Our Village is a Little Different: Happy 2013!!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy 2013!!

New Year's Eve

I hope that everyone enjoyed the holidays and that 2013 finds you happy and healthy. We had a very nice Christmas, and last night the boys and I stayed up to ring in the new year together. This was the first year that they stayed up past midnight.

I took the photo above about halfway through the evening. You can see that the bags on the table all have a time written on them. As we made our way through the evening, there were bags to open with a special surprise every hour to start and then every 30 minutes as the night went on.

We played some games, watched a movie, and then turned on "Rockin' New Year's Eve".

Finally it was almost midnight!! If you look at the photo below you can see that the bags are all opened. This was when we broke open the bubbly. It was a lovely 2012 vintage sparkling grape juice.

Happy New Year

We counted down with the television and watched the ball drop in Times Square. We shared a midnight toast, hugs and kisses, and all the bells and whistles.

All that remained was the black box on the table. That will stay around all year. As 2013 goes by we will write down great memories on bits of paper and place them in the box. Next New Year's Eve, we will read them together. Guess what the first piece of paper says? Yep! It's Our fun New Year's Eve party!

There was plenty of snacking all night so after the kids went to bed I had to clean up cookies, popcorn, chips and candy wrappers. There are still balloons, noisemakers and party hats in my living room!

Happy New Year!

Comments (140)

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Kelly D · 638 weeks ago

An Amazon GC would be great. Thank you.

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Shannon · 638 weeks ago

Sure could use a gift card.

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Charlene S · 638 weeks ago

Happy New Years to you. I like your tradition.

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Cindy. · 638 weeks ago

I would choose the Amazon gc.

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Stefanie · 638 weeks ago

I would love to win an amazon gc for the new year!

0 Vote up Vote down

@ShempGames · 638 weeks ago

We go through lots of iTunes $ keeping the music fresh for the kids.

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Sandy VanHoey · 638 weeks ago

Wanting to win to get my grandson a new pair of jeans for school, thanks for the giveaway

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Jill H · 638 weeks ago

Thank you for the giveaway opportunity. Either prize would be awesome!

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JoAnn F · 638 weeks ago

Happy New Year and thanks for the giveaway!
jofo120 at yahoo dot com

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jaime · 638 weeks ago

Wouldove to win a gift card

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carol w · 638 weeks ago

I would love an amazon gc. Happy new year. thanks

+1 Vote up Vote down

ashmor21 29p · 638 weeks ago

I would love an iTunes gift card.

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Jennifer B · 638 weeks ago

Thank you! I love amazon

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@KimHardy17 · 638 weeks ago

I am saving amazon cards to buy a tablet!!! I am almost half way there!!! :)

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Renee · 638 weeks ago

second family I know to do the paper bag countdown

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Kimberly Bauer · 638 weeks ago

I would choose the Amazon GC. Thanks :)

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Amy B · 638 weeks ago

Awesome giveaway to kick off the year!

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nicole b · 638 weeks ago

would love the amazon gc thanks :)

0 Vote up Vote down

lisa brown · 638 weeks ago

An Amazon GC would be great. Happy New Year!

0 Vote up Vote down

Maryann · 638 weeks ago

Thanks for the great giveaway. Happy New Year to you!

0 Vote up Vote down

Donna Cheatle · 638 weeks ago

Would love an amazon gc.....Happy New year!

0 Vote up Vote down

Audra Weathers · 638 weeks ago

Some new iTunes music to work out to would be awesome, thanks! :-)

0 Vote up Vote down

april yedinak · 638 weeks ago

I would love an amazon gc! Happy New Year!!!

0 Vote up Vote down

Sacha Schroeder · 638 weeks ago

Thank you so much for the chance to win this giveaway!

0 Vote up Vote down

Elena · 638 weeks ago

thank you for the giveaway!

0 Vote up Vote down

@mommyofamnsj · 638 weeks ago

thanks for the awesome giveaway :)

0 Vote up Vote down

Christine D. · 638 weeks ago

I would love the iTunes gift card. Need to get some in-app purchases! Thanks for the chance!

chrysrawr@yahoo.com
My recent post Interview + Giveaway: Cephrael's Hand by Melissa McPhail

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Athena · 638 weeks ago

I could use the itunes card for some new apps & ringtones, thanks for the giveaway!

