Suzan Aydinel admits that she and her husband, Michael Boisclair, are "just not evening people." For years, they skipped the late-night bashes and celebrated on New Year's Day with a brunch for friends at their Vienna, Virginia, home. As their kids came along, the brunch evolved into a private family morning of activities and traditions--culminating at noon, when they ring in the New Year.

Their three children--Christine, six, Michael, four, and baby Suzy--begin the day hunting for "lucky" pennies, several dozen shiny coins their parents have hidden around the house. As the kids search, "we talk about the good luck and what it might bring in the New Year," Suzan says.

Then, as they enjoy a lavish brunch spread, they read aloud from index cards, onto which each person has written (or dictated) one good thing about each family member, including him- or herself. "I remember my son saying one year that he really appreciates his sister, the way she gets stuffed animals for him when he hurts himself," Suzan says.

The grand finale? Just before noon, they all climb onto sturdy wooden chairs and at the stroke of 12 launch themselves off, "leaping" into the New Year. (Little ones, of course, have their hands held.)