case, chocolate cinnamon bears, chocolate bar and Santa bell, a pez dispenser, a chocolate wand from Harry Potter world in Florida, and a mitten coin purse. It was pretty fun having a stocking full of surprises.

  

I love my friends and I'm glad that we all enjoy making memories together.  I think getting together with family and friends is one of the things that makes this time of year so wonderful.  It's about Love and Sharing it with Others!