Weekend at Sandy's

So, Christmas has come and gone. It was a good one. We started with the weekend before in Atlanta with Sandy and family.

We arrived on Thursday night.

It's hard to get a good picture at night---at least I don't know how. Their house was all lit up and so pretty in person.

On Friday we had lunch and then saw Frozen II. She made a delicious lasagne dinner. After clean up, we had our first (maybe annual) family auction. Sandy had us each bring a $15.00 holiday item. We were each given $50 in play money. Sandy brought out the items one at a time.

 Sandy was the auctioneer.

 We had so much fun with this.

Okay, the pictures are all messed up again, so here goes.

 She always sets a nice table. Festive paper plates make for a quick clean up!

 More auction.

Sandy found the CUTEST mini elf on the shelf. It is so adorable. We all had fun hunting for it. I hid it on the tree right before we left on Sunday. Sandy said they looked several times and almost needed to ask for a hint. Instead, they finally found it in the shopping bag. I'm getting one next year!

 Modeling the Christmas hat that matches her pajamas during the auction.

 Here we are in Elizabeth's room. She had the coolest skinny tree! I've asked her to send me a picture, but she never did.

 My girls and I---me, Sandy, Stephanie and Mindy. Gosh, I've really shrunk!

On Saturday, Sandy had an ugly sweater contest. Butch didn't have one, so instead, brought his ugly robe from 1972. It's a family joke, although color blocking was the style at the time. About 10 years ago, Butch tried to put the robe in good will. The girls saw it, took it out, wrapped it and gave it back to him for Christmas. They all got a good laugh when he wore it instead of a sweater. The contest wasn't really about real ugly sweaters anyway. You'll see below.

These little, edible, rim hugging, gingerbread houses were the first item up for bid during the auction. They are adorable. Stephanie was insulted that they didn't get many bids. As a result, she got them herself and then sent us this picture. They are darn cute. The problem is no one wanted to spend their money on the very first item.

This is one of my favorite pictures. Greg made us winter white cosmos for happy hour on Friday night. Can you see Kid Rock peeking out in the background?

We were told there would be an ugly sweater contest. We had no idea that it would be actually decorating ugly sweaters!

 Sandy made a hot chocolate bar. The hot chocolate is made in the crock pot---soooo delicious!

Sandy and Stephanie don't always think that Mindy helps enough. I've defended her in that she's an early bird like me. She's the one helping early in the morning when everyone else is still sleeping or getting ready, so they don't see her in action. I decided to snap this shot as proof that she does her fair share!

Getting ready to play Rudolph's ring toss---one of the auction items.

Sandy put up this slim tree in her bedroom. Elizabeth had the same one, but decorated differently in her room. They are so cute and festive. They look so pretty all lit up at night!

Butch won the Christmas hat!

On Saturday evening, Sandy, Greg, Stephanie, Nicky and Mindy went to the Yacht Rock concert. That was really the purpose of the visit to begin with. Look who they ran in to!

Malinda and Drew (not in the picture). Malinda and family have been best friends with us since 1987! They spent the evening together. This was Sandy and Greg's first yacht rock concert. I don't think it will be their last!

We had so much fun for the weekend that we're talking about making it an annual event! I know it's a lot of work for Sandy, but it sure was fun and relaxing for us. Butch said it best, "Barb, Sandy "out-Barbed you!" And she did!!! I always prided myself in making all holidays fun and festive for the girls growing up. We were a game playing family and had many activities and surprises. Sandy has definitely taken it to the next level!!! (OMGosh---with that line, it reminds me that The Bachelor starts next week!)!

Anyway, I need to up my game!!