Jeffy a.k.a. Mini-Dad

I feel kind of bad that Jeff is getting left out of this weekend's fun. He's probably less sad than we are about him missing a Girls' Weekend (which was pretty much every weekend of his life for 18 years), but I thought now would be an appropriate time to show some uncanny likeness photos that I found when I stole the old photo albums for mom's party last fall. I wish I had Katie's or Carrie's fancy picture-collage skills. You'll just have to check these out the old-fashioned blog way.

Even asleep, Jeff looks like Dad. (Ignore the whipped cream prank occurring. Or laugh, hehe.)
It's a little further away, but check it out. Same position even.
Jeff, be glad you just LOOK like Dad when you sleep and didn't get Dad's crazy light-sleeper gene like I did. This morning I literally wanted to shoot an innocent bird that started singing away right outside my window when it was still dark out.

But back to the subjects at hand. I would literally think these pictures were the same person, if not for the aged-ness of Dad's graduation photo:


I have to say that Amy makes a similar face... but I'll save that for a post that is yet to come....

A Conversation

Campbell: Something, something something (I can't remember what)

Sadie: "Duh Campbell!"

Campbell: "You don't say 'duh' to me!"

Sadie: "Nooo. I was saying like "Da-da-da-da." (in a sing-songy way)

Campbell: "O-kaaaay"

Laughter

A little example of their hilarious conversations.

They love each other so much! We're so grateful for their family.

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

Okay, I think we have some dates that will work for everyone (i hope!). How does Aug 1-5 (first week of Aug.) work? Works for me and Miranda so far. We're thinking of doing beach camping again somewhere down by Sally and Eter and that way she can come during the day and we can all enjoy their sweet 1 month old baby!!!

Here's a few memories from last time. You know, to get you in a beachy mood.

Say you can go Pleease :)

And if I ever find Bananagrams I will bring those too.

July 9, 2000

I saw this picture and just thought I'd post it for fun.

Time sure flies doesn't it?

The geese are getting fat, but hopefully now that our Halloween candy is finally gone I won't be.

With my little helpers Sadie and Campbell drawing names for me, I have the results of the adult Christmas exchange!

Dan-Dana

Amy-Miranda

Dana-Carrie

Katie-Jeff

Eter-Amy

Sally-Katie

Jeff-Eter

Carrie-Bubba

Bubba-Sally

Miranda-Dan

This is so exciting to have some new people. Yeah! We love our new people. They're awesome!

Unfortunately, the child gift exchange is as boring as always (although we do love the boring grandchildren too). A little more fun there next year maybe :)

Also, if anyone knows their Christmas plans please put them in the comments. It'd be great if we could all be together for a day or two :)

The After Party

It was short but to me, very sweet. Something about us all being together at "home" felt really special. Can we all agree to get together again soon? Did we ever figure out Thanksgiving and Christmas? Will everyone be out here right after Christmas besides Randa?

Here's mom and the divider- taking it all in.
the Clones and Eter.
The good photography chair in poor lighting.
I had to include this one for Jeff's face :) does anyone else think Jeff's becoming quite photogenic? Must be another Carrie-influence.
It was really neat listening to what grandpa had to say. (Another thing I should've videod!)
You both have a bit of an eyebrow lilt going. I'm gonna have to work on that. Actually, maybe just Rand.
Cuuuute.
aint no party like a Giles house party. Hey! Ho!
Nice to just relax and enjoy each other for a little while after the party. And I had to add this for Eli's very special balloon. And it's cute of mom.
I really miss you all already. Camping this summer. 5 days. Let's do it.

Online Entrepeneurship.... help!

Amidst last week's excitement of lightning striking our backyard, Eter having a part-time job (which we hope will last a while) fall in his lap, and our FREE 6 month anniversary trip to Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel....

I've been busy making some prototypes for a new product I hope to start selling, online (Etsy.com, maybe ebay, maybe our own website), by word of mouth, and possible at some kind of boutique things in AZ that Amy just told me about.

It's re-usable gift couture (?), which saves time, the environment, and your great aunt's hands by getting rid of the old style ribbon and replacing it with (something like) this easy-on/easy-off number:

There are three sizes here. All of them are first tries, and I'll post them individually so you can see them better. The ribbon is elastic, so there is no tying when wrapping or tugging when opening. And it can be used over and over.

I think this one is the most successful so far. It's a DVD inside, so that's the size. It also works for book size and any smaller box in that general range. I wrapped it with a grocery bag--easily recycled. Do you think it needs to be blinged up? Like bejeweled? I like it kind of simple like this. I guess there could be both options.

This would be the smallest version, and only really works if it goes on straight (vs diagonal). You can't see the ribbon in this picture but it is a light green. This is just a box I already had, but I could get different colored boxes in this size pretty easily and sell it with the box. I've also thought about doing a kind of coordinating set of three with different sizes.


Try to imagine this one with some cute wrapping paper. I'm actually considering selling boxes where the top is covered in fabric--making it reusable and eliminating wrapping paper. But I need to check on how reasonable shipping rates are for these bigger boxes. I don't think they could fold with the fabric glued on.
This is my first attempt at Christmas, which will hopefully be the big push and jumpstart. I also need to get some good green ribbon. I've got the light one, and a dark one that is more bluish-teal. It looked weird, so I went with the brown again here.

Anyway, what do you guys think?

I also need to come up with a name. At least for Etsy, but it would be nice if it could just stay the same. And Eter is working on a logo/background.

Here are some names so far, and please suggest more if you think of any:

Sally's Flower Box Shop
Flower Box Gifters
Gift Box Couture
The Green Ribbon (meaning eco-friendly)

Or any mixture of such?

I need to channel this family's creativity, please! TATUM!!!