SNOWED IN FOR CHRISTMAS WEEK

Perhaps being "snowed-in" (see * below) can make some folk tend toward cabin fever or crankiness or gloom, but the experience of being mostly house-bound for a week did not affect our family that way. Not even in the days just before Christmas. Betty and I felt it was rather providential that all of ours were here camping-in with us for the worst days of storm and ice. Even the Kennewick and Alaska Wyatts were in full family force which made a full complement of cousins for activities, games, and entertainment. One of the youngest even produced a talent show in which almost every other relative took part with comedy music, magic, drama and art. That was awesome.

I suppose most of us would agree that this fella captured much of the clan's attention and shared his grin and good nature with everyone. First Christmas was a success for him, and this set of Grandfolks were mighty proud to see young MR. Wyatt (Eli to family) light up the room.
Papa John, that ol' elf, stood in for Santa. (See www.wyattjourney.com for the evidence.) He wants all the family and all the world to know that even with the weather breaking seventy-something year old records in duration and depth of freezing temperatures and snow depth and keeping us mostly inside for days, and even with fourteen of us sleeping in a house which only has two double beds, and even with the challenges of holiday and extra meal preparation and "where to put everyone's stuff", we did not hear a discouraging word, an argument, see a moodiness or a snit, or notice any sign of negativity. Everyone pitched in to help, to be supportive, to add to the hilarity and good times and make a spirited party of it. We celebrated the nativity and we enjoyed our own being together as a special blessing. If the rest of the world did not hear from us via blogs, calls, or otherwise, it was because we were busily engaged in being one of the most wonderful families of all. Thanks to each child and adult for a most precious visitation and love-fest.

*Altogether the winds, temperatures, and snowdepth broke many records, some reaching all the way back to the 1940s. Here at our little place we experienced a week of wind, below freezing levels with one night down to 18 degrees, and snow to 10 or 12" at a time. Altogether we had 20 to 24" of snow but with settling and drifting in the wind, it never had a chance to build up except where it got shoveled to three feet piles in the driveway. There was plenty of firewood, and food, and everyone had enough pillows and blankets to use. some of the trees were so snow laden that they bowed their arms to the ground under the load. Freezing rain and rain at times in the thaw caused some crusting that was later buried by more snowfall, making a walk around the house a crunchy event. In short, "The weather outside was frightful, but the fire was so delightful" along with the days of love and inner warmth.