Tonight, We Are Young.....

New Year's Eve.

It had become a mundane lackluster holiday in my life. Sipping bubbly poured from a chilled bottle of Martinelli's while a contrived TV countdown glared mocking me (for it knew I sat like a lump watching) was what this holiday had deteriorated to..

OK so maybe New Year's hasn't been that bad, but I can't say it has been all that memorable either. It becomes one of those EXPECTATIONS vs. REALITY scenarios. The hype is out there, you like to have fun, you want to do something but the day comes and BLAH- you've got nothing. 

So this year we decided that maybe some EFFORT was in order. We convinced our friends Scott & Leana to put on an 80's dance party with us to ring in the New Year. I went punk, mohawk and all, while Jason went with his classic Devo look. Lights flashed to the music that covered everything from Madonna to A-Ha and The Cure to Technotronic. The crowd was a little thin- turns out that there are people who actually prefer to sit on the sofa come New Year's Eve. Not me. I am still young (kinda), I can set the world on fire (or at least a spark),  I can burn brighter than the sun (that part is true). That night we had fun.... and nobody had to carry me home (though I know they would have). Next year there will be less effort, I am sure of it, but as they say- the party must go on.....

Scott & Leana

Justin & Stephanie

Travis & Christa

Heather, Steph & Steph

Jim & Kirsten

Donald & Angie

There was one thing that felt like falling down by night's end.......

mohawk spike #3

and finally it was Christmas.....

Christmas Eve

Evidently it is is a tradition of my parents to feast upon a Mexican dinner at the original Macayo on Charleston Christmas Eve. Somehow this information had never become privy to me, though it is said that an "open invitation" has been sitting on the old table for years. Now that we had finally been allowed into the loop, we thought we would see what all the hype was about...

...turns out there was no hype, but it was fun to step back into that crumbling place and have a sub-par meal packed with nostalgia. Santa must have also gotten the memo because he and Mrs.Claus enjoyed dinner, then paid a visit to the kids before they climbed back into their sleigh.

.....and then the tried and true tradition of opening a present on Christmas Eve. The results are always the same- new pajamas- but this prequel to Christmas morning just revs up the excitement. 

Lauren requested footie pajamas, Jace got the usual two piece set.

 Both are a little crazy in these pictures...

Christmas Morning

 It was finally time too see if their Christmas lists had become tangible objects. Both had short lists with expensive pricetags..... Lauren hoped and pleaded for an iPhone while Jace daydreamed of having his very own iTouch. 

As Christmas morning unfolded they found goodies in their stockings....

Legos wrapped in festive paper...

clothes from Hollister.....

then Jace opened a little box to find.....

an iPhone4- even better than an iTouch!!

meanwhile Lauren opened her gift to find...

an iPhone5- she loved it so much that she couldn't help but kiss the box!

Everyone got what they wanted and more... 

Jason and I even got new iPhones too!!

Jace checking out his new iPhone

Then it was time for Grandma & Grandpa Nelson's

The kids scored again and exchanged gifts with the cousin whose name they had picked. After everyone opened gifts it was time for lunch. This year's pick was once again China-A-Go-Go. A yummy lunch with the whole family....

That night we had Grandma& Grandpa Nelson and Grandma & Grandpa Robb stop by to see the kids' stash and we gave them their gifts as well...

G & G Nelson with Lauren & Jace

G & G Robb, Jason, Lauren, and Jace

We didn't get to our Robb bowling extravaganza before Christmas so we met up a few days after Christmas. Everyone had a fun time and some fierce competing took place. Jason lost the tree trophy to Matt, who got the highest score this year......

We had a very Merry Christmas this year!!!

We are truly blessed and grateful.....

(our Christmas card)