Ringing in the New Year...

We had a fabulous New Year's Eve with our very fabulous friends, Greg, Erica and Blake.  We invited them to spend the night which meant we could spend some time playing with the kids but then put them to bed and spend the rest of the evening eating, drinking and doing all we could to actually stay awake past midnight! :)

Erica and I planned a four course meal and split up the cooking duties. For appetizers we enjoyed bacon wrapped chorizo stuffed dates and a crab and artichoke dip. 

Next up was Andy's mushroom soup with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. 

Erica then made an amazing arugula salad topped with orange and grapefruit segments that had been heated in a balsamic and honey reduction then topped with a slice of prosciutto. 

For dinner Andy grilled steaks and shrimp, Greg sliced up "saddleback" potatoes, and Erica made dijon braised brussel sprouts with shallots.

Meanwhile I was in charge of decor, and I couldn't have been happier with my table settings and floral arrangements. 

We had the wine and martinis flowing and of course a champagne toast at midnight.  Mostly I think we were just celebrating the fact that we were still awake to witness the start of 2012! 

I hope everyone had a great start to the New Year.  We are so lucky to have such amazing friends to celebrate with and we can't imagine kicking off the New Year with anyone else!
(and why do I take more pictures of food than of people? Resolution for 2012...more people pictures!!!)