Happy New Year's

We ended 2011 in a new way for our family. Since we're down in New Harmony visiting my parents we decided to see how Southern Utah rings in the new year. We headed down to Springdale to see fireworks as part of the Zion Joy to the World celebration.

We started our trip by trying to find a restaurant for dinner.  You'd be surprised but this was harder that we thought.  Springdale is more of spring/summer town and most places were closed "for the season."   Eventually we found a fun little Mexican place where the food was good and best of all - they were open. Casas de Amigos fit the bill for us (Big Al was able to have an enchilada and a taco) so we were ready to move on to the rest of our festivities.

We didn't know what to expect from a fireworks show in small town.  When we arrived at the community center you could tell that the event was bigger than we had imagined.  The center had set up tons of outdoor fire station to keep us warm.  It really had a fun vibe as people from all over Southern Utah came to watch the show.

The fireworks were great!  Who would have imagined a twenty minute extravaganza put on by Springdale.  The best part was the beautiful views of red rock illuminated by the bursting colors in the night sky.  We were so close you felt like the fireworks were right on top of you - it was amazing.  Thanks to the town of Springdale for kicking off our New Year's on the right note.

from Jason Butler via Facebook

After a brief stop in Hurricane to look at Christmas lights (they really have a few homes from Christmas Vacation),  we headed back to New Harmony to watch the ball drop.  The kids were so excited to stay up til midnight.  Kennedy talked and talked about how she wanted to make it to the new year.  She wanted to watch Times Square on tv and see the party.  By the time we made it back to my parents you could tell the excitement was gone.  In a matter of moments all the kids were in jammies and the new year came in like this.....

Happy New Year everyone!