a new year.

 

In keeping with our tradition, Jer had to work a 48 hour shift over New Years and my dear friend Anne came up and celebrated quietly with the kids and I. It's a special time for Anne and I that we have spent together the past few years. After being room-mates and soulmates in college, Anne moved to Seattle where we traveled shortly for New Years together but then with her big move down to California, it takes a little more effort to make it happen. But it still does. And we play with the kids and eat pizza and watch a movie and toast with champagne and sparkling cider. We do sparklers or crackers with the kids and put them to bed and chat the night away until the sound of fireworks outside let us know it's midnight. I love this girl so much and with sixteen years of friendship and whole lotta living behind us, we sift back into our immediate friendship right away, no matter how many states divide us now.

 Crackers!

 Look at that face. Not impressed with the party crowns!

 Cheers!

A last walk and coffee by the bay before Anne broke my heart and left for California. In other news, we've decided that our word for 2013 is dominate. Ha! And then we spent the entire day laughing at ourselves and what we're going to dominate. Starting with hoodies.