New Years Eve

 

We've tried tons of different options for NYE, trying to find the mix of fun for adults and kids...close enough to home to make it to the Southside for NYD.  We've tried Lake weekends, hosting at our house, leaving town to ski and about everything in between.  This year Chris and Julie had the girls for the evening so we invited them out the celebrate with us.  The holiday fell on a weekday this year and Ryan decided to work that day, so it didn't quite have the same "holiday feel" that we usually get.  It kinda felt like a random weeknight where we had friends out and decided to stay up too late.  LOL!

We smoked ribs and Chris and Julie brough king crab legs and spaghetti for the kiddos.  We opened some nice bottles of wine, ate a delish meal and hung out with the kiddos.  The girls had a great time with Ro and Savannah.  It might have been the best they've all played together.  We let them stay up to "real midnight" but truthfully the ball drop in NY is way better than whatever we could find for Chicago time zone.  I think we watched a celebration in Nashville when real midnight hit.

During COVID I bought paper lanterns and we all decorated them with our wishes for the year ahead.  It's become a tradition for the kids now and I'm going to love having the pictures of their lanterns to look back on - they are adorable when you read them.

(Hazel)

(Abby)

The girls opted for a big sleepover in the basement for the night.  I was surprised that was the choice between the bunk beds in Abby's room and the entire hang out space in Hazels - but they were excited to do it and Chris and Julie didn't mind sharing the basement level with them.  I think the biggest hit of the night for the kids was the bounce house.  Even Abby and Hazel forgot how much fun that thing could be.  That truly is the gift that keeps on giving!  I think we bought that nearly 10 years ago now and it's still going strong!

Last year we missed New Years Day because we spent New Years at Apple with Jamie so this year was our first time at the new location.  The drive is as long as it always was, but the location is a MUCH better space for hosting our big group.  This year we had assigned tables by birth year (which meant I got to sit by Erin....lol!) and name tags which help tremendously when we only see this group of people a few times per year.

2026 here we come!!  We're ready - I hope you are ready for us!