Boy did we ever get the snow. My handsome husband spent the day driving around in the 4 wheel drive pick up and pulling stranded people out of the mess. He was having so much fun doing it, that he came home to pick up Sugarwing's Daddy and his cute gypsy girlfriend to go out and be good Samartatins with him.
We live in a town loyal to Kansas Jayhawks, and my husband grew up in Nebraska, so has a Cornhusker sign on his big red truck. One guy that he pulled out of a drift said to him, "God bless you, even if you are a Cornhusker fan."
He wasn't the only person out saving people from the drifts. Living in the Midwest is pretty nice. Strangers will come out in the cold just to help you if you need it.
Luckily, we had a little Christmas party for Sugarwings and Pixie Pie before the storm hit, because our big Christmas day event was canceled due to the weather. We were able to safely get Sugarwings and her Mommy to their family in Kansas City, so they could all be together on Christmas Day, though. It was very important to get them there, since Nanny passed away this week. Those siblings all needed each other.
(As you can tell from Sugarwing's shirt, my husband is also a Jayhawk fan!)
On Christmas Eve, we did our gift exchange and Sugarwings insisted on being Santa and loading the gifts in her new sleigh to deliver them.
The only trouble was, that the red velvet pants that I'd just bought for her, were not quite the right size and tended to slip a bit. She walked right out of them a couple times, but was not going to let that stop her from delivering Santa's gifts!
Twinks was asked to play "Max" and Sugarwings was the Grinch for a while too. That sled got quite the workout in the house, but when her daddy tried to take her out to use it in the 4 foot snow drifts, she didn't want to have anything to do with it or the cold.
Some of you had asked about the painted tree. Its on a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood, and I had painted it to decorate for my antique booth at the holidays. I put hooks into the wood and sold ornaments off of it. But this year, I brought it into the living room for Christmas. We used it as a backdrop to take some holiday photos of our little girls.
And since there were little girls around, no vintage ornaments were on the hooks this year, they went up on the chandelier out of reach, instead! Hey, I might be a sucker for those kids, but I am not a fool. If I care about something, it goes where no grabby little hands can get it.
Its been an odd holiday. Sugarwing's Nanny passed away, we had a huge snow storm that canceled most of our plans, and so many other people's too. But we made the best of it, and celebrated what and when we could. Holding those you care about close when you can and grabbing snippets of joy where you can find them is what matters. Enjoying the funny, little moments like watching a miniature Santa walking right out of her red pants, and helping strangers stranded in a ditch are things that made our Christmas '09 something we'll remember.
Of course that fridge full of food to feed 20 some people who couldn't come to dinner is a reminder too.
Merry Christmas!!
It sounds chaotic and absolutely lovely.
Hope you are staying warm and enjoying the rest of your weekend.
xoxo
Cari B.
Posted by: luckygirlgifts | December 26, 2009 at 02:50 PM
Thanks Cornhusker for helping my "people"
signed
A LOYAL Jayhawk Fan!
Posted by: Sandy | December 26, 2009 at 03:14 PM
Well, isn't he a keeper? My husband went to Oklahoma. And let me tell you they needed lots of good samaritans there! Sugarwings is just growing like the proverbial weed; straight up. That girl is gonna have legs!
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | December 26, 2009 at 06:01 PM
Yours is the only blog I check every day. It's like reading a human interest book/story a little bit each day, and I just had to let you know how much I enjoy and appreciate the efforts you go to with your great pictures and captions. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Posted by: Kathy Bozeman | December 26, 2009 at 07:09 PM
That is too funny! I am a Husker, out in Nebraska now and there were certainly lots of neighbors helping neighbors today. The snow is insane!
Posted by: Rachel | December 26, 2009 at 07:40 PM
I am a lakers fan...that's it for sports for me. But! I have been to Ogallala Nebraska...does that make me fickle?? ( I was 13 and my older brother lived there with his family! I was astounded by the bunch of Moose we saw on a little island in a park) But I would definitely be a Jayhawks fan if I lived there in that snow...especially being a Californian, if I got stuck, I wouldn't know what to do! Happy, Happy Karla! karen...
Posted by: karen | December 26, 2009 at 07:54 PM
Merry Christmas!! Sounds like you guys had a blast! And the picture of Sugarwings on the edge of her feet in front of the tree is beautiful!!
Posted by: Jenny @ The Red Bulletin Board | December 26, 2009 at 10:21 PM
What a bittersweet time for you and Sugarwing's family. My Kansas daughter-in-law spent her first Christmas here with us. I know she was missing the white Christmas in Kansas.
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | December 26, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I love your red nose. It seems you made the best of your day! That's what Christmas is all about!!! ;o}
Blessings,
Christine
Posted by: chrisitne | December 27, 2009 at 02:25 AM
Merry Christmas... what lovelies you have in your home... the handpainted tree is gorgeous.. the children are darling and you and your red little nose are priceless.. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Bryanna
Posted by: Bryanna | December 27, 2009 at 10:29 AM
How sweet of your husband to rescue those on the road who doesn't have good tyres and 4 weel drive. Many propably saw him as an angel that day. Your grand child is gorgeus. Have a lovely christmas. Hugs /linnea-maria
Posted by: Linnea-maria | December 27, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Your hubby is clearly a kind hearted man who understands the real meaning of Christmas. :O)
Gorgeous photos as always!
xx
Posted by: sadie | December 27, 2009 at 12:47 PM
The holidays are always full of surprises! I love the midwest, people-helping-people customs here in Colorado, too!
Posted by: Laurie | December 27, 2009 at 01:57 PM
Okay, you have a seriously amazing husband. Even if to him is it play, how wonderful of him to go around doing Random Acts Of Kindness on Christmas. That's the best story I've heard of holiday spirit this year. Thank you so much for sharing!
Glad to hear while the planned party was truncated it did not damper making memories with family. Oh, and good luck eating all that food...
Posted by: Soarenth | December 27, 2009 at 04:56 PM
Great pic of you at the end! Brought a smile to my face.
Posted by: Lorna | December 27, 2009 at 11:08 PM
I love your picture!
I love when people perform acts of random kindness. We need those experiences to renew our faith in mankind, especially in this world we live in, today.
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine L. | December 29, 2009 at 12:51 PM