White Christmases are rare in Seattle, with only a seven percent chance in any given year. And this was the first time in Seattle's recorded history that we had snow on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day-- 1.6 inches on December 24, and 1 inch on December 25.
I have to admit, the Western Washington adults were more excited than the Central Washington children, where snow is just a ho-hum fact of life all winter.
All weekend the missing "Roger" was in our thoughts. I made a computer slide show from the many photos I'd saved of him and the kids over the years, so we shared tears and smiles.
The family is safely home now in Twisp, but it was a long journey yesterday. The holiday traffic backups were terrible on I-90, and it took hours just getting to the town of Wenatchee, where they had arranged to drop their car off at the Toyota dealer and take rental car the last 100 miles home.
Fortunately, the kids are used to being strapped in their car seats for long periods of time. Amanda said the whining was kept down by new toys and beef jerky (thanks, Dave.) When we saw them off yesterday, the girls were surrounded with their Christmas loot.
Speaking of loot! John always finds the best presents, and among other nice things he gave me a beautiful little travel ukulele. Sexy thin and light as a feather, with a cool case to carry on my back. It's a "Kala" brand, with a lovely tone. And won't I feel like a smarty pants at the next Uke's song circle?
And so many other thoughtful and wonderful gifts: gourmet food, tea, handmade soaps, books, music and some new tech "toys" for John-- requiring a full day of fiddling.
We are beat.
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