New Years!

I have no idea why this wasn't posted before... Technology has not been my friend lately.

We decided to have some people over to help us 'ring in the New Year'. It was a last minute gathering, but a full house none the less. (It was basically arranged without me. While I was sleeping on the couch with a 101+ fever and ear aches, Jamie was out to dinner with friends... Luckily I had enough meds & margaritas in my system to enjoy the night!)

As always, there was lots of food to eat. My kitchen got smaller and smaller.

Not long after everyone arrived, Jamie and Chad busted out The Big G Moonshine that they each received from my parents at Christmas. Then things started to get a little crazy and loud.

Martin was trying to convince himself to drink Moonshine here.

Then there was some talking and more eating.

Then Round #2 of Moonshine. By this point, Chad was making a speech and Martin was toasting each glass.

The younger kids controlled the living room until the teenagers arrived. Then my living room got smaller and smaller.

So Madie and Emma moved into the other room to color.

While a game of poker got started. I think the game finally ended around 3am.

Then Round #3 of the Moonshine. All kinds of things were going on by this point. Things that may not be appropriate for my blog even. And stories...always good stories from Martin!!

Just before midnight, I filled the glasses with champagne and sparkling cider, called a stop to the poker game and gathered everyone together. My house was getting smaller and smaller.

Then the teenagers did some dancing while I snuck photos.

And they all received their first New Year's kiss. Crazy kids.

I had to sneak off to bed around 1:30am. I needed to take more meds and couldn't take the ear aches anymore. I'd had a lot of fun though and was grateful to be surrounded by family and friends.

While Jamie and I spend the next year hopefully purchasing and remodeling a new, bigger home, maybe we'll also plan our New Year 2012 party. More on that later then...