New Year's Eve in Gridley

This year we spent New Year's Eve in Gridley with Rich's family.  Ava was excited to play with all her cousins and we looked forward to the Bowling New Year traditions:  Clam Chowder & Pinata.  This was the first year Ava got to hit the pinata.  It was funny because she kept asking if they could break open the "candy cane" all day.  She was so excited even though she had no idea what it was.

At 9pm (midnight Eastern Time) we celebrated New Year's by busting out the pinata.  The cousins each took a couple turns at whacking the pinata starting with the youngest.  It took several rounds of cousins bashing the pinata before it was busted open.  All the kids were excited to pounce on the candy, toys, and money that spewed across the floor.  Once it was over there was some trading among the cousins and then enjoying of their booty.

Ava was sad that after the pinata it was time to get ready to go home.  She didn't want to leave all the fun, but we wanted to make it home before the crazies were out on the road.  To  ease her sadness she got to take a "cousins bath" with Lilly.  Even though Ava didn't want to leave she was asleep within 10 minutes of our drive home snuggling her blanket with a big smile on her face.  It was a good day!

Papa Bruce getting putting the pinata up.  Ava really wanted to help.

Cousins ready for action (lf-rt):  Nathan, Rachel, Ava, Ezra, Lilly, Kobie.  Bella didn't want to be in the picture and Eli was running around.  Uncle Bob did make a cameo by popping his head in.

Silly face cousins.  Eli made an appearance in this photo but Bella was still MIA.

Eli was the youngest cousin in attendance and got the pinata started.

Ava was second to hit the pinata.  She didn't hit it very hard.  It was cute.

This swing she put a little more into it.

Ezra was up next.  He took his superhero mask off to get a better look.

Next was Lilly.

Bella is a baseball player and knew how to swing.

I didn't get a good photo of Kobie hitting the pinata because his back was always to me, but I think this picture is pretty awesome.  Kobie you are too funny!

The pinata got moved up higher for Nathan and the older cousins.

Rachel is also a softball player and knows how to swing.

This is Sammy, Rachel's friend.

Ava Round #2.

Pinata Princess