Ringing in 2008 with Explosions in the Sky

Happy New Year, friends and family! Jon and I returned from our two-week trip to Texas last Thursday and had a wonderful time hanging in BCS and the ranch. It was certainly wonderful to be home, see clear blue skies, and eat tons of Tex-Mex. After a weekend spent recovering from jet lag, we geared up for the New Year's celebration in Wiesbaden. We invited a few friends from Jon's work and our church for a pre-party at our place before meandering to the casino where the big extravaganza would take place at midnight.

In Germany, there are no rules for setting off fireworks within city limits, so you can imagine how crazy it can get with people setting off their own explosions every 10 feet downtown. Needless to say, you have to be careful about where you step and always be looking out for any stray bottle caps that may plummet your head. When we left for the casino, we were carrying a backpack of fireworks and champagne, and we were just one of the many that had this same idea. People were downing champagne and setting off fireworks constantly so that it really did almost resemble the sound of a war zone with the whistling of some fireworks and constant explosions and smoke in the sky.

We had a good time shooting off all our ours before midnight and then at midnight the entire sky was filled with beautiful colors. We didn't know which ones were the amateur fireworks and which ones were the city's, because they all looked so professional. Finally, at 12:15 the music came on (an orchestra from a German composer of course) and then the big boys were set off above the casino. It was absolutely beautiful! The Germans definitely take their celebrations and fireworks seriously. It was one of the most festive New Year's I'd ever experienced!

On New Year's day, Jon and I slept until the afternoon after staying up until 5:00 a.m. that morning, and then made a pot full of black eyed peas for good luck for the coming year. We had fun reflecting on the good things that 2007 brought us and are excited about what this year has in store for us as well; skiiing in the Alps, a trip to India and the Middle East, a trip to the States to see Jon's family, Jon's deployment and a summer for me in the States. We love you all very much and wish you all a very happy and healthy new year!