We typically trade-off which family we celebrate New Years with (mostly because New Years Eve is actually Amy's birthday). This year was a Walker year. When we made plans in the beginning of the month, we planned to get together for a Family Christmas Party, and then stagger our trips to Wyoming because there isn't really space to house everyone yet. But when it got a little closer, we knew that we would be so SO sad not to celebrate New Years with the Haderlies so we called Jenna and started making a case for why they should come back for NYE (including bribes). They jumped on board and it made it SO fun!
We did a countdown with 6 different activities for the kids to do through the afternoon/evening. Some of the things were bigger and some were smaller. It was simple but the perfect way to celebrate the last day of 2024.
We started with an outdoor scavenger hunt that Lydia put together while waiting for the Haderlies to arrive. She had lots of things to them to find and do and it took them all over: the fields, the corrals, the shop, the underpass.
Austin got a radio-flying airplane for Christmas and he was SO excited to try it out. We were so impressed with him and his flying skills. It was a stretch of a gift this year, but he loves it so much - it is perfect for him.
We ate dinner, talked about favorite things from the past year (we made a little book of highlights), and talked about things we were excited for in the upcoming year.
We had a Glow-Stick Dance Party and danced the macarena (a Walker tradition) and ended with watching the "ball drop/fireworks" in Australia or something while shooting off confetti and putting the kids to bed by 8. Ha. We did let the big kids stay up until about 10, when we did the same thing with the live ball drop in NYC. Jenna, Kevin, and I ended up staying all the way up until midnight for our midnight kiss and then straight to bed.
Austin got a radio-flying airplane for Christmas and he was SO excited to try it out. We were so impressed with him and his flying skills. It was a stretch of a gift this year, but he loves it so much - it is perfect for him.
We ate dinner, talked about favorite things from the past year (we made a little book of highlights), and talked about things we were excited for in the upcoming year.
We had a Glow-Stick Dance Party and danced the macarena (a Walker tradition) and ended with watching the "ball drop/fireworks" in Australia or something while shooting off confetti and putting the kids to bed by 8. Ha. We did let the big kids stay up until about 10, when we did the same thing with the live ball drop in NYC. Jenna, Kevin, and I ended up staying all the way up until midnight for our midnight kiss and then straight to bed.
Why do I have no pictures of my parents? I have no idea! They were there every step of the way cheering us on and celebrating with us. We love this little home and I love that my kids are now experiencing this as their grandparents house, just like I experienced it as a child.
We are so grateful for the blessings of the past year and are looking forward to 2025. Happy, Happy, New Year!
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