Thanksgiving 2010

Family Photo Opportunity!

Rick, Megan, Cindy, Cory, & Christina

Let's Be Silly this time!

 Josh's Aunt Laurie looks like she's being attacked by the new kitten.

In reality, "Pickles" was snuggling and climbed right up for a nap. Sooo cute!

 

Kelly has a way of putting these kitties into a trance. Mac was hilarious! 

You couldn't wake him up even when you shook his legs! It was sooo funny!

Josh did a fantastic job on the turkey and fixings!

He's a great cook!

 25 lb. turkey! Yum! Good job Josh!

 Sleepy Boy "Pickles" 10 weeks old

Silly "Mac"  10 month old

Megan's fiance, Josh,  hosted Thanksgiving this year! We are VERY thankful for him and his graciousness! Their home is so beautiful! They both cooked up a storm and were a great host/hostess. The new kitties were great entertainment and made everyone laugh! We're so happy that Josh and Megan are soon to be married and we look forward to many years of holidays.

Amazing Minnesota Sunsets!

This sunset was taken on our way home from Rochester last night!

Breathtaking Beauty in our own Back Yard!

This was taken from the back deck of our house!

It looks like the woods are on fire!

Kids having fun with Halloween Costumes...

Megan as Wenda (Waldo's girlfriend) & Jamey as the Incredible Hulk!

Jamey's been working out with a trainer all summer long to look this good!

Job well done! I love Megan's face-Ha!

Don't let him take a chomp outta ya Megan!

Kate somehow used her super powers to grow this huge chest!

Holy Bubbies Wonderwoman!! You look Amazing!

Try as I might I could NOT turn this photo! uugh! Sorry folks.

You'll need to lay down to see this one! Josh was a Hairy basketball player

with Megan playing the silly part of Wenda from "Where's Waldo". Cute!

Even Major Briggs joined the fun! I like your spider costume Mr. Major!

You are sooo scary and cute at the same time!

HA! hA! HA! ha! Ha! Soooo funny!! Oh Major!!  Why are you sooo cute?!

Major Briggs is patiently waiting for his pumpkin...

I think it was worth the wait! Nice pumpkins Jamey and Kate!

And here's Josh and Megan's Pumpkins!!

Have a Spooky and Happy Halloween Everyone!



Happy Halloween Everyone!

Just click on the link below:

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/fSMFYPZAtfqlYzYW

No words needed...Just feelin' the Love...

Sweet picture of Jamey and Kate! So lucky to get this one because you can never catch Jamey without him making some goofy face. I really like this one. It's how I see them. In love.

Major Briggs likes the pumpkin patch!

Wedding Planning and Soooo much fun!

Kinda blurry picture but this is Kate and Megan hitchin a ride on the wedding trolly!

We went to the Wedding Fair in Minneapolis on Sunday and had soooo much fun!

We got a lot of really good ideas and Megan, Josh, & I got a lot done this weekend too!

Yeah for wedding planning!!!

New Website on Etsy!! I'll be adding more every week!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/crystalnotion?ref=seller_info

It's a work in progress for now but I'll be adding more items each week so be sure to check back (add me to your "Favorites"). C'mon and join me and get you feng shui in order!!

AMAZING KIDS!!

Ok, I'm just gonna take the time to brag a bit here about my kids since I'm a VERY PROUD Mom!!

First, there's my son Jamey. By this picture you can see that he is ready to take on the world!

And "Taking on the World" has become his specialty. Besides owning and operating a million dollar business he has now been bestowed  the honor and elected to the "Board of Trustees" for the College of Visual Arts in St. Paul!! I never knew the direction this son of mine would take to do such amazing things with his life but I never once doubted he would do it successfully! Congratulations Jamey! We couldn't be more proud!

Then there is my lovely, and beautiful daughter Megan.

Megan most recently got engaged to the "love of her life" Josh! 

