A New Year . . .

. . . and it's a cold white one here at the resort.  By Christmas Day we had a foot or so of beautiful white stuff, and a little more came down in the days that followed.  And then it turned cold.  Cold as in it was one degree last night at nine o'clock.  We've had some fog and that, coupled with the cold, has resulted in hoar frost that covers every little branch, twig, and spider web. It's a fairy land out there, people!

Box Elder at the end of our deck

View out the front door

Look at that brilliant blue sky!

I am loving every moment of this incredible beauty.  It's warm and cozy here in the resort and we were blessed with a lovely Christmas season with family.  Bruder Bear and Karen drove up to our home town on Christmas Eve and then on Christmas Day drove our parents up here for a day of feasting and visiting.  BB's son JR and daughter Kirsten and husband Tim also came.  Ann, Eric and the boys were able to run over for a hour or so (Eric's parents were spending the holiday with them) and we had fourteen of us catching up with one another . . . and putting a puzzle together!

Peanut M&M's are a must for puzzle work!

My Dad was particularly pleased to have so many of his family around!  (And the cookies didn't hurt, either!)

At 92, his biggest gift was family together

We celebrated Christmas with Ann and family on New Year's Eve and had a great time.  We dubbed the event "The Pizza and Present Extravaganza."  :-)  An excellent time was had by all.

And now, it's 2016.  A whole new year before us.  ♥