Past Due Posting!

I've been so bad about posting things on the blog lately. I will try to do better.

What I have been meaning to post were pictures of Chris's family that came up from California for Meghan's graduation. Grandma, Pappa, Keith and Beaux came up to see her graduate and got to see a little of our beautiful Central Oregon.

Meghan and Michael were so happy to see Grandma & Pappa! And Michael was especially happy to have Keith in person to play video games with (instead of playing Xbox over the internet with him). Beaux is such a cute little boy, it definitely made me remember how active a little boy can be! It's been so long since Meghan & Michael were that age :(

Meghan is a High School Graduate!

Getting her diploma! And she didn't even trip walking up with heels!

Isn't she pretty?

With the family :)

Pleeeeeeze! Can I sleep with you????

Chris said "Um, honey... I think we have a problem..."

I blinked and January is nearly over!

We have had a couple weeks of gorgeous weather - no snow since New Year's Eve. But today we finally got about 6 inches. Generally, we complain about the snow, but today it was beautiful.

This is the biggest set of beads that I've ever made. It is a custom order for a regular customer/friend who is doing a set of 6 bracelets for a wedding. These kept me busy for a few days.

This is the first successful "Pandora" style bead that I made with my silver-coring tool. I am now able to line the hole of the bead with sterling silver. These beads are pretty popular right now, and even the major jewelry store chains (Jared, Harry Ritchie's, etc...) are selling them.

Happy New Year!

Nothing like coming home from work on New Years Eve and getting stuck in your own drive way. I guess it's time to retire the Camry for the winter and break out the Explorer.

Poor Chris... He just want's to come in the house and get warm and have some New Year snack foods.

He tried to pull it with the quad, but in the end, the snow shovel saved the day.

Carly got a snow mustache trying to help Dad shovel out. It's a good thing she has brown spots or we might lose her in the snow.

Little Drummer Ninja

Merry Christmas!

Meghan got a Barnes and Noble Nook e-reader so she can now buy digital books. No more paper books, she has entered the future of reading. Unfortunately, she won't get it until January 11th so she only has the gift certificate to show for it - poor Meghan. But it will be worth the wait with as many books as she reads. She also got a bunch of other cool stuff and Neema got her several hoodie sweatshirts (her favorite) and other clothes. She also handpainted her a pair of Twilight Converse high-top tennis shoes that are really cool. Neema and Papa sure know how to make Christmas special!
This is Michaels main gift... A set of drums that can be played with his X-box or like a real drum set. Neema and Papa got him a cool stool for the drum set (not in this picture) and some nice clothes and a GameCrazy gift card.
Chris got spoiled as well... Mom and Larry bought him this really cool popcorn maker that looks like a movie theater popcorn maker. He was so excited as soon as he got home he had to make some popcorn at midnight! They also got him a nice nuts, bolts & washer set, and a Harbor Freight gift card. I got him a Blue Ray player and some movies, a new wallet and some books.
I got totally spoiled this year! Although the above gifts look more like something for Chris, they are actually jewelry making tools that I have been wanting for a long time. I will be able to make true silver lined Pandora style beads that you see at major jewelry stores. And, most importantly, Chris got me an Ipod Touch so I can listen to music and go on the internet wherever I can find access.

All in all, we had a great Christmas this year. Hope everyone who reads this were equally as blessed :)