She has recently received a promotion in her career with SPS Commerce and continues to work diligently without complaint to move forward in the company. She lives in a trendy part of Minneapolis called "Uptown" and loves her independence!! 

I can hardly wait to help plan the wedding for these 2 beautiful people. Their loving hearts and devotion to family is amazing!

I'm sooo proud of you Megan!!

Now let's just see who gives this proud Mother a Grandchild first!
I'm waaaaiting! :^)

They're at it again...

These boys just love to play. Jamey decided since he has a few extra weather balloons he might just as well do the experiment again. So off it launched from near Faribault, MN. Grandpa Gale got to do the honor of launching it into the atmosphere. Here's to landing in a corn field and not a rushing river aka Mississippi. finger's Crossed and more pics later!

She Said "Yes!"

 We look forward to a long history with you Josh!
 Thanks for coming into Megan's life!
We're all the richer for it!

Such a beautiful couple!

I think Josh kinda likes Megan!

And Megan kinda likes Josh too!

So it's time to celebrate love, happiness, and a new life together.
We're sooo proud!

Absolutely fantastic "Bling". She's gonna have a hard time holding up that hand!!

Congratulations to Megan and our future "son in law" Josh!
We love you both!

Jamey and his co-workers up to shenanigans again!

Read more about it here....
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2010/09/yavin-iv-exploring-space-on-the-cheap-with-an-iphone-droid-and-flip.ars

If this isn't the cutest...I don't know what is!

Gamma loves Major Briggs (& his pappa too)!

30 Years!!

So today marks 30 years with the man on the right. It's been a time of beautiful memories and family love. I can't imagine having been together with anyone else. Your my best friend. Thanks for the memories! BTW...we need to get a decent photograph together don't ya think?

My Silly Son!

Can you believe it? Jamey is testing an experiment with an 8ft. weather balloon, an iphone, and a video camera. This will be test run #2 (the first one was done with his dad and the balloon was tethered). #3 is scheduled on Sept. 24th. Check out this article in the Pioneer Press (link below). Who knows what this fella will think of next. Ya gotta love his zest and curiosity for life! This picture is so appropriate cause his feet are never on the ground-from day one!!
http://www.twincities.com/ci_16096860?nclick_check=1

Congratulations Megan and Josh!!

Happy 1 year Together you two! We love you both!

Somebody Kicked my Butt in Horseshoes! It's no wonder....

Danny loves throwing shoes!! Gotta love it!

Reaching Out to Loved Ones...

Nothing can or will change my heart. My heart is full of those that are actively involved in our lives and who actively share their lives and love with us.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

Well it's been 2 years now and you're still going strong. Life has been challenging and certainly anything but a bed of roses. But you knew that didn't you?! After all...you've had a lot of bumps in both your lives. But you've managed to pull yourselves up by your boot straps and keep moving forward. And WE are there to support you too because we're VERY proud of you both! We love you both with all our hearts! Enjoy your time together and congratulations on 2 years of marriage. Love you!!

Abigail...Meet me on the other side ok? Promise? I love you!

Our beautiful "fraidy cat" Abigail will say farewell tomorrow. She was with us over 9 years and brought a smile to our face with her silly personality. She was a rescued cat that was pampered and loved til her final day. We are sorry you got sick Abby. Please be there to meet us on the other side. We love you still. My heart hurts. Abigail Lee Erickson. May you be happy and healthy again in heaven. All my love...

Gamma loves Major Briggs. G'nite big boy!

I'm much more into Facebook now...

