This year's New Year's Eve party was definitely our favorite. We made plans with one of our favorite families to have a Family Overnight together. And, of course, with all the packing we did to accomodate our family camping out at our friends, complete with enough food to feed an army (12 children between 2 families constitutes an army, right?) I forgot to bring the camera. So, you'll have to use your fantastic imagination to picture the sweet memories we'll never forget. :)
We started out the night feasting on a delicious spread of nachos topped with chalupa and all the fixin's.
Imagine: Photo of a plate loaded with mouthwatering beans, pork, cheese, salsa, and sour cream. Ooey-gooey goodness. :)
It didn't take long for the food to disappear and the children to dive into fun with their friends. The wonderful thing about this special family is that we have "matching kids" for almost all of our ages of children. So, while the oldest 4 travelled from sharing collections, gameboards, and talking over the latest "news", the middles had a blast romping around in the basement and coming up with all sorts of fun.
Imagine: Photo of 4 middle children jumping, laughing, and enjoying all sorts of pretend play.
The Littles were busy with toys, books, and making up new rules for the infamous game, Candy Land.
Imagine: Photo of 2 girlies hoarding Princess Lolly and Queene Frostine cards. ;)
The Tiniest Two were simply adorable and spent the evening entertaining the parents as they sweetly discovered the joy of Interactive Play.
Imagine: Photo of two toddlers sharing snuggles with stuffed toys, building blocks, and working out a plan for sharing those things that are hardest to share. ;)
And, loveliest of all, 4 parents, blessed to have been a part of each other's lives since the babies first arrived, enjoying wonderful, uninterrupted (for the most part ;) ), conversations, laughs, and memories together.
Imagine: Photo of some of our dearest friends blessing us beyond measure!
Don't forget the quick trip the dads took to fit in the movie, Courageous, before midnight arrived. Very cool!
Once we got everyone's sleeping arrangements made and babies settled in for the night, the snacks and treats came out.
Imagine: Photo of 10 children hovering over a counter full of Once A Year treats like, chex mix, ranch pretzels, cheese balls, and puppy chow. Yum!
Amazingly, midnight was up on us before we even realized it. At about 15 minutes until the clock struck, the Bigs came up from their movie marathon to say they wanted to be sure they spent the turn of the New Year with their parents. *melt*
Imagine: Photo of dads and children hovering around a computer screen to watch the crystal ball drop.
Imagine: Photo of dads both making a mad dash to the moms to get in the first New Year kiss! *awwww*
It was time for bed by then. After the baked oatmeal was prepped for breakfast, everyone quickly crashed out.
Imagine: Photo of a bird's eye view of children cozily nestled in every little floor space in the house. :)
Morning brought a yummy meal of baked oatmeal and fruit and yogurt smoothies. More wonderful conversation for the grown-ups while the children soaked up more fun together.
We then came together for a precious time of family worship. Prayer and learning from the dads as they shared what they are learning from God's word. A wonderful challenge to run the race set before us in the coming year. Forgetting what is behind and pressing on to win the prize the Lord has for each of us.
Imagine: Two families gathered in love for each other and their Lord. Okay, I'll admit, it was better than you can likely imagine. :)
A quick lunch of giant sub sandwiches and a huge selection of chips and yummy dip, last minute pack-up, cookies, and bittersweet goodbyes, and we were on our way back home for a well-needed rest.
We're so thankful for this special New Year's treat. Everyone agreed it needs to be an annual tradition for our families. Let's pray the Lord has the same plan!
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." Galatians 5:16-25
2 comments:
I don't have to imagine, just remember! You're doing such a great job documenting your life here. My last post is from a year ago...I guess I need to get writing!
Thanks for sharing your lives with us. It was an honor and a blessing to ring in the new year with you all!
Yes dear, you get writing this year!
We had a wonderful time. Love you!!
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