Watkins' Company Christmas Party ~ Dec. 2010

My husband's company is amazing. They out-do themselves each party with overflowing generosity, outstanding food and drink, lodging for the drinkers, and now with children in the young families including them in the festivities! We are so grateful to be included in the Watkins' Family.

So here we are on a Friday night for a company work party. They hosted the event at the Skamania Lodge, beginning with overnight lodging for all, drinks and appetizers at 5:00, dinner at 6:00. That in itself is AMAZING and generous beyond belief.

Now the best part was that we were able to include our kids in the festivities. Dale and Deb had Santa come with over-the-top gifts for all 5 munchkins there (3 were mine, 1 was Lance my nephew, and Ebba-Christina granddaughter to the owners, and daughter to JP and Cortney who estimate jobs.) My boys at never seen a LIVE Santa (not for picture, nothing) but this year we had read the books and they understood what he stands for and what is "job" is. ;)

Deb Watkins asked which kid would like to see Santa first and Gavin (the brave one) ran up. Please see his video at the bottom of the posting.

Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas : POLAR BEARS
Here is his gift. A Toy Story 3 box of Duplo Legos. THEE perfect gift. Way to go Santa's Helper.

Grant chose to go next and talked to Santa about being good. He LOVED Santa and gave him a great big hug. Precious.

Grant also recieved a Duplo Lego set from the movie Cars. Couldn't have picked it out better myself. Thank you Santa and Helpers.

Then comes Mr. Gabriel, being brave since the little 2 had a great time and received PRESENTS for it. Gabe was sweet and thougthful in his answers to Santa. See videos at the end of the posting!

I had my boys wait until all of the munchkins had seen/ cried at Santa before they opened their LEGOS!

Here is the adorable Ebba-Christina. Exactly 1 year (to the day) younger than Gavin and Grant.

Here is Lance CRYING at Santa, well.... and us laughing. He would walk up fine and then WAIL when he got a foot away. So funny!

Now who is the BIG girl, well-well, that is my neice Alaina who we brought as our baby-sitter because while our boys are super-well behaved, I like to put them to bed on a good note as opposed to waiting until they fall apart due to eing over tired. Truly, she was a dream. She played with all 5 kids the whole party, put them to bed and stayed with them in the room so the Little Mama and Daddy-O could get down with our BAD SELVES. And that we did!!!

Santa, His Helper Deb Watkins and Ebba-Stina, Gabe and Lance, Grant (dark pants) and

Gavin (light pants).

Our family getting in a quick shot with Santa, because the night was magical, fun and special.

The Watkins' Company

Due to Santa's Helper and her ingenius gifts the kids quietly played the WHOLE, ENTIRE time!

Oh and my bringing Sweet Alaina Girl!

Gabe with his second gift (oh yeah, the kiddos had TWO rounds of gifts) and his Uncle Andy usuing the Fisher-Price Story Reader. Great toy!

Coloring and playing like angels. Oh, do you think the kids like Alaina? :)

Andy and Sarah

Alicia holding the gift that never was stolen. Automatic Soap Dispenser :)

Oh, and the ADULTS had gifts T-O-O!

Alicia and Karen (seriously, one of 7 drinks that night!) Wowza!

JP enjoying the part-tay!

Another Group shot!

The CRAZY Watkins Gang!

The next morning ~ EVERYONE ~ was feeling great. We had breakfast, swam, used the hot tub and visited! Prefect ending to the perfect party.

Alaina and the boys in the GREAT room.

Andy and Sarah chilling before we check out!

Morning coffee with Debbie and Randy!

Thank you Dale and Deb Watkins for an amazing Christmas Party. It was so fun and I couldn't imagine a better time. Nothing. You thought of EVERYTHING and then more. Much love ~ The Cowart Family

Gavin meeting Santa for the first time EVER!

Grant's first Santa experience!

Gabe's Santa Experience