New Years Eve Bonfire 2015

One of my favorite traditions over the holiday season is the New Year's Bonfire at the Russ house. I was more adamant about getting a picture of Lizzy in front of the roaring flames than I was in front of the Christmas tree. 

New Year's; 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Feliz New Year Miami

New Years is one of our favorite holidays. For as long as I have known Blake (06/07 NYE) my New Years Eves have been spent at the Russ house enjoying a pretty impressive bon fire. As we were not going to make the drive back home for the event this year we had no idea what we were going to do with ourselves that evening. After starting out with no plans, we were invited over to Bryan’s (Blake’s older brother) house in Naples. However that morning Blake got a flat tire, he tried to get it fixed and ready to go but had no luck. By 6 everything was closed and we were stuck in Miami with no plans again. Determined not to stay home, we packed up some blankets, a DVD, jambox, and a computer, then set out in search of food. After eating at our favorite Tex-Mex we headed over to Miami Beach, not knowing what to expect but heavy traffic. We were pleasantly surprised, with very little traffic and front row parking a block from the beach with our hybrid car.

Ocean drive was completely blocked off and the streets were full of people from all over the world. We enjoyed walking around taking in the evening scene; lights, music, dancing, countdowns. After taking a little tour around, we found a grassy spot laid out our blankets and watched a movie till almost midnight, when we packed up our stuff and made our way to the beach. There we found a place in the sand and waited for the count down. When the clock hit 12 we enjoyed a nice firework show on the beach. This year because Blake was not the one putting on the show I got my first new years kiss actually at midnight. It was a perfect evening, just Blake and I, no traffic, good food, a movie and firework show on the beach. Just goes to show that sometimes plan B can kick butt.

New Years Bon Fire

Most other years it is a go Big or go home kind of thing.... like last year. They build most of the structure with pallets and Christmas trees, so the fire is huge but is gone by nights end. But this New Years the boys had a different approach. They made a good size fire out of big oak logs and a little fire for smores. It was perfect for hanging out and enjoying friends.

We had left over jumbo sparkler from the 4th of July , sparklers are always fun no matter what your age. 

This was us trying to draw 2012... instead we just burnt a chunk of Jari's hair.

And of course there was fireworks at midnight.

At the end of the night there was a little bottle rocket war. I had never heard of such a thing, but I was pretty excited to participate. It was a rush having bottle rockets flying around and trying not to get hit. I nailed Adam right in the chest once, it was pretty awesome. 

And the boys got a little carried away.

Because this fire was made of good solid wood it truly burned for days. 

And as you can see the boys enjoyed ever minute of it.