Ringing, Ringing, Ringing in the New Year

Instead of the typical evening long New Year's celebration this year we decided to go all out, and had what was essentially a 3 day long party. We started by ringing in the New Year with games and more food than could possibly have been good for us at the Rogerson's. Yesterday, after a good night's sleep, we resumed festivities at our house for what has become an annual tradition. Our Lord of the Rings Marathon and Ice Storm re-enactment. We watched the first two LotR movies yesterday, with an Italian feast somewhere in the middle. Ken made pasta with 3 kinds of sauce, Russ made baugettes (recipe from his new for Christmas cookbook), and I (of course) contributed protein in the form of chicken parmesan. It was all very delicious.

When The Two Towers was finshed some of the partiers went home for the night; others stayed and we watched the movie "Stealth" on the big screen. Very exciting movie--sort of Top Gun meets Alias, but without any kissing. And then everyone collapsed into bed, hoping that the little kids would sleep in this morning.

Today we re-convened after lunch to watch The Return of the King, which took all of the afternoon. We took a break at the intermission for fresh scones and chocolate chip cookies, and then returned to our story. By the time the closing credits rolled up on the screen, we were all pleasantly exhausted and, in my case, a little teary. (More about that in another post.) We finished off with a dinner of Russ's special southwest eggrolls, deluxe nachoes, and still more cookies. We are all wiped out, stuffed, and sad to think that we must resume real life. Despite the financial stress of Russ's company having an unexpected shutdown for these two weeks, we have loved having him home all of the time. Now it is back to business as usual; I am sure that I will end up washing about 213 loads of laundry tomorrow as well as mopping all of the sticky off of the kitchen floor, and within a few days this week will seem like a distant memory. But what a fabulous memory!!

Thanks everyone, and I can't wait till LotR 2009!

P.S. It would have been an entirely perfect celebration if Cindy Lynn and Mahon had been able to be here.

P.P.S. For anyone who wonders what the 8 year olds are doing during the LotR marathon...for the most part they are having their own movie marathon in my bedroom, with borrowed (and therefore unfamiliar) movies, popcorn, lots of snacks, and an occasional peek at the milder moments of LotR. Fortunately for us they are very accomodating and tomorrow we will give them lots and lots of attention. In between loads of laundry. ;)