I dread the thought of updating my blog lately. Seriously...it's just so much easier to comment randomly on Facebook. For those of you not into the whole networking thingy...get with the program. I don't know how much longer I will use this blog. If you need help getting set up I can assist. Just call me. In the meantime...here's what's going on in my life....I met a young lady from Hawaii (a free spirited artist) who called me to personal train her in pilates. I've been working in a few appts. with her (she's staying in Roch. while getting checked out at the Mayo Clinic) while teaching 3 other pilates classes, setting up and successfully selling at craft shows on every other Tuesday, Each Thursday, & a few weekends, and trying to find time for re-stocking my inventory (this is becoming difficult). I think I'm prepared for the next show with my trays restocked and a few prayers for no storms tomorrow for Thursday's on First in Rochester. I have this weekend off and am hoping to have some down time since I haven't had any in forever! Oh...and who the H*ll is cleaning my house? Not me! It's a disaster and my poor kitties are the ones to suffer. Try and work in a work out or 2 for myself and you get one girl who is feeling compromised. This was the year I made the resolution to focus on me and I don't feel as though I'm able to do that in the last month. Frustrated? yup! I'm ready to make a few adjustments so that I can refocus and get back into some sort of routine. Hopefully after the next month things will slow down a bit and life will come back into sync. Hopefully. In the meantime...just try and keep up with my madness ok? Ok!

4th of July...Rain, Rain, & then a Beautiful Sunset!

Huge thanks to Jackie for the Pictures. I wouldn't have had any because (once again) we forgot our camera. It rained all day so we didn't get to do a family photo (& our family is getting sooo big!). The rain finally stopped about 8:30pm so we could view this beautiful sunset. The fireworks started shortly after. A good ending to a fun day...despite the rain!

My Beautiful New Fountain...

Rick fixed the liner in my pond so I could run my new fountain. It's soooo calming and beautiful. I love

angels! Come visit for a little time in my oasis. I'm home most days!

Wild Ride....

It was a wild ride at Thursdays on First yesterday in downtown Rochester! We fought 40-50 mph wind gusts all day long and the market ended up closing at 6:30pm for weather. Seriously- I lost $150 retail value in merchandise! Thankfully made up for it in sales but wouldn't do it again if you paid me! Last week we had rain and I left early and now this- -It's got to get better than this right? Ugh!

Thursdays on First


Location:  Peace Plaza Downtown

1st Ave SW & 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55902

Rochester Downtown Alliance

Time: 11am-8:30pm

Price: Free

Weekly market. Vendors, food and entertainment

Thursday's on First and More- Just a sampling of some pendants available...

If you're looking for something unique for a special occasion check out my crystal pendants.

Unique designs by me at Crystal Notion. Email or call for more info. Custom pieces can be made too!

caeenterprise@yahoo.com 507-202-3276

Need a little motivation?....

http://www.bestofsuccessmovie.com/miami?cm_mmc=MIAMI-_-NL-_-06.14.2010-_-TBOSmov

All Washed Up...

So today was opening season for Thursday's on First in downtown Rochester. Last year was amazing! This year...if today was any indication, is not so much! It rained all day up until 3:00pm and just as the skies were getting lighter and the rain was stopping the organizer came around to tell everyone that 30mph winds were on their way. So in a panic I packed up all my glassware and displays that I spent 2.5 hours setting up and hauled it by hand to my car (I didn't think I needed my hand cart today) . A big HOLLER goes out to 3 very lovely vendors near me that helped me to haul it all. On my way home the skies were clearing and the wind never appeared. I was soooo disappointed to see all the people at the market when I watched the 6pm news. I could've been there! Uuugh! Oh well, I had to make a  decision to take the chance and stay or play it safe and save thousands of $$ in inventory and displays.  I have a whole summer of events to participate in so I needed to play it safe. That's the way it rolls I guess. You win some-you lose some. It's a gamble and our weather is so unpredictable. I at least made $100+ more than I needed to pay my rent for the day so I won't complain too loud. Pray for me next week and come on out to see Thursday's on First! It's sooo much fun!!

Guess where Jamey and Kate are?

Maybe someday I'll get to Paris France too but in the meantime I'll live vicariously through them. Beautiful!

Have fun in Germany and France! Bring back lots of pictures!