Pumpkin Patch Visit 2012

Last weekend we made our annual (and always fun) visit to Papa's Pumpkin Patch in Bismarck.

A look back at the past two years:




and this year:



A local camera store was sponsoring free family photos. Here we are!














the big sandbox of corn


the toddler zip line was a hit with Kya

Last day to vote

Today (Monday, Sept. 24) is the last day of voting for the Martha Stewart Living American Made award. Thank you for your continued support, shares, and votes. Currently, Bison Booties is in 13th (out of 100 finalists and 2,000 overall entries). Wow. It's all thanks to my wonderful family, friends an fans!

The winner will be selected by 50% votes and 50% product/editorial choice. So vote one last time and leave a comment on my Martha Stewart page. One vote per e-mail address.

http://americanmade.marthastewart.com/profiles/erica-hager-175

Thank you!

lookalikes at 2.5 years

In my never ending quest to figure out who my daughter looks like, I present some flashback photos of Corey and I at 2 1/2 years old 'ish:

* hey look. I had white hair too! *







So what do you think - is she looking more like Ma or Pa?

Fight to the finish

I'm positive that I've already won the award for 'greatest friends/fans ever' - but I still need your help. PLEASE keep voting. We're about 1000 votes from the top 10. Think about it ... that's one vote from less than half of the Bison Booties Facebook fans. Easy peasy, right?

http://americanmade.marthastewart.com/profiles/erica-hager-175

Hop to it. It's GO time. Voting ends at midnight in Monday. I'm not going out without a good fight to the finish!

. . .

I'll make this short: THANK YOU ALL!

I've been meaning to write more often, and this is way overdue, but every time I sit down to write I am already yawning and have a killer headache. I guess that's what all this busyness does to me. 

So the biggest news: Bison Booties now has two contract workers to help with sewing and administrative duties. I'm still in disbelief that this 'little hobby' is at this level. Wow. I wouldn't be here without all the support, love and encouragement from each of you. Thank you.

. . .

Check out the recent media stories on Bison Booties as a finalist for the American Made Award:

KFYR-TV: http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=59232

KXMB-TV: http://www.kxnet.com/story/19554021/bison-booties-makes-top-100-small-businesses-in-the-nation

Mandan News: http://mandan-news.com/2012/09/mandan-business-named-one-of-100-finalists/

. . .

Thanks to some very talented and generous artisan friends, I am offering up a 'Made in North Dakota Prize Package' to one lucky voter (valued at over $150). Check it out and enter to win:

http://www.bisonbooties.com/2012/09/north-dakota-prize-package-giveaway.html

Whirlwind.

Whoa.

Thanks to each and every one of you for all the love, support, shares, and votes.

I'm very excited to say Bison Booties is holding strong in the top 15 (out of 100) for the 'Martha Stewart Living' American Made Award. 

Keep the votes coming One vote per e-mail address, per day. 

It's been amazing to see all the shares on Facebook. I'm speechless and in typical sappy Erica fashion ... a bit emotional. It's just so cool. Thank you.

Our hometown, Mandan, ND, even got in on the fun!
The last time I had anything to do with an announcement board was when I was athlete of the week in high school. So yes, I find this to be completely beyond awesome. Thank you Mandan.


Orders have been pouring in.
Today I sent out and delivered two big wholesale orders (one to Bismarck's Baby World, and one to Laura's Family Goods in Arkansas).

I also sent over 10 pairs of Bison Booties to customers across the USA. This was definitely the most wide-reaching mailing day I've had lately - Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Washington, Montana, Minnesota ... and Napoleon, North Dakota. No, they didn't all fit in the mailbox. Not by a long shot.

. . .

I think I need to hire someone. Seriously. If you're interested in joining the Bison Booties team by working at-home* (cutting, ironing, maybe some simple sewing), please contact me: hager.erica@gmail.com

*must be located in the Bismarck-Mandan area and have a pet-free and smoke-free work area

. . .

Well, I guess that's it for tonight. Sleep tight.
Much love from the Bison Booties lady.
xo

Bison Booties is a Finalist for Martha's American Made Award

Oh my! Super exciting day around here ...

Bison Booties is a top 100 FINALIST (of over 2,000 entries) for the Martha Stewart Living American Made Audience Choice Award. 

PLEASE help by voting (once-per-day, per e-mail address/computer) and sharing on Facebook/Twitter/blogs/Pinterest/friends/family ... strangers on the street ... ok maybe not the last one.

Every vote counts and helps move Bison Booties one step closer to the grand prize. The winner will receive $10,000 to invest in their business, a trip to New York City for the American Made Event, and an appearance in Martha Stewart Living magazine.

As of 8:45 pm, Friday evening, Bison Booties is 5th in votes (of 100 businesses). Wow! Thanks for all the support. Keep the votes coming!

Bison Booties is the only North Dakota business in the finals. Wow. It's such an honor to represent the state in this contest. See all the finalists on an interactive map.

The Bison Booties' American Made page:
http://americanmade.marthastewart.com/profiles/erica-hager-175

Thanks so much!

Bison Booties at the Women's Business Summit

I'm excited to announce I'll be on the speaker panel "Living the Life of a Woman Entrepreneur" at the 2012 Women's Business Summit hosted by the Center for Technology & Business. The event is October 15-16, in Bismarck, ND.

Check out the agenda for the event.
Hope to see you there!

Kya-isms

Never-ending entertainment and laughs with a 29-month-old ...

While driving on Collins Ave., heading into Mandan, ND:
"Down the big mountain, woo hoo! Waterfall!"

After examining the September month dishtowel, embroidered by Corey's mom:
"Acorns! My favorite!" (and now she refuses to use any other towel to dry her hands)

This morning:
"Kya sooo happy today"

Talking about her dreams, while we are driving in the car:
"Kya has BIG dreams"
I ask, "about what?"
"Elmo, Mama, Papa Andy" (Papa Andy is Great Grandpa Andrew Schumacher)

kya's alphabet

After her bath tonight, Kya was extra exited animated and willing to perform the abcs and identify colors ... so I recorded it on my computer for all to enjoy.