New Year's Eve

Grandpa and Grandma invited us down to their lake house to ring in the new year. The kids jumped all over it. They talked the whole way down there about fishing. We tried our best to convince them that it was too cold for the fish. But with a face like this...

We just couldn't deny them the chance. Plus, it was 60 degrees outside. There was a chance someone would bite, right? So we carried all the supplies down to the dock.
Abby and Grandma even came out with some bread to help get the fish's attention.
I do believe it took longer to get the poles all set up than anyone actually fished,
but at least they can say they tried.
Little sister even tried her hand at it. No luck there either.
Because it was New Year's, we wanted the kids to stay up with us. Of course, Benjamin chose this day to wake up at 6:15. So, while I got him to take a nap after lunch, daddy took Noah out to play some football.
And Grandpa and Abby went around collecting rocks and pine cones.

Maybe throwing rocks in the water is really more fun than tossing the football?

On of the best parts about the lake house is the neighbors. Can you see who is sitting in the tree just above the roof? See the two white spots?
Those are the heads of two bald eagles. They have a nest down at the end of the cove. Not only are they beautiful in their own right and amazing to watch, their living here means the cove is protected property so no one can develop that land, so it keeps things quieter and more peaceful down there. Especially in the summer. There is another one towards the top of this orangish tree. Can you see it?
Before dinner, we headed in to town for some bowling. We have never been before and the kids were so excited.
Well, maybe not all of them. Abby did not like the bowling alley at all. I got her to try it once before she collapsed into a blubbering mess. I think she'll probably just stick to dancing...

Daddy helped show Benjamin how to do it.

But he was quick to try it on his own. (No, this ball did not go anywhere fast. It did, however, make it all the way to the end of the lane.)

Here is how he waited patiently to see the outcome of his roll.

Unfortuantely, we got there just after they filled the lanes with the bumpers for the little kids. We got a LOT of gutter balls. Not everyone in our party was okay with this...

Eventually our neighbors left and we were able to snag this little device. It helped the attitudes of all involved tremendously.

After a soft pretzel, Abby decided she would rather just explore the bowling alley itself. Good thing, too. If she hadn't, we might have never known that they offered Cappaccino. I mean what says cappaccino like a bowling alley. Am I right?
Eventually everyone made their way to the snack counter for a pretzel.
Safe to say we didn't break any records at the alley, but I do think 6 of the 7 of us had fun. The boys were asking to go again before we were even in the car. We'll have to try again with the gutter bumpers...

After a yummy steak dinner, we broke out some games to awat the big countdown. Abby has become quite the go-fish player. She likes to play best against herself, however. (That way, she can be sure she gets all the girl cards.)
Grandpa and Grandma were keeping an eye on Times Square so we didn't miss anything important.
The boys played air hockey.
In the final minutes, all eyes were on the TV.Well, almost all. Little Miss wanted to keep playing her favorite game these days - Mary and Joseph.The sparkling grape juice was poured and waiting.Noah and daddy sneaked in one more quick card game.HAPPY 2012! I had a video of the big moment but it was a little underwhelming, so I am going to spare you. In the picture below, can you tell which two boys did not take a nap?A certain little Mary did not want to participate in group pictures. Me thinks she does not like New Year's Eve parties...We all slept in until 7:00. Woo hoo. But it is all good because I got to go to sleep holding hands with my eldest son while we shared a twin bed. (That's an old habit we have and I am not willing to break.)

Before heading home, we seeked out a real eagle's nest. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see any eagles in it, but we did get an appreciation for the size of these nests!
Then it was home to get ready for 2012. It's gonna be a great year, we just know it!