Our Happy New Year' Eve

We decided to not look for a babysitter this year and

have a family friendly New Year's Eve time to go along

with our family friendly Christmas which was wonderful.

Maya and Nate at the Children's Museum Rock wall.

Luke loved playing with the balls and sending them up the chute.


Making New Year's Eve masks at the craft table.

Building a skyscraper in the construction zone.


Riding the train from the museum, to the restaurant to meet
some family for dinner, was one of the evening highlights
for the kids.

We had dinner at the Macaroni Grill with Grandma Lee
and Grandpa Frank and...


Hailee, Uncle Ryan and Aunt Tina.
(Uncle Shawn was sick so their family stayed home.)

After dinner we met up with another cousin Hannah at the

First Night Festivities where the kids had fun chasing her and

throwing snowballs. She's a good sport.

Uncle Dave had top billing in the arts pavilion

where he did performance poetry.

We made it in time to hear The Poet Michele,

Brad Thomas and Orion. I don't know if the performance

mesmerized the kids or if cuddling with their Aunt Chelsea in the

warm tent kept their attention. Dave, Adam, Chelsea and

Hannah stayed to hear some more music, but after watching

the fire dancers we headed back home to finish off the evening.

We played with silly string...

poppers...

and sparklers.

Then we went inside to watch Dick Clark and NYC

countdown to the New Year...but we actually missed the

official countdown because we all got engrossed in

West Side Story during a commerical break!

Then we put the kids to bed and were grateful for the end

of the year and are looking forward to a much quieter 2009!