Ringing in the New Year

I wouldn’t normally spend much time talking about the way we party on New Year’s Eve, but Sterling and I looked at each other and laughed when we read one of your comments on the blog, noting that you couldn’t wait to see how we rang in the new year. So I thought I’d share.

We rang in the new year last night with family in our favorite fashion—several hours early! (smile)

Sterling and I will stay up late if there are people at our house, wanting to make it a party. But last night all we had was Shalae and Jon and their three children. And for all the boys knew, it might have been midnight—because they definitely stayed up way past their bedtime!

To celebrate we made shape pancakes (stars and hearts—both the boys wanted stars), toasted with Martinelli’s bubbly (a holiday tradition), ate caramel popcorn while watching an episode of “Word World” (a PBS short cartoon series), and then waved to the kids as they headed home. They left our house about 8, which is pretty late for those three little ones.

Sterling and I weren’t too far behind. We didn’t get to bed way early, but we sure didn’t stay up until midnight either!

And today has been just as enjoyable. I’ve listened to Christmas music all day (probably the last whole day for several months, although I do sneak in Christmas songs all year long) and worked on leadership projects, while Sterling cleared snow off our driveway. No interruptions, no meetings or deadlines, not a lot of pressure. I’m excited about what I’m demonstrating on stage at leadership, and I’m having lots of fun trying out new things.

So there you have it—a Gardner family New Year’s celebration! Hope the details aren't too disappointing! And I also hope you all had a wonderful New Year celebration yourself!

Comments

[Jamie]

Ha, that does sound nice and relaxing! HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your family :-) Can't believe it's 2009 already, whew...time flies!

[Sue Farrant]

Happy New Year Shelli!
All the best for you and your family for 2009!
My hubby and I had a bit of a wilder night...unusual for us but we love Colin James and went to his concert...
http://stampingandscrappin.typepad.com/photoaday_2009/
Had a blast rockin' in the New Year!!! LOL
Sue in Vancouver

[Desiree Roesler]

That sounds so very nice. Especially that no interruptions part!
Desiree (happy mother of two, 2nd only 7 months)

[Sharon Bridwell]

Happy New Year!! Glad we aren't the only ones who have a quite New Year's Eve. I can't wait to see what you've been working on for leadership especially the NEW product...you are such a tease..LOL! Only 5 days until Orlando. Can't wait!
Sharon

[Terri]

Happy New Year! I thought I was the only one who listened to Christmas music year round!

[Theresa Grdina]

Happy New Year! It sounds like our New Year's Eve celebration! HA HA!

[sylstamper]

Happy New Years 2009 to the Gardner family! I was glad to hear that we weren't the only ones that slept the New Year in. Unfortunately we had a couple of neighbors that didn't do the same. So we woke up around midnight to laughter! Oh well! I would like to listen to Christmas music throughout the year, but my family doesn't feel the same, so...
Can hardly wait to see your demo at Leadership!
See you next week!
Sylvia De Jong-Simpson
Stampin' in Denver

[Patty Bennett]

I can't wait to see what you demo on stage next week... you do know that is a highlight for all demonstrators, don't you ? :) We LOVE to see what you share with us!! :) Patty

[Alex Ann]

When you are Russian Orthodox (like us), you get to celebrate Christmas again on January 7th - we do the Santa thing in December, and the religious aspect of the holiday on January 7th - best of both worlds!

[SHH]

Thanks, Shelli. I asked the question about how you ring in the new year & you did not disappoint. :) We always toast w/ Martinelli's as well. My hubby & I used to be in bed before midnight, but our 9 yr. old insists we stay up. So, we made it this year. Just munching on treats, playing games, and watching movies. What more could anyone want than to start a new year w/ the people they love the most - family.
Thanks for your blog & for taking time to read & answer questions. I hope you and all of your family have a wonderful 2009!

[Jennifer Harvey]

Happy New Year! Today is the first time I have seen your blog. I used to be a consultant but to lack of sales(on my part) it sort of dwindled out. Anyway, I admire how you still have time for family and run your buisness with such passion. I look forward to reading more about your adventures and hopefully it will inspire me to start selling again. God bless!

[Sue McGettigan]

Happy New Year Shelli, that sounds like a lovely way to spend NYE and New Year's Day :)

[Rosy Eckhardt]

At our house 10 was midnight. I do love that program Word World too. Look forward to when my grandchildren are old enough to enjoy it too.

