Sorry, Melissa, but we are all enjoying the snow here! It began falling Friday night while my older sons were at youth group. Tom had a little trouble when the van spun around in the middle of the road, but thankfully there was very little traffic; no wreck:o) By Saturday morning, we had about 6 inches (more than my early estimate of 3"). The children played most of the day outside and had a blast. Yesterday was sunny, but cold. Today it is snowing again and 26 degrees.

I don't care how much it snows, but I would really like to have Christmas Eve to be clear and sunny ALL DAY. We plan to go have Christmas with my family in Pennsylvania, and have a 10 hour drive to make that day. Those of you who live in New York know what I mean when I say that I-81 along Lake Ontario south of Watertown is the worst stretch of highway in winter. Pray for us; this will be our last chance to see my brother and family before they go back to Papua New Guinea. This is the first time in over 15 years that my family will be all together on Christmas Day; it won't happen again for another 8-9 years. Needless to say, we will be REALLY disappointed if a snowstorm keeps us from going.

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), December 17, 2001

Answers

I pray you will be together with your family. It will be at least 5 more years til we have the opportunity to all be together (my sister's family is in Africa).

-- Jo (mamamia2kids@msn.com), December 17, 2001.

I hope you can make it Cathy. It will be great for your family to be together. A 10 hour drive with 6 kids sounds like fun!!!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 17, 2001.

Melissa, we have traveled so much that this has long since become old hat for us. Since our marriage, we have lived in Georgia, Ohio, Texas, New York, and now Canada, gradually adding more children to the mix. The move from Texas to New York was especially memorable; the six children were aged 4 months to 11 years. The baby was still nursing, and I had to drive the station wagon the whole way (Tom drove the moving van). The entire trip took us five days:o) The 10-hour trip to PA is like a walk across the park.

The children pack their own bags, including things to do on the way. Nathanael, the electronics wizard, has rigged up a light and a fan for himself which plugs into the cigarette lighter. Josiah received a micro-cassette recorder, a walkman and a couple of books for his birthday last week, so he's all set. Sarah is happy with books and some portable art supplies. The rest will have dolls, stuffed animals, matchbox cars, etc. I probably could write a small book about travelling with children:o)

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), December 17, 2001.

You sound better than us, none of us travels very well. If I am in a car for 3 hours I could just go crazy!!!!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 17, 2001.

Cathy, my husband's sister is coming home from China and his whole family will be together for his parents' 50th wedding anniversary on the 28th...also in Pennsylvania. Although we'll be coming from a different direction, I empathize with the driving concerns. It's a 10 hour drive from here also. It's FINALLY snowing here, although I would have been just as happy with more rain (we still need it desparately). We'll all just have to pray our way to PA!

-- Sheryl in Me (radams@sacoriver.net), December 17, 2001.

You all are making me want to come to Pennsylvania too!!!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 18, 2001.

We are east of Watertown and as of yesterday we have more snow and bad weather than they have .There is maybe 3 inches on the ground.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), December 18, 2001.

Patty, we will be coming across from Cornwall through Massena, going down 37 to Watertown, and then down 81 from there. Have they got a forecast that far ahead for that area? Our friend from Hermon, who was interested in your goat since I told him about your internet ad, was trying to tell me about where you lived, so I figure you're pretty close to where we'll be travelling. Thanks.

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), December 19, 2001.