Merry Christmas to all and to all...

It was very special seeing the kids in PA for an early Christmas but as we near Christmas Eve, it is bittersweet as the tradition that we were able to expierence for so many years here at 417 south princeton will not be this year. We are happy for our health, our kids success and of course the grandkids. The midwest has been ravaged by extreme wind chills and more snow. I have used the snowblower twice TODAY and it is still snowing! The old homestead will be very quiet this year as we head to Janesville to see Aaron and family for Christmas eve and Christmas night. Then we will head to Lake Geneva to spend a couple nights at the Grand Geneva Resort with Tom and Kathy before coming home next Sunday! I will try to get some pictures of the snow for my siblings who reside in the south and get them posted..
Love to All and may God Bless us all during this wonderful season..

Early Christmas in PA...

Marilee and I flew out to Cleveland the weekend of Aaron's Birthday and rented a car and drove to State College to see the kids for an early Christmas. The drive out was quite spectacular as the snow / frost was sticking to everything. It was if someone (actually God was that someone) had painted the landscape to a beautiful white / gray scene you would typically find in a gallery. (no pictures ;-(..)We got to the condo about 500 ish and had a great evening getting re-acquainted with the grandkids. They were so anxoius to open gifts but we promised them that we would do that Saturday night. Saturday morning Marilee treated the ladies to a nail salon treatment and they all got their nails done (again - no pictures..) We spent the afternoon in the town of Bellfonte expierencing EXTREME cold weather as Amy and Marilee went to see several Victorian homes decorated for the holidays. Adam and I kept the kids busy and then met the ladies for dinner, a nice Italian dinner in a pretty neat little town.. I would reccomend the dinner and the town again in warmer weather, it would be a good motorcycle destination. The kids were great that night (after the Creamery on PSU campus - a can't miss ice cream stop) when opening presents which is where most of the pictures are from. Sunday I went to church with Amy and we had just a great relaxing time finished off by a fabulous dinner prepared by our gracious host and hostess. We talked 2010 reunion and many other things getting caught up on plans for 2009 and beyond. As Amy always says, they love company!

Panache - A Flamboyance of Style

Well- this weekend was Marilee's official "Open House" for her Boutique. Monday I helped at a local Country Club ( Butterfield in Oak Brook) for the clubs Christmas Party, the members come and eat and shop the vendors merchandise. We were stuck in a corner but we ended up with a pretty good start to the week. Fri / Sat / Sun, Marilee had her Open House in her current location on Ardmore Ave and it was a fabulous success! She will lock down the new lease and we'll be moving her around the corner, next to the wine store (could be a problem there!)right around the first of the year. I made the sign! We have a short week this week, heading to PA on Friday morning to spend the weekend with the Nittany Lion Family (Rose Bowl bound, I might add) We come back on Monday the 15th.