Neighborhood Xmas Party

Our neighborhood decided years ago that instead of giving anybody neighbor gifts (who really likes them anyways -- tacky plates, dry cookies, etc.) that we would gather in a circle, share a pot-luck dessert with hot chocolate and give canned-food to the local shelter instead of neighbor gifts. I think this is a great idea and is one of the reasons I don't think we'll ever move from here. Santa (aka. Kevin Cowan) came and sat patiently with every kid in the neighborhood. It was a bit chilly but the five or six fires they had going kept us warm.