1-1-11

We had an awesome New Years Eve. We rang in the New Year with many of our favorite couples and their kiddos. The Dale family was so, so sweet (and brave) to open their beautiful new home to all of us and host this little shindig. Not to mention that Allison is due to have her 3rd baby in 3 weeks!! Thank you, Team Dale!!

When this group gets together, you can always count on...a lot of food, a lot of talking, a lot of kids, and a lot of laughing.

All the kids loved Mr. Phillip! I am pretty sure he was the highlight of their night!

Most of the kids are at the wonderful age where they can just take off and go play all together by themselves. This means that the parents can actually sit and have real conversations. It is pure bliss, I tell ya!

Love these girls!
Oh, and let's not forget the fireworks! Man, did we have some fireworks!!

The big hit for the kids were sparklers and roman candles.

The scaredy cats liked seeing, but not holding. :)

The boys (or, dads) got a little firecracker happy, and almost got themselves into some trouble. Yes, that is a patch of burned up grass from said firecrackers. Ha!

They sure were pretty, though!

Someone got a little more brave

He is like a kid with those things. Loves them!!

We popped, and popped, and sparkled, and popped!

We sat on the front porch to listen and watch. I think the goal for the night was to see what firecracker bomb the guys could construct to get the loudest boom! Pretty sure they succeeded when they made the whole house shake!

The mommas and the kiddos made their way to the safety of the inside of the house.

The kids played some more

While we rubbed a precious belly and tried to feel some kicks! One of my all time favorite things to do. I am sure glad that Alli Dale doesn't mind. :)

Lily made herself at home and got a little cozy

It was finally time to count down to 2011. Of course, we had to stay to watch the ball drop with Carson Daly.

Half of Team Dale, Allison and Eric

Happy New Year!

Oh, and if you are wondering where the little man was in all the pictures? Well, he got to stay home and party with Mammy and Pappy. They offered and we couldn't refuse! Pretty sure that he had a ball! Thank you, Mammy and Pappy!

Well, after a fun, fun night, we finally all got to bed around 1:45 am or so. Thankfully, everyone slept until at least 11 am this morning. We finally woke Maggie up close to noon.

Then, before Conn had to leave to go and do some work, we tackled taking down all the Christmas decor.

We actually did it pretty fast. It sure does take a lot less time taking it down than it does putting it all up.

I love the way my house looks and feels during the Christmas season. I also love when it is all put away and everything feels clean again. But, who am I kidding. With 3 kiddos, we all know it doesn't stay clean and fresh for very long. Ha!

We also ate the traditional black eyed peas, corn bread, and cabbage (gag me!)

The kids are all in bed, I am sitting by the fire writing this post, and Conn is watching football. He just asked me if I had a good day, and I said that this is exactly how I wanted to spend it. Can't beat that!

God has taken care of us for another year. He is good! He is faithful! We are so, so blessed!

Can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for us!