Weekend Snapshots: NYE 2016
Good morning from Atlanta!
After hundreds of tears and thousands of hugs, we said our goodbyes to our family yesterday and boarded the flight back “home.” We’ll be driving back to Harrogate at some point today. Perhaps after a last “hurrah!” at a brunch place in Atlanta.
Though it was hard to part ways with the family, we couldn’t have asked for a better way to ring in the new year. With a trip to Universal Studios and some quality time with both families together, it was a perfect way to end 2016 and begin 2017. (Well, that. And Mariah Carey’s live, embarrassing performance on stage before the ball dropped).
Other highlights from the weekend included:
- Watching Ankur and Megan try butterbeer for the first time.
We agreed that the hot one tasted better than the cold one, but was more difficult to drink in large quantities at one time. Both were sweet. Both were magical. -
Figuring out the ultimate amusement park hack: Going through the single-rider line to cut the waiting time in half.
Nobody actually talks to each other during the ride so we don’t need to sit together anyway. Best time saver ever. We can chat through our short[er] line and then part ways for the 2-minute duration of the ride. #Genius #LifeHack #YoureWelcome
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Walking through “Hogsmeade” and seeing all the fun things they were selling at Zonko’s and Honeyduke’s.
I was so impressed that they extracted every single teeny detail from the book in order to display it or sell it in their stores. For example, in one of their shops, they were selling “R” and “H” sweaters – exactly like the ones JK Rowling had described Mrs. Weasley knitting for the boys while they were away at Hogwarts. I wish we could have spent hours there – examining every little thing. -
Mexican Train Dominoes with the Family
It’s pretty challenging to corral the family together to sit down long enough and play a game. But, when it happens, it’s pretty wonderful. Especially when the adults get really into it. (In this scenario, we’re pretending that I’m not an adult. The adults mean the parents. I’ll be a kid forever, please and thank you.) -
Heads Up with the Fam
Speaking of entertaining adults, my dad was the star of Heads Up again this year. I’ve said it once before, but I’ll say it again. When he gets into a game, he GETS INTO a game. From the “zoom-zoom” sounds of a motorcycle to his hoppin’ and boppin’ around the living room pretending to be a pole vaulter, there’s no person more invested in this game than my typically-reserved, conservative father. Thank goodness for the feature that allows us to record all the silly things he does. Some day, I’ll make a slideshow of them all. -
NYE Fajita/Taco Bar – Complete with Margaritas
My sister has always been a really good hostess. She loves throwing parties and everyone always leaves her home feeling buzzed off the wine, the company, and the ambience. She’s just got a knack for it. That’s why, when my Mom asked her to take charge of our NYE dinner, she immediately jumped on board and created a DIY taco bar. She’s the coolest sister and made our NYE experience that much better by adding her creative touch!
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It’s going to be hard to come back to reality after a wonderful weekend with our families. But, we’ve already begun the countdown until we see them again!
Hope you all had a fantastic night and enjoy your day off today (if you have it off!)
Questions of the Day:
- Have you been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Did you try the butterbeer?
- What did you do for NYE?
- Do you have the day off today?
We’re going to Universal in March. I actually am not even into Harry Potter stuff, but my daughter is, so we’ll be checking it out.
And yeah, I sort of feel for Mariah Carey. That was just…yikes.
This looked like you had a fantastic time! Cheers to the new years! 🙂
I have yet to go to Harry Potter World, though I’ve told my step son that when he’s finished at least three of the books we will make the pilgrimage.
For NYE I Malled and then Blogged. 😉
I’m a stay at home mom…I never have a day off. :-/
Looks like a super fun weekend! I love the idea of having fajitas and margaritas for NYE!
It makes me smile to hear about what a wonderful holiday you had! Also, I did the single rider thing recently too at Epcot, and it was awesome!
Looks like some great family fun! Happy New Year!
I could go for a taco bar. This looks great. Happy New Year. Love that you got to spend time with family and friends.
I’ve never been to the Wizarding World but it definitely seems like fun! Most of my friends have to work on New Year’s Eve so I spent the night with my family which was lovely and relaxing
A visit to universal studios sounds absolutely lovely and what a way to end and start a new year
It looks like you had an amazing time with family. I didn’t do much for NYE. New Year’s day was my aunt’s birthday and we hosted a dinner for her.
Looks like you had an amazing NYE! What a great way to start the New Year. Hope you have an awesome 2017!
We love playing heads up! Its so much fun. We played with my parents on Christmas!
Looks like you had an awesome time! I mean, butterbeer! 🙂 And how great is that taco bar?? We do have the day off today, then back to work tomorrow! Have a wonderful 2017!
heads up and margarita sounds like an awesome thing to do. i stayed home and hung out with the family..i have not had butterbeer yet…i had a half day which im taking full advantage of 🙂
Looks like you did a great job in hosting your family by the way the taco bar looks yummy .
It looks like, you were had fun with them! The taco bar looks tasty and tempting!
Now that I’ve read all the Harry Potter books and watched the movies (I know, I’m behind…) I would love to visit Universal Studios. Looks like a blast!
Don’t feel too bad! I just finished the books this past summer and haven’t even gotten to the movies!
New Years Eve involved wine and netflix lol. I hope you had a great NYE!
Isaly Holland | http://www.memoriesbyisaly.com
Your fajita bar looks great. Happy new year!
Looks like you had a great time. Now bundle up and head home! 🙂 My NYE was uneventful but for the New Year I did participate in the 1st day hike event at the state park.
What a fun trip! I am so glad you had a good time!
Such a great place to be for the holidays. I went to Universal Studios a few years ago and I totally need to go back.
I’ve never been to Atlanta before but looks like you had a fab time. Happy New Years to you!
Any occasion is always great with family! Christmas and New Years’ (and Thanksgiving) are the best times for family bonding. I love your sister’s taco bar. That was an awesome idea! Oh you were asking about butter beer? I haven’t tried it yet, but it does seem like something I would be interested to try. Wishing you and your family all the best this New Year!
Happy New Year to All.
Your family pictures are awesome.
Thanks for sharing.
God Bless You.
Back to routine tomorrow……..
How fun! Our holidays were spent with family and friends too. It is wonderful to have the days filled with loved ones!
There seems to be lots of love and happiness in those pictures. 🙂
looks like you had an eventful weekend, Happy New Year
We are more of a Disney family, however my love for Harry Potter…I want to go to Universal! Love the tip on the single rider line. That fajita bar looked so tasty!
Looks like a blast!!! I’ve never been to Universal! I love the NYE fajita bar! So fun! Happy New Year!!
Happy New Years! This looks like a really wonderful time and the fajita bar sounds so tasty!
I spent New Year’s Eve with my immediate family just having a regular night. My youngest kids are small and right now the most fun we can have is hanging out together! Here’s to 2017!!!
Um, best life hack EVER!!! SUCH a good idea! And a taco bar??? You’re amazing. haha
I have been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter but I would love to go back again. We were only there for a few hours plus they have added so much new stuff.
Looks like you had an awesome time with them, and the fajita was sounds interesting to me.