It is 2021

 Early in the week the local weather forecast was for several inches of snow to fall by week's end. Knowing I planned to spend New Years at Jonathan's I decided to leave a day earlier than originally planned, just to avoid bad weather. And then the forecast changed by Wednesday to only rain; but I left that afternoon anyway.

In anticipation of wet weather, I spent time both Monday and Tuesday burning as much of the leaves in the neighbor's yard as possible. Still a lot to go, but there is light at the end of this tunnel. Except, it will take a week of dry weather before they will burn.

On my drive to Missouri Wednesday afternoon, just north of Branson, snow blanketed the countryside. There was no real precipitation during my drive, there was clearly enough white stuff to cover the ground. The roads were clear because of several days of warm weather preceding the snow. I arrived without incident to find Miranda and family already here.  The ground had one-two inches of snow and the kids had been out playing in it already. My original plan had been to stay home for New Years, until Kristy said the MO and AR families were gathering at their house. Not one to pass up family gatherings, or great food, I came.

Thursday morning this is the scene which greeted me.

Thursday was spent in preparing for the evening festivities; Kristy puts out a great spread for New Year's Eve.

By dinner time, Kera's family (minus a working Andy) and Deborah's family had arrived. It took some bedroom rearranging to get everyone situated, but it was accomplished without any complaints. Kristy had invited a couple of families to join us for the evening, although she did warn them there were approximately 28 of us, and two families joined us in eating, playing games, eating, talking, eating and visiting. I decided the new year did not need to be greeted by me at midnight, and was in bed before 11.

Over night, we received additional snow and ice; the countryside was bathed in sparkling wonder:

This last photo was of a once majestic looking willow tree in the front yard.

Friday's activities were dictated by your age: the adults stayed inside visiting or playing games while many of the younger ones were outside playing in the snow. Issy had fun towing the young ones behind the ATV on a sled to their great delight. Jonathan improved on his bread making skills by baking baguettes or sourdough bread every day; each loaf was quickly devoured and enjoyed.

Saturday, Katie was up early and started her drive to BYU-Idaho, stopping for the night at my brother's home in Denver. In the afternoon, Kera loaded up the remainder of her family to return to their house. She was followed by Miranda's family and then Deborah's. It suddenly got very quiet. No children chasing each other around the house, no shrieks of joy over a board game, no boisterous laughter.

Photos from this morning (Sunday):

Evidence that Mariam walked the 200 yards to the mail box and back last night, barefoot in the snow - because she could - to retrieve the mail:

The local ward holds in person sacrament meetings and it was good to attend; this is the second week in a row where I have been able to actually 'go to church'. The drive to church was spectacular; the sun finally came out, the sky was clear and all the foliage, all covered with ice, were sparkly and bright. 

Two hours later, much of that ice was melted and the trees are back to their normal time of the year bleak and naked appearance.  Later this afternoon,  I will join the family as Miriam receives her patriarchal blessing.

It has been fun, relaxing, exciting, and enjoyable spending several days with so many family members. The cousins had a good time with each other (mostly), the food is always excellent and all-too-plentiful and the break from the normal routine is welcomed. Tomorrow seminary will start up again and life will take on a more structured order.