McCaul Family Christmas Party!

The McCaul Family Christmas party is such a huge family tradition for us. Christmas would not be the same without it! I love spending time with all of Joe's family. It is one thing my kids look forward to and this time of year!! So thank you to Tammy and Chad for starting this amazing tradition and thank you for all the years you have hosted the event. And thank you Teresa and Jay for putting this years party together. It was relaxing, fun, and full of the Christmas spirit!!

We began by hanging out and catching up with everyone!! It is always fun to see family again! I didn't get a picture of everyone because people came in at all different times but here is who I did get.....
Kyle, Jesse, Amber, Tammy, Kayson, and Chad (Joe's sister is Tammy)


Parris, Shannon, and Collyn (Joe's brother is Parris)


Cody, Liz, Morgan, Kallie, and Ryland (Joe's sister is Liz)


My mom with Audrey


Joe's nephew Derick and his wife Trista and their new baby, Lowan


Joe's sister Tereas and baby Lowan


Katie, Reddek, and Jason (Joe's brother is Jason)



Next, the kids made Gingerbread houses. It was great frosting because the houses really stuck together!! I think they all did such a great job!!








Here are the finished products!! Ryland was the best until his roof caved in and he decided to eat it!!



We then had our dinner. We had yummy soup or stew and bread. We also had a lot of veggies!! It was a nice dinner. Simple and so good!! Cake for dessert!!






After dinner we had Santa Claus show up!! My kids always look forward to this. They know at the McCaul party, they will get to see Santa. They each took a turn sitting on his lap and they each recieved a little gift. Audrey did great!! Avery was a little scared but she did it!! And Kennady and Sydney were just so glad that they could tell Santa what they wanted. We had not seen him yet so they were excitd to get their wishes in!!






After Santa we did our present exchange. Joe's brother Johnny and his wife Jennifer had our family this year!!! They spoiled us. Johnny made us a candy/nut dish made our of wood along with 2 lantern holders. My words do not do it justice. When I get them hung up I will have to take a picture!! He also made each of my girls their very own tool box and they were full of toys. Thanks guys so much!!
The highlight of the present giving had to be Joe's sister Tammy and Joe's mom. They both gave us a gift to remind us of Joe's dad who passed away last Feb. Tammy wrote a poem and gave us each a pillow and Joe's mom made each one of us a small blanket representing Joe's family! It was so touching and such a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. It's about family!! It's about our Savior and what he did for us. It's about the fact that we know that we will see our loved ones again because of our Savior Jesus Christ. I left feeling lifted up so I thank everyone for their kind words and for making the gift giving a wonderful, bonding experience.


After the gifts we all got in our P.J's to settle in for a Christmas movie!! We ate popcorn and ended the night just hanging out together.











Thanks McCaul's for making this party another success!! My Christmas just wouldn't be the same without spending time with all of you!!