NYE/NY Day 2014-2015

For NYE, we did our traditional adult dinner out, followed by Basement Olympics at the Rudd's. This year our reservation at 1818 Chophouse was pretty early, so Krista planned a boys vs. girls scavenger hunt in town to take up some time.  

One of the items on the hunt was to find Josh Busch's doppleganger.  I had spotted this man when he walked into the restaurant and even thought to myself, he looks a little bit like Josh.  Little did I know he would be our first picture!  He was a good sport and his whole table thought it was hilarious. Some other items we had to check off our list were high-fiving a statue, a group selfie with a lighted reindeer, two members going down a slide, group pyramid, using our bodies to spell Joy, getting a picture with someone named Eve, and 31 cents worth of gas.  We all had a lot of fun and I think it should become part of our annual tradition.

                                   

 The Dickempers won the trophy from the Busches this year!

Happy New Year from the Cochrans!

On New Year's Day, the Patricks hosted the 2nd annual neighborhood party.  We had started the tradition last year at our house, but regrettably did not take any pictures. There was so much delicious food, including brat soup and ham sliders.  The party was a hit and we stayed well in to the evening.  The guys played dominoes, the moms hung out by the food, and the kids all played downstairs.  Beth's niece, Erin, helped entertain the kids by making a "Battle of the Block" video.  It was so cute!

 Not sure what Bob was doing here, but all of his turns at dominos took way too long because he wouldn't stop talking.

 Summar, Lisa, and Katie

 Baby Caden was the youngest of the group at only 4 weeks old!  I love the look he is giving Summar here.

Beth and Erin

 Caleb and Hayes

 Intense (epic) game of dominoes!

 Lisa and Sarah

Summar and Caden 

 I snuck a picture of Jack when he was up getting a snack.  None of the other kids were up long enough for me to get one of them!

Delaney's Bowling Birthday Party

Delaney chose to have her friend birthday party at SIUE bowling alley this year.  As far as parties go, this was a strike!  The alley wasn't crowded at all, we could bring in our own food, and it was cheap!  In order to keep limited to two lanes, Delaney just invited her 2nd grade friends (and Emma and Harper).  The size was very manageable.  I'm very thankful that Allan took the day off to help me, though.

 L-R

Claire, J., Mia S., Sami P., Mary M., Delaney, Harper, Emma P., Alayna G., and Grace A.

 The girls and I made the blue velvet cupcakes with white icing and green polka dots. 

 I made the party favors - little buckets of gumballs.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Since there was no crowd, the girls had an impromptu dance party.

 

 

 She hit the Happy Up gift card jackpot!

That evening, we had dinner at Mama and Papas since Iain, Julie, and the kids just got in town.  We went ahead and celebrated her birthday again that night.  She is one lucky girl!