Bringing in Twenty-Eleven!

Its sad but true but the last few years my New Years Eve has been pretty lame and boring. I usually spend them at home alone (tear). So this year I wanted to do something fun that was safe and didn't cost any money (hey, I have my priorities). So when my sister Julie invited me over to her house I was like "Heck Yes!"

I made some yummy bean dip and she made Cafe Rio ( I can die, its so good) and we spent way too much time oinking it out and stuffing our faces. To work all that food off we headed for the basement and a silly night of Wii. We played Dance Party 2 and.......let me add in here how much I HATE to dance, have no coordination, and basically suck at it......but I decided to be opened-minded and try it. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!!!! I loved it! I never ever thought I would say that but it was a hoot and nobody cared that I looked like a dork. The best part was getting Rick, who hates dancing more than me, to get up there and shake his bootie! We danced till we could dance no more, played some Wii bowling and archery to pass the time.

Then we got ready to enter in the new year. So we bundled up to head outside. Rick may or may not have made some "homemade" fireworks and I think we were all a little nervous to see what would happen if he were to light the "alleged" fireworks. Some fireworks were lit, there were some loud booms, and a large divet was left in the lawn....but it was fun! The neighbors had a firework show and we stayed outside to watch till we decided we liked it better inside where we wouldn't freeze our butts off. We all wished each other a Happy New Year, and me, Tucker, and Cassidy headed for the basement to watch Despicable Me. By 2:30 in the morning we could no longer keep our eyes open and off to bed we went.

It may not have been the most exciting New Year's on record but I had a blast! I got to spend it with people that ROCK and we had tons of fun. What more could you ask for?

Celebrating the Holiday!

Let's start this new post with a past due wish for a Merry Christmas to all who may read this. I hope you had a wonderful holiday celebrated with those you love. I start every blog off with my usual saying, "I can't believe how fast time goes by and its that time again for (enter appropriate holiday in here)." But if you can believe it Christmas has come and gone and we are ready for a new year to begin.

Since the Haacke Family Clan has grown & grown over the years (around 60 people) we decided to try something new. It has been harder and harder to cram all the people into Grandma/Mom's little house and we feel like we can't move. Plus we can have a party and never even see some people because they have escaped to spacier areas where they can breathe. To solve this dilemma it was decided to have Christmas at the church. Everyone seemed on board and I thought it would be so much easier and less work for me.......little did I know. The thing with having a "destination" party is that all the supplies, food, gifts, games, decor, and set-up.....have to be TAKEN to supposed destination. We went the night before and set up all the chairs and tables and were there bright and early the next morning to decorate (as much as you can decorate a room made out of a basketball court). My mom & I had made all the 12 kids a "movie themed" basket of treats and I though that they would also be great to fill in space on the tables as decoration. We had a yummy meal of pulled pork, ham, meatballs, stuffed mushrooms, salads, veggies, and treats, treats, and more treats.

We didn't want to just sit around staring at each other ( since we actually had the space to do so) so my sister, Joni planned some fun games. We played "Minute to Win It!" and it was a blast. Everyone had a chance to sign up for the game of their choice and they had 1 minute to complete the task. The kids started and had to shake all the ornaments out of a tissue box tied to their back. Tucker's was the best because someone taped over the whole in the box and he shook & shook and nothing ever came out. I guess you had to be there but it was hilarious!

The next game each person had to take a box and, without touching it, they had to fan an ornament across the room to the center and keep it there. It was pretty funny to see all the different methods that were used by each person.

Then we played the cup challenge where you had 1 minute to make a cup pyramid and take it down without once knocking it over. Each person kept trying & trying but nobody could complete the task. Then along came Margie & Ryan (they tag teamed it) and they did it!

The final game was where each person had 1 minute to get 10 ping pongs in 10 glasses by bouncing them. No one could do this but it was fun to see people try. The best part of the games was sitting around laughing and having fun watching everyone try the games. There was teasing and hollering going on, but we all got to see each other and have a fun time together.

I love Christmas! Its a lot of work and it comes & goes so fast. But it really is the best time to spend with those you love to eat and be merry. I wish it could last all year round (minus the disgustingly cold yucky weather that it brings) and we could keep the lights up and the trees and eat yummy treats.