YAY!

Happy Birthday(s) to Emma, Savannah, and Cameron!
Sorry I've been a slacker...


And Happy New Year to everyone!

Merry Christmas in Music

I told some of you I'd post a pic of your mother's Christmas present. Here's the eighth note made from Narra wood. About 30 inches tall, it is still in the finish process. So it will be about another week before it is ready to hang on some wall, probably the one above the piano.

Hope you all had (are having) a wonderful Christmas!

Not to be outbaked! (By Darc of course)

"Gangsta Santa Cookies"

This year's cookies were dedicated to the work that Santa has done with people living in the Inner City Areas around the country.

It's that time of year!

Click here to see some of the Christmas cookies I made!

Merry Christmas!

Reading the WSJ while at the Airport

During our long layover in Denver...

This Weeks Highlights with Savannah

Savannah meets (scary) Santa. . . .But I heard him exclaim, ere he DOVE out of sight "Holy Reindeer girl, those are some lungs!"

We participated in the 'Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade" --Red Neck Style!

Going for a "work off the turkey" trot

"Savannah, do you need your diaper changed?" (This is how she assumes the position)

Can't tell which one is bearly there...Savannah is putting together her 'Princess Bear'

Still out for our Turkey Trot

Savannah talking to Daddy while he is at work.

Always a good helper, Savannah helps make the bed.

Ah, Oh, Baba.....needed a diaper change.

Sportin' the new hat that Nana sent while getting ready for the next Broadway performance.

Leaving the mall after spending time (and $$$) at Build-a-Bear Workshop.

Most recent Book Signing

Well, Christy had her second book signing last Wednesday, and it went rather well. It didn't go as well as the first, in part because we had less time to get it out there. But the good news about it was that the only person Christy knew who bought a book was Mom (or so I understand, I had school so I couldn't be there, what a bummer). She sold 11 of 15 books in 2 hours. Not to bad. She also had her first interview by a newspaper, it was the weekly Berthoud newspaper, so it wasn't a huge thing, but it was a good start, and good practise for her. I'll post the article once I have it, or I'll make Christy put it up.

Ricky the Raccoon!

So I was camping this weekend and as the sun went down the racoons came out. As many as 4 at a time were running all around the campsite looking for food. One, Ricky we'll call him, was able to get away with some garlic. He hauled it up into a tree hiding it on a limb somewhere. So the next morning, I went looking for it. Never was able to find it, however, Ricky was back wanting more. Upset that my Dutch Oven meal was flavorless (lacking the garlic) I still went "out on a limb" for the little rascal and fed him some carrots.

SOLD OUT!!!

Well, today was Christy's first book signing for her book. It was held at Barnes and Noble at the newer mall at Centerra here in Loveland. Well, some of the employees mentioned that it was a rather slow day for being a saturday, but did that stop us??? I THINK NOT!!! Christy and her little twin sister got there to set up, and luckily the events coordinator got the books yesterday. Christy talked to her the other day and the events lady was getting worried that the books weren't going to be in on time, but they arrived just in the nik of time. So the table was set up, and Christy began to sign books. She was there from noon till four, and sold all 26 books!!! In fact, mom wanted to buy 6 books, to take to Utah and sell to friends and fam, but Christy had to limit her to only a couple, so that all of Christy's soon to be fans could have a copy. We had read before that a successful book signing one would have to sell 15 books, so I would call this book signing Super Successful. Now it's time to start planning the next one. So if you want a visit from us sooner than later, and I know you want one, contact your local bookstore to have Christy come in, and then get everyone in your city to come out, and that will guarantee a quick visit from us, and a soon to be millionaire relative.

To Germany and back again!

Hey there! Its been a long time since I've posted a blog on here. I've been letting Matt do all the work. Yep, I'm a slacker...

Well, I thought I'd share a little bit about my trip to Germany!

On the long 10 hour flight to Germany, I had to sit next to a man from India who smelled of curry spice and B.O.! It was horrible, and then there was another couple from India sitting in front of me with a little boy. He couldn’t have been much older than 1 year. He seemed to cry every half hour for 15 min! At first I was able to ignore him as I was engrossed in the book again, but after the flight attendance served us supper, I wanted to sleep so that my Jetlag wouldn’t be so bad. I couldn’t sleep! I tried! I would sit there with my eyes closed, covered my head with the blanket, trying to stretch my legs… But my back kept pinching when I twisted funny, and the little boy crying all the time made it impossible. I put on my headphones and listened to music, but it didn’t help. I think I tried sleeping for 5 hours or more… and then a MIRACLE! I fell asleep – 1 hour before landing. And the Stewardess woke me up for breakfast half an hour later. Ugh.

It was wonderful seeing Kristin again, and we were both tired. She was exhausted from getting all her wedding stuff prepared – and gown fittings where her sleeves didn’t fit – and I was soooooo tired from my flight. I told myself I wouldn’t sleep till 9:00 pm there so I wouldn’t have bad Jetlag… Kristin and I stayed up talking till about 10:30. That night I woke up at 5 am with Jetlag... and I was extremely HOMESICK! Only 12 hours in Germany and I wanted to come home!

Long story short. I helped out with the wedding, got a toothache the fisrt night (After visiting the dentist only 2 weeks earlier - and he said everything looked fine), allergies the next night, and then a sore throat and a massive cold! Whatever could have gone wrong, did. Ok, I didn't loose my wallet, or passport, so I guess I can't comaplain too much.

