happy sunday from the mustache fairy

Conrad and Morris

off to work

Kelsie is now officially an RN and has begun her new job working in the Adult ICU at Utah Valley Hospital... navy blue scrubs too.  She has worked there as a tech for the past year and is thankful to transition over as a nurse. She loves the people she works with and the people she serves and we couldn't be more proud of her and all of her hard work. Katie and Ransom surprised her with flowers at work

smashed finger

Hmmm. What to do? I slammed my thumb in the door jam during the last couple of days of the cruise. Smashed the tip flat. I whimpered in pain and then said the same swear word over and over again. I think God is used to that word, I would imagine he hears it an awful lot. As much as it hurt then, it started throbbing badly as time went by. I went down to sick bay and they said there was nothing they could do for me. Nothing. By then, I had to hold it up high and not touch anything or it was unbearable. When I got home, I googled smashed fingernail and they showed me how to get a paper clip red hot and press it on my nail to create a hole to release the pressure. Desperate measures are sometimes needed. Once I did that,  everything literally exploded out of it and it immediately felt much better. Pretty cool actually huh? I now have 7 holes in my nail as it keeps refilling, but I am on the mend. It sounds gross I know, but it was quite fascinating to learn how to fix a smashed nail should it ever happen again. My services are here for you, should you ever need them :)

alaska family trip

It is amazing how we can look forward to a trip for months and in two blinks of an eye, we are back home. I got home from the CHA show in Vegas on Thursday night and left early the next morning. It has been a busy while with life filled with making creative samples and shopping internet sales for a few new clothes. I missed the kids before I even left, but Larry and I so need time together and we love spending time with his family. Feeling beyond grateful to be able to go on this trip and for his parents generosity and the blessing of this time together as a family. It was a bittersweet trip as we are all getting older and I pray for many more years ahead. I think it is a parents greatest wish for their kids to get along and love each other, not just when they are young, but though out their lives. To be there for each other through the challenges that life brings. I know that is my wish. There are so many things I admire about Betty and Joe, most especially their love of the Lord and of their family. We feel it. Our kids feel it. We are loved. We are blessed beyond measure.

Memories of the trip:

Seward. Hubbard Glacier.  Juneau. Skagway. Icy Strait Point. Ketchikan. Inside Passage. Vancouver to home. Always knowing that Carolyn knows what is going on and where we needed to be. There are no words or pictures that can capture the beauty and hugeness of Alaska. Grateful Larry's dad, Joe was able to come after rolling a golf cart on top of himself a month earlier. Very ornery woman at the airport. I kept mouthing 'I'm sorry'  and 'Good luck'  to her husband. From my first meal on the ship, I knew I would not be hungry until I came home and probably 10 lbs heavier too. I was. Walking around the ship and the beautiful views. Always keeping an eye out for whales. Alaska is huge. It's 10:30 and still light. It's 3 am and still light when we were in the northern part of Alaska. Strange going from busy busy to relaxed and full. Mendenhall Glacier. Fast, fast walk to quickly see Nugget Falls. Mount Robert's Tram Ride and nature hike. Bald eagles. Salmon run. Whale watching. Bought those cool rounded ULU knives for the girls. Breakfast with Joe in the dining room. Betty is not a breakfast eater. Dennis did not like his salmon and created a small commotion with employees as they wanted to make sure everything was 'excellent' for him. Dolphins. Glaciers. Unusually perfect and sunny weather with no rain until we landed in Vancouver. Our wonderful servers Vincy and Jamie. Sitting on the left side of the train for the best view. International Falls and Continental Divide. Going into Canada with Passports. Totem poles are  fascinating... story begins at the bottom. Furry jock straps in the store windows. Starfish. Come again? oh yes! Eagles nest. This much baggage for our group? There were a lot of older people on this ship. Canned salmon with crackers and cream cheese = perfection and a second, maybe third helping. Scott's hugs still surprise and delight me. Larry's Dad said he has too many people telling him what to do. Betty and Joe didn't want to slow anyone one down, but there was no place any of us wanted to be but with them. Taking things nice and slow was just perfect! Trading dinners tables throughout the week to take turns sitting by everyone. Reading on deck as we looked for whales.  Feeling winded as we climbed from level 2 to 10 and asking that dumb question 'what elevation are we on?'  Smashing my finger in the door jam.

Joe and Betty, Carolyn and Brent, Kathy and Mike, Larry and Brenda

Julie and Hal, Scott and Jill, Angie and Dennis, Kristen and Kevin

cha show las vegas

The Craft and Hobby Show was held in Las Vegas this year. A lot of work getting ready for it but once I get there, it really is a week of visiting with old friends and making new ones. It is nice to meet the store owners that bring Pebbles Inc. into their stores and love our designs. This year since it was so close, I drove down with Darcy, my bff roommate that makes it a fun girl friends week for both of us. I woke up and my mind went directly to Winchell's donuts (no longer available in Utah) and we always left a few minutes early to make a donut run. White cake with cherry glaze and coconut for me, white cake and glaze with sprinkles, along with white old fashion for Wayne. Can there honestly be anything better? It made me think of the time when my nieces drove to Las Vegas just to get their dad Winchell's for his birthday... love in a box.

This year, it was especially nice to see Craig and Anny from Crea, along with Chris Skinner  and Delanie formerly from EK Success.

I continually feel grateful for the home that American Crafts has made for Pebbles Inc. and most especially for the good people I work with :)

and the wheels are off...

Yep. Conrad is now an official bike rider and it didn't take him long to learn with a few scrapes here and there.  He follows his bike riding Dad everywhere in town now and always wears his nifty helmet  and a smile :)

#35 ohs reunion

Oh how the years go speedily by. We met for my high school reunion at OHS and had such a wonderful time visiting and catching up on life as 50+ year olds now. (Thank goodness for name tags with pictures). I went to sleep happy and grateful that I went and am already looking forward to our next one together... once a tiger, always a tiger :)

We kept our spouses busy checking everyone in :)