Saying Hello to 2013

After a brilliant Christmas, with lots of celebrations and family gatherings, we had a couple of days to chill before the arrival of Barry and Co, for their homecoming visit. After 7 years away from the UK, they left Minneapolis behind and moved back to Lincoln. For me, Christmas began on the day Barry called to say they'd be home for the holidays, and staying home for good; the best possible present for the entire family, knowing they'd now only be two hours away and not several thousand miles! The last two months have been nothing short of madness as they organised the move, chose new schools,packed up their belongings and said many emotional farewells to friends and their Minnesotan family.
On 30th December, they arrived!  Family favourite Shepherds Pie for tea (or is that dinner?) was followed by a relaxing night, exchanging presents and catching up. My three were bemused by the American accents of their cousins, and James particularly loved having the now sport-mad Patrick and Richard to chat to, in spite of the 11 year age gap between the eldest two! After two bottles of red wine, we headed off to bed, having planned absolutely nothing for the next two days, just quality family time! A leisurely New Year's Eve ambled into a chilled evening at home, having dinner, playing games and sipping red wine and Shloer (kiddie wine as Patrick informs me). Much hilarity ensued with the team challenge game, along with silly alphabet voices, mathematical feats from our youngest player, and many other hysterical tasks. Patrick was determined to capture a photo of 12 midnight, so we made sure we took this as he and Richard stepped out to be our First Footers.

After googling at 11.55pm to make sure we had the traditions just right, we armed the boys with a purse, bread, salt and some coal, and sent them outside, saying 'See you next year!'. They knew they'd been trusted with an important job, and even asked if they were allowed to talk when they waited outside!

As the twelfth stroke arrived, our tall, dark and handsomes stepped across the threshold, bringing in the New Year. After the hugging stopped, we stepped outside with our Cava to watch the fireworks and listen to the ships on the Tyne. We then watched London's celebrations, reminding us of the Olympics we'd all watched together...yes 2012 had been one to remember! A sleepless night followed for me, as my three were out with friends, Devon on her first trip in to town, and the other two partying locally. A family lunch on New Year's Day saw proud Grandmas looking on as the 'bairns' were all together again. Just perfect!!

Happy New Year!!