plunging into 2009

there is not really a better way to welcome in the new year than with a "polar plunge". dave had to work but the kids and i spent new years eve at my big bro's house. each new years eve he offers anyone FIVE DOLLARS to jump in the pool and swim across, a.k.a. the polar plunge. his kids know how cold it is but since my kids love to swim and $5 is A LOT of money, sadie and abe were the only brave souls.

sadie wondering how cold it really could be.

the swim. pretty cold, but pretty fun.

abe...testing the waters.

he does it!deeper and colder than expected!

but still worth it for $5

luckily aunt karen was ready and waiting with towels and rushed them to a warm shower. they had time to get warm and dry just before the countdown to 2009!

every new year's eve my family plays "let's make a deal". it's an old game show that was before my time. my family has played this on new year's eve ever since i was a kid. even though my kids have no idea about the original show, they look forward to the costumes, the signs and the DEALS. my big bro. was monty(the game show host). the kids dress up in costumes. a sign that correlates with their costume, that begs for a deal is also a necessity. someone gets called out of the audience to pick box #1, #2, or #3. they pick the box they want but then "monty"tries to make a deal with them. my brother would put money on top of another box to try to get them to change their pick or he would say they could have what was in his pocket. the tricky part is that there is always a zonk so the thing in his pocket could be money or it could just be a note that says your mother thinks you're wonderful or something. the kids always get into it, even the teenage cousins are willing to come dressed up, waiting to make a deal (as long as the game ends before ten and then they are outta there:)

kai was always sure about the box he wanted...no deal changed his mind.

he also had the best reactions. he got the play-dough from behind box #3, he lifted it high above his head like it was a trophy!

abe and kai dressed as soccer players with signs that said,

"give me a deal that is better than a goal" sadie and her cousin made this cute airplane costume for max. he is holding his sign that said something like, "fly a great deal my way".
sadie and kari spent days making their (and max's) costumes and signs. they were buildings and their signs said, "knock me down with a good deal." sadie and abe stayed awake until midnight and then some. with cousins, let's make a deal, the polar plunge and the utah game (utah barely pulling it off, winning gonzaga in the final seconds) it was a happy new year!