Let it Snow, Let it Snow, ........*)>%&*)%^#@

Quite a holiday wasn't it? We don 't often get a White Christmas in northeast Oklahoma. Now I'll remember to not get too sentimental about a snowy Christmas morning. It was doubly difficult because many can't just hunker down and stay by the fire like a normal snowy day. There were groceries to buy, gifts to deliver and families waiting for their loved ones arrival. Lots of plans were changed and lots of people were disappointed.

My group was pretty lucky. Everyone was here before the snows came. My oldest son blasted out of OKC at 8:00 or Christmas Eve morning. If he had left much later, he would have had to turn around. Christmas Eve Dinner went from 60 to 20, my cousin was resigned and gracious as the calls kept coming in. She always hosts a beautiful party for her extended family-and those of us who made it had a wonderful time!

Christmas morning my boys and husband fashioned an "Over the River" sleigh to bring part of the family up from across the street. Grandchildren and in-laws arrived via a 4 -wheeler and flatbed, wrapped in lap blankets with Champ the Wonder Dog running merrily behind the entourage. My son-in-law's San Diego brother called it a red neck snow-mobile. He was right!!

Christmas night, the kids' friends found it no problem to make it up our icy driveway. As Mel advised, there was plenty of food and drink and a fire roaring in the outdoor fireplace. Snowball fights resulted, just as when they were little. There is nothing I like better than going to sleep with the sound of their laughter echoing through the house.

We did have a bump in the next day's plans. Traveling to my brother Eddie's in Bixby to spend Christmas with our extended family was a little harrowing. In a two car caravan, we set out.....turkey, presents and grand babies in tow. Husband Warren was not to sure about the roads, as he repeated often during the drive........I pish - poshed his concern, commenting on the beautiful scenery between Haskell and Leonard. The scenery was a lovely backdrop as daughters Catherine and Annie (with two little ones in car seats), gracefully slid off the highway into a rather large and deep ditch. Let it be noted there were only two "I told you so's" -then my hero of a husband swung into action.

We barreled through a cattle gate with three NO TRESPASSING signs. Two huge dogs lunged on their chains as Wag knocked on the trailer door. A bearded man answered in his pajama bottoms. After a short explanation with much gesticulating , the good soul reved up his huge backhoe thingy and chugged through his pasture toward my stranded family. Grandson Wagner's (John Deere Tractor Boy) dream came true as he woke up from his travel nap to the huge machine coming right at him. The car was pulled out and we turned around, our lovely December 26th afternoon thwarted by icy roads and my husband's unwillingness to try again. I mean, we were almost there!

I know you all have your own tales from Christmas 2009. We can either laugh or cry, and it was kind of a grand adventure. One thing that happens when we can't control events is that we appreciate our times together even more. My brother is still waiting for that Wagner smoked turkey! I'm coming bro. Just waiting for the next snowstorm to pass. chrissie