Granny Pat's Christmas Party

When I last wrote, the girls and I were working on our scrapbook pages to give to family members at our annual Granny Pat’s Christmas Party. We did half the pages this year (usually we do a spread per family), and they were very simple—partly because it was the night before the event when we did them and partly because I only packed a Simply Scrappin’ and a few accessories, but I think they turned out pretty cute.
We enjoyed being together to create them—we even got help from the guys when it came to the journaling, and we all visited and giggled until late, eating homemade cinnamon rolls until we were sick.
The party includes Mom Pat and her husband, Bill, my Grandma Baker, and all of my sisters and brothers and their families. It always occurs the full weekend just before Christmas. The last few years we’ve gathered in Kanab, Utah. Out-of-towners stay in nearby hotels (everything’s nearby in Kanab), and the party is at the Stampin’ Up! manufacturing building.
It’s perfectly suited for our family with a large area for eating, crafting, and games; the training room doubles as an area for the children to run around and be as loud as they wish as well as a movie theatre where we have our Christmas program; the phone booths make perfect spots for the little girls to hide away and play; even the hallways are filled with activity. Basically every accessible nook and cranny is taken.
Of course, the warehouse is off limits, even though the older boys asked if they could have their Nerf gun wars in between the racking—just imagine Nerf bullets in your stamp sets!
Friday evening everyone arrives for a light dinner and visiting, and Saturday is usually spent playing games, with crafting of some kind for the women provided by my mom (and Aunt Leslie brings projects for the younger children). The children and teenagers exchange and open their gifts, and we end with our traditional Christmas program. Of course, the entire day is filled with visiting and lots of food!
This year was unique because we also had a bridal shower on Saturday morning for my niece Cierra. We held the shower in the Stampin’ Up! apartment upstairs while the men watched all the children downstairs. It was a delightful time with family and friends celebrating Cierra!
Reader Comments (23)
Merry Christmas! Enjoy your Christmas phone call w/ your missionary daughter.
Thanks again for all you do for us.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year
Could you explain the relationships of your two moms?
Have a wonderful, blessed holiday season Shelli. It looks like it is already off to a great start.
What great pictures! Love your scrapbook pages. Thanks so much for sharing a glimpse of your lovely family holiday :)
xo,
Rosemarie
I'm confused! You have a mom Heather and a mom who was at the family gathering at the manufacturing plant? Is one your real mom and one a step-mom?
Thanks! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas...I love your blog!
Thanks for making Stampin' Up such a wonderful company to work with, and I wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2009!
Sounds like so much fun!
How many came for the weekend?
The pages look awesome!
Wishing you a Happy Christmas Shelli - remembering the true meaning of the season. Take care and may God bless you all!
Lisa (Down under in Brisbane, Australia)
It's Christmas morning here in Australia, and I just popped on to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas for tomorrow! I imagine you will have a really wonderful day!
Love Karen
xo
were you describing your family's Christmas party or mine? I guess the only difference is that we spread it over a month. A Saturday at each of the family members house! There is nothing better than celebrating with famiy and later recording those celebrations using beautiful paper and stamps from Stampin' up! Oh, the sacrifices we make for family!
Merry Christmas and happy new year 2009!
Thanks for sharing your Christmas celebrations with us. I wish you and all your family a wonderful and prosperous New Year.
I love how you all celebrate! I come from a large family too, and I wouldn't have it any other way. The chaos makes it all the more special!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Hugs
Sharon
I like spending money- but I REALLY LOVE spending money when I know I will be supporting a good company. Melissa Zessin is my demonstrator (she got me hooked) and it was really touching to me when my friend and I asked her a question about Stampin' Up and when she was explaining how wonderful the company was she got teary eyed. Ever since our conversation I have loved and respected your company. Thank you!