New Years Day Cheer

We were all bummed that we couldn't spend New Years Eve at our friends' house in the East Mountains, so we decided that we would try to spend New Years Day with them and prayed that
I-40 would finally be clear and open to traffic, which it was! Whooohoo!

First we all went to lunch at India Palace for their buffet! Yummy! And then John talked me into taking a chance and driving over to Monica and Rollin's house afterwards. We had a great time visiting, chatting, drinking Sangria and hot cocoa and munching goodies.

Jax and Jem played with their buddy Ian and Jenna gave lovin's to Monica and Rollin's friendly, sweet dogs.
Monica and Rollin are such warm and welcoming folks with an even warmer, cozier house. Rollin took us adults and Jenna for a Jeep ride over to a nearby property for sale to get a good idea of what it looked like.
It would have been impossible to reach the acreage without a 4-wheel drive, so we were happy for our 4-wheel driving tour guide! hehe

On the way back Rollin helped out some folks putting chains on their tires and rescued a vehicle that got stuck in the 3 foot deep snow on the road.
Later when we got ready to leave, we got a bit stuck, as well, and Rollin, the ever helpful great guy he is, hooked us up to his Jeep and pulled us out of the slippery snow and ice and then followed us out of the beautiful snow filled canyon to make sure we got out safely.

Jax, Monica, Ian, and Jem getting out some toys and goofing around
The Cocoa Kids. Nothing like hot cocoa after playing in 3 feet of chilly, fun snow!
John and Rollin hanging out
Monica and 2 of her great dogs
Another sweet dog and Monica
John enjoyed the cozy fireplace, toasty warm woodstove and, yummy hot cocoa. It's nice to see him so relaxed
Jenna was thrilled with the long, twisty, tree-lined snowy lane to Monica and Rollin's house