Our Turkey Day

Was shared with Jared's side of the family in South Dakota this year.  I was pretty nervous to make the trip because the dogs have never been in the car that long and Halpert has been known to get carsick... so have I hah.  Our drive couldn't have gone any smoother and everyone did so great - it was actually fun being together and spending time on the road, all 11hrs!  

 halpert considers himself a lap dog int he car lol

beesley slept most of the time - brought her favorite pillow and lots of blankies

It was great to be able to hangout with Gma and Gpa Almond, Sena & Karen and the girls, and Lynn and David!  And for me, seeing "South Dakota" was part of the fun!!  I got to see everyone's houses, the town of Parker, and put stories to real places.  SO happy we were able to make the trip and spend time together!! Oh yes, and enjoy an amazing thanksgiving feast.  Prepared by the wonderful Lynn who cooked everything the day of.  so talented :)  

Gracie, Karen, Sena, Dick, David, Jared, Ann, Me

I was absolutely smitten with Gma and Gpa Almonds house and how unique it was - custom built by Dick in the 70's and full of beautiful details.  He used to do a lot of stained glass work and has many of them hanging/built into the home, beautiful!

The boys spent time going through some of Grandpas old collections of coins and paper stubs and records - Very neat and fun to see!

 Looking up how much silver coins are worth

 (he had an FDR campaign button!)

(trying to get the player piano up and running, ran into a smokey problem :/) 

We also visited Grandpas shop that was full of treasures and more unique collections - antique tins and boxes, metal signs, oil cans, and salvaged doors and windows.  AND a 1935 hot rod truck, that he turned on and let us drive :)  

SO SWEET.  

I got to go into Souix Falls (it is only a half hour away from Parker) to see Sena & Karen's house and meet their wonderful pets - they have 2 dogs, a grand dog, and Gracie's Cat - Reenie was the sweetest golden girl I have ever met in my life!!

 Lily and her baby Buddy

The girls

Lily, Grandma, Karen, Lynn, and Sena

Our trip was amazing and It made me so happy to see everyone and spend time together, as short as our visit was.  I am so looking forward to going back for a summer vacation! I am truly blessed to be part of an amazing family, Love you all so much!

xoxo

My lil Sister

Is now a Sister Missionary.  It was Just last weekend I got to spend some sweet time with her and my parents before she left for her mission to San Bernardino, CA.  She will be a missionary for 18 months for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  

I am so proud of her for making this commitment and really happy she will be staying state-side.  California is lucky to be getting someone as hard-working and kind as Carlee.  Miss her already! 

I also had a craft show at HighlandsRanch High School and was really happy to have so many helpers!!  My mom, dad, and carlee all pitched in to help me unload, set up, and bring me food :)

  

they are pretty great :)

I also saw lots of familiar faces and made some new craft show friends, thanks to everyone for your loyal support and encouragement!! It means the world to me!

Jared just completed the busiest week of work, probably ever.  He had conferences for all of his homeroom kids afterschool on Mon. Wed. Fri. - 2 away basketball games (one in Estes Park and one in Ault) on Tues. Thurs. and also started tutoring on his free block.  Sheeesh.  He has a well deserved holiday week off!  and he still managed to keep his wife happy and feeling loved :)

simply the best.

I just finished a holiday craft show in Windsor today, completing my first back-to-back show weekends!  It was a thrill and challenge and I am trying not to go totally nuts with all the work and work and work I am trying to get out on time. haha!  

 newest batch of holiday ornaments! gingerbread men

 (had a booth next to me with some creepy mannequin heads! hah)

 

It is such a blessing to have so many holiday shoppers and many opportunities to do shows and special orders for friends.  I will be so happy for a few days off for thanksgiving!!  really looking forward to it :)  and hope you are too!!

hugs and love

xoxo

OH Baby!

time is a flying.  and this is the time of year it feels like there is less and less of it and there is no slowing down!  I got to help throw a baby shower for my friend Nicole last weekend - She is so adorably pregnant and it was a load of fun to celebrate her and the baby!

 I had way too much fun getting crafty!  I made cute little magnets and honey bear favors :)

 Nicole & Me aka

Lowski & Yellski

 this is not the best picture but I made baby boettcher (he's a Boy!) a football blankie with Huskers fabric, mostly because his daddy is a die hard fan. 

 what baby shower would be complete without cupcakes?!  haha

It is so exciting to see our friends pregnant and getting ready for their baby!!! 2 more months till he's here :)

I got to go watch Jared's home Game tonight, he has been conditioning his boys a lot the past couple of weeks!!  they looked like a completely different team running their offense really well and handling the ball much better.  They stomped the Ft. Lupton blue Devils and Jared was super happy after the game - He said they were doing exactly what they had done in practice, awesome!

I also got him a new "toy" for the yard, he has been playing a lot lately haha he mulched the yard like crazy last weekend and It look SO nice.... until the wind blew.  he will be back at is this weekend :)

I am happy to be extra busy working in the studio and ready for our first real Holiday Show this weekend down in Highlands Ranch.

Remember how I was trying to find a red glaze?  well I came up with one better.... PINK!!  just mixed a half batch and am so in love with how cute it is!  I am thinking of naming it "colorado rose" ... yes, no?  I turned my first little pink owl into a tea lovers gift set!  super excited for this weekend!  I will be running out booth during the day but also get to hang out with the fam & especially Carlee before she leaves on her mission next week!

just one more sleep ;)

hugs & love

XOXO

The Eve before all Hallow's Eve.

Halloween came early in our house this year!  Last year we partied after, and this time around we got on with the festivities early :)  Just wanted to share some fabulous photos of us and our friends, we had some pretty swell costumes!

 I was super pumped about mine and jared's couple costume - incase you didn't know who we were (nobody did!) - He was Kahki Scout Sam Shekusky and I was Suzy Bishop from Wes Anderson's movie Moonrise Kingdom.  I thrifted almost everything for our outfits and was very proud of the sewing i added to my dress and jared's uniform :) 

I would like to introduce you to the newest addition to our adult furniture collection:  TV Stand!  Yes it replaced our old thrifted night table that was covered in Jared's drawings and stickers.  you can say upgrade again!  and I am proud to say I built this 100% on my own, I am a handy woman afterall!  It took me a while to build up the courage to attack all of the pieces, but turns out the instructions were all pictures!  no numbers, no letters, just pictures.  That's my kind of instruction book :)

Tonight I was happy to have the night off from work to go watch Jared's first Basketball game of the season!!  after 2 short weeks of practice his A-team 7th grade boys had their first game against Highland.   you could tell they had a lot of nerves the first half, but came back in the second to tie the score 10-10.  It was an emotional game that they ended up loosing to foul trouble and free throws.  Crazy that this is his 3rd season of middleschool basketball, so proud!  and happy to see him doing what he loves :)

 

I am off to finish some late night creations, hugs and love!  

oh, and make sure you eat some sweet treats tomorrow ;)

happy halloween

xoxo