Ringing in the new year

We enjoyed spending time with family and friends as the old year drew to a close and the new one began.

Baby Emma (my youngest cousin) came to visit with her mom and dad (Kelly and Clark) and her sister Whitney and a friend. Lucy played the role of big cousin quite well, and even got to hold Emma on her lap. Here she's helping Emma unwrap a present.

We went out to the local diner/train station with Meredith, Phil and Skyler (our Walden Pond playmates) on the 31st. Lucy and Skyler love giving each other hugs, though he was distracted this time.


We spent New Years' Eve with our dear friends Rebecca and Gregg. It was our 3rd one together, this time joined by Andrew (a most charming and easy-going little guy), who was still on west coast time, and by their little pea pod (still inside Rebecca). We had a delicious meal of raclette and then not 1, but 2 desserts- peppermint chocolate brownies with ice cream and strawberry shortcake with whipped cream.

Grandma and I got off on the right foot (or ski) this year, going cross-country skiing on New Years' day.

And to cap off a wonderful first day of the year, we visited with our other dear friends, Laura and Michael, playing Puerto Rico after the girls went to bed.

As we reflect on this past year and look forward to the new one, we're so thankful for all the friends and family God has blessed us with, whether close or far away!