Ringing in the new

We rang in the new year with a group of Dave's college friends, adding our new additions to the joyful next-generation throng that converged on Turkey Hall for what has become a traditional in-gathering. Big George and Cathy, who has adopted Maggie and Bea as their nona, somehow manage to outdo themselves in hospitality with each new year. Thanks to them, the girls now have their first car, a situation that we were not expecting to face for another fifteen years at least. Despite being a bit under the weather with a cold -- fairly inevitable at this point in the holiday season -- Bea shows her enthusiasm for driving as does the slightly less under-the-weather Maggie (shown with Cathy). Maggie also took considerable delight in rocking chair rides. Turkey Hall is quite the magical place. The wintertime view contrasts with a similar view taken back in July. For one thing, the Shenandoah is now visible through the leafless trees, and the snow is quite a bit more visible than it was during the Virginia summer.