New Year's Eve -- 2012

Over the New Year's holiday, we had house guests. Michaela, Martin, and their kids Viktoria and Konstantin. They used to live a block away from us, but now are back home in Germany. We miss having them as neighbors, but enjoyed their visit with us. The girls got along swimmingly. The adults enjoyed a fantastic meal at Forage, without the kids. One day, Carolyn convinced me to buy some flowers so that the guests could have fresh flowers in their bedroom. Then, as soon as we arranged them, the two little girls came out with new dresses on, walking very slowly, each holding a bunch of the flowers. When we asked what they were doing.... it was a wedding.

For New Year's Eve, we stayed in. Dave, Elle, and their girls (Carly, Lauren, Sabrina) also joined us. Steve cooked up a big pot of Gumbo. Elle made a delicious salad. And Michaela made a trifle. We played lots of games, including charades. Martin's impression of an ostrich was the best. I wish I caught it on film.

And everyone ended up wearing the same color.

We all made it up to midnight. We banged pots outside and let off a few fireworks.

By 1215, good byes were said and everyone was in bed. Here is Carolyn at 1200 the next day, when she decided to finally wake up.