This year marks the third annual New Years Eve party in Kountze. The first year, 2010 into 2011 was a raucous one. Dan and I had been in the house for about 6 days. Every extended and close family member in the area came over and rocked the house. People were sleeping everywhere. No one had blankets, there were hardly any beds. I slept on the floor with a jacket. It was rough and not well thought out. But it was a huge success as far as parties go.
The next year, 2011 into 2012 was better stocked with beds and food but I have a feeling a few people were gun shy to return, haha. Totally fair.
THIS YEAR...this year is going to be even better. Dan and I have been getting ready for this sucker all year. We have put a lot of energy into fixing up our home and prepping for the influx of guests. We cannot wait to host everyone to ring in the new year!! I was thinking that after Dan's surgery (Dan got a bo-bo) and Christmas that we would be dreading this whole thing we signed up for...WRONG, DEAD WRONG. We are so ready to go it isn't even funny!! We are so super duper excited. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that is it at our home. We get to be the hosts and have an opportunity to spend family time on our turf. That is very precious to us.
Here is my inspiration brag board for this year:
Need to do Food. This is happening.
Healthy spinach dip? Yes please.
I have the recipe for these feats of wonderment.
Decor. This is also happening, minus the creepy kid.
Already done: This phrase is cut out in hot pink and strung across a ribbon in the house.
Need to do: I would really, really like to have huge balloons and I bought black, white, and gold tissue paper to make the fringe...we shall see. Those balloons are expensive though and I don't think I have the space in either of our vehicles to transport the amount I want home. Boo.
Not doin' it: The guys will be glad I am NOT making them do this again like I made them do for the rehearsal dinner. It was funny though. Good stories from that one. They took the boat in the bed of the truck to fill it with ice. they got back to the house and had to use their beastly strength to wrastle it out if the truck. I was certain my groom-to-be was going to break his back or a groomsmen was going to lose a finger. All's well that ended well on that one.
Did that, (check): I have ribbons strung across my house already...gold, and several prints in green on twine rope. It's a party all Christmas season at my place. Lemme tell ya.
Check that too: Blessing string is already strung around the ceiling with the names of family and friends.
Need to do: Must. Make. Cookie. Tower. Cake.
Need to do: I need to make these cut out numbers for a great photo op!!!
Done did it: We put lights up on the house, on the ranch style gate entrance to the property, and on the opening to the door of the barn. We look like a Candy Cane Lane for grown ups :)
WANT: Imagine these beauties floating in my soggy, mossy, algae infested pond for the party. They're just balloons with a glow stick in them. I hope it isn't windy.
In my dreams: I would like to have these...but I may wait for the year after I win the lottery. These are a bit pricey. That will be the same year I hire a photographer to document it. lol Never gunna happen.
Gotta Do It: So I wont use mason jars; I don't have enough and I'm not sure they will be wind proof enough anyway...but we will have white paper bags that we will fill with sand and candles to line the path to and from the barn so people have a safe path to travel...avoiding fire ant hills; holes in the ground; and have decent, non trip worthy topography.
Lawd Have Mercy: Decorating the barn is a whole other type of scenario; like putting lipstick on a pig. The barn is where I suppose half the night will be spent around. Through the opening you see in this picture we plan to have a mini Aggie Bonfire raging.
Work in progress: This phrase is cut out in hot pink. I want to have a mini bar out there so I'll have Dan clear space on a few of his tool boxes for me to set it up. One birthday I got Dan a retired stop light so I'll have that plugged in and pulling people in like a moth to a flame. I also impulse bought a battery powered mini string of blue lights. so I'll make that work in there somehow.
Goals: I only have one goal and that's one BIG Group Picture!!! Katie, this one is gunna require your camera and remote. I need you.
That's all I want. The rest will fall into place. I can't wait to have the party go down. I'll take tons of pictures of how it all turned out and hopefully a group picture to brag with :)
To the family that won't be able to attend, I promise it won't be any fun without you. It sure won't be the same. And you can take that to the bank, JACK!
