a bonfire bigger than your house

so we've all had those H U G E bonfires that are so fun, so awesome.

everyone remembers them because they are always way too hot, too big for s'mores

+ really good for good laughs, cookies + memories.

i've had some good bonfires, who hasn't?

but this new years TOPPED all my bonfires combined

(good work ben)

we went out to my sister + brother-in-laws house for new years + before it got too dark, we all went out to play some football + start up dinner.

i'm SO glad that i got a picture of this setup before it was dark.

take a look at those boards. those are fences that held this beast up

+ inside was more wood, christmas tree's + an old mattress. 

we finished up our homemade j-dawgs (YUM)

+ once it got dark, we started up the fire.

this thing was huge. 

i'm telling you, i've never ever seen a fire this big.

the heat was so hot, we all had to stand back 10-15 feet or so,

then as it got bigger, + we started getting a little nervous,

my brother-in-law ben pulls out a garden hose + starts "watering" the fire.

YOU GUYS. i was laughing so hard because

a. i really do laugh when i'm really nervous + because of the hight of the fire + it's intensity,

the embers were floating into the trees, the power lines, across the street, it was getting pretty scary

b. everyone started backing away, putting distance between them + the "trouble"

c. + lastly, ben is over there playing fireman with a little hose. like, ben, it was the size of a major house fire, with flames hurtling themselves out the top, what were you going to do, really. hahaha

i'm smiling just thinking about how lucky we were nothing happened ;)

+ i guess i should mention that we were in the middle of country, it was safeish, just sketchy.

this thing lasted for hours + every 30 mins we moved in a few inches, loving the heat on a cold night  + enjoying good company.

we almost didn't even smell like smoke because of how far away everyone stood from the flames ;)

i was pretty bummed about how lame i was that night though.

i feel asleep at 11:47. 

like who the heck does that on new years eve!?

especially when THIS GIRL has the hardest time falling asleep + usually 12 is early for bedtime.

oh well, hello grandma.

all + all though it was a good night.

happy new years in min-january ;)

ps. jay served his mission in montana + for a large chunk of his time there he spent on an indian reservation.

i was lucky enough to snag a few pics of him chanting around the fire + showing us how the natives would do it. 

his voice was crazy cool too, making all the indian sounds.

also, i loved this picture so much, i couldn't decide in color or black + white so enjoy two of this crazy boy of mine 

a bonfire bigger than your house