8th Annual Ornament Exchange Party - in Iowa...
This is my 8th year hosting an annual Ornament Exchange Party. It started because I went to one at my friend Kim's house one year and had so much fun, I decided that I wanted to host one on my side of town (she lived like an hour away). So I invited my friends at family and the tradition began. That first party was incredibly emotional. I had just been through two major surgeries and was battling cancer, my nephew just about cut his hand off... and we had this hair brained idea that every person when it was their turn, they would say how they knew me (we still do this) and then list 5 things they were thankful for that year - well it turned into a really emotional night, we all were crying and laughing etc... and we all decided that we would not continue that part of the party for the future, it was too exhausting! lol

so every year thereafter, I hosted the party! We eventually moved to my sisters house - due to the # of gals who attended. We had some gals who game every year no matter what, some gals who were new...some gals who had to skip a year or two due to other plans,etc.. but it was a party we all looked forward to every year. The fun of finding that perfect ornament that you think everyone will love... went on all year long. I would get emails, phone calls, text messages from gals letting me know that they found the best ornament.

I wanted to continue this tradition here in Iowa - and not knowing alot of people.. well I wasn't sure, but I decided what a great way to get to know more people here. So invited all the gals that I did know and asked them to invite a few gals. and before you know it, we had 15 gals in attendance! I was so excited!

What a great time we had! I met some really great gals that I look forward to getting to know in 2010! I am already planning for next year!