Allen Family Christmas Party

When Bart's mom started the Allen Family Christmas Party years ago, it was held in their basement. After everyone wouldn't fit in the basement anymore, it was moved to the Lion's hall where we have it now. It's a pretty big building with a great room and a large kitchen. Bart and I got to the party a little late and it was standing room only! Isn't that amazing how families grow? It's getting bigger and bigger! We love this family Christmas party. The Allen family sure knows how to celebrate!We start with a big dinner with any kind of salad or dessert you could imagine and then we move on to a program. This year we had a great nativity done by the kids, the annual 12 days of Christmas sing-a-long and then I had to sing. We had everyone participate in singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and low and behold, there comes the Jolly Old Elf Himself! He must have heard us singing! The highlight is watching the kids sit on Santa's lap while he presents them with a present and asks them what they are hoping he will bring. Of course Levi just stares him down, but Payton has rehearsed exactly what he will say! "I want a truck with cars...and it's orange!" He has only sat on Santa's lap about 8 times this year! Each time he recited the same mantra!After the kids open their gifts, it's the adults turn. Everyone brings gifts and we draw numbers. This year Bart and I walked away with some binoculars and a cute picture display thingy!