AND CHRISTMAS IS OVER...

On Saturday afternoon we headed to daughter Amanda's house to continue our Christmas celebration. We had lots of good food and great times with children and grandchildren. Amanda and Greg had a nice buffet set up and daughter Tricia had arrived from Oregon.

The kids couldn't hardly wait to open their gifts. Big sister Ellie helped Caroline with opening her first present.

We decided to get the 3 oldest kids ice skates. We have a canal behind our new home and it will be so much fun to have some skating parties and bon fires this winter. Gannon loved his new hockey skates.

Jack was pretty excited too. Did you know they make skates that adjust to three different sizes now? What a great invention!

Ellie had to try her's right on and see if she could walk in them!

Since Caroline was too little for skates, she got her first baby doll. A little birdy told me that Ellie had it in her bed the next night! Big surprise!!!

Grandpa and our little Caroline.

Tricia and Gannon enjoying some ice cream. All in all, it was a great evening and we had a ball.

The next morning our friends, Connie and Rick, arrived and our day began. And a fun day it was! They sure couldn't believe the cold and snow - they've been in Tennessee way too long!

We all opened presents in the morning before we took off and I'll have to take pictures of the wonderful gifts that Connie made for me! I was SOOO lucky. We all took off for an antique adventure and we hit the jackpot! I loaded up with new goodies for the shop and Connie got lots of fun things to take home with her. We ended up in Bay City, had a nice lunch, then came back home to visit for a little bit.

This morning we met them at the shop and Connie helped me take down a lot of Christmas and move things around to make room for our new antiques. Dick and Rick took off with a pickup to gather up the things we bought. It was snowing like crazy and it was fun to just be in the shop with my friend and some fresh ideas.

One of our new pieces is this old nesting box and I love it! I'll probably put it for sale, but it is sure a great display piece.

All too soon it was time to say goodbye.

What a fun time with my dear friend and kindred spirit. It's always hard to leave each other, but we're hoping to meet in Ohio in March.

I stayed at the shop until about 6 p.m., at least long enough to get most things put back together. I still need to straighten out our sale area (Christmas) and get the new things priced. It feels so good to have a new look and the anticipation of all the new merchandise for the new year.

Since I am starting my new January and February hours, tomorrow I am having a "you and me" day with Abbey. Looking so forward to having some time to actually get some things done!

Hope you had a great weekend too.

Until next time...