Our Five Ring Circus: Ringing in 2016

Monday, January 4, 2016

Ringing in 2016

Happy New Year!  I don't know about you, but I find it hard to believe that it's already 2016! 

I don't make resolutions, but I plan on working to achieve balance and simplicity in all aspects of my life this year. Life is busy and chaotic for a family of 6, and I'm determined to have things run smoothly this year . 2016 is off to a great, organized

The last day of 2015 was very low key for us.  Grant had to work, Dylan was at a sleepover, and the rest of us spent most of the afternoon in our pajamas! We made a quick run to the grocery store to pick up some party food. After Grant got home, we headed to our friend's house to celebrate New Year's Eve!

Last Day of 2015

For many years, we spent New Year's Eve with my family.  Sadly, that became a thing of the past as my nieces and nephews grew up and moved away and everyone began to do their own thing. When that happened, we started to spend New Year's Eve with some of our closest friends. Although I do miss our family tradition at times, I enjoy our evening with friends. This was the fifth year in a row that we rang in the new year with friends!

New Year's Eve/New Year's Day isn't a big deal for me. Truthfully, I'm not a huge fan of it, but I'm not going to be a downer right now. I like to focus on the positive!

Our celebration revolves around family and friends.  I don't drink, so for me, it's all about spending time with my loved ones.  And eating.  Indulging in party food is good for the soul! This year, we played Apples to Apples for hours while the kids ran circles around us!

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New Year's Eve with Framily
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We all gathered together to watch the ball drop and ring in 2016! It was noisy, chaotic, and crowded, which was the perfect representation of our lives right now. It was a happy moment!

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Everyone went their own way again.  We talked and played Apples to Apples until 3 AM, and the kids continued to play.

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Every single kid stayed awake until midnight (and then some). Netflix sent us some New Year's Eve party supplies for the kids (#StreamTeam), so they could celebrate early. Well, they celebrated early, rang in the new year with the adults, and continued to celebrate.  Out of all the kids, Dylan was the only one who fell asleep during the party.  Even Violet and Liam stayed awake the entire time!

New Year's Eve with Netflix

We were shocked by our night owls, but when 3:00 AM rolled around, it was evident that exhaustion was setting in.  Adults included.

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We originally planned to sleep over, but Grant was wide awake and offered to drive home so we could all sleep in our own beds.  We made the trek home in the wee hours of the morning. I honestly can't remember the time. It was somewhere between 3:30-4:00 AM.  All of the kids fell asleep within minutes of driving away!

We had a fun night with our "framily" and it was nice to welcome 2016 with them. As long as we're together, life is good!

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Needless to say, we all slept in on New Year's Day.  We had a 2 PM brunch together, and enjoyed a lazy afternoon at home before going to my parent's house for dinner.

New Year's Day
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Even though we slept in, we were all dragging!  After dinner, Lexie stayed behind at my parent's house for a sleepover, and the rest of us headed home.

Here's to a happy, healthy, prosperous, and memorable 2016!
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How did you celebrate New Year's Eve and New Year's Day?

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8 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great time. Did your kiddos all sleep in the next day? Mine decided not too. Ugh!

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  2. Holy cow can't believe everyone made it all night! That is fun though to spend it with family. Ours was much more low key; we let the kids celebrate New York's new years, and then off to bed, so they went to bed at 9.

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  3. Looks like a good time to me. Happy New Year!

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  4. Happy New Year!!! Everyone made it up to midnight in our household as well; though, once midnight hit adults were headed home and I sent kids to bed! LOL - I was tired!

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  5. What a great New Year and you got a family and a group shot?! Teach me your secret please!

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  6. What sweet memories made this year! Love all those smiling faces!

    XOXO,
    Elizabeth

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  7. I can't believe they all made it to midnight! We were in bed by 10:00. :0) I haven't stopped by in a while and can't believe how big the kids are getting. Adorable as always!

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  8. Happy New Year...even though it's January 10th! LOL!

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