New Year's "Rock Star" Party

Phase I

Once upon a time . . . a long, long time ago . . . when the "babies" really were still babies, we started a New Year's Eve party tradition. We told our teens (Marie and Matthew at the time) they could invite a few families over; then the youth from those families could stay (even after the parents were ready to head home) and play games (like hide and seek in the dark) and ring in the New Year together. I stayed up only until about 3:00 a.m. so I could function, though minimally, when the babies woke up at their regular time on New Year's Day. Tracy stayed up with the party kids and gave them rides home when they started to droop . . . usually around 6:00 or 7:00 a.m.

Phase II

By the time Lauren and Emily were old enough (at least 12) to stay up into the wee hours of the morning, the party was becoming more and more of a youth party. Tracy still stayed up with them and helped get the friends home in the morning.

Phase III

Fast forward to when Christian, Elisabeth and Bryant are teens (Lauren and Emily are late teens/YA) . . . the party became the ward youth event "all nighter" with party themes such as Hollywood, Hoe Down! and Rock Stars. No longer were parents on the invitation list . . . just every youth who thought he could stay up and play, all night! This party IS NOT a sleepover!

I mentioned to Marie last year that we had "created a monster!" And I must confess that this year I referred to our annual all nighter as the "yearly monster."

But really, this party is not so much of a beast as I make it seem. We enjoy having the youth come over to listen to music, set off fireworks, play games, dance, eat junk food, trek to the bunker, and STAY AWAKE! This year, the game that kept us all perky was CLUE CHARADES. It's so hard to sleep when you're laughing to the point of tears!

So now that the "babies" have grown up . . .
Instead of getting a little sleep so we can wake up when they do, Tracy and I take turns staying awake with them. We fully realize that these annual parties are numbered . . . just a few more years and the all night revelers will be all grown up and starting their own New Year's traditions. I just know we're going to miss it!

Here are some of the 2011 "Rock Stars!"

(Flower Murphy, Jordan Seres, Jackie Seres, Joe Murphy and Lissie)

This next picture shows the glow of fireworks right outside our house (on the left)


Fireworks -- the perfect thing for boys fascinated with fire & explosions!