Chirstmas Eve Open House
Posted on 24. Dec, 2011 by Stewart in Friends & Family, Godwin life in Kuwait, Holidays
So every year we try to have a little open house on Christmas Eve. It’s really casual – just come and hang out, have a drink, grab a bite, listen to some carols – Christmas cheer all around. Well this year was spectacular. We had a great group of friends over, everyone seemed to have a great time (we certainly did), and I even managed to grab some pix this year!
Finally - some meat! The roast, pigs in a blanket, and cheesy bread...
The last of the bubbly...
Sweet treats...
Dirty Santa gits...
The kid's food table - no food yet...
Woo hoo!!! Snow globes rock!
Rather than take everyone downstairs we thought it's be easier just to serve a few things up top...
Tables are ready, food is on the way...
A little candle for the nativity...
Getting things ready in the AM...
Folks started to arrive around 7 and by 8 we were ready for the Treasure Hunt! Paula – in all of her Christmas awesomeness – put together a great little scavenger hunt for the kids. She had clues hidden around the house and there was a prize for each child on the clues. Once all of the clues were found they pointed to the big prize for each kid – which coincidentally was hidden on each of the dads – poor Jazz had three chasing him around the living room. It was very thoughtful and the kids absolutely LOVED it!
Just getting all of the kids in one place long enough to explain the rules was fun...
Of course Sydney had a question...
Ava running for a clue...
Paula reading the next clue to the group...
Scouring the kitchen for a clue....
At the tree - there was a clue by Cherry...
Waiting calmly for the last clue - this took a good fifteen minutes...
Sydney with her big prize after she caught me...
Paula's rhyming clues - sooooo much fun!
This year we thought we’d mix it up a little and invited the group to play dirty Santa. If you’re unfamiliar with the game please crawl out from under your rock and Google it for more info. Anyways, everyone was being far too polite and no one stole anyone else’s gift until Anita who was fourth from last. I stole Pete’s cow travel pillow but that was stolen from me and I ended up with some very sexy Ibiza Playboy cologne.
Dirty Santa gifts in the middle...
Paul selecting - I think he got a "crystal-y" ice bucket and some very nice poker card candles...
Scott getting ready to select - he cleaned up with a who ninja get-up. He had an abaya, gloves, and the all important thong...,
Collin on his first trip to the table - he got the Chanel key chain, necklace, and the condensed milk - Anita stole it from him later...
Pete and his often stolen cow travel pillow...
Jazz on his trip to the table...
Pam with her helper in tow...
Collin's AWESOME 'Man Kind' gift set...
After Dirty Santa the party continued for quite a while. We sang Christmas carols – really we did. It was Paula’s idea and she enlisted my help and it was SOOOOOO much fun. We sang Jingle Bells, Rudolph, The 12 Days of Christmas, and believe it or not even Silent Night! It was so Christmasy and awesome I can’t wait to do it again next year! Later Paula convinced her hubby to even give her a twirl to some of the Christmas tunes playing in the background. I tried to DJ for a bit but she and I have somewhat varying tastes in Christmas dance music apparently.
Pam, Anita, and Lori - doing what I'm not sure...
The guys - by the meat...
Sydney, Paula, and Amy
Jennifer reading "The Elf on the Shelf" to Pam's boys...
Amy on the Kinect...
Paula and Collin after a twirl around the dance floor...
All in all we had a great time. We really can’t thank everyone enough for coming. It really made Christmas feel much more like it did when I was a kid and I for one loved every minute of it! Merry Christmas and may God bless us everyone!
Dawn Bakazan
Dec 27th, 2011
Looks like an amazing party! Wish we could have been there too. Miss you guys! Merry Christmas!
Stewart
Dec 27th, 2011
It was an awesome time – when Paula got us all to sing Silent Night it was amazing – I was sure Peggy Lee and Bing Crosby were coming downstairs any moment. Not to worry tho – you had a seat reserved as always. Miss y’all too and Merry Christmas!
PS – LOVE the wood carving at the lodge! Definitely no Donny Osmond there!
Scott Beverly
Dec 27th, 2011
Godwins,
Had a fantastic time (as always) on Christmas Eve. To the “Hosts With The Most”, you really know how to make guests feel welcome and I look forward to next year. Loved the roast pig, the games and the caroling. We missed some of the old faces that have moved on, but they were with us in spirit. Thanks again – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
P.S. – The thong is a little tight, but I love the color! Have I said too much?…
Scott and Lorie Beverly
Ryan B
Dec 30th, 2011
Stew,
Looks like an amazing party. Man, I sure wish I could have been there. How did the this year’s vintage of Godwin wine and Champagne turn out?
Ryan Bakazan
Stewart
Dec 30th, 2011
Believe it or not we just finished off the last of our 2009 champagne! There’s some more cooking in the winery so hopefully they’ll have some 2012 bottled soon. 2011 was a slow year for Lockridge Estates but 2012 is shaping up to be a very good one.