And there goes 2010.....

What would New Years be around the Barnes home without our traditional 'Taco Night'?? This is one of the things that my kids so look forward to each and every year. I was trying to count back, and I believe that this is year 5, maybe 6 that we have had all of our family and friends over for TACOS!!

It all started because J.D. was travelling so much to Mexico for work and he grew to love the people there as well as the way they can make a taco. It is no secret, but at our house we all love to eat - and we all especially love to eat Mexican food.... (that is all of us but Drew).

'Taco Night' was born out of a need and a want to spend the holiday with our family....lots of time with our kids has always been one of the things that J.D. and I treasure the most in our life. New Years is one of those holidays that really had never meant much to either of us, in fact, it was hard to even stay up to see the clock strike 12:00. We now host a fiesta of sorts for anyone and everyone to stop by, say hi, eat a taco (and some sort of treat, of course) and either stay for a while or leave. It is one of J.D.'s favorite nights, he loves to serve those that he loves.

The kids love getting involved in the preparation of the food and the decorating of the house....you can always find Jensen in the kitchen with his dad. He loves to help with whatever he can.....

Waiting for guests to arrive.....one of the questions this year from Ella was "What if no one comes??" I thought to myself.....yikes, we will be eating tacos for a month. J.D. likes to plan on serving somewhere between 200 and 300 each year. I think it is a crazy idea, but really, the more I thought about it this year the more I am convinced that this will be one of our families traditions that will last -

I am in constant amazement at watching Drew grow. He is becoming a young man. He is kind. He is quiet. He is respectful. He is loving. He is prayerful. He is happy. He is the one that does not like to eat the tacos..... :)

The Hackwell women.....this is our first picture all season of the 6 of us. I love my mom and my sisters. They are all amazing women, and thanks to them I know that I will always have 5 best friends that I can count on!!

Our friends the Griffins.....we can always count on them to come and support our wild and crazy ideas. I love my friend Jenn. She is one of my longest and bestest friends - we go back over 20 years now, high school friends, and our daughters have been friends for their whole lives.

Brenna, Ashlyn, Megan and Morgan

After the food wrapped up, somewhere around 9:00 - the majority of friends had left and we just had my family over. The way we spent the rest of the night was playing 'Just Dance' on the Wii. What a fun thing to watch all of the kids and all of the adults getting involved. I loved having an activity that we could all enjoy and do together. Some were better than others, but it didn't matter, because we all had a great time.

Ella, Robbie, Aliza and Leah doing their thing......

Trent, Andrew, Mike and Corey getting in on the action. I love how none of them are doing the same thing.....that's what I meant by, 'some were better than others' - this group, not so good. I say that with love though :)

Me, Morgan, Megan and Ashlyn....I think this may be my new work-out for the winter. Loads of fun followed by loads of sweat!! Good, good times.

McKenna Griffin, Jensen (in his skinny jeans), Jake and Drew. Drew is my most reserved of my children, so to be able to pull him out of his quiet bubble to play this game is a dream - and by the way, he rocks at it!!

Ella, Aliza, Leah and Brittyn - all the little girl cousins.

Finally, after a long night of playing it was time to ring in the New Year. Silly string and poppers on the front porch with lots of screaming was how we celebrated. It was so cold outside!! I believe it was somewhere around 4 or 5 degrees.....much to chilly to stay out for long.

It is a fun thing to have our home filled with all the people that we love and care about. Celebrating a year that has passed and looking forward with anticipation to all of our new adventures in the future. Heres to 2011.....I hope it is a good one!