Work Christmas Party

I wish that I could hide this picture below and have you somehow click on it after I've built up the story, but here it is.

At work we had a Christmas party the other night and I took Paxton. We hung out and got to talk to everyone, Paxton fully admired my Captain and his big gun on his hip and we ate cookies and chocolate like crazy.

After the mingling it was time to play the white elephant gift game. You know, the one where everyone brings a white elephant gift, we all pick a number and then you choose a gift from the table of gifts, or you can steal one that has already been opened because it is better.

We chose number nine and Paxton and I patiently waited while we watched everyone open gifts. Some were awesome, like lotions and nice smelling things. Some were, well, white elephant gifts. The whole time we waited for our turn Paxton kept pointing to this box in the middle of the room. A big box that was covered in red wrapping paper and had Christmas trees all over it. It was HUGE, the biggest present there and Paxton wanted it. I crossed my fingers that no one chose it first so that Paxton could open it-whatever it was.

Right before it was our turn someone opened Play dough. My teammate quickly got side tracked and when it was our turn I had to redirect his attention back to the huge box and explain to him that it HAD to be better. He finally agreed and he nervously walked out in front of everyone and pulled out the huge present. As he opened it I couldn't imagine what it was. We all knew that my LT had brought it and rumor was that last year he brought a golden plunger...

I got on the ground next to Paxton and helped him open the behemoth...then we could see the present. OH MY GOSH!!

OH MY GOSH! IT's PERFECT!

It was a huge, COWBOY HAT. I don't even think that Paxton has realized that this hat is over sized. To him its a cowboy hat and he takes this very seriously. For the rest of the night everyone was very protective of Paxton and his hat. No one was allowed to take it from him when they chose their gifts. Something that I kind of felt bad about, but appreciated from the other girls. I am sure that my LT was hoping this would be a funny gift that everyone stole from each other but it became the BEST Christmas present.

We drove home and somehow Paxton wore the hat in the car, all the while explaining to me that he is a cowboy and this is his hat. He advised me that when he got home he needed to get his cowboy things on. Then I pointed out that he had opened his first Christmas present and for the first time ever the kid was speechless. WHAT?! Mom, did you say this was a Christmas present?! When I answered that it was he told me it was his favorite!

Paxton and I picked up dinner and then I drove home to drop him off. I was due to work shortly. Ryan and Gauge loved the hat and Ryan said that they played with it and held it close for the rest of the night.
Again, I didn't have my camera for my work party but it was so much fun. Right now I can't explain to the girls what this party meant to me but, even now I get emotional thinking about it. Working there for 3 almost 4 years I have grown to love them all so much!!
Thanks for the great present and the great party guys!
Merry Christmas!