More Snow

Definitely too cold to play in the playhouse. The front door has a 2' drift, we shoveled this morning so the mailman can get through.

White Christmas

It snowed all day on the 24th and we got 11" by Christmas. Left our toasty fireside to take some pictures for those who missed a white Christmas. Enjoy!

On the left, Brooklyn, Alex and dad Barry walk down the steps as Peg and Cary talk to Tammy. We stood in the driveway enjoying the sun until all had headed home. The weather on the 20th was amazing, it may have been 68F in bright sunshine, even at 5:30. We are still expecting snow for Christmas.

Loving Dads

Chris holds Molly, Barry has Maverick and Shane looks on as friends gather for our pre-Christmas party. We loved having the clan over and only wish that even more of the family could have attended (although that may have taxed our seating).

Grace (pink ribbon) & Emma (blue ribbon) check out Auntie Pennie's Nursery kitchen. ( "We wish cousins Emily and Claire were here too!") At one point, there were six kids in there and a half dozen adults chatting away in the nursery--a popular spot. We moved the little kitchen stuff inside from the playhouse because it's been so cold outside.

Oklahoma kinfolk gathering

Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009, Phyllis & Johney Sidwell and children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren gathered at Graystone Manor, the home of Martin & Pennie, for the annual Holiday feast and fellowship. There were thirty one of us, ages one to eighty. We gathered in the big dining room for a group prayer before filling our plates with lots of satisfying comfort foods. The little ones scrambled upstairs to the nursery to play in the little kitchen Aunt Pennie fashioned in the walk-in closet. The adults gathered in clusters throughout the house to catch up on everyone's latest news. About 3:00 we all squeezed into the family room with the Noble Pine Christmas tree to open "white elephant" gifts and play a rowdy game of dirty Santa. I know, I don't like the name either, but it's a lot of fun. Fotos to follow.