The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Friends of ours were up from Oklahoma, so we all got together at the Nooksack park to catch up.  A few of the "usuals" weren't able to come, and while we missed you (Tom, Amanda, Nathan, Kate and Joel!) we had a BLAST.   We've been getting together for years, and at the end of this post, you can see a few of our annual kiddo shots and see how much the kids have grown.  We had such a nice time - it was a beautiful evening and it was fun to just catch up with old friends.  Addison was a peach, and precious as can be.  She stayed with me pretty much the whole time, except for a few visits to be held by friends who had doused their hands in sanitizer!  :-) 

Wayne made lots of new, old friends. 

From left to right:  Misty, Amy, Susan, Dana, Myself, and Addison.

L to R:  Byron, Bruce, Josh, Tyler.  It's funny, in highschool you can never guess what people will become.  There is an auto shop paint/fixer guru, a police officer, an I&E tech, and a youth pastor in this shot!  Who's who?

The highlight of the night was when the TRAIN CAME THROUGH!  Most of the kids climbed to the top of the playground to watch and wave.  So cute!

 

And finally.... a look back in time.

 

2008

 2009

 

not pictured:  2010 and 2011.  One year we got together but didn't take a picture, the other year we were on hiatus because it was CRAZY with all these kiddos!

 

2012

Not Pictured:  Grace and Vince - we will see you next year guys!

What a difference a few years makes!!!  Being accustomed to the chaos when we try to get this shot, all the Mom's rallied and started calling out names.  And then a miracle happened.  All the kids came running.  They sat down.  They waited for his to get in position, and then...  They looked right at us, and SMILED.  It was over just like that, and they scattered and went back to whatever it was they were doing before.  And that was that.  No crying, no tears, no drama.  I LOVE THIS AGE!  :-)

And in case my newborn mom brain didn't concisely state it thus far....  There is something just nice about getting together with people who've known you since before you could drive, and catching up.  While a lot has changed over the years, a lot is still the same.  Amy still makes me laugh, and always inspires me because her kids are a bit older and I see what is in our near future.  Dana is just amazing -she has a heart for the Lord and for serving Him.  Susan makes me wonder if I should ever consider letting the boys out of our contained backyard with all the things she dares do with her two darlings, and this year, Misty really caught my eye with all that PINK!  :-) 

Until next year everyone!