The unexpected party guest!

Saturday evening was our annual friend Christmas party here at our home. It's a good thing that our group of friends all live close by because as you can see, It was cold, windy and snowing. All this over some solid ice covered roads. We still had the party and had a great time. Each year for over 10 years, our party has had a theme, this years theme was "THE SOUND OF MUSIC" The theme for next year would have been more fitting, "LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW "

We had a lot of food, everyone brings a special treat and it turns out very tasty.

Since 3 of us from our group have had a new granddaughter this past year, we were thrilled when one of those three could be with us for the party. No, she was not the unexpected guest. Just scroll down and yes, you will see the true unexpected guest and the life of the party.

It was a sweet Basset Hound. He had been following someone outside in the snow storm and that person ask us if we could keep him safe from the cold and snow and possibly call his owners or the Animal shelter. And of course we said we would take care of him.
You can see he made himself at home. We figured out real quick he understood the word TREAT! and so he got a treat. He knew sit, outside and down.

When we read his tag it had his name, BUDDY, and a home ph# to call. His people did get home from another party, where BUDDY had escaped from their friends fence
, and came to retrieve their dog Buddy about 9:30 PM.

We always have a gift exchange to fit our theme and these kazoos were used to figure out how those anonymous gifts would be opened. Each had a number on it and when your number came up, a Christmas carol would have to be played and guessed by the other guests before they could chose a gift.
Here you can see our practice kazoo warm-up. It was quite the sound of music!

Here are some of the music gifts.

And more sound of music gifts!

And still more sound of music gifts!


This is the traveling gift that has been changed to fit many themes and birthday occasions. I think this original yellow bee has been traveling around for over 10 years now. There was a music box inside the body for this theme of Sound of music.

This is the third year for this green one eyed monster. When you lift its eye and press on its head it played JESUS LOVES ME! It came with a note that read,

Please accept me the way I am, I may look different than you

and you may not like the color of my skin or that I only have the use of one eye.

Try to find comfort in having me around.

If you gaze deeply into my eye and even pat me on the head,

you too may find comfort in the song I sing for you.


Below you will see a few pictures of us dotting grandparents.
And yes, I had my turn to hold and spoil this sweet little thing!

NOW THIS IS THE REAL GRANDPARENT ENJOYING SPECIAL CUDDLES WITH HER 5 MO OLD GRANDDAUGHTER!

IT WAS A GREAT TIME WITH FRIENDS EVEN IF THE STORM CONVINCED US NOT TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL SCHOOL OF MINES CHOIR "HANDEL'S MESSIAH"

We did take time to reflect on the reason we celebrate Christmas and the names of Jesus.

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:

and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called

WONDERFUL, Counselor, The Mighty GOD,

The everlasting FATHER, The Prince of Peace.