New Year's eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights. ~Hamilton Wright Mabie
Happy New Year! It's funny because New Year's Eve used to be a night I looked forward to when I was young because it meant I got to stay up REALLY late (well, midnight WAS late compared to my 8:30 bedtime), eat junk food all night, and have friends over. The funny part is that now that I am married and settled I could barely stay awake until midnight.
See that champagne label, that's what happens when I send my husband to pick up the champagne. Yummy right?
Aaron and I decided that because neither or us have ever liked the whole New Year's Eve party thing (and because I had to work coat check all night at one last year) that a low key evening and his sister Jill's house would be a perfect way to ring in the New Year. Not to mention being entertained by our adorable niece Jordan promised lots of laughter.
Jordan was a little shy when she got home to find us there, but she warmed up to us soon and after helping rearrange the furniture in her room (we made her new dollhouse fit), Jordan decided we should watch Alice in Wonderland.
Aaron riled Jordan up right before bedtime, typical boy, so she didn't quite go to bed at her normal bedtime.
Jill and I could barely keep our eyes open, but we made it to midnight and I officially popped the cork on the New Year. Aaron had a great time teasing Jill about how awful the pizza we ate was (she had been dying to try it and had heard it was good) and me about how giggly champagne makes me. We went to bed soon after the countdown, Aaron and I slept over because I was not driving home worried about whether or not the drunk drivers around us were going to cause an accident, and we woken up by Jordan, who insisted we watch Dora at 8 AM.
Tad got home from a visit to his girlfriend Veronica's (a day later than expected) and we had a few days to spend with him before he left for school. Originally Aaron and I were going to drive him up, but because of football and my Mom's desire to spend some alone time with Tad, we stayed home while my Mom drove him back to Cincinnati.
During that week we went to Becky, Aaron's sister's house, to celebrate New Year's with the girls, play some Wii, and most importantly enjoy taco night with Aaron's brother Josh; who recently moved to Columbia, MO with his best friend Jesse Hopkins.
We had a blast! Not only were the tacos delicious, but Riley, Taia, and Jordan adored spending time with Uncle Aaron & Aunt Viki.
Taia was the most energetic. She wanted Uncle Aaron to chase her around the house, tickle her, and even wanted me to help her balance between the basement door and pantry door in mid air. She is one tough gal and I am sure when she grows up this will make her an even lovelier, more wonderful young lady than she already is.
Riley and Jordan were perfect princesses and colored lots of beautiful pictures for us, in addition to being chased around and tickled by Uncle Aaron and Uncle Josh. They were doing such a wonderful job coloring that Taia joined too, drawing a picture of Josh's wedding, in which he will wear the bridal gown. Kids, they're so funny sometimes.
Taia showed off her bowling and archery skills on the Wii too! She was one busy bee that night. Her Dad, Brian, got a little jealous when she kicked his butt in bowling. That was a sight to see!
Uncle Aaron is the most fun, that's for sure!
He was so much fun this is how he looked at the end of the night :)
While my Mom was in Cincinnati and on the road, Cassie got 3rd Place in her volleyball tournament and we went to Grandmama's for some delicious Seafood Newburg. We had a wonderful evening at Grandmama & Opa's house, no surprise there, and got to catch up with Tommy, Susie, Sydney, and Trey too.
My Mom arrived late Sunday afternoon and my Dad, luckily, caught the only flight from Atlanta to St. Louis Sunday evening on his way back from a residency. Everyone made it home just in time for another SNOW DAY!
Cassie and I went out in the beginning of the snowfall to enjoy what turned out to be a lot of snow. Penny enjoyed it too, especially because it earns her a lot of attention, and the nickname "snow dog" for a few days. Cassie even caught a few snowflakes the old-fashioned style!
The rest of the week, I have to admit, was pretty boring. Aaron was at the office boxing up 1,000 Better Life starter kits for their appearance on HSN next month and I was on Furminator patrol.
The Mister and I are now gearing up for another long stay at Grandmama and Opa's house watching little Buffy. We will be there for nearly two weeks.
I promised some pictures of our snow adventures at Grandma & Grandpa's house so here they are:
The snow fort,
And the snow man.
I am so thankful for the first few weeks of 2011 and all the family and friends I have already been surrounded by this year. My husband was very thoughtful and we celebrated our 7 month-aversary with dinner and watching the wedding video. 7 months may not be a traditionally celebrated milestone, but it was special to watch the wedding video again. Remembering how much I loved my dress, the music, and the entire day will never get old.
So here's to a fantastic family-filled 2011!
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