It was time for a Christmas in Eau Claire. Mother nature cooperated in part with a massive snow storm the days before and a continuation of fresh powder all weekend long. Grace had a Friday night basketball game in Manty so her and Amy started their drive later and farther east than Merrick and I. Sophia and Ella both came on Saturday. Amy's drive was a 'hyperspace' type drive across the state with blowing snow and black tunnel of headlights. They made it to EC about 11:30 but everyone had committed to waiting up to great them. Well not Finn...Amy had to wait a little longer to meet him. The kids are all older now and hang out at the big people's table for the most part. Merrick kept Grandma laughing with his jabs at peoples questionable logic and his general quick wit. Saturday was a the normal slow morning and then we rousted the kids to start visiting the great grandparents. We picked up Ella at her dorm and had a lunch at the Thirsty Badger, were grandma Nancy meet us too and then all headed back to 'the big house.' Sophia was there when we arrived having driven up from LaX. It was pretty great to have the whole family together. The girls actually stayed in the house while we had a big bond fire just chatting, it would eventually go early into the morning for them. The bonfire was a bit tough to light, but Grandprize didn't relent and eventually we had the 20 foot flames that only a pallet fire and deep snow will allow. Sunday morning Sophia headed back home opting to drive rather than join us for a breakfast on Water St. Amy dropped off Ella and her and Grace trailed us down 29 back to GB. A week to go yet before the official holiday and the older girls come home for a bit. Family time is good time.
