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.

weekend away

Since Corey has a couple weeks of job hiatus before his new job, he planned an extended weekend in Minnesota with our friends, the Sandens. 'Grandma and Grandpa' Sanden have a beautiful log cabin on Otter Tail Lake, about an hour drive from Fargo, ND. Corey's sister Maria (who goes to school in Fargo) joined us for the weekend.

I didn't take near enough photos at the cabin ... I guess we were a little distracted with sun and fun (and maybe it had something to do with having five kiddos running around).


Sanden Beach






Sea shells ... er ... lake shells?



On Monday we headed to Alexandria, MN to visit Josh and Renee and see their new house/farm.


We spent the day in downtown Alexandria and made a fun stop at the City Park.



Josh and Renee have a beautiful piece of Minnesota lake country - complete with barns, apple trees, ponds and gardens.



Kya loved their super cool play room


Lucy and Ryan, picking (and eating) apples






Kya enjoying an ice cream treat with the Sanden kids ... in age order from 18 months to second grade:
Lucy, Kya, Ryan, John, Ella






What is it about kids and ice cream?! Love it.





On Tuesday we headed home with a long stopover in Fargo, ND


I was very excited to visit Unglued, a new store in downtown Fargo ... that just so happens to carry Bison Booties.  If you think this Bison Booties display is cool, you've to to see the rest of the store. Wowie, this is possibly the coolest store I've ever been in. All handmade - what could be better?! Plus, they have cupcakes and a super cool kid's corner. Love it.
If you're in Fargo, this store is a must: Unglued, 408 Broadway North, Downtown Fargo, North Dakota


Kya loved this large painted bison in downtown Fargo


We had a few hours to spare - before Maria got out of class - so we went to the Children's Museum in Fargo. Neither Corey or I had ever heard of this place ... I found it with a google search. I can't even begin to say how great this place is. I wish we had one in Bismarck. For only $5 (each) we roamed and explored the 50+ exhibits. Kya loved it!













We met up with Maria (after class) and took her out to an early dinner at Drunken Noodle. I'm now officially VERY excited for this restaurant to arrive in Bismarck. Yum. Kya liked it too!

the 'greats'

Kya adores her great grandparents. She is blessed to have five in her life:
On my side - Katy Zundel (in Montana), Irene and Darwin Vander Vorst (in Mandan, ND)
On Corey's side - Angie Hager (in Linton, ND) and Andy Schumacher (in Linton, ND)

Last week we made a day trip to Linton to visit the 'greats' ... and what a great day it was.

laughing it up with grandpa andy:

cuddling with grandma angie: