Christmas in Full Swing

This week I feel Christmas just coming like a train that won't stop.  I love this time of year!  We went to the Apogee Christmas Party at the Riverwoods Conference Center.  It was so nice.  The menu was to die for:
Baby spinach, Cranberry-citrus, and Fresh Broccoli Florette Salads
Garlic mashed potatoes and Maple pecan Sweet potatoes as sides
Oven roasted Turkey with Sage-shallot gravy (this was the best!)
Herb-salt roasted New York loin with creamed horseradish
Carrot torte with pumpkin mousse and cream cheese icing or White chocolate and peppermint creme brulee.
We enjoyed the meal and visiting with Devin's work family then they played a white elephant game.  It was a great evening and the kids did great for the babysitter.  Yeah!
Devin's parents came to stay Thursday night - Sunday morning and we had a great weekend with them visiting.  Don, Devin and Greg built wood lockers for the garage to store boats, hang up coats, and store gloves and such.  When we get them up I'll have to take a picture because they are really cool.
Saturday Afternoon we went to "Christmas from the Ellen Eccles Theatre".  It was the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra and Maureen McGovern.  Wow what a show.  We had really nice seats and just enjoyed the music.  I enjoyed being in the audience this year and knew most of the music they sang from when I sang in it last year.  Maureen McGovern was amazing.  She really made the show shimmer and shine.  She is 62 years old and you would not guess it because of her energy and beautiful tones.  My favorite choir number was "For Unto Us a Child is Born" by Handel.  I just love all of the Messiah Music.  The bell choir was great.  I think that would be fun to be in.  The whole theatre was transformed into a Christmas Magical Land.  Hanging Snowflakes, Poinsettias lining the stage, Glowing Christmas Trees.  It was just gorgeous.  Devin's Sister Deonne sings in the choir and she did awesome!  It was great to see so many friends that I miss from the choir.  Hopefully someday, time will allow to be in the choir when the kids are a little older.
Instead of doing neighborhood gifts door to door, we decided to have our friends and neighbors come to our home for a Holiday Open House.  We got the idea from my parents who have done it now for three years.  They just love doing this so we thought we would try it.  We just started sending out invites so I'm planning on the menu:  Crackers, Cheese, and Meat slices; veggie tray; lemon bars; pumpkin chocolate chip bread; Carmel pop-corn; Chex mix (the salty kind); Gingerbread cookies.  It should be a lot of fun.  We thought we could have the kids do Christmas Bingo and win a prize and then go downstairs and watch some Christmas Shows while the parents visit upstairs. Let's hope it goes well.