Ward Christmas Party and McKel's Birthday Party

Gayle helped with the ward Christmas party.  She was over table decorations for 200 people.  Here are some shots from the set up and then the party.

The centerpieces and place mats came from our attic.

Gayle cleverly thought up the idea of purchasing a lot of small Kleenex boxes and wrapping them as the gifts in the centerpieces.

 Adrian and his family came, along with Brit's friend, Jamie.

 Runar Anderson played Santa, and Madison, our neighbor, was an elf.

 
 A shot of some of the crowd at the 8th ward party.  Bishop Isom is standing at the left.

A plate of fruit at McKel's birthday party (Dec. 10th), that we held at our house.

 I always get called on to make up a batch of Asian cabbage salad, the recipe for which we got years ago from Gayle's younger sister, Beth.

 The lasagna was great.

 Papa holding the birthday girl.

 Avril had a blast too, but kind of wondered why McKel got so much attention.

 Cousin Brit and parents.

 The 2 year old!

 Sometimes you just don't want to eat all that healthy stuff!

 Uncle "JJ" and the mommy.

 Nana and the birthday girl.  Thanks to Nana for the wonderful birthday party.

 The birthday cake with McKel's picture on it (photo from Halloween).

 Getting ready to blow out the candle.

 The anticipation is growing.

 She did it!

 Tasty cheesecake options.

 Pondering what it means to now be 2 years old.

 Looking at a gift of crayons and coloring book.

 Coloring with a large crayon.

 A happy face.

 The two sisters.

 Papa Bryan also participated.

 Dad and daughter horsing around.

 Jared, looking great and stylish too.

 Uncle JJ looking lean and handsome.

 We don't get that many shots of Jared so we included several this time.

A close up.

A few days later Arleen did a special celebration for McKel.  She fixed dinner for the girls at  Alicia's (complete with brownie cupcakes) and then they played and watched a Curious George movie together.  Thanks auntie.