Happy New Year

Here's to blogging more in 2013!  Hey maybe that will be my resolution... I haven't thought of one yet.

Last night Emily & Andy hosted a TOTALLY AWESOME RADICAL 80's party!  Thanks guys.  It was a blast... of course, I'm sore today from dancing my butt off.

Here's the pics:  http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=6316020015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

This was the third costume party we went to in 2012.  Fun!

Here's the pics from the 1920's party back in October:

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5640567016/a=5766466_8199104/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Medicare

I normally do not post about my company, Hoosier Benefit Plans, on our personal blog.  But I wanted to take one opportunity to do so!  I sent the following email to most of our friends and family recently, but in case we missed you....

An open letter to friends & family:

As you know, the insurance industry is rapidly changing and evolving.   One way I have tried to differentiate myself and to evolve with the industry was to obtain my Medicare certification and step into the world of marketing Medicare plans to those 65 and older.

The Medicare insurance industry is heavily regulated by the federal government and it is terribly burdensome and time consuming to obtain the proper certifications to sell these products.  I think it’s important for you to know that any insurance professional that is independently marketing Medicare products is truly dedicated to their profession!  I have personally enjoyed diversifying and learning more about another side of my business.

I'm telling you this because I need to ask a favor!  One of the major rules set forth by the federal government is strict regulation on how agents can market to clients.  Basically, there is no cold calling, no marketing allowed, except for referrals.  I would love it if you would please keep me in mind if you or anyone you know is 65 or older (or turning 65 in the future)!  

I have over 13 years of experience in health insurance and benefits and am confident that I can provide a great customer service experience to anyone you refer to me. I can market and sell plans anywhere throughout Indiana. I started my own agency so I could afford myself the opportunity to spend more time with my girls, but I do rely heavily on referrals to keep Hoosier Benefit Plans growing!

October 15 – December 7^th is Open Enrollment season for Medicare consumers.  This means that it’s their ONE chance per year to shop plans and switch if they are not happy with their current plan, wish to save money or just want a change!  I would greatly appreciate it if you could mention me to any friends or family that you know are eligible to shop their plans.  If you could pass along my contact information, that would be great! (forwarding this email would be a great, simple way to refer me!)

I am also very proficient in speaking about Medicare to groups. I have several presentations I can deliver, from “Medicare 101” to specific plan information. I would be happy to accept any referrals for groups you think might be interested! This could range from a large civic organization down to a group of golf buddies.  Whatever group of people you have in mind that would benefit, I can help!

Again, time is of the essence, as the 65+ crowd only has a small window to do their “shopping”.  Please pass along my info if you know anyone!  I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks so much for your help!

Jennifer

Bacation

My parents took us (the mitchen fam) and my sister's fam to Michigan for a week this year for vacation... or Bacation, as Ellie called it.  We had a blast.  We rented a house on Diamond Lake--about an hour north of South Bend, IN.  We had a pontoon boat for the week (which means we never saw Craig--he was fishing 24/7!) and spent lots of time outside swimming, boating, jet skiing, and RELAXING.

Here were some of the highlights:

• Boat rides
• St Joe's, MI (day trip to the awesome beach there)
• Lunker's (think local bass pro shop--kids LOVED it)
• Visiting w/ Greg & Patti
• Throwing rocks in the lake (seriously the girls could do this ALL DAY EVERY DAY)
• Mostly gorgeous, not too hot weather
• Relaxing around the house & deck
• Swimming in the spring fed lake water 
• Taking Ellie to her first movie

Here's some pics:

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5832467015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

THANKS AGAIN GRANDPA AND GRANDMA!!!! We had a wonderful time!

Ellie's Third Birthday

Ellie had such a fun birthday!  She had a pool party (including pizza, cake, water balloons, piñata, presents, and lots of friends) on Saturday, July 28th, then got to celebrate again on her actual birthday with her family!  Some of her favorite presents this year were here talking Jessie doll (Toy Story), Toy Story figurines, Doc McStuffins Doll, Sleeping Bag, and Backpack from Aunt JuJu filled with activity books, markers, etc!  We all had a blast--she is at an adorable age for opening presents and really enjoying spending time w/ friends and family.

