New Years Eve celebration

I just love our New Years Eve celebration!  This year was made even more special by having Hal and Beverly & Craig and Mary join us.  The Matheney family has been a part of our tradition for a few years now and we couldn't imagine NYE without them!  Wouldn't it be great if we could get the entire crew back again next year?   :)

We do a sort of 'redneck potluck' which always works out well.  We usually make a lot of appetizers, some desserts, and a variety of finger foods.  Plus, we require Julie to bring her Hoppin' John.  :)  Mom brought a ham, Matheney's brought yummy pork roast, we had Shredded Salsa Chicken, Black Bean Corn Salsa Dip and other tasty favorites, some of which I've never gotten on the blog.  I'll have to work on those soon.  :)

We eat and visit and tell stories, then we play games of all kinds.  We watch the ball drop at 11:00 pm (New York time) and then see if we can stay up till midnight central time.  :D  This year I think we all made it (except for Mama and Daddy who wisely went home earlier in the evening).

New favorite game around here - Wits and Wagers.  You can always count on the Matheney's to bring fantastic games!!  I will definitely be buying this one.

Here are a ton of photos!

Beverly and Hal

Stephen and Rachel

Jackson, Jonathan and Matthew

Candace and Kerry

Brenda (poor Arayna had to work an overnight shift so was trying to catch a catnap)

Matt

Daddy

it may look messy, but it was all yummy!   :)

shredded salsa chicken and little smokies

Melina and Megan

Craig and Mary

Mama, Julie and Hannah

Marvin

kids playing the first game of the evening

listening to Jackson and Hannah play their song Tradition of Love

Jackson and Hannah

getting their beginning note... Rachel, Susanna, Candace and Hannah

we had a little dancing!

Hannah trying to get Jackson to dance with her - he used to swing dance with her!  He refused.   :(

But Brenda got him to dance!!!!!

Jackson - slightly traumatized... but the rest of us thought it was hysterical!!   :)

playing spoons - who knew that game could get so intense??   ;)

visiting in the living room

the gamers!

watching the ball drop

Happy New Year!

Megan

Rachel