2012... The Mayans have it all wrong

2012 cannot mark the end of the world.  No way.  We are just getting started.  For New Years, we began a family tradition on my dad's side of the family.  It was ALL MY IDEA to head East of the Mountains to ring in the New Year.  Ok, so maybe I didn't come up with it but once suggested, I was totally on board!!! We rented a house on Lake Entiat, just 20 minutes outside of the adorable town of Leavenworth.  We took day trips into town and the boys even took the "big" kids to Mission Ridge for some sledding.  I wouldn't say this was the most relaxing weekend of my life but it was a lot of fun.  With 8 kids all under the age of 7, the house was full of noise, game pieces, and lots and lots of laughter. 

Liam (age 6)
Elsie (age 3)
Moraiya (age 4)
Roman (11 months)
Kennedy (age 2)
Mara (6 months)
Roderick (age 2)
Mckenna (10 months)
Ben (age 37)

Oh, sorry Ben.  I have no idea how you made that list :-)

Weekend Lows:
- Grocery bill (sorry dad)
- Liam and his many time outs :-)
- Roderick and his many time outs :-)
- Sleepless nights in a house where sound easily travels
- Moraiya accidentally eating HOT HOT HOT sauce
- Prita's fall on the ice
- Chris fall on the ice
- The boys playing Risk for HOURS on their iphones...Boys, Boys, Boys??? Helllo???
- Sharing the bed with Roderick who tried to kick me out several times
- Watching Harv TRY to sleep on the floor since Roderick would not budge (sorry Honey)
- Dad's fall on the rocks (he's ok folks)

Weekend Highs:
- Chris sharing his love for reading Bibliographies (still laughing at this one)
- Playing Memory with Raiya
- Ringing in the New Year with the kids at 8:30 pm
- Ringing in the New Year with the adults at Midnight (Oh, and Sis who would not sleep.  Yes.  She was really up at midnight)
- Shopping in Leavenworth
- CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN LEAVENWORTH
- Watching Liam and Elsie enjoy non-vegan ice cream for the first time in their life
- Getting to know Thedra
- Playing Pictionary and being one of the BEST players on the girls team :-)
- Enjoying the "conversation starter" cards
- Playing cars with Roderick and reading books together
- Watching Mckenna look at the Christmas lights and eat ice cream from Cold Stone
- Watching Kiki look after/boss around Roderick.  She's a girl after my own heart.
- Sean's impressions of Coconuts LOL
- Late nights with Prita and Jamie
- Bonding with family members :-)

Looking forward to our next New Year celebration East of the Mountains! Who is booking the house???