This Christmas was the result of my daughter’s 2 years of planning.  We all, and I say all, for there were 32 of us Christmas Eve counting 2 toddlers, had a marvelous time. Believe it or not, all the teenagers got along famously and had a ball. The 7 bedroom, 5 bathroom 7,000 sq. ft. cabin with a wide loft, was on a knoll by itself on 600 acres with a view to forever.

Now getting there was a bit of a problem. Due to snowfall, the 2 mile road from the paved county road, was tricky.  My son-in-law, Joey led the way with their 4 wheel drive, followed by son Brett in his big new service truck, followed by grandson Brian and his family.  They made it up the hill but after 60 yards, my tires spun.  Had to go back through Zion National Park to the little town of Springfield to find chains. No one there sold any. Seems like it would be a good item to carry in the winter!  Found out my oldest son, Steve and his family were in Hurricane, 9 miles away buying chains at Walmart! (Was it God’s provision that they were an hour behind us?) I quickly called him, gave him our tire size and he bought chains for me. Then we waited a half an hour in Springfield for him to catch up.  They followed us back through Zion National Park and got to the road up to the cabin again.  In the dark, Steve valiantly struggled to get the chains on my front tires and when ready, told me to “go like 60” up the hill.  I did, praying all the way, and made it to the cabin.  Then Steve found out his chains were not the right size and he was pulling a U-haul with snow equipment! Son Brett to the rescue.  Between his truck and Joey’s 4 wheel drive, they managed to get Steve’s car up the hill and went back for the trailer.  Then granddaughter Robbin arrived with her family, and no chains.  The fellas took the chains off my car and went down the hill again to put them on Robbin’s car and get them up the hill. Even their wives had to jump on the back of the car to give it traction!   By now it was around midnight and they were exhausted, but we were all there safely.

Good will prevailed, the teenagers got along great, and the family enjoyed seeing one another again.  There were game machines, several TV’s, movies, a pool table to occupy the younger crowd, as well as takers for Grandma’s favorite game, Skipbo, but they enjoyed talking to one another too.

On Christmas Eve, our in-house chef, Joey, served up a great meal, then worked to prepare an amazing turkey, ham, special macaroni and cheese, etc dinner to us on Christmas day. After dinner Christmas Eve, we had a rousing white elephant gift exchange with many laughingly looking to persuade the next person with a number, not to take a new package, but relieve them of the item they didn’t want!  It made for a lot of fun.

The coldest morning was 17 degrees and I sure had to bundle up to walk our aging dog, Chessie, who couldn’t seem to figure out what to do in the snow. As Frank and I made it down the hill Saturday morning, with son Steve manouvering  the car for us to the paved road, and following Joey in the 4 wheel drive, it was with a bit of nostalgia that our time together was over. Who knows how long it will be before we all get together again? We drove the 10 hours back to San Diego with happy memories of love, laughter and a caring family.  Happy New year to each and every one of you.  May the New Year hold all you hope for.