Happy New Year!

We partied hard and even stayed up until midnight as we rang in the New Year with our friends.  This was the first party we've hosted since we've moved here and it was fun to do it.  We seemed to host a party every few months back in Rhode Island so it felt good to get back in the party mode.
Of course Randy went all out for it, which is no surprise.  He even risked his life climbing up our very tall flag pole so he could hang a Christmas ball light thingy at the top for us to drop at midnight.  I made lots of food which hardly got touched.  At this point in the holidays I think everyone is so sick of all the food it's not even necessary.
Randy made a giant newspaper ball filled with little toys and treats for the kids with a $10 gift card hiding in the center.   The kids went crazy as they ripped into it.  The adults played a fun game that involved lots of dice and math.  Needless to say, I was one of the first people to get out.  Meanwhile, the kids discovered all of Randy's party favors like confetti poppers, which they exploded all over the house.  I couldn't believe it.  I'm going to be cleaning up streamers and confetti for the next year.  As it neared midnight we all bundled up and stood out in the driveway while Randy ceremoniously lowered the ball as we counted down to midnight.  It was hilarious!  Afterwards we drank sparkling cider from our plastic champagne cups.  So classy!
Happy New Year!

The kids watching Studio C

lots of foosball games

The Newspaper Ball

The adults

Trying to stay awake by watching cartoons

Pouring the bubbly

Parker made it to midnight

This 3-year-old didn't make it...smart kid!

 You can't see much, so imagine a driveway full of people watching the little ball slowly drop, about ten seconds after actual midnight.  It was hilarious but fun!