Here's the pics!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5830989015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Evelyn's First Birthday Pics!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5605733015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Happy Birthday Evelyn Belle Mitchen

Evelyn is ONE!!!

Where did this year go?????????

We had her 1st b-day party on Saturday (pics to come). It was a blast and she was absolutely adorable. 

She had her 12 month check-up today. All is well except for her heart murmur & anemia. Nothing we can do about the murmur and just have to start giving her a multi-vitamin w/ iron for the anemia.

She is a loving, sweet, crazy, wild, brave, funny little girl. She loves her mommy, sister, daddy, doggy, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, family, babysitters, etc... She has been a handful for me to take care of, alongside her 2 year old sister, but I have truly tried to enjoy every minute of it.

She LOVES to dance. Ever since she could sit up, as soon as she hears music (any music--from Jane's Addiction to Twinkle Twinkle), she starts bopping around. Her all time favorite song, so far, is Back in Black. (I am not thrilled about this)

She loves to eat Mac N Cheese, fruit, goldfish, cheese, black olives & pizza. She REALLY likes to destroy (sit on or knock down) whatever her sister is currently playing with. This is the cause of many screaming matches, which I do realize is just the beginning of a lifelong battle between the two of them. They do also love on each other, so I'm hoping they are close friends one day.

 Here is a slideshow I created for Evelyn's birthday. We love our Sissy!!!

 

Girls Photo Shoot in Phoenix

The photographer who shot Craig, Ellie & I several times in AZ, Amy Fraughton, took the girls pics while we were there this year! We were SOO happy with the results.

Click here to check them out!!!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5434770015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Spring has Sprung!

We have had such a fun spring! I have never in my life appreciated spring like I have this year... It's a combination of moving home to the midwest, having kids, my new neighborhood w/ established plants and of course, this year's weather has been FAB! We barely had a winter. ONE SNOWMAN. Then we had 80 degree days in early March. Seriously so hot that i went and bought a baby pool for the girls to play in! It's cooled down a bit now, but the flowers, plants & trees have been gorgeous.

We have been busy too! Mommy's favorite holiday, St Patty's Day rolled around--mommy was FINALLY not pregnant or breastfeeding in over 3 years, so she went out w/ her friends for the day!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5434366015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

We celebrated Aimee's Birthday... Aimee is my step-niece and also our nanny! So she's a big part of our family.

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5434525015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/


We had a BLAST visiting Craig's family in Texas! We went for 10 whole days... which was great to be able to spend quality time w/ everyone there and not rush around. Plus the kids got into a routine & slept great. That is, until ELLIE BROKE HER LEG AT THE FT WORTH ZOO!!! And that is another blog post for another day...

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5425682015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

The Easter Bunny (or Hip Hop Bunny, as Ellie calls him--it's from a Dora episode) came to visit! We also got to visit with family!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5425465015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Here are some other pics from spring!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5425868015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Dear Evelyn

Dear Evelyn,

Well, where to start? Sorry I haven't written sooner. I've been a bit busy taking care of you and your big sister! I want to remember every second of your precious little baby life and while I know that isn't possible I do want you to know I have tried my hardest to enjoy every second. Of course, it's NOT always enjoyable... there are a lot of poopie diapers in this house (big sis is not going in the potty all the time yet), snotty noses, cranky people, hungry people, naughty people, the list goes on. You get the picture! What I'm trying to say is that I know you are my last baby and I am trying not to kiss your pudgy little cheeks (and other body parts) 24/7--even though I want to! You are lucky in some ways. I was a lot more stressed out with your older sister. I wasn't as confident and second guessed my mommy decisions a lot. I don't sweat the small stuff as much anymore and really do try to enjoy you girls!

For the most part, you are such an easy-going, fun, sweet girl. Friends ask us all the time, "Is Sissy always this smiley?" Yep. Pretty much. Unless you are hungry or tired. This week you have a little cold. Or you are cutting more teeth. Or both. And you are crankier than usual, but believe me, you are still ready to party and have a good time most of the day.

