New Year's Eve - Philly Style

Another fun family day in Philly for New Year's Eve.  It is turning into a tradition?  We started out by skating at the skate rink at Penns Landing.  This year they had a new 'tool' that turned into RJ's BFF!  I think he skated around the rink more than any of us!  It was FREEZING so we were all wearing 2 layers plus heavy coats and hats/scarves/mittens/gloves!  It was still a fun time!!

We left our car parked at Penns Landing and got a taxi into the city.  We walked to the Comcast Building to catch their light show.  There were a few new scenes this year and we got in the front so no ones head blocked our views this year!  

We walked over to Macy's to see their light show.  Kids said the Macy's show was a little boring... I know... it's not video-game animated, but it has so many memories for so many families, myself included.  Before the light show, we took a quick stroll through their 'A Christmas Carol' display.  No line, why not?!

After we caught the light shows back to Penns Landing we went to see the spectacular fireworks.  We grabbed our blankets from the car and got comfy (as best we could).  It was about 11 degrees and all our toes and fingers were cold as ice... literally!

Fireworks were amazing as always... set to music.

From the 6pm fireworks we headed to Melrose Diner in Philly. 

Did I mention while we were waiting for the fireworks the kiddos were goofing off a little bit and RJ's tooth just somehow came out?  Took a picture at the restaurant... didn't want to lose it while we were in the dark at Penns Landing!

Ate a warm meal then headed home for midnight festivities!

Bayberry Candle

I was curious about the Bayberry candle myth... Mom has always lit a bayberry candle on Christmas Eve and suggested I do the same.  I try to remember... most Christmas Eve's I  have remembered, lol.  Mom has always said if it burns down you will endure good luck.  I just said ok and went with it... but I decided this year to read up on the lure.  I found a combination of the following on different websites:

"The appreciation for the rarity of the bayberry candles and the value placed on them caused the giving or receiving of the candles to be thought of as a significant gesture of love and friendship.  The history behind the bayberry candles formed the tradition to burn them on Christmas Eve and/or New Year's Eve.  The colonists cherished the bayberry candles.  The production of bayberry wax was a tedious process.  Besides, for one pound of wax, almost 9 pounds of the berries were required.  So this became an item of luxury, and hence, was kept for special occasions only.  Owing to its scarcity and value, the tradition of burning these candles were restricted to the darkest times of the year, winter.  It is believed that letting these candles burn to the core would make for an abundant life filled with joy.  The following is the most common poem to be recited when lighting the candle":

This bayberry candle is a gift from a friend

on Christmas Eve burn it down to the end

A bayberry candle burned down to the socket

brings luck to the home and wealth to the pocket

 Lit the candle (late) Christmas Eve night

Christmas morning!

Let's hope for a prosperous year!

Christmas group shots

We had a few picture ops on Christmas too... how many pictures does it take... this is just a snapshot of the amount of pictures I actually took... lol!

1st cousins

All cousins!

 Grown-up siblings & spouses