We were so fortunate that both Lucas and Rachel, and Jill could join us for Christmas this year.

Unfortunately, the weather turned extremely dangerous Christmas Eve day, with snow blowing and roads icing over. Jill, who had driven up from Rhode Island, had quite the experience.

But we got everyone settled in, the wood stove throwing a wonderful warming blanket of heat over the room, and had a marvelous turkey dinner.

The weather continued to be basically awful throughout Christmas Day, but at least the town had cleared the roads. We all had a relaxing day, and Sue got to spend some quality time with her kids.

It was lucky that we got Jill a room at a local motel for Christmas Eve because we got hit with a horrible snow and ice storm.

I even had to drive down our little mountain road to get her as it was so bad she would not have been able to drive her car up to the house.

And even then, following the town sander truck up the hill, they almost didn't make it. We had stopped way back behind them as the truck began to slide backwards. They recovered, and drove on, but what a mess it was!

And because the storm was so bad through Christmas Day, everyone camped out at the house, not leaving until Sunday.

Because of the storm, and everyone here, we didn't go down to Marissa's Christmas Day. We did, however, bring gifts for them on Friday evening, New Years Eve 12/31/21 when we joined them to all go out to the lights display at Sandy Hill Farm in Eliot, Maine.

Getting the turkey ready for Christmas Eve dinner.

So nice to be able to share the evening with everyone. Colin and Swayzie were off to spend the evening at her grandparents, and Marissa was scrambling around getting ready for a Christmas Day gathering at her house.

Jill watching Beau playing with his new toy Christmas Day.

This picture Christmas Day simply doesn't convey the horrible weather we had.

Back porch concrete stairs totally covered over in a layer of ice.

This picture taken through the kitchen window just after 11:00am Christmas Day looking out into the back yard shows the storm still pummeling us.

Another picture taken at the same time through just one of the window panes. The snow is still coming down hard.

5:00pm Christmas Day, and everyone is around the Scrabble board having a great time.

Marissa sent this picture of Mia opening one of her presents Christmas Day.