Marilyn and I celebrated New Year’s Eve with Walter and Robyn. We had an awesome dinner ( both Marilyn and Robyn are awesome cooks and both Walter and I love to eat - its great combination!!). Yes we had a few cocktails, yes we told our favorite stories and had a lot of laughs. We actually made it to midnight to see the ball drop - in fact the women were so bust talking we actually didn’t officially celebrate the New Year until about 12:15 - imagine that too much time talking and missing the “big event”.

It was shortly after our late celebration of the New Year - that I shared with everyone, my New Year’s resolution and I wanted to make sure we had a family reunion in 2013. It will have been almost 9 years since the last reunion and I felt that 2013 had to be the year. Walter and Robyn quickly agreed - and than Walter went to bed. So, Robyn, Marilyn and I talked about Walter for another hour or so and we went to bed around 2:30. I was tired but excited that a Reunion was definitely a possibility.

I will also like to give credit to Jenn (Chickey) - 2 summers previously, Marilyn and I visited Walter and Robyn’s Delaware house and had a greater evening with Aunt Janet, Karen, Kevin and Sue, Brian and Shannon, Jenn and Mary Kate. We sat out on Walt’s back deck and Jenn was emphatic about organizing another reunion and how important it was to her. I remember thinking about Jenn’s comments and being motivated by her enthusiasm. I realized that having family together is as important to the younger generation as it is to the older generation. In fact - it might even be more important. Believe it or not - the younger generation actually enjoys spending time with extended family. There was no doubt in my mind that if we could put some organization around a family reunion, basically set a date and name a place that we would have great participation. So Jenn - if this whole Reunion idea is a flop it is your fault, if it is success, then I will tell everyone it was my idea. Jenn - you are okay with that right????

New Year’s Day - Of course, I am the first one up. I make my infamous (at least to me it is infamous) French Toast Recipe (stolen from my Mother). Everyone’s still sleeping and I am cooking breakfast, excited about the possibility of a family reunion in 2013. I was going to make sure the day didn’t go by without a discussion on filling out the Reunion Committee and making phone calls on that day to get it started. By the end of the day, we had convinced Maureen to share in our New Year’s resolution and we decided that David would be the point person for the Hayden clan (assuming he will agree to work with us).

I have a feeling 2013 is going to be a good year - let’s hope this Reunion actually happens.