Festival of Trees 2009

I know I say this every year, but this tree is my all-time favorite. The title is "Wexford" and it is a Mackensie Child inspired design. Amy and Nancy came to help and were invaluable helpers and look at Amy's adorable baby bump!! It has been so fun to watch this inspired idea become a goreous reality. I was skeptical at times (like when Mom ordered checkered wrapping paper from a NASCAR website) but I always knew that Mom's brilliance would shine through. From the couture tree skirt to the glittery red star on top, this tree is perfection.

Well Done Mom!!!!!!!

~Merry Christmas~

Vickie also did a tree this year and I LOVE it!!! It is fun and bright and whimsy- it's perfect for Vickie!! It is such a blessing to be a part of such a talented family.

The only Twilight tree this year: notice the ornaments are plastic forks and the sign :)

Honorable Mention: I really enjoyed this parasol tree
The Festival of Trees is a happy holiday tradition, even if you don't eat a cinnamon and sugar scone, it is way worth the trip :)

Happy Halloween 2009

Miracle Kitten

A miracle happened on Monday...

While Lesley was trimming the peony bushes, she found a tiny himilayan kitten!! At first she thought it was a bunny but when she saw the long tail she new it was a precious kitten. It is so small and it could only be a few weeks old- maybe a month. She took it inside and immediately called Haley. Haley went around to all the neighbors and asked if they were missing a kitten and the answer was "no."

They trimmed his claws and gave him a bath. The entire family fell in love with this wonderful miracle kitten.

That night, Cameron came to see the kitty at Haley's house (Millie and Fi were NOT happy to have the kitten in our house) and he said "So where are the other kittens?" It made total sense that there could be more out there since kittens usually come in multiples. I freaked out and Lesley and I went back to our yard in the pouring rain at 9 PM. We took our huge Maglite and started searching the garden. About 20 minutes in to it, we saw a flicker of light that wasn't the reflection of the rain on the leaves. We looked closer and saw a tiny, pure black kitten.

I thought she was dead but picked her up and felt a very faint heartbeat. She was cold and wet but I held her close to my chest and within 10 minutes she was squirming and lively.

We took her over to Haley's and it was so cute to see the reunion between the two miracle kittens.

I was so upset there might be more out in the rain so Haley came back with us and all three of us looked for another 30 minutes and we couldn't find anything. The next morning, I was still worried and my mom came over and we spent an hour looking for more kittens or for the mom. We didn't find any more kittens or any evidence of cats in the yard.

So the kittens have been staying at Haley's this past week and the kids just love them. Aaron carries them around the house and has given them names. I think he calls the himilayan Max and the black one is named Midnight.

I think the moral of this story is do yard work, keep your eyes open for little white puff balls hiding out in the bushes, and remember to look for multiple kittens left behind :)

The Latest

I love my job

I love my kittens

I love my family

I love my friends

I love my art

I love my life (for the first time in a long time!!!)

I feel so lucky

I feel so happy

I feel SO blessed that I just had to share it with you all.

Peace and Love :)

Millie and Fiona

So... SUPRISE!!! Lesley and I adopted twin kittens from the Humane Society this week. They were born in mid-June and were abandoned before they were 1 week old. We just COULD NOT separate them- it's a twin thing. They are each other's best friends and they cuddle and play hide and seek. They are not comfortable unless they can see each other. It's like me and Les but in cat form :)

They are gray tabby cats, but Millie is more b&w and Fiona is sepia. They both have white paws, it is like they are wearing gloves and socks.

We NEVER thought this would happen, but we love them already. We keep joking that we got them to lure our nieces and nephews over (they have come over every day since we got them = success!!)

Here are some photos:

Fiona sleeping like a baby in Lesley's arms

Valie and Fiona, Aaron and Millie, and Ashley (patiently waiting her turn)

Fiona and Millie

Fiona on the left and Millie on the right

Aaron LOVES Millie

So can you tell them a part? LOL

The Kimball Art Center and Meeting Miss America 1953

I have never been to the Kimball Art Center in Park City, well until 2 days ago.  My mom had read this article in the news paper about an exhibition of the official wardrobe of Miss America 1953, Neva Langley Fickling.  As usual, she showed me the article and we instantly made a plan to go see it.  Luckily, I only had to work a 1/2 day on Friday so Les and mom came and picked me up from the gallery and we headed up the canyon to Main Street.  

The show was under a little construction for a big event the next day with chairs everywhere.  The gallery was fairly empty, but near the end of our visit, in came Neva Langley Fickling herself!!! She is a southern belle and I had no idea she would even come to Utah to see the show.  I went up and talked with her and Lesley asked her to sign our gallery guide.  She is still very beautiful and very polite.  

I have always loved pagents since I was a little girl; in Jr. High, my best friend Irene would come over and we'd make Velveta Shells and Cheese and Jell-o Chocolate pudding and watch the Miss America or Miss USA or Miss Teen USA.  We would practice the crying and the waving and alway, ALWAYS re-inact the calling of the runner-ups and the winner.  We cheesed it up and got extremely hyper.  It was what we lived for :)  

Seeing those gorgeous gowns up close was thrilling.  The pink dress was one of her favorites and looks very contemporary even by today's standards.  Interesting fact, one of the pagent sponsers was  Everglaze Cotton so most, if not all of her official wardrobe was made out of polished sheen cotton- can you imagine fancy gowns made out of cotton?  It was incredible to see the craftsmanship that went into those designs.  Neva told us it was great because with all of her traveling, she never had to have the dresses pressed.  

 Neva wore this white gown when she was crowned Miss America 1953.  The skirt is made out of layers of tule and the top is elegantly beaded.  She wore sleeves to keep to her demure southern roots and to stand out to the judges.  

This was my second favorite gown. It was a simple sweetheart neckline, strapless, white gown that her mother made.  She won her first pagent in this gown.  It was one of her favorites and wore it often; you can see wear in the torn tule.  

So we basically got to fulfill some childhood fantasies and support local art all at the same time. I loved it. I loved the Kimball Art Center. The show only runs until September 13, 2009.  If you are interested in historical fashion and clothing construction, I highly recommend you attend- plus it's free!  Also at the Kimball Art Center is a small multi-media show by Meredith Prevot.  She is married to Lesley's favorite French teacher at BYU and so there was a nice connection there.  Her art is a little cotton-candy (sweet but not a lot of substance) but I really liked her aesthetic.  She had little prints for sale so we bought one and I'm going to frame it at work some time.

All in All- it was a great way to spend a Friday afternoon!! 

Thanks to my mom and her love of clothes :) 

Ashley is a Great Photographer

My Fav Photos from Las Vegas Family Reunion 2009

My Three Lovelies!!! Ashley, Valerie, and Lauren

Dave and his boys

Poolside!!


Look at happy Grandpa :)

My Three Boys!!! Evan, Jack, and Aaron