Needless to say, I was ready to come home and Matt greeted me at the Denver airport with a dozen red roses!!! :) I could go on. But I think this is enough. Matt wants to tell you all about the book signing today...

Happy Birthday, Dallin!

Wow - eight years ALREADY?!Hope it was a great one!

OU Texas Game Day Footage!

RED RIVER WEEKEND

This was supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, football season. Today that most wonderful time got squashed. UT-45 vs. OU-35. BUT, I was there to witness it first hand. Had a good time and for those that saw the game know it was a great game, Oklahoma just didn't come out as the best team on this day. Beyond that, there is so much tradition with this rivalry. For years the two teams meet at a half way point to play, happens to be at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas during the HUGE Texas State Fair. The stadium and the fair was jam-packed with burnt orange and crimson that really ends up being a massive tail gate party from early morning until late evening. I must say, if ever you have the oppertunity to attend this event yourself, it is well worth making the effort. Maybe I'll go back for more next year, but for now I can check the Red River Rivalry off my Bucket List!

Outside the Historic Cotton Bowl, just before game time.....
From my seat about 45 mins to kick off.
Decided to go over to the UT side and taunt the orange cows!

B-52 Flyover as the Star Spangle Banner finished up.

Boomer Sooner--Go get it boys!
Part of half time, a look to the North West, catching the top of the Dallas skyline. Does that say TEXAS??OK, so we may have lost, but seeing the 7 National Title Dates seemed to ease the pain a little. (The Texas Semi had only 4 years of National Title on their rig....)
Looking into the Cotton Bowl from the top of the Western Hemisphere's largest Farris Wheel. I can see where my seat was from here! What a day, I'm ready for bed.

One Winged Angel - Distant Worlds Chicago

Well, last night Christy and I went to a special performance of Final Fantasy Distant Worlds concert by the Colorado Symphany Orchrestra. Even though I am not a gamer, it was very entertaining. This is an example of what was shown, infact it was the 2nd encore that we got. Hope you enjoy it, even though it was so much better in person.

The bells

here is the bell player from the Renaissance Festival. the sound's not great cause I used my digital camera, but it gives a good idea.

porter with logan's pajama shirt and pants

i do not know when it was or were it was but i do know that mom put Logan's clothes on him. now why did she put them on? nobody knows except herself! i hope we find out. i will write when i find out.

Dallin

Dippin' away!

Since I've started getting a little more creative in the kitchen over the last 6-12 months, almost everyone who's partaken of my "creations" has insisted I start my own business. It's gotten bad enough now that people are getting mad at me that I haven't done it yet! PEOPLE, these things take TIME (not to mention money)!
But I started a little website so if people ask me about what I can do I can send them to it. It's in the verrry beginning stages but here it is:
http://darcey55.wordpress.com/

Of course I will be adding more as I have more to add.
Feedback, please!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to mom and dad! Hope it was great!

Update on us

Well, like most of us it's been a long time since I posted, and I thought I might update what Christy and I have been up to these past few months.

We had fun when Darcey, Cam and Savannah stopped by, as well as Abagail for a night. Going out to the lake, and the cabin and having fun out there and just hanging out with everyone. Ain't we so cool!? Savannah had a great time of coarse.

and we had to celebrate Christy's book hmm, I think Christy enjoyed the surprise. I think someone enjoyed the cake. and I think Darcey enjoyed it to. Oh, i think someone loves her sister.

So, that was fun. We then took a weekend off work and went to the Renaissance Festival. It was a hot day, as expected, and lots of fun.

Christy smiling at the camera

This is Christy's little bro, he's now on his mission and will be heading out to Germany on 9/30

Here is Ruben (Christy's bro), Toni (a good friend of ours), and Rachel (Christy's little sis)

And Christy would get mad at me if I didn't put one of me in here.

One of my favorite things was the bell player, known as The Carillon. I was going to put a video in but it's not working how I would like, so maybe another post.

Christy had a lot of fun, including making costumes to attend in.

We took a trip up to the mountains on a quick three day backpacking trip. We went up to the Rawahs this time. The hike was rough, but it was worth it, at least to me, Christy I think is still trying to determine whether it was or not. We didn't see any moose this time, but we had a visitor to our camp site. Christy named her Dody, she came right up to the camp, paying little attention to us.

Here's Dody!

He both got our fishing licenes and did a little fishing. But the fishing wasn't all that good. Though, as I've heard a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work. We did keep one to eat, and it was delicious.

Here was one catch, can you tell what kind of fish? Needless to say, we didn't cook this one.

Here was another one, it was early in the day so I tossed it back. It was fun wading, you could easily wade all the way across the lake cause the deepest it got was 3.5 feet.

A last pic before leaving the camp site, we must have been getting a little smelly.

And it looks like Christy is ready for a nice bath.

Well, Labor day weekend we took a little trip to GA for a book festival. It was hot, and the GPS system we tried out sent us in circles a few times, but it was a fun, learning experience. We didn't sell too many books, but I think it was a good way to help Christy learn to promote her own book and was well worth it.

YA!! She Sold a Book!!! and she's signing it for the guy!

Christy's out working the crowd!

There she is with the book!

And this was our plane home, we pulled out the camera to get a pic of the pilot washing the window, but we were too slow. It was kinda funny looking.

Well we made it home. And now Christy is in Germany for her best friend's wedding. And she's having a blast.

She does have her first book signing coming up here shortly, on OCt 18th at the Barnes and Noble at the promenade shops at Centerra. It should be fun.

So that's a good update for now I'll try and do better myself at posting so I don't have to put these long posts. Hope to hear from all you to!!!