Palm Springs for the New Year

Decided to take my friend Chris' invitation to come to Palm Springs for New Year's. Flew Sun Country on the 30th. Chris made reservations at Trio for dinner with friends for New Year's Eve. It was very pleasant.

Chris and I ended staying up past 1am getting caught up and reminiscing. 

I went for a short run on the 1st to take in all the flowering bushes and the different cacti.

Chris' condo has a heated pool, and he swims every morning. I joined in a few times. It was very nice. On the 2nd hiked the South Lykken Trail with Chris' friend, Kevin. After the hike, Chris and I went to my friend's Bud rented house for wine and cheese. Bud's brother David and sister-in-law, Mabel, were there. We decided to have dinner at The Tropicale, a swanky place.

Before heading to the airport on the 3rd, Chris and I met Bud, David, and Mabel at Spencer's for a delicious prix fixe lunch. The return flight was an hour delayed (seems to be a thing with Sun Country) but overall a good flight.

Returned to super cold weather so it was nice to get away for a while.

Holiday festivities

Rose, Michael, Megan and Roxie came over for Christmas day. We ate tasty ham that Michael prepared along with yams, brussel sprouts and several apple desserts.

On Saturday, I saw the movie Into The Woods with Christine, Rose, Megan and Michael.

On Sunday Christine and I met Kay at the Minneapolis Art Institute to see the Italian Style exhibit. Beautiful clothes and designs from post World War II to present day.

Christine, Kay and me at MIA

Sunday night I met Jennifer and Michael at Trygg's to hear their favorite singer, Dan, perform with Reuben.

Jennifer

On Tuesday Jennifer and Michael Coté hosted a pre-New Year's Eve dinner party. Lots of good food and fun.

Rose, JT and Loretta

crazy me with Michael and Jennifer

Jennifer and Dave

crazy selfie with me and Megan

Happy New Year

Had a wonderful New Year's weekend.  Thanks to the many friends that shared and celebrated with me.

New Year's Eve game night at my place was super fun.  Ten of us playing Pictionary, Taboo, and another categories game.  I didn't have to go out in the rain and snow so appreciate those that did.

New Year's Day went to JT and Linda's for their annual gathering.  A big crowd of folks enjoying all the food and Amy's drink concoctions.  The lake was too sketchy to venture out on so everyone stayed indoors.

Tonight was our regular league bowling but we played no-tap where nine on your first ball counted as a strike.  I bowled a 231 and 246!  The scores don't count really but everyone had a lot of fun.

One more day off (Monday) then back to work and traveling.

Happy New Year to all!