Hollywood Vibe 2024.

I got back from my work trip just in time to catch another plane headed to Denver for Hollywood Vibe.  I love taking these dance trips with Kendall.  It really is a good time!

We managed to board our plane, only to sit on the tarmac for 45 minutes due to weather in Denver.

Once up in the air, the skies were beautiful.  

We arrived in Denver and made our way to the hotel.

As soon as we settled in our room, Kendall jumped on a zoom Dutch interview for a shift lead position.

After her interview, we ran across the street to have pancho nachos.  I think I had been looking forward to having these again since the time I had them last year.  They did not disappoint.

We then walked a mile to Target to stock up on snacks for the weekend.  I am SO glad we did, as the weather turned ridiculously cold.  I mean like sub zero temperatures cold.  Here is the view from our room.  I am so glad when we get the water view.

Kendall had an amazing time and learned a lot.  The crazy thing is that it ended up being a hectic travel weekend for everyone.  There was tremendous snow in Boise, crazy cold temperatures in Denver and the Boeing airplane issues.  Flights were getting cancelled right and left.  Just when I thought we were safe, I got a notification that our 10pm flight home had been straight up cancelled.  I jumped on the app and managed to get booked on a 3pm flight.  I was so incredibly lucky to get the seats.  Kendall was bummed to have to miss the afternoon, but was grateful that we would be able to get home on Sunday.

As it turned out, the afternoon at the convention was chaos, as a water pipe burst in the ballroom and flooded the convention out.  I am telling you it was freezing.  The hotel was able to keep the rooms warm, but the lobby and ballrooms were crazy cold!

Sunday morning, the snow had dumped in Boise.  Sidney went outside to shovel the driveway only to find that our neighbor had come over with his snow blower.  What an insane act of kindness.  Sabrina was also sending updates on the horses, as the ranch was very snowy and cold.  Levi and Lester managed to chew through the water heater in their trough.  GRR!  

Well, we made it home after a fun and eventful weekend!

Goodbye Snow, Hello Sunshine.

I have somehow managed to miss just about every snow storm this year.  I had a work trip to San Diego when the snow started falling this month.  I was never more happy to have school called off for snow though!  While I was out of state, I did not really want the girls on the icy/snowy roads.  Here is the beautiful view from my hotel.

I wore the lovely family bouquet necklace that Kendall had gifted me at Christmas.

Here is another beautiful shot from our meeting room.  You can see the Coronado bridge in the distance.

Janelle and I took our traditional picture together.  Only this time, it was not a selfie.  Jennifer jumped in to take it.

I am thankful that I have amazing co-workers that I enjoy spending time with!

Talented Lady.

My mom's talent never ceases to amaze me.  She is also willing to try anything.  She has started working with cork and 'vegan' leather (do not get me started on that one).  She has been making passport wallets and purses out of these materials.  There are a few online groups that she has joined, where the people share ideas and key learnings.  She saw that some of the people were using their Silhouette's or Cricuts to cut the cork and vinyl (aka vegan leather, haha).  She spent an afternoon at my house trying it out.  After a bit of trial and error, we managed to do it.

It is super impressive to watch this machine cut the tiny pieces.

The best part is that it cut the slits for the wallet.  This is a game changer.

Here are some photos of some of the amazing pieces she has made.  This cork is stunning!

This is not cork, but canvas.  I LOVE how this one turned out!

Dylan's wife, Heather, enjoys these types of prints.  So, my mom made her this bag.

She has been making key chains out of some of the remnants.

This is also not cork, but very adorable.

Good Times with Friends.

The girls had a nice bit of time off before school was back in full swing.  Kendall braved the cold at Dutch.  Many of her friends pulled through on their holiday break to say hello.

Elerie and Emma were both home from college.  The girls went out to dinner to celebrate Kendall's birthday.  They took me up on the recommendation to go to Bardenay.

They even had a virgin margarita, at my suggestion.  Sometimes moms do have the best ideas!

Hannah and Sidney threw Jayde a party for her 20th birthday.

Sid put her together a Chick-fil-A charcuterie board.  I was just surprised that Sid knew how to say 'charcuterie'.

Hannah put her baking skills to work and made this beautiful cake.

The Good Ole Days.

My mom went through a few old pictures and found these lovely pics.  This first one is my mom on my uncle's horse.  This is the one picture in which I think my sister looks exactly like her.  At first glance, I thought it was my horse crazy sister, Stephanie.

My sister and I making a picnic in the dirt.  My mom thinks that is my Holly Hobby thermos.  I loved that thermos.  I had the matching lunch box too.

My mom made me a wonder woman costume for Halloween.  I think I was in kindergarten.  We were at my grandma's house in Santa Cruz.

I am not sure what Steph is so excited about?

Gotta love a little girl with a beer hat and a BB gun.

This was me in Kevin and I's first apartment in Ventura, right after we were married.  Now I know where Sid gets her tongue sticking out from.  

Kendall's Birthday Interview '17'.

 Describe yourself.   

Strong, hard working, empathetic, kind. 

 

What are you thankful for?   
My family. My opportunities. Dutch. Dance. 
 
What makes you happy?   
Dance, work, being with friends and family. 
 
What makes you sad or angry?   
Disrespect towards people I love. 
 
What do you want to be when you grow up?   

I am not sure yet, but I do want to help others and make a difference in someone’s life. 
 
What’s important to you?   
Overall...kindness. 
 
What do you love most about yourself?   
My determination and ability to empathize. 
 
What do you love most about your mom?   
Her love of development and improvement in life. 
 
What do you love most about your sister?   
Her sense of humor and how passionate she is about horses. 
 
If you could go anywhere, where would you want to go?   
New Zealand.  
 
Who do you admire? Why?   
My mom. She works so hard, is so committed to everything she does, and has the kindest soul.  
 
What do you want to learn more about?   
How each person functions differently, the psychology behind intentions.  
 
What’s something you’d like to do to help someone else?   
Bringing people flowers without any rhyme or reason. It truly is the little things :) 
 
What are you afraid of?  
Losing my family. 
 
If you could only keep one thing, what would you keep?  
My memory box. 
 
What’s your favorite memory?  
Going to San Diego with Dad and the family, and visiting Disney and Sea World 
 
What are you proud of yourself for?   
Balancing school, work, dance and finding a job and an art that I love so much. 
 
What are you looking forward to this year?     
Performing my solo, specifically in Seattle.  
 
What do you dream about?   
The unknown of the future. As scary as it is, it’s so beautiful. 
 
What else do you want to say? 
Slay the house down, boots, Houston I’m deceased.