New Years Eve with HomeAway

It’s officially 6 days into 2016. It’s 6:50 am and I just got Noah back down to sleep. It’s been one of those super early mornings where I tried everything to get him back to sleep. Once he was peacefully snoozing in his crib I tried to jump back under the covers and get some more sleep. I looked over at my husband to see him peacefully sleeping (this morning is my morning on Noah duty… we do switch:) ) and I realize I can’t go back to sleep. I cuddled up next to him and started to think about how lucky I am.  Sure I had to wake up at 4:30 am when I didn’t get much sleep the night before, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. 2015 has been such an amazing year, and 2016 is already off to a great start.

Home Away {The adorable house & our Chevy Traverse we tried out for the week-loved it!}

HomeAway{Obsessed with the red door }

HomeAway{Plenty of room for entertaining}

HomeAway{Drinking coffee & assisting with the massive turkey}

HomeAway{Master chef Dylan rocking it on some turkey rub}

HomeAway{Guest of honor, he slept like a champ and wanted to move in}

HomeAway{My men getting ready for dinner}

HomeAway{Glass of champagne while cooking? Why not?}

HomeAway{Dinner turned out uh-mazing!}

This year we opted for a low-key new years and decided to stay in a HomeAway rental home with friends. In my opinion the perfect New Years Eve involves friends & family, an amazing dinner, good conversation, and champagne. I’m not a fan of going out for New Years Eve, and obviously it can be hard to do so when you have a little one. Babysitters are pretty sparse on New Years, plus I think it’s important to ring in the new year with a group of friends and family all under one roof.

Most of my friends in Austin live in apartments and haven’t made the plunge into home ownership. Real estate prices here are out the roof  (a tear-down house can cost around 350k) and our generation isn’t big on commitment I guess. Hosting New Years at your apartment or going to an apartment get-together just isn’t the same as gathering at a home. That’s why the Home Away house was absolutely perfect. Everyone can come together in one place, cook together, eat together, and really enjoy one another’s company.

Dylan decided it would be a good idea to cook a massive turkey for our small group (we still have a ton of it leftover).  Everyone else brought some side dishes and I made a dessert. After dinner we hung out, sipped on some delicious wine, played games, had a dance party, broke out the broom and did some limbo (my back still hurts). I’m such a grandma that I was in bed before midnight, but the bed was so comfy that I totally didn’t mind 🙂

22 Comments

  1. Ashley on January 6, 2016 at 8:56 am

    I’ve never heard of HomeAway but that house looked awesome. Totally loved the red door too! Looks like you had a great time rining in the new year 🙂

    • leeannefoltz@gmail.com on January 6, 2016 at 8:57 am

      It’s a great vacation rental website! You have to check it out and plan a trip! Happy New Year 🙂

  2. Heather with WELLFITandFED on January 6, 2016 at 9:01 am

    Such a great idea. I have not been disappointed with any of the rentals I have done with them. All the decor in that house looked great too!

    • leeannefoltz@gmail.com on January 6, 2016 at 9:42 am

      Yes, they are the best. The home was perfectly decorated and so cozy!

  3. Nicole on January 6, 2016 at 10:41 am

    What an amazing kitchen and house! I love the floor plan. One day I’ll have a gas range like that!

    • leeannefoltz@gmail.com on January 6, 2016 at 11:39 am

      Me too girl!

  4. Cara on January 6, 2016 at 11:14 am

    What a gorgeous house for a weekend away! Love the kitchen, so pretty!

    • leeannefoltz@gmail.com on January 6, 2016 at 11:38 am

      Me too! I want my future kitchen to look just like it !

  5. Claudine on January 6, 2016 at 11:38 am

    The house looks great – as does the turkey! Such a good idea for a New years celebration, especially with little ones. Also good when out of town visitors are here, and there isn’t enough room the host at your own place, i’ll be sure to check out the site, thanks for the tip and happy new year!

  6. Marcia on January 6, 2016 at 11:45 am

    What a beautiful rental home! We’ve used Homeaway and have always been
    happy with their homes. Great idea for New Years!

  7. Bruce M on January 6, 2016 at 11:54 am

    We’ve been looking for a place to stay in Hawaii, and HomeAway looks like it has a lot of choices. All of the rentals look to be very high quality, and I like the idea of someone screening and standing behind the properties that are offered.

    Thanks for sharing this!

  8. Callie on January 6, 2016 at 12:01 pm

    So sad I missed out, but happy you had a blast! Love you ❤️

  9. Kristin on January 6, 2016 at 12:30 pm

    I’ve never heard of that but it looks like so much fun and a great way to have a little get away!

  10. Lauran on January 6, 2016 at 12:41 pm

    No way thanks so much for posting this. We’re going along to my husbands conference and totally forgot about looking at Home Away for a place to stay! We have two babies so a house is way better than a hotel…
    Looks like a fun New Years! 🙂

  11. Cheryl Shireman on January 6, 2016 at 1:20 pm

    What a great way to spend New Years! Love the idea of renting a place like that. We gave used AirBnB but have not heard of Home Away. Will definitely check them out for two upcoming vacations! Thank you for sharing!!!

  12. Scarlett on January 6, 2016 at 1:49 pm

    Wow! Super cute! I want to get a homeaway rental now!! Thanks for the idea!!

  13. Lisa on January 6, 2016 at 3:18 pm

    That house is dreamy. I can’t believe it’s in Austin; it looks like a house from the mountains or something! I’m from the Austin area, and the housing market is out of control. We sold our house in just three weeks, and we thought that was a long time because houses can be off the market in a matter of hours.

  14. Logan on January 6, 2016 at 4:32 pm

    I would LOVE to rent a place for a weekend or holiday this year! Your table looks amazing. That dinner!!

  15. Kari on January 6, 2016 at 5:16 pm

    I live in San Francisco and homes start at $850 for a 2 bedroom. Most go for more than the asking price. It’s so hard to picture purchasing at those prices.
    Kari
    http://www.sweetteasweetie.com

  16. Mama Munchkin (@globalmunchkins) on January 6, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    We love vacation rentals. We have a big family and we don’t typically all fit under one roof (at least not for prolonged periods of time). So, we choose to rent properties near by each other and enjoy a full week of family fun. Its time I hold very dear to my heart. Great share

  17. Claire on January 6, 2016 at 7:47 pm

    Isn’t it funny how when you’re waking up at 4:30 am for a baby it’s not that bad? Anyone else I would want to punch in the face. I think Home Away sounds awesome! We have so much family from out of town coming up soon I’m going to suggest they check it out because I really don’t want to host all of them!

    • leeannefoltz@gmail.com on January 7, 2016 at 8:47 am

      hahaha yes anyone else and I would want to punch them in the face as well 🙂 Yes- have them check it out!

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