Holiday Party 2013

Happy New Year! We held our first holiday party on Sunday, December 22nd from 5:30pm to 10:30pm down at the Union Grove. What a success!!! This year we decided (after a neighbor suggestion and a survey) to host a party right after the winter luminary event instead of our usual end-of-summer block party. Thank you to everyone who helped bring this new idea to life and all of you who attended for making it so much fun!!! There is definitely another holiday party in OHE's future:)

The main courses were catered by local Italian restaurant Carmela's  (and cash bar by the Union Grove), but neighbors pitched in with yummy appetizers, side dishes, desserts and drinks. The hot chocolate bar (and hot apple cider) were a hit.

There were crafts for the kids and they could write and send a letter to Santa.

{Sydney and Chris getting their craft on}

Ocean Hill resident Andrew Graziano DJed the event...everyone had a great time "dancing" and/or running around/hanging out on the dance floor.

{It didn't take long for the 3 year old girls to find each other!!!}

There was lots of mingling...it was really nice to catch up with old friends or meet new ones:)

{new across-the-street neighbors finally meet!}

The highlight of the night, though, was when Santa Claus himself paid a visit!! He brought each of the kids a gift.

{look at those faces!}

{view from the DJ booth}

{Max waiting patiently for his name to be called}

{the aftermath!}

{Matthew loves his new "Go Time Football"!}

{Madelyn gets her "pink pony"}

{there was even sharing!!}

HUGE thanks to the party planning committee for all their hard work (Anne Caliento, Sarah Pasternak, Sheila Barbosa, Alysa Lofstrom, Jennifer Guevremont, Jennifer Pinto and Jessica Garrett) and to Andrew Graziano and Michael Gallagher for the entertainment! Special thanks to Keryn Corr and Arthur Graziano for sharing some of their photos from the party. Hope everyone has a great winter and we'll see you at our first event in the spring:)

{spontaneous holiday wishes and artwork on the tablecloths - awesome!}