Bitner Christmas Party

Every Christmas, on the 23rd (usually), Barbara's side of the family gets together to celebrate Grandma Bitner's birthday. But because it lies near the holidays, it turns into a birthday/christmas party. Several people are included in this party, children, grandchildren, cousins, great grandchildren, aunts, uncles, and parents. It's HUGE! Nate and I went last year together after only dating for a month and a half. There's appetizers of all kinds, dinner and dessert.

 Jenetta enjoyed playing with Nate's phone

While Shaely and Scott played Angry Birds

Jenetta's walking

After everyone is done eating, the Christmas program begins. Each child of Grandpa and Grandma Bitner has one of their children or grandchild present something for the audience. This year, Barbara had Emily read off the article she wrote last year about this celebration that has occurred for the last 30 years. It was fun to watch all of the talent in the program. 

Afterward, as tradition goes, every sings The Twelve Days of Christmas while grandpa hands out large posters to youngest kids to hold as we sing each verse. (Don't worry, Nate has done it a few times back in the day. Haha)

Then, the children sing Christmas songs like Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer while they wait for Santa Claus to make his appearance. As you can see, they just can't wait!

Screaming and shouting fill the air as he makes his appearance with Mrs. Claus. And then they sing songs with Santa. Scott played Rudolph with his blinky nose and Cecily got chosen to jingle Santa's bells. 

Then Santa Claus pulls out presents for each 'unmarried' grandchild or great-grandchild. I figured this out quickly last year when we were still dating--we each got a gift and sat on Santa's lap. But we got married a little over five weeks ago, so... no blow. Nate was a little disappointed, it was funny. BUT... his cousin Dan gets married to  a great girl, Karli, on the 30th. lol They each got a gift, they might have planned it that way ;) Either way, I'm happy for them and I'm okay to have not sat on the lap of an old guy in a red suit.

It was a great party and fun to go to :)