+1 Vote up Vote down

lab1990 74p · 638 weeks ago

thanks for the chance to win! I'd love the amazon card. :)
My recent post This Day in Music by Neil Cossar

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Sharon Schoepe · 638 weeks ago

Looks like you had a great time! I love the idea of the bags with special surprises to open throughout the evening.

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Pam · 638 weeks ago

I love your black box idea! Am always glad to hear about others' parties since I travel on the 1st, we never stay up late.

+1 Vote up Vote down

debbysfitness 24p · 638 weeks ago

Happy New Year!

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Jessamine Dungo · 638 weeks ago

Happy New Year! :) Thank you for the giveaway :)

0 Vote up Vote down

sarah l. · 638 weeks ago

Happy New Year!
Thanks for the contest.

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@MichellenStrydr · 638 weeks ago

Thanks for the giveaway i hope i win!

0 Vote up Vote down

Pam · 638 weeks ago

Happy New Year and thank you!
My recent post I am HAPPY 2012 is DONE!

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Jen · 638 weeks ago

I have wishlist items for Amazon!
My recent post A Japanese Christmas Part 2

+1 Vote up Vote down

bellanna3 42p · 638 weeks ago

Happy New Year to you and yours! Sounds like you rang it in right! :)

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Annmarie W. · 638 weeks ago

Happy New Year! We had a pleasant evening, with my daughter having a friend over for the night. My son fell asleep on the couch before midnight, but woke up enough to celebrate with us at midnight...then off to bed...

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Margot S. · 638 weeks ago

An Amazon GC would be wonderful! Happy New Year!

0 Vote up Vote down

Colleen Fuller · 638 weeks ago

Yay! I need to win this for a belated gift for my step son! Thank you! :)

0 Vote up Vote down

deana dietrich · 638 weeks ago

What a great way to celebrate & remember!

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rondah · 638 weeks ago

thanks for the chance!

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Gricelda Castro · 638 weeks ago

Thanks for the giveaway, Happy New Year!

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Tina · 638 weeks ago

Happy New Year. Thanks for the chance

0 Vote up Vote down

Helen · 638 weeks ago

I would love an amazon gift card :)

0 Vote up Vote down

Erin · 638 weeks ago

Thanks for the chance. I would love an Amazon GC. I LOVE Amazon! Happy New Year!

0 Vote up Vote down

Colleen Maurina · 638 weeks ago

Happy New Year! I love the feeling of starting fresh in a new year. Thanks for the giveaway!

0 Vote up Vote down

Dianna Thomas · 637 weeks ago

This is awesome--thank you for your kindness

+1 Vote up Vote down

successwontwaitinc 60p · 637 weeks ago

My daughter's birthday is this month, so an extra $15 to Amazon would be great... espcially now that the holiday bills are rolling in!
My recent post Innovative PINX easily solves the problem of a gaping button-up shirt!

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Liberty Boblett · 637 weeks ago

Sounds like your family had a very fun New Year's Eve! I love the idea of the bags! Very clever...Thanks for the great giveaway! :)

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Rachel · 637 weeks ago

Thanks for the giveaway

0 Vote up Vote down

Shelley C · 637 weeks ago

I would love an Amazon gc to use for my books.

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ronalee duncan · 637 weeks ago

these beads remind me that it's almost time for the Mardi Gras prade ere. Loos like you had a fun night.

ronaleeduncan{at}aol{dot}com

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ronalee duncan · 637 weeks ago

these beads remind me that it's almost time for the Mardi Gras prade ere. Loos like you had a fun night.

ronaleeduncan{at}aol{dot}com

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runinboise · 637 weeks ago

thanks for hosting the giveaway!
My recent post Two For Tuesday

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phxbne · 637 weeks ago

thanks - happy new year!

+1 Vote up Vote down

ddreemz 8p · 637 weeks ago

I love iTunes!! thanks for the giveaway

0 Vote up Vote down

Tabathia · 637 weeks ago

I would use the amazon gc for books

0 Vote up Vote down

Emma H · 637 weeks ago

Thank you for this giveaway. I love amazon..

0 Vote up Vote down

April Brenay · 637 weeks ago

I would want an amazon card, love that site!

0 Vote up Vote down

rich · 637 weeks ago

i'd love the amazon giftcard b/c i w buy so much stuff on there

0 Vote up Vote down

Adrienne gordon · 637 weeks ago

love iunes

0 Vote up Vote down

Tari Lawson · 637 weeks ago

I would like the Amazon card.

