New Years - Around the World!

Over the years, we have gotten pretty creative with our NYE celebration... especially with kids in the mix. First of all, we celebrate the East Coast New Years. 9:00 just seems like such a better scenario... we bring the kids with us (because babysitters on NYE is non-existant) and this way everyone can be on our way home before the driving REALLY gets bad out there! Since no matter where the party is hosted, most of the group will have to travel pretty far to get home. West LA, Seal Beach, Dana Point, Pasadena, La Verne, Las Vegas... a pretty big circumference, I'd say. Anyway this year, Vince and Erin hosted the festivities in Pasadena.

We chose a theme... which is relatively normal.

This year... Around the World.

Each couple chose a country to host and provided an appetizer and drink to share. We set up our countries around the house and traveled around the world.

First Stop... Japan

Ko ne shi wa... sake bombs anyone?

Way to model proper Sake-Bomb procedure Beanie!

Ryan and Tracy perfected the execution...


A little sushi and edamame for the appetizer...

And don't forget the decor...

And the food...

Steve and I were in charge of hosting Japan so we brought costumes too.

What you can't tell in this post, is that Erin... the hostess... downloaded the National Anthem to each country and created an Olympics vibe to the night. At each stop, we recognized the country with a musical tribute.


Next stop...

The United States of America! Our good ol' US of A!

Hosted by the twins... Beanie and Megan and their wonderful hubbies....

After the National Anthem, the group belted out a lovely rendition of "God Bless America"

(which actually happens at most of our events... no need to have a USA theme for this crowd pleaser!)

Middle America was the food theme for our great country... dominoes, funyeons (sp?), and beer bongs!

They even had these little, sparkly cowboy hats to wear in their country.

Onward to "Judea" hosting by the Smiths

(I know... you are probably wondering, what??? Long funny story... we'll leave it at that.)

I don't really remember what we had to eat on this stop but I do remember the trivia game. I know my children are going to read this as they grow up, so I refuse to tell you how poorly I did with my Jewish history. I think my dad is probably laughing right now... because I never was really good at history!

Irish Coffees and pastrami sandwiches from Ireland.

Thank you to the husband-and-wife-to-be, Tracy and Scott.

sisters enjoying a little sweet piece of heaven... Shana and Erin.

Dana and baby Kate.

I can't believe how big she is getting.

Claudia and baby Jack.

At some point, the babysitters only work for so long. at some point, these little ones need their mommies. Claudia and Joe hosted Mexico. Although, I don't think we actually visited "Mexico" formally. Claudia makes the most amazing guacamole so everyone devoured that before the world tour began even!

Dana and Bryan hosted Italy... Chianti and some fabulous appetizers. They were so fancy, that I don't even know what to call them... but delicious... all the same.

A little mingling mixed in between stops to rest...

Because, you know, "traveling" is hard work :-)

Now on to Germany hosted by David and Shana Hayden (Erin's sister)...

Hefeweizen and this amazing German-sausage-toasted bread-thing that was to die for...

I think I had 4!

After we finished traveling all around the world, Erin organized some Olympic events!

The girls team was triumphant of course! The boys cheated the whole time!

A quick time-out to bring in the New Year....

"Happy New Year!"

And then back to the game...

Erin worked so hard on this. She created a Jeopardy style game with questions about everyone in the group. Boys had to answer about girls and vice versa.

A couple questions that were asked about Steve... let's see how well you know him:

"What is Steve's favorite meal?"

"Approximately, how many pair of tennies does Steve purchase in one year?"

the girl having to answer the second question needed a clarifying questions, "Shoes for just Steve? Or for Lori, the girls, and Steve?"

Erin clarified, "Just Steve."

(Good thing because that answer could have gotten ugly... LOL)

The answers:

"Wheat Thins and Diet 7up"

"6 pair of tennnies... new ones every other month"

After the game... Erin even had set up an obstacle course. We didn't get to fully take advantage of her hard work though... all the kiddies were already in jammies and almost ready to call it a night. But it was awesome... and needed a little recognition!

A little fun with the kiddies at the end of the night! I can't believe they were all still awake!

"Oh Charlie... your eyes are gonna freeze like that!"

Look at Wyatt...

King of his throne with his lovely maids in tow!

He'll be posing for Abercrombie in no time!

WISHING EVERYONE A FABULOUS 2011!