Will we make it to midnight?

Last night we walked across the street to the Hawkins' home and enjoyed a meal and games with their family, and the Evans, Randall, and Barney families.  Kristin had made 5 or 6 kinds of delicious cookies and the rest of us brought heavy appetizers.  I was SO FULL by the end of the night!  We also played several rounds of a fun group game, similar to Mafia, called the Werewolves of Millers Hollow.  That is a fantastic game for a large group--at one point there were 17 of us playing it!  We had so much fun and really appreciated the invite!

Right now it is 8:51pm on the last day of 2015.  Will we make it til midnight?  We hope so!

Today the kids helped me gather Christmas decorations from around the house and begin that clean-up process.  I thought I could put it off until Monday when everyone is back to work and school, but then all my helpers would be gone!

In the afternoon Jason took us to the bowling alley on base and we had a great time bowling a couple games.  The facility there is small but really nice!  Clean, updated and remodeled, great computer system, with a fully functional snack bar--win!

For our New Year's Eve festivities so far, Jason got a roaring fire going in the fireplace, we had dinner, and then we watched the Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation movie.  We are taking a short intermission, and then we'll watch Ant Man!  (and try to stay awake!)  Rhiannon helped me make a really yummy 7-layer dip, and I've promised bacon-wrapped little sausages, but that might have to wait until tomorrow.

I've had a pesky cough this week that has been worse today, but I'm grateful I've felt well enough to participate and have fun with Jason and the kids.  I told them tonight that there wasn't anyone else I'd rather spend New Year's Eve with!

There is still a lot of blogging to do on the last month, but 112 posts for the year isn't bad.  I'll catch up soon!

It's been a wonderful year--we are looking forward to many more great days in 2016!

I only made one Christmas goodie this year...

but I made it over and over and over and over again.  I ate a lot of it, too!  Thank you, thank you to Aunt Heather who told us about the recipe!

I sent Aunt Heather a "happy dance" text when I found the cookie spread at our local grocery store, haha!

Here's the original link to the recipe:  Cookie Butter Butterscotch Fudge