0 Vote up Vote down

Margaret Smith · 637 weeks ago

Thanks for this giveaway. Love the Amazon.

0 Vote up Vote down

Ann Fantom · 637 weeks ago

If I won, I would choose the Amazon GC. Thanks for the chance to win

0 Vote up Vote down

brittney · 637 weeks ago

thanks for the chance to win! i missed the countdown because i was at work :(

0 Vote up Vote down

Cynthia C · 637 weeks ago

Thank you so much for the great opportunity. I love shopping at Amazon!

0 Vote up Vote down

Kathleen · 637 weeks ago

Thanks for the giveaway

kport207 at gmail dot com

0 Vote up Vote down

Elizabeth · 637 weeks ago

I got an iPad for Christmas and rediscovered reading. I would love an iTunes card for some iBooks.

0 Vote up Vote down

Chris · 637 weeks ago

Thanks for the great giveaway!

0 Vote up Vote down

Crystal F · 637 weeks ago

I love the idea of writing down special moments and then reading them on New Years. Thanks for the giveaway!

+1 Vote up Vote down

tamarsw 72p · 637 weeks ago

tgif!

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McKim · 637 weeks ago

Thanks for the giveaway. I was a party pooper on New Year's Eve - was in bed by 10:00!

0 Vote up Vote down

debbie · 637 weeks ago

I would like the amazon gc.

0 Vote up Vote down

Katharine Davis · 637 weeks ago

I would LOVE an Amazon code, thanks for the chance

0 Vote up Vote down

@KimHardy17 · 637 weeks ago

Thanks!! :)

0 Vote up Vote down

Tarah · 637 weeks ago

Thanks for the chance to win! I would pick the iTunes gift card!

0 Vote up Vote down

Mary Cloud · 637 weeks ago

Happy New Year - Thanks for the giveaway
annabella @ centurytel dot net

+1 Vote up Vote down

ksh123 60p · 637 weeks ago

I hope 2013 is a great year for you!
Paula Michele Hafner

0 Vote up Vote down

Theresa D · 637 weeks ago

Thanks so much for the chance to win! I love Amazon!

0 Vote up Vote down

Angela Kinder · 637 weeks ago

I love the bag idea- it keeps little ones (and I'm sure big ones) from getting completely bored!

0 Vote up Vote down

Bill Elliott · 637 weeks ago

Thanks for the giveaway, hope 2013 is a great year for you

+1 Vote up Vote down

mogrill 41p · 637 weeks ago

Amazon is my home away from home. LOL
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com

0 Vote up Vote down

Melissa · 637 weeks ago

Thanks for the giveaway. I was sick with the flu so didn't enjoy ringing in the new year.

0 Vote up Vote down

Chastidy · 637 weeks ago

Thanks you for this awesome giveaway. The amazon GC would be perfect :)

0 Vote up Vote down

kyl neusch · 637 weeks ago

amazon gc for clothes

0 Vote up Vote down

Leona P · 637 weeks ago

I would choose amazon gc

0 Vote up Vote down

Kim W · 637 weeks ago

I love Amazon, thanks for the chance to win

0 Vote up Vote down

Christine · 637 weeks ago

love the amazon gc

0 Vote up Vote down

heathers · 637 weeks ago

Love Amazon..thanks!

0 Vote up Vote down

Rebecca Graham · 637 weeks ago

Love shopping online at Amazon.

0 Vote up Vote down

Emily · 637 weeks ago

Happy New Years!

0 Vote up Vote down

Daniel M · 637 weeks ago

happy new year! and amazon please

0 Vote up Vote down

Kiara · 637 weeks ago

I would choose the Amazon gift card.

0 Vote up Vote down

Jill Myrick · 637 weeks ago

Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.

jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

0 Vote up Vote down

Angela Cisco · 637 weeks ago

Awesome giveaway, thanks for the chance :)

+1 Vote up Vote down

kismetchris 23p · 636 weeks ago

Happy New Year. Good luck and happiness to us all.

0 Vote up Vote down

Kristi C · 636 weeks ago

I would love an iTunes gift card.

0 Vote up Vote down

Virginia Rowell · 636 weeks ago

Happy New Year to you and your family!

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