Christmas at the Office 2005

December 21, 2005.... Our Office Christmas Party.... We've been planning if for weeks now... And as usual.... what kind of food we're each going to bring is the main topic of our planning process.... You'd never guess there were only 3 people in our office when you see all the food we bring... But we gladly share with the other offices in our building.... so works out just fine for everyone....
Our little tree is starting to look more like Christmas with the addition of gifts beneath it... We always try to set a limit for ourselves... but for some reason exceed that as well.... But what fun it is to shop for everyone ......
You might think this looks like a lot of food.... But believe it or not.... more was brought in and added to it.... Being a Wednesday... it was also Bruce's day off from work... He usually likes to cook breakfast for us but this morning I told him not to bother... I knew I'd be eating all day and I did.... I brought in a rye boat and a tray of petite fours and truffles, along with some Croghan Balogna.... Vicki brought down some deviled eggs, Pete's wife baked for days and provided us with this beautiful plateful of different types of cookies and breads.... Mmmmm mmm good!... Bonnie brought in cheeses, crackers, nuts, drinks, and more sweets to add to the list of goodies on our little table... Our friends from the adjoining offices said we really knew how to put on a party.... I agree...

Then non too soon....it was then time to open our gifts.... Here's Pete with his gift from BonBon... A neat little flash light and a drink cup for both cold and hot beverages.... just what he'll need out in the woods trying to find the allusive deer....
Of course once he finds that deer.... he'll need something to process it.... and that's what I got for him... a kit full of all kinds of carving stuff... He got it just in time.... He and his hunting buddies were getting together that same evening to process 3 deer they got between them....

And here BonBon and I are with our gifts from Pete... Kim baked us each a small loaf of bread in these neat little ceramic baking pans.... and of course our $$ Gift Certificates for the Mall.... We usually use our Gift Certificates to get great deals on new outfits at one of the stores at the Mall....Once we buy a new outfit, we'll wear it into the office and let Pete see what he bought us this year....
Once the gifts are all open.... then comes the clean up.... And until time to go home, we set our new gifts neatly back beneath the tree.... and every time someone stops in for a bite to eat... which usually happens all through the day....we once again take the opportunity to show off our new stuff....

Mark (works in maintenence and usually stops by our office for his coffee breaks)...finally showed up and we were able to give him his gifts from us... A decorative can filled with "Brain Food" as Pete calls it (he got one too).... and a neat little measurer thing ..... Mark always says not to get him anything... but just wouldn't seem right if we didnt'... He's just like one of us...

Caught this cute shot of BonBon and Mark before he had to leave and get back to his duties caring for the needs of the county workers.... An unending job, isn't that right, Mark!!

Later in the afternoon, Pete's family started to stop in for a visit.... Here he is in the office with his Dad.... giving him a little a little briefing on how the office is run...

Pete's wife, Kim, also stopped by for a short visit.... She couldn't stay very long... She was on her lunch hour....but we were glad she could make it even for a short visit....

And I was able to talk Pete into letting me to take a picture of him and his parents together.... Believe me.... not so easy on his part... but thankfully, his Mom & Dad were more agreeable....

And before he left, we got Mark to take this one of BonBon and I with Pete... Can't you see how his smile is starting to wear a little thin here.... Patience, Pete... the day's almost over and soon the camera will be put away.... soon.... but not just yet....

Finally Bruce showed up to help me out with all my packages.... Took one last picture of everyone standing around saying their good-byes.... and finally.... time to pack away the camera for the time being and gather up my stuff and head home for the day... All in all... it was a great day... Not sure how much work was gotten to... but I think we did manage to get a few things done... Another successful Office Christmas Party ..... A day spent with good friends and family....