New Year's Eve - the last day of 2012

We got our buttons - Here we GO!

Our New Year's Day Costco lunch . . . . interesting . . . .
seaweed, jalapeño/garlic stuffed olives, smoothie and  . . . wait for it . . . . coconut cookies!

Our New Years Eve Festivities in Missoula began with checking out the ice sculpture - put on by the culinary arts team - it was cool ( ha ha).

Interesting to see how they used an iron to 'shine' up the sculpture.  
We will have to come back later and see how the lights and packed snow look in the dark!

Giant Ice Utensils!  Still Cool!

Then off to the mall to decorate a New Year's Hat!!  Glitter and glue, stickers, jewels and feathers - SO FESTIVE!

Kate is ready to bring in the New Year!

Clara - looking the part!

Lovely Mary!

Off to the Carousel.  We LOVE the carousel!  So many great memories!  Jack even got the gold ring - winning himself a free ride for next time!  So Fun!

Check out the looks of anticipation!

Then we stood in line for not TOO long ( but it was chilly) for pony rides.  Kate was priceless!

Kate riding on "Frosty".  Mary rode on "Molly", and Clara got to ride "Rony".

Then we went over to the University to see the Butterfly and insect house, then balloon animals, bubbles and spinning art.  We even saw an accomplished harpist who was only 16 years old.  Amazing.

Finally to "The Peak" for our Prediction Run.  This is how it worked - you predict your time for a 2 mile run.  You are not allowed to use any timing devices . . . the timing clock is covered up . . . you run around the track 16 laps . . . you need someone to count your laps . . .

Our predicted times were:

Emma  15:52
Jack  18:47
Clara  23:29
Mary  30:14
Kate  38:00
Mom  18:57

Nice Form Emma!

Kate was BRAVE even when she was tired and she thought her foot was bleeding!
It never was bleeding, but she thought it was!

Mary was a MACHINE!!

We are all done - cheering on Emma who is running with the FAST group!!  Way to go Emma!

Feeling GREAT being finished!

Our actual times were:

Emma  16:06

Jack  17:39

Clara  20:24

Mary  22:58

Kate  40:20

Mom  19:06

The winner of the evening was 4 seconds from their predicted time - my 9 second difference didn't win me any prizes, but we still all had a GREAT time.  

There was a give-a-way table with shirts and bags and stuff - so we all came home with SWAG and great memories!

This painting was in the lobby of the Peak Fitness Center - and I LOVED it!
I just thought I would share it with you.

To end the evening we went to the Mackenzie River Pizza Company for a late dinner.  We tried some 'gluten free' pizza.  It was good.

Once we made it back to the hotel, Jack finally got to open his iPad that he bought with money he has been saving. . . . patiently.  He would say. . .  "It was totally worth it!"

It was great to celebrate the end of 2012 and the excitement of a new and upcoming 2013!

Happy New Year!