The Santa Barbara Fair and Expo

The Fair was great fun this year, especially in the art department.  Lucy won 3 First Prize Ribbons, here’s one of her creations:

Max won 9 First Prize ribbons, 1 Second Prize ribbon and 2 Honorable Mentions (which means they were considered for Best in Show – very cool!).  (Literally, we have been talking about this for a whole year.)

One of our most favorite parts was when we went to see the animals.  We approached a sweet lady who had brought many goats.  We asked her if we could pet the tiny baby goat in her arms.  She said sure, and said it was only 4 days old.  We then we asked if it had a name, she said no – and then asked Lucy if she would like to name it!  So there is a baby goat somewhere in Santa Maria now, that is named Lucy!

We brought Dad along to show him the art on display, our favorite animals and the like.  We were blown away on the expense of riding rides – most were $4 or $5 for just one ride!  Yikes – so glad that there were many other things to do.  Max and Lucy just rode 2 rides each, but fortunately did not seem to mind. 

Judi and Me at NTC!

My sweet friend Judi (my first Arbonne business partner) and I got to go to Vegas to the Arbonne National Training Celebration.  It was SO amazing.  We learned so much about new products, the science behind Arbonne’s formulas, the lives that have been changed through this company, and lots more.  I am ignited!  I’m so thrilled to be working from home, in an industry that is still growing despite the economy.   Yea for Arbonne!  (http://www.arbonne.com)

Plus David Cassidy and David Cook came to sing just for us!  (well, 8000 of us 🙂

Wow – we’re official with our name badges!  (A gal threw her name badge onstage to David Cook during his show; he giggled and said no one had ever done that before!)

Judi, our NVP Jen Landes, and an excited me

A Tooth Removed!

Well, after Lucy’s face-first fall into the coffee table last fall (ha-ha), the dentist said to watch for a little pimple-like thing in her gums.  This would mean an abcess, and that the tooth was dead, and that it really needed to come out.  Guess what I found a few days ago!  So, in an appointment that I thought was merely for x-rays and evaluation – the dentist announces yesterday that he can take it out right then and there.  Um, yikes!  I remember my girl from only months ago who used to cry all the time, for various reasons.  How would she deal with this? 

She was AMAZING.  They gave her laughing gas, then the topical anesthesia, then the major shot in her gums, and the tooth was out in 6 minutes.  I can’t believe she was so brave and calm – thank you God!

Not a Great Moment

Tonight, Bub and the kids were in the loft, and he was still wearing his working (on the house) clothes.  Lucy climbed up his back, then slid down, and her belly landed on the reciprocating saw blade that was sticking out of his pocket.  Yikes.  It did a small sleeving of her belly skin, and another slice as well.  It could have been so much worse, of course, so we are greatful to God that it wasn’t.  Man, can that girl scream.  It’s so high and loud I’m sure they could hear it 3 states over.  So, we sprayed it with Bactine and put on anti-biotic ointment and a large bandaid.  Of course we are praying it won’t get infected. 

We said she could watch a Muppet Show (their new favorite).  She paused and said, “But how can I hear it over my screaming?”

2008 Pics

Hi – here’s some of our faves from the latter half of last year. 

Lucy, Max and friend Ben at Chuck E Cheese for Max’s 8th bday.

Max and cousins find his birthday treasure hunt bag of Legos.

Important signage at the minature horse farm in Solvang.

Ventura Harbor boat ride for Ya-ya’s 60th bday.

Mr. Soccer (truly, a great defensive player this year) with his biggest fan.

Gran and Don at cousin Chelsea’s beautiful November wedding.

Bride and Groom – Chelsea and Aaron

Thanksgiving Day – (phew!) – Mom saved my butt by cooking 2/3 of the food for our 20 guests.

Lucy and her great-grandmother Cena, who made this little dress 30 years ago for me – amazing!

Us four in our new upstairs digs.  Thank heavens!