Our Second Christmas Eve (Kid Style)

After the fun of being in Dallas and celebrating Christmas morning and Christmas Eve, (in that order!), Claire and I drove to Houston and saw most of the Cooper family. On Christmas Eve, (the real one), we got the kids bathed and ready for bed, and then they got to put cookies out for Santa.

I love how Claire doesn't take her eyes off these cookies!


She really did take a nibble here!

So then Ryan wanted some, too.

Then it was kiss everyone good night, and off to bed so Santa could come!

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!

Our First Christmas Morning

While in Dallas in December, Claire and I enjoyed a Christmas morning with my parents, Laura, and Matt.

We saw what Santa brought in our stockings.


Then we enjoyed sausage freezies and cinnamon rolls, and we opened some presents. - I think Claire's just a little bit excited that she got her own purse!


And when she got more bags, she immediately put them on her arm, too!

Some other gifts






When Granddad went shopping, he found a winner with this doll!

The doll laughs, and when she laughs, you just can't help but laugh, too!

Another winner was this set of pots and pans from Aunt Laura and Uncle Matt. I'm VERY happy to say that it's still a winner! Claire LOVES to play with these at her new kitchen set from Grandmom and Granddad!

Claire got the hang of opening presents.

And she wanted to put them to good use immediately.

Merry Christmas!

Grandmom's Musical Cabinet of Fun!

What do you get when you put together two kids and a cabinet full of musical instruments? A few minutes (or maybe even a little more than a few minutes) of musical fun!





Marcus was his own little marching band for a while.

And boy, did he get into it!!

Claire followed him and tried to join the band, but she got distracted by the beautiful Christmas tree.

And then she got sidetracked when she saw Baby Jesus.

Marcus took a little break, too.

I'm all for music fun! :-)

Laura and Matt on Tech Campus

Before Laura and Matt left Lubbock for their last time, (and as recently graduated former students!), they wanted some pictures around campus. I was happy to oblige! :-)

{And there is one picture that doesn't belong. I'm thinking of the song from Sesame Street: "Three of these things belong together. One of these things does not belong!"}

The place where Matt proposed!


Where Matt spent a lot of his time

With the Masked Rider



With Will Rogers on Soapsuds

Memorial Circle

The Administration Building

The Ring!

Inside the ring!




The ring wasn't there when I went to school at Tech!






The Seal






Huge Christmas tree! I love it!

Where Laura spent her time

Is that really PSP? Wow!