Y.E.S.S. Award

What an honor! Bison Booties (and I) received the Y.E.S.S. Award (Young Entrepreneur Success Story) and are featured in the August City Magazine. City Magazine is a monthly print publication, distributed in western North Dakota.

Download a digital pdf of the magazine here: http://thecitymag.com/image/cache/440141_CM_8_12.pdf
(the Bison Booties story is on pages 30-32)

Don't miss the Capital A'Fair next weekend

If bootie sewing was an olympic event, I would be a contender for gold.

I've been making booties at record pace - over 200 pairs in one week!
It certainly helped that Kya was away all week at grandma and grandpa's house in Kenmare, ND, and I had the house to myself during the day.



Lots of new styles!


All this sewing has really paid off, I will have an amazing inventory for the 2012 Capital A'Fair. The show is next weekend, August 4-5, in Bismarck, around the state capitol loop. I am booth #99 (same as last year) about half-way down on the west side.

Saturday, Aug. 4 - 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday, Aug. 5 - 10 am to 4 pm

Free admission! Great food, fun entertainment and kid's activities!

If you are in the market for a pair of Bison Booties - trust me - you don't want to miss this show. Come visit me!

. . .

Our busy booth last year ...

me and my girl

Just another Monday ... or not.


My girl and I love getting new fabric in the mail.


I mean we really love it.

. . .

I busted my sewing machine last night. I knew it would be a minor and quick fix but I also knew it would require a trip to the sewing machine repair man.

So we dropped off Miss Pfaff at exactly 9:01 am (they opened at 9 am) then my girl and I headed out to complete about 50 other errands and bootie deliveries.

. . .


We took a field trip to the North Dakota capitol building. We needed to deliver a pair of Bison Booties ... purchased by North Dakota First Lady Betsy Dalrymple. I can say that made this Monday pretty darn exciting.


Then we took the capitol elevator to the 'observation floor' (top floor) to check out the views.


Apparently my girl inherited my fear of heights.

I got a call my machine was repaired and the bill was only $18. Time to celebrate.


We celebrated with a pizza burger flying style from Big Boy.


My girl and I both thoroughly enjoy picnics at Big Boy.

help us win! (one more try)

Mind if I ask for your 'likes' again? We lost the last week's contest by just a few votes, so we're going to have fun trying to win again this week.

It's easy to vote! If you have a Facebook account, just click HERE and then 'like' the photo of Kya and my cousin Parker. If we win, we'll receive two day passes to Raging Rivers (our local water park) and we'll be entered to win a season pass for next year. Thanks for your 'likes' - I greatly appreciate them.

The contest ends on Sunday, July 22.

Thanks so much!

Help us win!

Here I am with another favor to ask ... If I may. We are trying to win two passes to our favorite local waterpark and need your Facebook "likes" to win. If we win, we will also be entered to win a season pass for next year. Click here and like the photo of Kya and my cousin Parker. The contest ends sometime on Saturday so please hurry over and like the photo. We are neck in neck for likes with another family (tied right now) so every vote counts! What fun!

The Dutch

On Friday, July 6, we gathered with the Dutch relatives on my mom's side for the Vander Vorst and Van Beek reunion. The reunion was at the SuperSlide park in Bismarck.


This buggy belonged to my great, great grandmother, when she lived in Westfield, ND (southwest of Strasburg/Linton). My sister and I met her when we were very little - we don't remember much about her except that she had a neat rocking chair and lots of farm cats. The buggy was on loan for the day from  Lawrence Welk homestead/museum in Strasburg. Small world ... Corey's dad grew up at a farm next to the Welk farm.


Bob and Kristen and kids


cowboy Parker


Caleb, Madison and Parker


three of my all-time favorite people.


We took Kya on the super slide first because we were sure she'd like it. We were wrong. Very wrong.
For the remainder of the evening, she strictly avoided all rides (even the jump house) by at least a 50 yard radius.

So, that gave us 'big kids' a chance to use up all the ride tickets Corey bought for Kya.


The Zundel/Hager bumper car rally.



I'm pretty sure Kya gets her scardy-cat traits from me.


At least she had two fantastic pals to hang out with.




Ferris wheels are now on my 'do not ride' list.
With Ronda, my aunt.


My cousin Lauryn, enjoying the action.


On his last ride, Parker impressed us with his expert race car driving.

Independence Day 2012

July 3

The Independence Day celebration started on July 3 at the long-standing Doll and Pet Parade in Mandan, ND. The parade is held on Main Street, adjacent to the Art in the Park event with talented artisans and tasty food. I couldn't ask for a better setting.




These girls (and their humongus cats) made me laugh.


The cutest kiddos: my cousin Lauryn, Kya, and my cousin Parker. Thanks to my mom and grandma for the fabulous wagon decorations.


Lauryn




It was HOT. The kids cooled off with a celebratory lolly pop on the curb.






Love those pink cheeks.

. . .

July 4 - Independence Day 2012


The parade.
Every year we make a point to see the parade. It's a rare year that I sit through the entire thing (especially now with Kya along) but it's a must-see at least in part.




Did I mention it's a family gathering?


I always cry when the band goes by. I have no idea why. Love it.


More bands. My tear ducts got another cleansing.


After the parade we spent the afternoon at the river and enjoyed the company of the Vander Vorsts ... and fabulous food too. In the evening we went to my uncle Bob's house to watch fireworks. Kya was scared of the "big booms" this year, so she cuddled up to Grandma Z and got a cozy cat nap.

. . .

Photos from Grandma Z's iPhone



Kya's radish harvest (from her garden)


Corey and I playing wiffle ball in our driveway


At the Party on the Prairie Johnny Holm concert in Mandan on July 3 (Corey is in his official Mandan Party on the Prairie attire)


"you know it'll be a fun night when your father in-law shows up with Cubans"
(at Party on the Prairie)


Grandma and Grandpa Z, Corey and I took Parker and Kya to Raging Rivers (the water park in Mandan). We had a blast! It was a perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day.

hello July

June went out with bang and thus far, July has been a whirlwind of fun on the river, sunshine, great food, and of course ... lots of family time. I've been trying to gather as many photos as I can from all the family we've been spending time with and here is the first installment.


Kya's ever improving fashion sense.

A surprise birthday party for me on June 30.
I turn 30 tomorrow - July 7. It was such fun and yes, I was very surprised. We spent a fantastic afternoon and evening on the river with my family (aunts, uncles, sister, parents, grandparents, and cousins).

Then we celebrated Papa Z's birthday July 1. Happy Birthday dad!

We've been sampling absinthe. The alcohol spirit is originally from Switzerland and has the most delicious anise flavor.


My parents brought one of their kayaks with them (we'll be babysitting for it for a few years).
It's a small women's size kayak so my mom, Kya and I had fun paddling around Harmon Lake.


The Corey fish.






Grandma Katy was visiting and stayed at the Seven Seas hotel, which happens to have a fun little water park. We invited my cousin Parker up for some fun in pool.




Thank you Grandma Katy!






We've spent so much time at the river cabin, that I am getting my days confused. So much fun.


Story time with Grandma Rene, around the campfire.


Our river rat - swimming in the Misty Waters bay (north Bismarck).




fish faces!


She LOVES swimming.


my cousin Parker (5 years old)


My cousin Lauryn (1 year old)


My beautiful and special grandparents enjoying an evening on the pontoon.