Our First Christmas Eve

Traditionally, the Hervey Household hosts a Christmas Eve party. Julie comes, Vicki comes, and Betsy and Lenny come - and any of their families who are around come, too. This has been going on for YEARS! We have appetizer-y foods; we (used to) take plates of cookies to gas stations/fire stations/police stations and sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" while we delivered them; we (used to) act out the Nativity; we still read the Nativity from Luke 2; we laugh; we catch up; we sing Christmas carols; and we ALWAYS have a White Elephant gift exchange.

Throughout the years, there have been some changes. Betsy and Lenny have moved to California. Kids have grown up and moved away. But we still have this party, and everyone always knows they're invited.

One of Betsy and Lenny's daughters, Kelly, lives in the Dallas area, and she and her kids were able to make it to the party this year! (Her husband had to work, and we missed him, but we're so glad Kelly and the kids came!)

Marcus had some new friends to play with!

Our pictures this year are all action shots, basically. Here's a little peak into our White Elephant.

Peter got some Mardi Gras beads, some Tabasco samples, and a Cajun Survival Kit. (I wonder who could have brought that?!!)

I honestly don't remember if this is the gift Marshall ended up with, but it's one that he opened!

My dad got a Hannah Montana Awesome Adventures Book with a Musical Microphone. Definitely a winner!

While pulling each piece of paper out of this bag, Isaac said, "More paper! More paper!"

And then his younger brothers did, too.

And then Claire picked up the paper and also said, "More paper! More paper!" (She still says that at random times; for instance, yesterday she said it in the car).

Vicki got the head! And now the head is a bride, whose veil says, "I Do!" Awesome! (This is a returning gift, which was embellished!)

But after looking around at the choices, Julie took the head from Vicki. There's no telling what transformation that bride head will have gone through come next year!

Marcus also found a recurring gift. (The Santa suit appeared on our dragon friend when Betsy and Lenny mailed a White Elephant gift to us one year when they were in California. Evidently, the dragon went shopping in China Town!)

As usual, we had a great time with friends and family. And here's a picture to remind us of why we do this to begin with:

Let's keep the Savior with us all year long!