Avoiding Craft Show Terrorism and a trip to Arizona

I'd apologize for being a blogging slacker but why?? This is something you already know about me so it can't possibly be a surprise anymore :)

So Kamdon and I survived the crap show at Elmendorf... we took about 60 canvases, sold about 12 and have orders for another 20 or so more... We had hoped to sell more of the canvases that we painted but oh well. We did actually clear a profit so that is something to be proud of! However, we don't think we'll be doing anymore crap shows in the near future. For one thing, these crap show organizers charge anywhere from $120-500 to rent a 10x10 spot. That's a lot of crap to sell just to break even on the "show". For another, there are a lot of interesting folks on the craft-show-circuit. As you can see, our booth had some gorgeous black and white fabric.. however, before we had even hung our canvases, several other craftonistas were complaining that the fabric was going to make them dizzy if they stared at it all day.. being the mom of 2 small children that I am, I said "Well, then don't stare at it" before I could even bite my tongue. Other people would walk past and make strange comments about our booth (how else were we supposed to display 60 canvases in 10x10 space, I'd like to know!!).. so I got to thinking that we might be victims of craft show terrorism (because our stuff was clearly NOT crap and it was cooler than their moose poop-on-a-stick magnets). There wasn't any police tape for us to wrap around our booth so we just had to put chairs in the entry way and ask a prayer for protection. Fortunately, everything was in tact on Saturday morning (except for a few canvases on the floor due to the mean Christmas-wreath ladies next door whacking on our "wall" with their chairs..but I digress) and we had a nice day people watching at the craft show. (Sutterfield update for Pat!!!!!)

Meanwhile, as I was at the crap show, the Claytons were wrapping up a week long Arizona Extravaganza. I'll hijack a few pictures from my sisters-in-law to share with you. Clay-Clay had an excellent time hanging out with "all my cousins". He had a few sleepovers, a movie, park trips, and much much spoiling. Kara and I had a good (albeit quiet) week with the menfolk away. We were both ready for the Claytons to return home.

This is the most precious picture of Clay, TJ and Eli being spies at Melissa and Troy's. Check out Melissa's blog (to the right on my blog) for a fun post and more pictures.

Clay and Davis at the triple P. Good times. Always.

Sleepover fun at my brother and Michelle's (check out her blog, link on the right for a sweet post and pictures). Yes.. the boys were eating graham crackers w/frosting.. what a genius combination that is. Timeless.

Fun with the Johnsons (Troy and Melissa). Rootbeer floats. Super yum.

So that's about it on this end. We still have no snow! I was looking back at my blogs from last October and we had plenty of standing snow by this point last year. It has been a fabulous fall!! Clayton is wishing for snow already and we're buying ski gear in preparation for the white stuff. We welcome visitors at any time during the year.. so if you're a fan of winter sports, our guest room calendar is pretty empty!!

While the Cat's Away....

It's girl week at our house! Clayton took little Clay to AZ with him for the whole week!! I know, it's mind-boggling for me to think about having no Clay-Clay at home.. And Kara in school during the day. Lest you think I'll be twiddling my thumbs, Kamdon and I have the crap show on Saturday and there is NO shortage of work to be done. Nonetheless, Kara and I have had a good girls' weekend already. I had a girls' get-together with other squadron wives yesterday (poor me, bellini, lunch and movie/shopping.. it was torture) and Kara hung out with a babysitter. We made brownies on Saturday night and watched a movie. Sunday found us at church, doing a little shopping and seeing "Cloudy, With a Chance of Meatballs" which was hilarious! (quite unlike the last kids' movie I saw: "G-Force"..horrible). She had pancakes for dinner and has been doing "art" a lot of the day. Suffice it to say, it is VERY quiet around here without the little guy (and the big guy, I guess). I think Kara is looking forward to school tomorrow!!

I haven't talked to either Clayton for any length of time since they left although Clayton called mat at 9:45pm AZ time and Clay was still up playing the Wii at Grandma's.... uh, really?? I won't get the whole story of this trip until I hear from any of my sisters-in-law or my sister.... maybe I don't even want to know!! At any rate, Clay was VERY much looking forward to his solo vacay to AZ. I know for sure Clayton isn't taking pictures so I'll have to relay on my sisters-in-law for photo documentation (hint, hint). :)

These Are the (Random) Days of Our Lives

As I sit here typing this blog update, I want to start by tooting my own horn saying that there are three sleeping kids in my house right now. Ah, bliss!! Kara has been sick for the last 3 days.. some mystery virus "that's going around" according to the Pediatrician. She spiked fevers almost to 104 two days in a row so I'm very thankful that it looks like we've rounded the corner. I wouldn't mind any additional prayers for the rest of us staying well, however.... So, it's Kara, Clay and Chase sleeping soundly for a few more minutes. This will never happen again, tho :)

So we've turned our basement into an art studio of sorts... why is that, you ask? Well, on October 10th, my friend Kamdon and I will be selling art on canvas at the annual base craft (crap) fair thingy. Now, get up off the floor or stop laughing.. it's true! Kamdon is a gifted artist, gifted enough that she can put me to work on these canvases in a productive manner! Our goal is to have 50 completed.. I am biased but they are really turning out nicely. We've even given ourselves the name "Plane Janes". You know, like airplane.. plane?!? We take custom orders, too, FYI :)

I also wanted to post a picture of the new window coverings.. the picture isn't great, mainly due to the cluttered living room but my friend Laura requested..

