Clayton Crew: Ringing in the New Year...

The Clayton Crew had an absolute blast yesterday ringing in the new year! The kids and I turned on party music and decorated the tree (quite hideously I might add) for our family party that was happening later in the evening.

The kids seriously loved bouncing balloons around all afternoon!

We also had to make sure we had our party goods ready to go for their friends...

The kids and I all toasted at lunch since I wasn't sure they would make it until the ball dropped...

little did we know that we have some party animals on our hands :)!

After several years of being home bound and not having the ability to party with friends (even at our own house), Daniel and I decided to invite a couple friends over for a family new year's eve party...

Cliff and Laura Beth with their spunky kids Aidan, Ryla, & Noah...

along with Mike and Ann Baur with their little darlings Mercy, Glory, and Grace showed up to p-a-r-t-y with us! I knew we were going to have a good time, but I honestly never imagined just how much fun our families could have together. The kids played amazingly well together and us adults were able to enjoy a game along with fun conversation. Mr. Aidan happened to turn 6 yesterday, so we had a great time celebrating with him!

Plus, the kids seriously loved that scrumptious ice cream cake (thanks Laura Beth!). The kids also had fun ringing in the new year with poppers...

blowing horns...

and just being silly running around in the balloons. Of course we attempted to "lay them down" with intentions of them possibly crashing...

but these guys were party animals! Daniel had moved our TV into Kason's room for the evening and they watched a little here and there, but they were too busy having fun to rest their eyes.

And when I say fun, I mean...

SERIOUS FUN!!! I absolutely love it! Max lasted until around 9:00 and Zoe around 10:30, but the other seven lasted until around midnight...can you believe it?!? Three did end up crashing right around that time...

but four of the little rascals partied hard :). Daniel and I can't thank our sweet friends enough for joining us in a night of fun! The Clayton Crew has been resting today, catching up on a few projects around the house, but mostly just spending some quality time together...