[chris]

I'm with you on not seeing midnight and nothing to fancy this year either which my children were disappointed that the potatoe skins stuffed mushrooms and all the goodies were not prepared but I'm sorry I am just way to exhausted this year. I told them they could drive over to Grandmas as she had all the food prepared to be honest I have no idea how she does it as she takes care of 2 one year olds a 4 year old 2 five year olds and a 9 and 10 year old.all day long. I have a hard time taking care of my hubby 43,21, 18 and 15 year old LOL I'll be glad when everything returns to normal for this house. So Happy New Year and just maybe sometime I may find what keeps my Mom so energetic.

[Sharon Field]

What a wonderful and memorable way to ring in the new year.. can't think of a better way than spending time with loved ones!

[Diana J]

Gotta love WordWorld and PBS! We actually had early midnight by tuning to BBC so our 3 year old could participate in the noise making! Worked out well. We were all sleeping by 11pm. Yea, we're party animals in Ohio too!

[Andrea Bolton]

Shelli, sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate the new year...happy 2009 to you and your family. Andrea..

[Anna-Marie Still]

Our kids were giddy thinking they were staying up til midnight, Kyla drew a New Year's Eve picture of she and David (my husband) dancing and then we broke it to them that they would not be staying up that late! we did let them stay up later than usual, probably about 8pm and played games etc.
We did wake up Lachlan, our oldest, (he's 11) at midnight to say Happy New Year. Nothing crazy, it just sweet time together!

Can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeve to show us at Leadership!

[Angela]

Hello
It doesn't matter how late someone stays up to celebrate its the fact that you "ring in the New Year" in YOUR style! Normally my husband and I head out with a few friends to a local place - thereby avoiding those that might have had too much to drink and home safely shortly after the New Year - but this year we stayed home. It was nice, quites and relaxing. We watched the ball drop from Time Square - we're east coasters! We had a nice tray of appetizers for dinner and watched a few good movies.
It was a nice change from the loud noise. They saw "whatever you do on New Years Day you will do all year long". We went shopping! and of course I stamped when we got home!

Happy New Year - may 2009 be fantastic!

[Karen]

Happy New Year! Shalae looks so much like you! Thanks for sharing how y'all spent your holiday!

[Caroline Counsell]

Love all your stories and photos and I love that they are just like everyone else! Sure some people party the new year in but me, well I cook up a bunch of nibbles, sausage rolls, sausages, mini pizza, pasta and tuna, vol au vents, crisps ect and we eat a lot and watch the TV with my kids, hubby and Mum. I took Mum home at 11pm and got back in time to see the new year in by watching the fireworks on the TV in London and standing shivering outside with my WAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY past his bedtime 5 year old!! well, it only happens once a year!

Happy New Year Shelli to you and your family.

Cazx

[Linda Herbert]

I love you blog. I really enjoy the recipes and the family touches that you put in. I also love the star ornament, I am going to try and make one. Thank her for me. Keep up the good work.
Happy New Year,
Linda Herbert

[Marge Waskiewicz]

Shelly and Family, I love looking at all of your family pictures. You all look so relaxed.

New Year's Eve was my Birthday (11:45 PM) and I was looking forward to having a date with my husband for a dinner and a movie. The weather was so bad, lots of snow, wind and very cold. So we stayed home, managed to stay up until Midnight.
Every year it was a Birthday party with family. I did get beautiful roses from my husband the day before,... he predicted we would be home due to the weather.It was a pajama night in a very warm home. Sorry I won't see you in Orlando this year, we were so busy with one of my sons and daughter-in-law, serious motorcycle accident,they had serious brain injuries, recovering well since September. We had many weeks helping out alond with Family. They have a way to go. We're just too tired to travel right now. I will miss Leadership and all that goes on. February 14th is my 15 years with SU.
Happy Healthy New Year to everyone.

[Irene Blakely]

Hi Shelly,
I love SU and have been a devoted customer since the late 1980's, purchasing LOTS of product. There's nothing I've disliked about the company, and its products, until now. I know I'm just 1 customer, but I really don't care for 2 catalogs per year, and having to keep track of a dormant list. I would love to see SU go back to 1 catalog a year in the near future. Thanks for listening, Irene Blakely

[Irene]

Hi,
Will Stampin Up be coming out with any new dies for the big shot. I perused the new catalogue online and didn't see anything.

thanks,Irene