For New Year's Eve we had a party with our regular group of friends ("the park group"), but first we started at the Meister's house for fireworks. They often buy fireworks on their out of state road trips, so they are always well-stocked. 

This is becoming a yearly tradition. The kids always love it.

Then we headed to the Sheriff's house as usual. We started going to their house every NYE a few years ago, and it's always so fun. They are such great hosts. 

Around the World ping-pong with the whole group is always a must.

We played a lot of other games while we waited for the ball to drop. 

The days after Christmas were filled with lots of fun. Andy's mom took the girls on a shopping spree in the city as part of their Christmas gift.

Andy got some snuggles with this little cutie by telling her that she had better NOT snuggle with him. 

The girls and I were excited to go back to the Christmas Market that is in downtown Philly every year. 

The weather was SO cold in the couple of days leading up to Christmas, that we decided to wait and go afterwards. Unfortunately, a lot of the booths had closed by then, but we still have a fun time looking around.

The Hanmonds got us the game "What Do You Meme?" for Christmas, and it turned out to be a big hit!

On Ellie's birthday (woohoo-eleven!), we met up with our good friends the Logans and went ice skating! The kids and I hadn't seen the Logans in four years, so it was such a treat. This was definitely another highlight of the trip!

The birthday girl enjoying a milkshake!

In what felt like a Christmas miracle BOTH Logan brothers were able to come meet us for ice skating. I don't know what Jane and Mike are talking about, but Jane seems delighted by the conversation.

The ice skating place was so great with food, little rides and an arcade nearby. 

The kids all had a great time.

The Hammonds even stopped by for a bit.

It was so nice to see these four childhood buddies reunited, although they typically get to see each other every year on their March Madness trip.

Ellie requested chicken curry and rice for her birthday dinner and brownies for dessert.

The next day we flew home. The Lord was SO good to us, and even though we almost always fly Southwest, our return flight happened to be on American. We had absolutely no problems with our flight, and it was even direct! Joey was pumped about this Switch/phone holder built into the back of the seats. He basically played his new Pokemon game for the six hour plane ride home. It was good to be home!

We went to Tenth Presbyterian's Christmas Eve service as always. We love the candlelight part. As extra entertainment, Hannah happened to notice a mom's hair catch on fire while she was trying to keep her daughter's hair out of the fire. Good news, apparently she was able to extinguish her hair quickly. After the service, we went back to Timmy and Sarah's for their annual Christmas Eve party.

On Christmas morning, Jane was the first kid up. Thankfully she was happy to hang out upstairs for a while to let the other kids sleep in a little more. My girls woke up next and kept her company.

Finally the boys started stirring. Timmy and Andy hung two sheets so the girls came from upstairs, and the boys came from Hank's room in the back.

They were all excited to see the mountain of presents, of course.

Present opening is always a little chaotic and goes by so quickly. I love it, but I also love the quiet after the storm when everyone is happily enjoying their new gifts.

Believe it or not, Ellie was most excited about the Nutella she got! It was literally her favorite present.

She really was pumped about all of her presents.

Here she is living her best life!

That night we all (Lanzones, Sarah's mom, and the Hammonds) met up for dinner at an Italian restaurant in town.

It was our first time at this restaurant, and it was so good!

Andy couldn't quite get everyone in the picture, but here's most of us.

And there's the other side of the table.

After dinner, Kelsey, Trent, Papa J, and Uncle John came back with us to Timmy and Sarah's house.

Papa J and John went home after a few cigars, but Kelsey and Trent stayed over until after midnight.

We had so much fun talking and playing games. It was another highlight for me!