Mommy recently weaned you from breastfeeding and you took to the bottle like a champ (THANK YOU). You are eating finger foods like a pro. You already have 6 teeth. You are crawling like a mad woman and pulling up. Ellie always says, "Look mommy, she's standing!" My heart stops for a minute when I swoop around to look at you, but you are still up on your knees, thank god. She just thinks you are standing from the other side of the play table or ottoman. Speaking of Ellie, you of course, LOVE your big sister. She can just barely give you silly look across the sofa and you crack up! But you are pretty partial to your mommy too!

You are almost nine months old. NINE MONTHS! I can't believe it! I was going to save this post for your nine month birthday, but I'm writing it now and who knows if I'll have time and/or remember to come back on that day, so I thought I better go ahead and hit publish! I do hope to remember to post your "stats" though. As of your 6 month visit, you were in the 70th percentile for height and weight. Not quite as giant as your sister, but still holding your own!

You aren't saying too much yet, but you like to say daddadadaddadadadadadadad. I always look at you and say, NO!!! Say MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA. You just cheese at me with your baby hippo smile, and of course it's ok. I have heard an mmm sound come out this week, so I'm sure you are working on perfecting your "mama". Of course, you hippo smile when daddy walks in the room too.

Eating is one of your favorite things to do! You weren't a huge fan of being fed baby food, so once you mastered self-feeding, you were good to go. You will try anything and there are very few things that you haven't liked so far! Some of your favorites to date are: avocado (definitely your favorite), cheese (of course), blueberries, bananas, black beans, sweet potatoes, black olives, puffs, popsicles. I am really hoping you turn out to be a good, versatile eater. Even better than your sister-and she's pretty good!

We went to visit Grandma & Grandpa in Arizona in January. You apparently are not a fan of flying--not so much the cabin pressure, as the cabin itself--being constricted in that small space for that long was not too fun for you, but we made it. You totally went with the flow once we got there and loved spending time w/ Grammy & Grandpa. We are going to visit Mema & Papa in Texas in a few weeks! You are going to be such a (spoiled!) traveller before your first birthday! You will think that everywhere we go people are supposed to shower you with presents and attention 24/7!

We have had an unseasonably warm winter here, so we have been lucky to be outside a bit. Here is a picture of you going to the park in January!


I hope this doesn't jinx anything, but you are a good sleeper so far. You are still taking 2 naps a day (but can miss your morning one if we need to go somewhere) and are sleeping 11-12 hrs a night. THANK YOU!

You have been a true joy and blessing to this family. We are complete with you!

Love,
Mama

Arizona Trip!

Hello!! Hello... is this thing on???

SORRY I haven't been posting lately. Things have been hectic since the holidays. Right after Christmas, we had Christmas, Part 2 with the Mitchens, then went on a little trip with our friends, then the girls and I packed up and went to Phoenix for 10 days! We had a great time, of course. I got to visit lots of my friends. Of course, as usual, I didn't take ANY pictures, except of my kids of course!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5274566015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

We also got professional pics taken...we can't wait to get them back!!!

More soon.

Pictures from NY Eve

We hosted a little NY Eve get together at our house for our friends and kiddos. We did the "countdown" at 8:30 complete w/ sparkling apple juice! We watched the IU game, so some of the kiddos wore their IU gear. Ellie and Claire in their matching cheerleader outfits were adorbs!

Here are some pics:

Jade's Camera:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=3559476860103%3A850658115&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=Share-_-Personal-_-shareCopyLink-_-Sharer-_-Top

Becca's Camera:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=5559476860103%3A371330603&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=Share-_-Personal-_-shareCopyLink-_-Sharer-_-Top

Happy New Year

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

Since I was 14 years old, I have collected a paycheck. In 2011, I did not! I did, however, start 2 businesses.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?


I'm really not into resolutions, so I can't remember if I made any last year, but this year my resolution is to FILTER. Basically I just want to work on keeping some things to myself... and to work on cursing :)

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?


Yes, MYSELF :) Cousin Carra. Friends: Jody, Alana and Kristina!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

I wasn't really close to him per say, but my friend Dana's baby died at 5 weeks. UGH

5. What countries did you visit?

Being pregnant and having a newborn in 2011 did not pave the way for much traveling! But we did go to Phoenix...

