Standing room only...

Our Ward Christmas Relief Society Dinner was a big hit! Sheri set up 14 tables, with eight table setting at each table. So we expected 112 Sisters to come and eat and enjoy the evening together. More than 120 showed up - there was standing room only!

At last years Christmas Dinner, we only set up eight tables, so we have almost doubled in attendance in just one year. Our ward is growing, and more and more people are excited to come out to the activities.

The program was wonderful, with great music to help get everyone into the Christmas Spirit!

Below are a few of the pictures we took - stay tuned - I might put together a little montage later, when I get some pictures back from some of the others that were taking picture that night...

This is the stage, with the Christmas Floral Sheri put together at the center - turned out good didn't it!

Last year when we had Sheri's family here for Christmas and New Years, Sheri and her Mom and Sisters saw these hanging snowflake chandeliers in Target, being used as their Winter decorations. They asked what they do with them once Christmas is over, and they said they just get rid of them. They asked if we could have them, and they said we could, but that if they got any other requests for them it would be first come first serve, on this specific day. So on that day, my Mother-in-law and I went to Target and waited at the front doors before they opened... as soon as they opened, we rushed in and scooped up as much of their Winter decorations as we could - and all for FREE! Sure made for a wonderful environment on Tuesday night... the pictures can't really do the decorating justice... it really looked amazing!

This time from another angle, and with the lights on... during the dinner, they just used the hanging lights, and Christmas tree lights for the actual lighting... which made it very cozy.

On a side note - hanging those Chandeliers sure was an adventure. The hanging part wasn't so bad, but getting the appropriate hooks in the ceiling... that part was fun! Those scared of heights... need not apply!

Sheri asked for volunteers to bring china, silverware, and nice goblets for each table setting, then used Nativity Scene's as the centerpiece for each table.

There were two food tables on either end of the gym, with the boards behind them decorated.
"For Unto Us A Child is Born"

"Holy Was The Night"

And finally - a closeup of the Christmas Floral Sheri put together...

A special thanks to Lillian for all her help! She worked right along with us through thick and thin... It was great having her and Jane stay with us for those extra two weeks after Thanksgiving. THANKS LALAL!

And to Sheri and Momma (Lathen) Thanks for making me go to Target with you that early January morning... even though I didn't have a very good attitude at that time, I'm sure glad we did it! It really set the stage for a wonderful Christmas celebration!

Once again my bride never ceases to amaze me with her vision, and effort to touch the lives of the Sisters she serves. I'm more proud of her than I can adequately express on this page! She's simply AMAZING!

(for a close-up of any of the above pictures, just click on them and you will get a much bigger view)