Party Animals

It's a little over the top, but it sure is fun!

We are partying this week.  Not just once this week, but several times over.  Good thing we like parties!  In the previous post I put up pictures of the Fox Brothers Christmas Party that we hosted on Tuesday.  Earlier that day we did our younger kids' book club.  The book was The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, which all the kids loved and loved quoting to each other.  We even had a couple kids show up dressed as the hooligan Herdman kids.

And since I was hosting two gatherings in the same day for lots of kids, we just did the same activities at both parties.  Stringing popcorn is rather messy, but easily cleaned up.

Cannon was so pleased with his efforts.

And George was very happy to eat his efforts.  And now when Georgie is hungry he can just go grab a strand off the Christmas tree and chow down.

Last night we enjoyed our family book club Christmas gathering over at the Flynn's house.

As per tradition, there was a kid's white elephant/dollar store gift exchange.  However, we broke with tradition in that nobody cried during the gift exchange.  It's a Christmas miracle!

Then there was the adult book exchange.  There are never any tears in this exchange, but there was much laughing.  Some books were "real" books and others were a little more white elephant.  I happily came away with a used copy of Anna Karenina (we'll be reading it in a couple months) and Abe got Goldfinger (James Bond).  Not everyone was so fortunate:)

For our neighbor gifts this year we hosted a lawn party with donuts and hot chocolate with lots of neighbors and ward members.  I've wanted to do this for several years, but I was a little nervous.  It seemed like a really fun idea to me, but would anybody else think it was fun?

I think they did!  At least they came! And many stayed and visited a good while.

The littlest ladies.

The bigger ladies.  By the way, these three sweethearts surprised their mamas this morning by getting up early and meeting up at K. and R.'s house.  While we moms were walking, they made coffee cake from scratch and hot chocolate.  They set a beautiful table and treated us to a hot breakfast after our cold morning walk.  How sweet is that?  They are wonderful.

Elinor and the boys.  After a while they took to the tree to hang out.

I am grateful to Abe who loves a good party at least as much as me-- if not more!  He loves Christmas and was very aptly given the middle name of Jolley.
Tomorrow is a day off from partying, but then is the biggest party of all!  Christmas Eve with all of my siblings!  I can't wait!!!!!!