New Year's Eve Festivities

The traditions continue around here on New Year's Eve. If after reading this post, you don't think we are completely crazy or even slightly disturbed, then I think you would enjoy these traditions, too. We like to have fun, even if it is silly, and on New Year's Eve we did just that.

Our evening starts with a dance/theme interpretation competition. Each person or group chooses a song to perform to. It is really fun, and we have lots of laughs in the process. At the end, we vote and declare a winner.

Sam doing "Eye of the Tiger"

Lauren and Abby doing "Party in the U.S.A."

Lauren, Abby, Isaiah, and Laila doing "All the Single Ladies"

Yes, it was hilarious, and they looked quite cute in their Swazi skirts.

I am sure Isaiah will thank his sisters for this one some day.

Isaiah doing Chipmunks singing, "Funkytown," his favorite song

I can't even believe I am posting this, but if I am going to do pictures of them, I have to be willing as well. Me doing "Halo" with a guest appearance by Laila. (She actually did guest appearances in most of the performances!)

Cody doing "Livin' On A Prayer"

Rick doing "Jesus Freak"(the loud choir man version) with a guest appearance by Laila

Cody won the dance competition for the second year in a row. He has a streak going!!!

After the competition the kids did "freestyle" dancing to "I Like to Move It." Here are the pictures from that:

Like mother, like daughter

Look at that boy swinging those hips

Break dancing

Break dancing, also

On Christmas Day, there is always a present under the tree that cannot be opened until New Year's Eve. It is some kind of game for that night. The kids opened their gift this year to see that they had Shrek Carnival Games for the Wii. We spent some time competing with each other. Then the little ones went to bed.
DISCLAIMER: NONE OF THE FOLLOWING PICTURES INVOLVE ALCOHOL. IT IS ONLY SPARKLING GRAPE JUICE!! Of course I say that jokingly, but after seeing the pictures, you might wonder.

We always have sparkling grape juice and homemade donuts to toast to the New Year. I try to make it a time where we talk about the previous year and look forward to the New Year, but they don't take it completely seriously yet. Oh, well, maybe some day they will. For now, we have fun.

Gathered around the table

A toast to all that God did in 2009 and looking forward to 2010

Forget the glass

My silly boy

Who raised these kids, anyway?

The fun just keeps coming

A little lady thinking about her year

Seriously, is there anything a boy will not make into a gun?

The evening was fun. At midnight we watched the fireworks on Pikes Peak from the girls' bedroom window. Welcome, 2010!!!