Christmas at Carolyn's

My favorite night of the year...Aunt Carolyn's Christmas party! I look forward to it for many months, even though I am sick the majority of the time. I think it is a running joke in my family, but not this year. I was well, and enjoying every minute of it. We always start with Las Golindrinas appetizers...yummy, then have prime rib and crab legs for dinner...not my favorite, but I love my Moms rolls and the salad.

Then we do the very anticipated poppers! Aunt Carolyn fills them with money and fun things and we all get to pop one and see whats inside. Sawyer got 10 ones and was so excited...He is used to collecting his quarters and other change. Dollars rarely get in the mix.



Then this year we mixed it up a bit. Carolyn put on an amazing race for the family. It was so fun. We started with a puzzle, then when that was complete we got our next clue which was to go to the san juan train station. Then we got on the train and rode to San Clemente. I was so excited for Sawyer to ride the train for the first time. Too bad we had a task of putting together a gingerbread house on the train so there wasn't time to enjoy the ride. Next we had to go shopping and get a long list of toys and essentials to send to the troops. After that we met at Park and ride to wrap the gifts, it was definitely not my best wrapping job. Then on to the Mission where we had to sing Christmas songs and yell Happy New Year a bunch of times. Next to the fire station to drop off some of the toys, and last to the big Christmas tree in down town San Juan. It was such a creative race. We all loved it! And, we each had to wear this Santa suit costume at a different time during the race.


Afterward we went back to Carolyn's to read the Polar Express, the Scriptures, and then on to the annual tie exchange and opening gifts. I am already excited for next year!