OUR YAPPY NEW YEAR CELEBRATION FOR 2016!

Usually, THE YAPPY BUNCH celebrates the coming of New Year in Yub's hometown in Quezon Province. But this year, his mother suddenly had a change of heart and felt like going to Manila on the first day of 2016. So that meant, no PALAISDAAN to end 2015 (poor Yub he he he he) BUT we will be able to spend New Year's Eve with my family. So muchos yey to that!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL OF US!!!!

When we were kiddies, my Dad would usually take us hotel hopping after mass in preparation for midnight. But now, hotels and even the streets, have their own countdown parties that it is impossible to navigate our way around the Metro.

So we just stayed put and thought about what we're going to eat later.  Besides, we're too old to mix in street parties anyway. 

Oh yeah!!! We're all lazy AND old!

Ha ha ha ha ha! Kidding!

Ooh! Now THAT'S a cutie pie old guy!!

After mass, there was no need to stay long in Rockwell tent because their fireworks (like what they had in Christmas) will be at midnight. 

Based on the earphones that Andrei was wearing (even if it was not really connected to any sort of player), that is good news for him. Let's just say that even if he is not afraid of fireworks anymore, it's still his least favorite thing.

Going to the parking!

At this point Andrei was rushing us to go already.

When we got home, I went straight to the kitchen and commandeered the gas stove. 

My Mati lovingly volunteered again to help me!

My Mom's request for that night was a platterful of Sardinia Pasta -- my Dad's favorite.

And voila!!!! I was supposed to garnish it with diced tomatoes but I was waiting for it to cool down a bit.

While we were busy in the kitchen I told the boys to go outside and make some noise!

It could get VERY smokey during New Year's that I asked them to cover their noses. 

Are you guys familiar with "SPY VS SPY"?

He he he he he!

My brother took care of our firecrackers that night and got a lot of  "sparklers".

Don't worry Andrei, they're just sparklers and not judas' belt. My fart is louder than the poof that'll come out of it. 

"Okay Mommy!"

My Dad and brothers used to buy the very noisy firecrackers like the 5-star and "bawang". We even had a canon then that exploded with a few drops of gas!

But now, safety is indeed our priority. We still wanted to celebrate future New Years with complete fingers and toes.

Besides, the sparklers are like magical means to welcome the New Year! When I was a kid, I would usually sing "Bibbity Boppity Boo" while waving it around.

The "fireworkers" took a short break in order to finish our Media Noche!

Our New Year Spread!

YOWZA!!!

All of the food here (except the desserts) were home-cooked by my Mom, my Kuya Jon, and ME!

Kuya Jon's perfectly grilled Angus steak! These were so thick, fatty, and juicy! SO YUM!!!!

Pork Barbecue!

Sweet and Sour Fish!

My Sardine Pasta with diced tomatoes!

White Rice!

Mashed Potatoes!

Macaroni Salad!

Caesar's Salad!

Grilled Asparagus!

For our NEW YEAR'S dessert, we have ube halaya, leche flan, and this tikoy like thing.

As usual, Mati cannot wait to dig in!

Our dining area!

ROLL CALL for NEW YEAR'S!

Daddy and Mommy!

Daddy and Mommy with the little lords!

Check out Andrei. He's deciding whether or not he'll put bunny ears on his lolo....

Should I or shouldn't I?

Oh he did!

And he's happy about it!

Besides the Angus Steak on the table, Kuya Jon also grilled more and put it on the sizzling plate. He then topped it with Shiitake and Inoki Mushrooms that we're sauteed in Red wine.

Homer drools!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry Kuya Jon! I have to admit that your meats now are much better than the roast that we had for Christmas. Ha ha ha ha ha ha h aha!

Mati certainly agreed as he zoinked a forkful or two for himself.

LET'S EAT!!!!

Before, my Gatdula family were all noisy and happily jamming food inside our hungry mouths every New Years. But when my Kuya Jay got married and I had THE YAPPY BUNCH, things changed in our household.

 Early on, my Kuya Jay said that we should all spend our Christmases together with my Mom and Dad and then the married ones will spend New Year's with the in-laws.

For the longest time, my Mommy and Daddy celebrate New Year's with Kuya Jon and Ate Jojit. When my crummy sister got married 2015, she also decided to spend New Year's with her husband's family.

With that I realized that my Mom, Dad, and Kuya Jon might get lonely and have a very quiet New Years Eve. Good thing that with my Mother-In-Law's decision, we got the greet 2016 with my family.

After which, I don't think we should ever leave them again for this supposed to be crazy night. My mother in law has a lot of grandchildren anyway to keep her company every New Year's whereas my parents would only have to contend with Kuya Jon (tee hee).

So yes. It has been agreed by the council that we will also be spending New Year's with my family always. We'll just visit Yub's family at a different holiday weekend!

YOHOO!

See? Everything happens for a reason! 

Now my parents will always have to contend with THIS for New Year's!

Time to pray!

Mati gave his thanks for the New Year.

Of course, Andrei wanted to have a say too.

It's time to eat, drink, and be merry!

My messy salad plate!

Taste test! 

Egad! This was so buttery tender! 

My plate! My very delicious-tears-are now-in-my-eyes PLATE!

Later on, Ate Jojit called to greet us a Happy New Year and to tell us how she missed us.

"Awwwww we miss you ate Jojit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

But really, we're glad they're not here for New Years.

MORE STEAK FOR US! WOHOO!

Mati and Kuya Jon enjoying all the food!

The Chinese Adonis and Andrei!

Mommy, Mati, and a photobomber!

Grrr!

Again.

Me and my boys!

My brother really grilled this steak to a medium rare perfection!

A toast for a more blessed 2016!!!!!!!!!

Mati: "It IS 2016 right?"

Yep. The wine is kicking in.

Kidding.

After a real heavy meal, we went outside to pop more firecrackers!

In just a few minutes, it's going to be 2016!!!!!!!!!

Firecrackers were going on full blast!

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2......

HUWAN!

HAPPY NEW YEARRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?"

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and days o’ lang syne!"

Honestly, when I hear this song, the question of Harry (from When Harry Met Sally) comes to mind...

Harry: "What does this song mean? My whole life, I don't know what this song means. I mean, 'Should old acquaintance be forgot'? Does that mean that we should forget old acquaintances, or does it mean if we happened to forget them, we should remember them, which is not possible because we already forgot?"

Tee hee!

I so agree Harry!

Oh well....

HELLO 2016!!!!!!!!!!

AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!