Hogmanay

In Scotland, New Year's day - also known as Hogmanay - is a bigger celebration than Christmas Day itself. So, in keeping with our Scotland theme this year - we had our own Hogmanay celebration.

We had our New Year's countdown at 8:00 and then made our toasts!

We made boats and sailed them in the bathtub. Anthony wanted to burn the 'viking ship' like they do in Scotland . . . but we thought that might be against BYU rules.

Dressing up to go . . . oh Carrie I can't remember what it is called . . . but everyone dresses up . . . oh yes I remember - 'Guising'. We all put on little costumes and went to different doors in the house saying a little rhyme and asking for goodies. Luckily we found uncle Dan in one of the doors with shortbread cookies! (See video below - I couldn't figure out how to turn it around)

Allison dressing up as Mary Queen of Scotts and Carter playing the pan lid as we had a little parade.

We also left some coins under the mat out the front door - it's good luck if the coins multiply throughout the night. Allison was pleased to find, not only one quarter under the mat - but two quarters and a penny! That means we'll have a prosperous year - yay!

We also went 'first-footing'. In Scotland - after the New Year's Eve celebration, friends go 'first-footing' to other friends houses - bringing a gift and welcoming in the New Year. It's said that red-heads are bad luck . . . and so we banned Carrie from going first-footing - but Allison and Dan brought us the good luck by 'First-footing' our little party.

After the kids went to sleep, we adults stayed up playing Ticket to Ride - my new favorite game! I don't think any of us made it to midnight . . .