Sure hope you're enjoying the look back into the archives we've been doing this past year. So many interesting photos from years past and most of them include snow by this time of year. Except today's first photo…that's a shot of the Mont Ripley ski hill in their "making snow" mode, back in 2001. Rob Wetton snapped that shot in one of the rare years that we didn't have snow for skiing yet in December.

Then in 2008, Brenda Leigh captured a Chickadee in her feeder, surrounded by Christmas lights. What a fun photo! You can see that year there was snow, but what I really liked in the shot was the sunshine.

In 2012, there was snow on the ground, too. It doesn't look like much, but everything was white. Steve Haagen was on hand at the Houghton County Historical Museum in Lake Linden, to take a ride on the Santa Train with his family. The folks there at the museum even decorated the train!

Snow and Santa, probably two of the "givens" for the Keweenaw in December. Since we're already at the Museum on Lake Linden, we might as well join in the fun of the Santa Train event back in 2007. What a great way to get outside with the family during the Christmas season.

Love all of the pictures today.

It's a rough day for us. Ron's mom passed away at
her home last night. I don't know what it is
about December, but it's supposed to be such a
joyful time and 9 years ago tomorrow we lost my
dad. Thank God for the joyfulness of Christmas.
Hug your loved ones. I've heard it said that man
makes plans and God laughs. Don't know where I
read that, but it's so true.

1. Photo #2: "2008: Chickadee & lights"
That's an interesting bird feeder; it looks like an old mine shafthouse to me!

2. Deb S. (Usedtobeayooper):
"… It's a rough day for us. Ron's mom passed away at her home last night. …

I don't know what it is about December, but it's supposed to be such a joyful time and 9 years ago tomorrow we lost my dad. …"

Oh geez, so sorry to hear about Ron's mom, Deb. 😢

It certainly brings sadness to a supposedly joyful time of the year. My mom passed away just before Thanksgiving in 2000 too, so I sure know the feeling.

Ron & Deb please accept my most sincere
condolences of Ron's mother passing. Keeping your
family in my thoughts and prayers. Peace to you.
Janie

Ron and Deb,
May the Lord wrap you in His love and grace and
peace. And may He fill your hearts and minds with
beautiful memories of Ron's Mom to help you thru the
months ahead. Praying all who are traveling for the
memorial service to be safe.

Condolences Ron and Deb. My father passed away at home in his bed as well and he was at peace, because that is where he wanted to be.
And yes, Deb...
God only knows
God makes his plan
The information’s unavailable
To the mortal man
(Paul Simon)

Sending our love an condolences to you, Ron and
your whole extended family, Deb. Losses like this
are so hard at any time of year, but the holidays
just make it harder. She's with God now,
surrounded by unimaginable love and peace.

OMGoodness, Deb and Ron...so very sorry to hear of Ron's Mom's passing. Keeping you all surrounded in prayer and love. RIP Ron's Mom.