Anyone who knows me probably knows I’m a sucker for sentiment, tradition and making sure I chronicle my children’s lives. The shot above is an annual tradition – I took a similar shot of these four in the grass during the fall of 2005 for my first online photo class with Jeff Wignall.

One of the most special relationships we have in our family is that of our next door neighbor’s and close friends. When we moved into our house, they were still in the process of building theirs. The girls met when they were 2, closing in on three years old. KB and I were both pregnant at the time with our boys. The boys have literally known each other since birth and are the very best of friends. In fact, my son is busily eating them out of house and home right at this very moment. Pretty soon, they might start asking me to chip in on the grocery bills.

The girls are much like sisters it seems. They love each other, will hopefully always look out for each other, and yet they can drive each other nuts.
My life and the lives of my children are so much richer for this true and lasting friendship. I love all four of these babies like they are my own! It’s my hope they will stay close and treasure the friendships all their lives.