Happy New Year!

As usual, we partied long and hard on new years eve, seeking out big crowds and celebrated into the wee hours of the morning of the new year ... kidding, of course. We went to bed before 9 pm, woke up briefly at midnight from the firecrackers outside and then greeted the new year a few hours later after a good night's sleep.

While Michaela started the new year industriously working on her upcoming lectures, I joined Rob and Kristen for a trip to the Mt. Meadows ski resort on Mt. Hood for some skiing. The snow pack is rather thin this year, but groomed well enough to still provide a lot of fun. Plus: it was sunny and warm!

The following day we were invited to visit Corie and Jody on their new farm! Michaela rode on a horse for the first time in a very long time! (Pictures are fuzzy, took it with a cell phone and it was rather dark.)

And no, I did not join Michaela to take a horse for a spin...

The next day we were off to Molalla State Park for a walk in the woods with Billie and Pepper's best friend Maggie.

The weather was fabulous for this time of year - lot's of sunshine!

The only downside for Pepper: he had to take a bath afterwards...

Tomorrow: boardgames! (Most likely 'Arkham Horror'.) And after that vacation will sadly have come to an end - but it has been a lot of fun while it lasted.