Lastly, the end this random, rambling, nonsensical post, I want to leave you with a funny picture of my Gram eating shrimp tempura at a sushi place on my birthday! This trip included lots of first for Gram not limited to eating dinner at a BAR! Next time she's in AK, she'll be drinking beer and bear hunting :)

PS.. not 2 minutes after typing that all 3 kids were sleeping, Chase woke up. Figures, right?! :)

Long time, no blog!

It's been a while since my last blog.. in order to avoid boring everyone to tears with a narrative of what we've been doing, I thought I'd just post a bunch of pictures of what we did while my parents and Gram were in town.

Kara and Clay on their first night of AWANA this year. Clay is a Cubbie..he looks like such a little goober in his vest but he LOVES it and Kara was excited about him going with her.

My parents biking in our neighborhood. I think Kara was the photographer. They actually went on some gnarly rides with Clayton... and survived!

Kara and Gram Boyd crocheting.. Kara has her own skein of yarn and crochet hook now! I want her to make me a sweater and some scarves....

I celebrated yet another anniversary of my 29th birthday with everyone in town. My Gram and mom made me an Italian Creme cake, my favorite! We had dinner out and it was a great day.

Clay-Clay doing his "Clay-Clay thing".

Buzz and Denali. We are about 20o miles away from Mount McKinnley but you can get a good view on a clear day. If you make this picture bigger, you can see it to the right of the photograph. Blogger loses a lot of the detail sometimes.. this is one of them.

Kara and Gram Boyd making apple crisp. YUM! I think I gained 5# during their visit.

Again with the crocheting. I didn't get any shots of the Johnson Family Sweat Shop in business again this year.. we redid the curtains in the living room. They are AWESOME!

Eagle River in the Fall.. again, Blogger is not doing the colors justice. We're all red and gold leaves around here.....

Billie and Clay hiking down to Eagle River which is just below our house.

Good times were had by all, I think.. Of course, my kids are in the throws of their grandparent hangover so it's interesting around here for sure...

First Day of Preschool

Hard to believe, but Clay-Clay had his first day of preschool today.  He woke up declaring his intent to skip.. but after some nudging (interpret that however you want), he decided he'd give it a go.  We got to the church and the tears flowed.  However, when I picked him up at noon, he was all smiles and ready to go again on Friday.  Where has the time gone?!?!?!?

Labor Day Chaos!

OK.. I've lost my text for this post 3 times!!  AAARrrrgggghhhh.  For the LAST time, all I'm trying to do is put some pictures up of our labor day weekend.  My mom, dad and Gram Boyd are in for two weeks from AZ.  Karen came up for the weekend from Denver so we had a super fun houseful, for sure.  We went and cruised Prince William Sound on Saturday (where the Exxon Valdez spilled all its oil 20 yrs ago..sad!).  It was a beautiful, sunny day completely opposite of what the weather was like last year (happy).  On Sunday we went to the AK State Fair.  Imagine a regular old state fair but with world-record-holding 150# cabbages and excellent food (fried, yes.. but superior to other state fairs, FOR SURE!)  Everyone was pretty wasted on Monday (and Karen left late Sunday night) so we laid low all day.  However, I am reopening my sweatshop in a few days so, just like last year, I will be enslaving my mom and Gram again!!! (yay for new window coverings in the living room)

Having a little "snack" in Whittier before the cruise...

Posing for the obligatory photo-upon-boarding-the-boat.  We didn't buy theirs, we took our own (chepos unite!).

A glacier... it has a name, maybe Blackstone.  Very cool (both literally and figuratively).

Posing in front of a waterfall (not sure why the text is underlining..clicking on it will get you nowhere. sorry)

Kara receiving her "Junior Forrest Ranger" award.. she completed some activities in a workbook and got a badge.  She was also really the only school-aged kid on board.

Fun at the fair.. we ran into our neighbors and hung out with them!

Good times.  So sweet of Karen to bend down so we don't all look like midgets.

Kara and Clayton riding on a hang-glider ride.. Kara's complaint was that it didn't go high or fast enough.. she is our thrill seeker for sure.

The tilt-o-whirl.  (insert big headache, dizziness..)

P.S... this post has taken me three times longer than it should have!! I think there's a gremlin in blogger today.  UGH!

Frantic Preparations

I'm updating today because things are about the get nutty around here.  Why is that, you ask?? We're going to have a houseful by the time Friday night rolls around.  My mom, dad and Gram Boyd are coming in Friday evening.. Karen from Denver is also coming in for the long weekend Friday night late.  Everyone on this end is SUPER excited for our visitors.  It's going to be a crazy couple days, that is for sure.  The weather people (who actually know very little, it turns out) say that we're going to have some sun on Saturday so I think we're going to go on a cruise in Prince William Sound... maybe the AK State Fair on Sunday (don't you wish you were coming, too?!?).

School is going great for Kara.  She told me "I had a great day today, Mom" when I picked her up this afternoon (thank you, Lord!).  Clay is geared up for his "school" as well.. at least that's what he's saying.  I sort of think it might be a different story when it actually comes time for me to leave him.. (don't ask me why we're doing the clingy freak-out again all of a sudden).  

I'll leave you with a couple of shots taken mere seconds ago..

Kara diligently working on her homework.  It's hard to believe we're already to homework...(sniff)

Clay-Clay the ham.. doing his homework..which is playing and simply enjoying life, being waited on by his mother, doing "men" things w/his dad, riding his bike....he has quite the life ;)