Starting the new year in South Dakota

We spent New Year's Eve with our good friends -- the Littles -- in Utah (why didn't I take a few pictures?!). Then, Eric and I flew to different destinations. I went with Ryan and Jane to South Dakota, and Eric went to Colorado. Six days later, we met in Atlanta for our connecting flights to England.

South Dakota was very cold, but it was delightful to spend time with Jane and Rachel. Ryan had to leave for several days to interview for a Ph.D internship.

UTAH CHRISTMAS

We enjoyed a beautiful white Christmas!

I was able to get in two days of skiing (Eric only had one because he was the designated baby-sitter, enjoying a day with a granddaughter!)

Over the holidays, our oldest granddaughter (Jane) enjoyed sledding.

Jane also enjoyed dressing up and time with extended family, including her cousin Claire.

Our granddaughter Claire also enjoyed time with family and her Christmas presents too!

Home to the states for Christmas!

I spent a whole month in the states, enjoying family time! Eric had to stay to work an extra week in England and then he spent another week in Colorado (working, of course) before he joined us in Utah. First, I was able to enjoy some time with Casey, Emily, and of course, cute little Claire.

Then, I spent time in Logan with my parents.

We had a wonderful Christmas in Utah. I loved having all three of our children with us ...

along with our son-in-law Casey and both of our granddaughters!

We, of course, missed our daughter-in-law Rachel who was unable to fly to Utah this year. I was glad to be able to visit her (and Jane) in South Dakota in January.

ISLE OF WIGHT

In early December, we took a ferry to the Isle of Wight where Queen Victoria had a vacation home called the Osborne House. The day we went, they were having a "Victorian Christmas" celebration.

The grounds and the views were lovely.