Glückliches Neues Jahr

New Year's Eve has definitely changed since we had Austin! But this year we did go out for a bit so we could take in the Dresden experience. We ventured over to a good friend's home for a potluck dinner and some good company. We came home early, but did enjoy watching some impressive fireworks from our bedroom window at midnight. These Germans love their fireworks for sure!

The fabulous spread.

I felt like a total loser when I showed up with brownies and a prepackaged snack tray.

Our gracious hosts. The OTHER Taylor family.

Austin loves hanging out with Mr. Ron!

The boys talking shop. Snoooooooooore.

They honest to God have wooden shoes by their patio door.

Some high stakes gambling going on in the back room.

Beautiful expat ladies!

And then the fireworks. At midnight. That lasted for over an hour.

 This was the view from our bedroom window.

 And we live in a "quiet" neighborhood.

 Good old family fun! This guy was stumbling over to light the fireworks. I, in the meantime, was trying to remember the emergency services phone number.

New Years Day, cartoons and coffee.