New Year's Eve

In spite of our circumstances, we really did have a good New Year's Eve.  You make lemonade out of lemons.  We were invited to Bart's Aunt Jo Ellen's 60th Birthday/Masquerade-Costume Party on New Year's Eve.  Sounds fun, right!  We thought so, until Jude landed some stomach bug that he passed on to me the very day of the party.  Because I had promised Jo Ellen (Bart's mom's sister) that I would take pictures for her of the party, I had to go.  I wanted to go- just didn't feel very good.  So we got dressed, put on a good attitude along with a smile, and off we went! :)

Our kiddos in their costumes.  Their Christmas presents came in handy! :)

Jude's got a smile even though his tummy was sour! 

Aside from the life long friendships, having 4 sisters is a huge bonus when you need a fancy dress but don't have the time nor want to spend the money to go out and buy one.  Solution:  squeeze into your sisters' prom dress.  Thanks Court for letting me borrow your dress.  :)

Ready or not, here we come! :)

Right when Bart & I went to take this picture, as i was putting my mask on, i pulled the strap too hard & it came off on one side.  We didn't have time to wait around for a glue gun to heat up, so we had to do without.  I only had my mask on, as in holding it up to my face, i think for  total of 20 seconds.  Oh well.  At least I had the excuse of taking pics so I couldn't wear it anyways.  

Aunt JoEllen with her two daughters, Olivia & Sarah, and 3 grandchildren  

Tracy & John- When I first met Aunt Jo Ellen, I couldn't get over how much Bart's mom, Tracy, and Aunt Jo Ellen looked and sounded a like.  Still do!  

Aunt Carol & Uncle Ted (Carol, Bart's Aunt & Jo Ellen's sister, is the oldest of the 7 kids in the Ryan Family)

These are Aunt Beverly's (Another sister of Jo Ellen) 2 kids & her 2 grandkids.  Unfortunately, Aunt Beverly is a snowbird for the winter, so she & Uncle Steve were unable to attend.

This is Uncle Randy & Aunt Janell.  Uncle Randy is one of Aunt Jo Ellen's Brothers.  They were Noah & his wife!  Love it!

Zoe & I hitting the dance floor before we left.  

My party girl…hopefully that always stay within moral code!! :)

The 2 Batmans, The angel & Clark Kent/Super Jude (check out Jude's face, he's getting more sick as the night goes on).

Our family, happy to be there, sick or not! :)

Queen of the Party, Birthday Girl Aunt Jo Ellen

Zoe & Max have really taken a huge liking to Aunt Jo Ellen.  She is so sweet to them & treats them almost like a grandmother.  We are thankful for that since we don't have our families in town.

The guests.  I was impressed with everybody's costumes!  I was also impressed with all the friends and family that came to support Jo Ellen.  No question she is well loved.

Dan & Jo Ellen taking their seats at their thrones

The Birthday Queen taking her bow! :)

Partying it up

At this point, I was starting to really feel sick.  Really sick.

Why is Jude in the buff?  Well, he puked ALL over himself to the point where the only solution was to strip him down.   Yep, we were the parents that had the screaming baby that puked all over himself only 45 minutes into the party.  Hadn't happened to us yet 3 kids into it, so why not now?  So after clean up, final pictures were taken, and goodbyes were said,  we loaded up in the car to call it a night.  Once we got home, I ran into the house, puked (in my sparkly dress & all), and was out for the night.  So nope, didn't stay up till the midnight hour.  Didn't "ring" in the New Year properly.  But at least the next day we all felt much better than we did the day before!  Here's to 2014!! :)