New Years Eve

On new years eve, I was finally able to join in on the family celebrations! Everyone was nice and let me come even though I hadn't officially tested negative yet. But I had quarantined for 10 days and I hadn't had any symptoms for several days. 

I was so excited to be with my people again! I was also so excited to enjoy moms cooking, her food is  so delicious.

Dad knows I love peppermint chocolate cakes, and I had told him all season long, don't make your chocolate peppermint dessert when I'm not there! So he made his special chocolate peppermint ice cream cake just for me! Except, he couldn't find any peppermint ice cream so he used mint chocolate chip instead, and it was so yummy. I really appreciated his intention to make me my favorite Christmas dessert for my grand introduction back into society.

After dinner and dessert it was time for our annual white elephant gift exchange!

Dad went first

Grass covered flip flops! The griffins brought this gift and they told me they were hoping  I would get it since I have a serious aversion to walking on grass with bare feet. Thinking of wearing these shoes gives  me the cringy shivers.

Ricky got a blue and white plate and at first we were all confused why this was part of a silly white elephant gift exchange. Beth told us to look closer, the pattern was actually flying monkeys and other silly things.

V got this hilarious eye mask, that she wore all the way up until it was stolen.

Mom got a light up scarf, hat and gloves and she was actually pretty thrilled about it.

Karin got this hilarious octopus beanie. We all told her we expect to see her wearing it on the slopes next year, and she said it would actually be pretty awesome since her face always gets so cold. 

John got a snail soap dispenser and green soap to use with it. This was a pretty hot item and it got stolen a few times.

Thomas got a talking face piggy bank that "eats' your money, the kids were so entertained by it.

When it was my turn I picked the other present that was labeled "fragile" and was wrapped like Ricky's blue and white plate, hoping I would get one too.

I did! Mine had giant robots taking over a village.

When John's snail got stolen, he picked the gift I brought which had canned river otter in it...

It was actually  a super cute stuffed river otter that V and Thomas loved. John loved the candy I included in the gift.

Jenny stole dad's grass flip flops because they came with some pretty adorable guinea pig things.

Dad's new gift was a grinch face pan and a green pancake mix.

Sam got "ohhhh fffffudge" and he was pretty excited about it.

Andrew stole V's eye mask and the worst alphabet book that came with it.

Her replacement gift was a ginormous candy cane.

After everyone had opened their gift, Thomas did some major negotiating with John to get the canned river otter and the cat vs. pickle toy that also came in that gift.

Then it was time to head upstairs and get ready to countdown to the new year!

Happy New Year!!!

Dr. Nog (Dr. Pepper + eggnog) has become part of our new years traditions. The boys love it and look forward to it every year. They love experimenting and finding the best ratio of soda to nog.

After ringing in the new year at midnight, our family doesn't go to bed. We stay up and puzzle. we are a family of night owls.

Cheers to 2023!!