Christmas Work Parties

I feel pretty lucky this time of year to get to celebrate the holidays with my wonderful co-workers. Last week we had a Protective Services Party at our boss house. It was really fun to get to know every one's spouses and have Christian meet all the people I work with.

(Kevin and Tom(don't you think he looks like Prince Harry?))
This week we had our annual agency Yankee Swap/Pot Luck. It is always a good time; it is a little less fancy that most corporate work parties, but we are a non profit, what do you expect? I brought the famous "Carolyn Cheese ball;" I have been craving cheese ball quite a bit this holiday season. It was a big hit!

Here I am with Kelly and the sweater she made for her ugly sweater Christmas Party (the fur collar is removable, which comes in very handy as you can imagine).

Here is Sebole who brought our table some desserts, we asked for a brownie, but we got so much more! Sebole had his first baby last year on Christmas, so he has been giving me lots of baby advice as I prepare for our little guy.

Here are my other partners in crime, Gloria and Julie, love these gals!

I am not sure how I get so lucky at these Yankee Swap events. The only rule is bring a $10 gift that is wrapped. I brought in a nice gift, I even unwrapped a nice gift on my turn, but somehow I ended up with cheese and crackers! REALLY? I felt kinda like Michael Scott when he got the homemade oven mitt from Phyllis. Although Phyllis put time and energy into her gift, I am pretty sure the person who gave this gift went through their kitchen that morning.

The next day after the Yankee Swap event, my co-workers threw me a surprise baby shower! They took me out to lunch and gave me lots of wonderful gifts for the little guy. I feel so lucky to work with such a wonderful team of people. This is the first agency I have worked for where there is not constant back biting and contention, it is quite refreshing. Everyone is super supportive of each other which is very needed in this highly stressful job.