How did you spend your New Year's Day? Napping away a hangover on the couch, pretending to watch football?

That kind of afternoon sounds foolish to the group of rafters who floated the Spokane River on Tuesday. The Northwest Whitewater Association celebrated the 20th Annual Only Fools Float the River on the First the only way they knew how – by eschewing a day at home and getting onto the water despite the air being only 22 degrees when they launched.

“If you're a boater, you take every chance to get on the water,” Bruce Bernhardt said.

More than 30 people attended the event with more than 20 boats on the water.

“This is more exciting” than watching football, said Pat Keegan before launching.

While many people choose to spend the holidays away from home, others have to for their loved ones, which was the case for 22 families at the Ronald McDonald House in Spokane.

Even though those families are away, Santa and hope still finds them.

If you glance around the main room of the house and hear the laughter of children, you can find the meaning of Christmas from kids like Gabby LeDuc. Gabby moved to the Ronald McDonald House with her mom from Montana in May to be treated for leukemia. She's only six-years-old and wanted to spend Christmas with family.

"We miss being with her cousins that we would have been with last night, and today," Gabby's mom Kathy said.

So instead, the LeDucs are spending Christmas with their new family at the Ronald McDonald House. Her dad, Ryan Leduc, was able to take a few days off from his job in Kalispell to visit his little girl.

"I really am proud of how strong she's been through this," he said.

He also brought presents, which put Gabby in a good mood. When Gabby talked about the pink guitar she was given for Christmas from local country artist Luke Yates, she really lit up.