New Year's Eve 2013

As I've done every year since I was 15 years old, I hosted a New Year's Eve party.

It started because I always babysat on New Year's Eve and the tradition has just continued throughout the years.  The guests have varied over the last 30 years - children I babysat, my high school and college boyfriends, family, friends, my students, my husband, my children, and my church members.  But even though the guests have varied, there have been very few exceptions to the party actually being held (like the year New Year's Eve was my wedding rehearsal dinner and wedding rehearsal).  For a long time, the party was a potluck but after a while, I started baking potatoes and everyone else brought the toppings.  So the New Year's Eve celebration now has the title of the 

"potato party."

This year, I added a salad bar. 

And, of course, there are always chips and dip and nachos, cheese, and salsa.

The newlyweds were here this year.

Our friend, Chloe, was here.  

And Casey made it - even though she had had her wisdom teeth removed the day before.

Everyone enjoying eating, hanging out, and watching the celebration on TV.  Anna was curling everyone's hair with her new curling iron bubble wand.  We counted down to midnight, rang in New Year 2014, and made our way outside for some small fireworks.

I think everyone had a great time.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!