We ushered in 2009 with what has become our favorite New Year’s Eve tradition…partying with the Goldings!

The kids get along fabulously (as do the adults :)). We do get a kick out of the way the kids pair up according to birth order. Here they are–two by two–decorating sugar cookies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And just for kicks, the next two pictures are a look into the past. This one was taken 8 1/2 years ago when Jake was 2 and Nicole was 1:

And this was taken 7 1/2 years ago when Derek and Amanda were less than a year old:

Fast-forward back to the present…some of us didn’t quite make it until midnight. Peter and Jeremy asked to go to bed at 11:30:

But the rest of the kids rang in the new year and continued to go strong even after 12:00:

Looking back on those old photos reminds me of what steadfast friends we have in John, Tracy, and the kids. We love you guys!

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)