Let’s see…I posted about our first NYD party, which was with Andrew’s side of the family. Now, for the second NYD party with my side of the family.
Traditionally, we always, always, as in always get together with my family on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1st. However, early in 2011, we all saw that Jan. 1st of 2012 fell on a Sunday. This past spring, we siblings e-mailed around different options, holding it on the 1st after church, holding it the day before, and I forget what the third option was. After all votes were in, it seemed to suit everyone the best to hold our NYD party on Dec. 31st rather than try to squeeze it into a Sunday. So this year, the great NYD at the Ranch was held on Dec. 31st.
In my opinion, this was the best NYD event we’ve had at the Ranch yet. It was so relaxing, so refreshing, and so enjoyable. (Well, I ran out of energy way too soon, but that didn’t effect the wonderfulness of our family get-together.) I give great credit to my sister Miriam, who is (and has been for as long as I can remember) the ring leader behind this whole event, for ensuring that it was a smooth and enjoyable day. (If I had her organizing abilities and energy, I’d be sipping hot cider by 8:00 p.m. each evening and my house would be in a perpetual state of clean.) Anyway, she’s the main organizer and brain behind the event, but she also has the enviable ability not only to delegate, but also to oversee, manage, and motivate others to get all this put together. So, a great big thanks to my mom, my brothers, and my sisters (especially Gail) who spent a lot of time the week prior to Dec. 31 cranking through each days preparation list and getting the place and food ready for this day.
Now, moving right into the abundance of pictures from the big day! (I’m posting more pictures than usual because Lucy is spending part of her life in Australia right now and wasn’t with us for NYD 2012. We missed you, Lucy! Enjoy the pictures!)
Marie & Susannah got to playing with the toys as
soon as we got there.

Paul was glued to the books from the
moment we stepped in the door until…
well, I’m not sure when. Maybe until
time to eat.

Daniel & Susannah

Story time with Uncle Glen! (Hannah & Bobby)

Linden (at the well-organized, well-
marked drink table)

Miriam putting the mashed potatoes in
a warming/serving dish.

Rachel cutting a coconut pie.

Story time with Daddy! (Hannah)

All the food was ready to sit down and eat at 12:00
sharp, but we hadn’t signaled my dad to go get Grandma
soon enough, so here folks are sitting around waiting
for Grandma to arrive. (Glen, Branden, Laura, Bobby
and Luke)

Luke & Bobby

Branden & Laura

Some of my favorite people!

Daniel, Miriam, & Susannah
(Isn’t waiting for lunch a great time to snap pictures?)

Sam

Marie and her grandma!


Julia & Gail

Miriam & Julia pulling the food out of the ovens where
it was keeping warm and taking it to the serving table.

Gail & Rachel
(By the way, we timed it just right. They were putting
the very last hot dishes on the serving table as Grandma
walked through the door! We sang the Doxology and
and then started the feast.)

Marie

The general group scene.

Marie giving her great-grandma a hug.
(Susannah is in on the far right.)


My sister Julia has made a toy chest for each of
her nieces and nephews. Hannah’s was the only
one that was entirely finished (too cold of weather
is holding up the last stage), so she brought it to
present to Hannah and as a representative of the
rest of the gifts to come. Pretty impressive! Hannah
just loves her chest. It’s at the foot of her bed.

Hannah

Marie

Linden & Julia

Paul was thrilled to no end with the
cowboy costume from my parents–
a had, belt, and tie.

Andrew and Marie

Hannah got a Strawberry Shortcake
necklace in a cupcake-shaped velvet
box. Marie loved taking the “cupcake”
around and asking people to “eat” it.
Here she’s sharing it with Uncle Luke.

A closer look at the cupcake box.

Hannah loved helping Grandpa open his presents
(and he loved it too).

Here, Grandpa is opening a present that says “From:
the Vogans” He asked Hannah if she was a Vogan.
Here she is replying:
“Well, you’re a Vogan, and we’re Vogans too.”

Laura, Grandma, and Miriam

Rachel, Ted, and Luke

Now Susannah is taking a turn
“eating” the cupcake box.

Hannah also very much enjoyed
helping Uncle Ted open and examine
his gifts.

Susannah and Grandma

Susannah and Miriam

For this big present, Hannah and her Uncle Ted had
a blast wildly ripping off pieces of the wrapping paper.


Ahhh…Daniel is checking out the softness
factor of the car washing brushes he got!

Hannah and Uncle Ted

Hannah, Paul, and Bobby watch Uncle Glen put
together a model car.

My dad was sharing some chips he got for a gift.
Susannah was his most frequent indulger.

She was so happy coming back for chip after chip.


The newliest weds of the group–Katie & Sherman!

Susannah

This is the best picture of me that we have from that
day, so even though it’s not remarkable, Lucy, here
it is.

Katie, Julia, & Laura

The guys playing Rook, I believe.

Evidently while I was resting upstairs, some wild times
were going on with Uncle Luke and his Mustang!

I believe he’s hangin’ out with the young crowd!


Marie did not feel inhibited around the snack table!

Marie sure enjoyed riding this little tricycle down
in my parents’ basement.

She could make it go all by herself.

Hannah (holding the load of gummy worms she
petitioned her grandma for!)

Paul

Bobby

I was upstairs finished getting our stuff together
and loaded, so I’m not sure what the story line is
for these next couple pictures. Use your imagination!
(I’m sure they did!)



That ends the pictures from NYD at the Ranch 2012. Soon after this last picture was taken, we herded our very tired, emotionally fragile children into the van and came home. They were more than ready to start a good, long night’s sleep as soon as we got them to bed (which was nearly 10:00 p.m.). Paul and Hannah had not taken any naps or quiet times that day. They held up remarkably well (until we got home, that is!).
Lucy, Lord willing, we’ll have you in the pictures next year!