Holiday Recap--New Year

We spent New Year's Eve and Day in Utah, which sounded like a great idea in the planning stage.

It turned out to be a fantastic idea in retrospect.  We had one of the best visits ever.

 Brad's sister Katie and her family threw the big New Year's Eve shindig, complete with a pinata,, glow-in-the-dark necklaces, . . .

 . . . and plenty of cousins (to fight with and to play with, in that order!).

 Brad's family always has plenty of treats and games for everyone.

 I think a few of the teenage boys wished there had been a few more teenage girls around for the New Year's countdown (names not revealed to protect the two teenage boys on premises that night) . . .

 . . . but the fireworks were first class.

 Lily was celebrating her first real victory of 2013/last real victory of 2012.  Brad's brother Scott bet $100 if anyone present could do 800 push-ups before the New Year. Of course he didn't think it was possible, but in less than 2 1/2 hours Lily pounded out 800 GOOD (and not girly) pushups to win the cash.  She was pretty pleased.

Where was I, you ask?

I was asleep at Grandma's, sick with the worst cold I've had in recent memory.  It laid me flat for two solid days, and it's still got one tentacle in my lungs--going on eleven days now--but I think the end is in sight.

The best thing about New Year's Day?  Everyone is slow to get up and get moving, so I wasn't too much of a burden in my weakened and virus-afflicted state.  We all decided to pitch in and help Grandma take down Christmas while she had so many helping hands around.

 In less than forty minutes we had the entire house de-cheerified and bubble wrapped and stored in the garage until next year.  Whew!

 Grandpa Greg is a calm soul who is often overwhelmed by the noise and intensity of this whole crowd.  He much prefers one-on-one moments to noisy commotion.  He spent time snuggling Evie on the chair by the fire and pointing out to Hyrum all the different species of birds that frequent the feeders outside their living room window.  I love these tender memories with Grandpa, and I hope the kids don't forget them.

Evie assisted Grandpa with the tree ornaments.  He carefully explained to her how to remove them gently and where to place them in the box.  She was careful and attentive . . .

. . . but when her hands were empty, she did have to break out a few awesome dance moves of her own.

At dinner that night I asked everyone if they had set any resolutions for the new year.  I was a bit taken aback when not one person said they had made any resolutions for the year, except Greg who added that he always made the resolution to make no new resolutions and he keeps it every year.

Guess I won't tell them all about my word and resolutions for the year . . . :)