Christmas Blizzard (2022)

 This year's Christmas was exceptionally memorable for a number of reasons. It was Mariah's first holiday home from college, and it seems like she has grown to appreciate her sisters more, and it just feels right when we're all together.

On December 23, we began getting torrential snow... a Polar Vortex blizzard that set historic records! Despite these reports, we all loaded up in my Jeep and made the long drive out to the DePoy Family Christmas in Muskegon. We had told them that we wouldn't be able to make it due to in climate weather, so when we walked in, Grandma Judy started jumping and screaming! It was a great surprise.

The entire family gathered, and as I looked around the room, I saw you talking with Keegan and Jude. You are so good with the little kids, and especially talking 1-1 with each. We had a lot of laughter and great food... kind of dreading the drive home. 

While we were driving home, the snow accumulations had forced many drivers off the roads. We took the back roads, of course. I noticed a vehicle driving really slow due to visibility, so I passed her and provided direction for her to follow. She kept driving around 10 mph, so when we finally made it to a stop sign, I got out and went over to reassure her that if she followed us, she's be safe. She, however, panicked at the site of a man approaching her car, and she drove past me quickly! Once we caught up with her, she was driving on the wrong side of the road, and you were about to jump out of the jeep trying to get her attention! Eventually she turned around, and we realized that she was probably just scared of me/us, so we let her drive off to her own peril. So much for chivalry!

Christmas Eve we always have our traditional fondue dinner! It's always SO GOOD! We stayed up late, snuggling on the floor watching A Christmas Story and movies until midnight. Meanwhile, the snowfall continued and the fire place kept things cozy.

A few days later, we retreated to a cabin up in Cadillac, for a few days of Snowboading/skiing at Caberfae Peaks! This has become another DePoy tradition, and this year Andrew & Hanna joined us, as well as Haden (Hayd) Hubers! Our first night it was just invisible fog, and we were the only ones out! I decided to jump off the ski lift because "YOLO!"

It was an awesome time chasing everyone around the slopes, and considering Hayd is a legitimate celebrity now, it was really fun playing games and staying up late in the cabin, talking. 

On New Years Eve, we made it home in time to watch the Michigan Wolverines lose a close game in the Semi-Finals against TCU. It was a heartbreaking loss, but overall a good season! Then we all jumped back in the car and drove all the way to Haden's house for a NYE party in North Muskegon! Jacob joined us, and it was an epic evening of celebration and chaos. 

It was all such a blur, but there were many moments when I paused to give thanks for the goodness of our God to our beautiful family. I'm so proud of the women that you are becoming! 

*For Christmas this year, I gave you a tiny booklet with handwritten thoughts on wisdom from a dad to his daughter. You said it was your favorite gift. 

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