Family holiday progressive dinner

Due to all our busy schedules with work and family - it is hard for my family to get together all at once.  Usually it only happens for birthday parties.  My sister Tara had the wonderful idea to have a Progressive dinner during the Holidays so we could each prepare a food item, see everyone's Holiday decorations, and have some great conversation.  We told Mom and Dad they didn't have to cook but to just be there since Mom hosts Breakfast every Christmas.

WARNING - A lot of pictures ahead :) - (You would think after a year of having my camera I could figure out how to take a great picture but I can't figure out why I keep getting some pictures with weird colors)

We started at my brother Matt's house.  He and my SIL Heather were assigned an appetizer.  We had Hot Artichoke dip and chips along with cheese and crackers.  Yummy!!!

The next stop was my sister Tara's house.  We had a very good Caesar Salad and parmesan breadsticks!

We then went to my sister Melanie's house!  She made a good Potato Soup!  Her husband has been working in AZ for almost two months.  We wished Justin could have been there!

Last stop was my house for dessert!  I made TO DIE FOR mini lemon cheesecake bars and a delicious slush/punch.  The chocolate cookie recipe I found was OK - the kids seemed to like them!  We also had a visit from SANTA!!! (aka my neighbor and friend Alan Ormsby - who did a fabulous job!)  Santa read "The Night Before Christmas" and I have never seen all the kids sooo quiet at one time!  Then each child got to sit on Santa's lap to tell him what said gift they would like and to receive a present! 

We had a fun time we had!  This is a great thing to do for a holiday family tradition!