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

I would like to have my hormones back to normal at some point. Since I have been pregnant or breastfeeding NON STOP since November 2008!

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The day Evelyn was born, of course! And the day we moved into this house...
.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?


Landing my first clients! While being a mom of two!

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not exercising enough.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Is pregnancy an illness?

11. What was the best thing you bought?

HOUSE

12. Where did most of your money go?

Rent/Mortgage, groceries

13. What did you get really excited about?

Our new house! Also, the New Kids on the Block / Backstreet Boys concert.

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Here We Go, by the Fresh Beat Band. Baby, by Justin Bieber. Take On Me, by A-Ha.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:

– happier or sadder? Happier. Babies on the outside of the body work better for me.
– thinner or fatter? Well, technically thinner since I'm not prego, but I'M PRETTY LARGE.
– richer or poorer? Hmm... technically poorer, but doesn't feel like it.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?


Exercise.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?


Worrying.

18. How did you spend Christmas?

Our own family on Xmas morning and of course lots of parties w/ family & friends.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

Modern Family & Glee

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

Hunger Games trilogy. Firefly Lane.

21. What was your favorite music from this year?


HA HA HA I don't really have time to listen to music! But probably music from the show Glee.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?

HA HA HA I don't get to go see movies either! But I did see Breaking Dawn & loved it.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Lunch w/ Matt, Dinner w/ family. 35!

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

It really was a good year, so I can't think of anything really? Except maybe magically getting skinny after Evelyn was born.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

MuMu

26. What kept you sane?

Husband, friends, iPhone, Facebook.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.


I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty the posses insiiiiide.

Happy New Year!

Christmas 2011

Hi everyone! As this December comes to a close, let's look back at all the FUN the Mitchens had in December... Here are some of the highlights!

Dec 3: Xmas Party at the Wollenburgs. My amazing group of friends got together over $800 and purchased presents for a family at the Julian Center (women escaping domestic abuse situations). We went shopping and came back to their house to wrap--all while celebrating w/ a few adult beverages of course!

Dec 8: My 35th B-day! I'm old! I had a great day... My friend Matt took me to lunch at Seasons 52 and we went to dinner w/ my family that evening! (Craig and I decided not to get each other b-day presents this year since we got a new HOUSE!)

Dec 10: Our friend Matt hosted a "Haunted Holiday Party". He lives in a restored 1880's home downtown Indy. The home itself is gorgeous and a good excuse to party, but he hired a medium to "read" the ghosts of the house. It was a blast.

Dec 15: Went downtown to look at Christmas lights & have hot chocolate on the circle.

Dec 17: Patterson (my mom's side) Christmas party! We spent the whole day in Madison at my Aunt Sue's house and of course, had a blast. Ellie is really getting into playing w/ her cousins and I didn't have to hold Evelyn all day :)

Dec 18: Aimee's Christmas Concert! We went to watch Aimee sing in a concert at the Rathskeller. We weren't sure what to expect, but it was seriously the BEST Christmas show ever! The event included singers from a bunch of local bands (everything from pop, blues, gospel, rock, etc) who were all so talented. Aimee was the only teenager asked to perform in the concert and she was amazing as always.

Dec 22: Matt took Jiffy to the IU game in Bloomington!!!! 12-0 baby!

Dec 23: The Hutchersons came over to visit & the kids had a blast making cookies and destroying my house!

Dec 24: Dinner w/ Grandpa, church w/ my family & home to feed Santa and the Reindeer!

Dec 25: Ellie & Evelyn must have been really good because they made out like bandits from Santa! Including a "Jumpy House", dolls, books, makeup, etc.... Grandma, Grandpa, JuJu & Bob came over later to give them MORE presents (including a play house!), then Doug, Janine, David & Pam came by to celebrate! Little did Pam know she would spend her evening playing Little People Zoo :) We had a wonderful day.

So far this week, it has been so nice out... we have played outside, had a visit from Aunt Sue, played in the snow (it snowed, but it's not too cold), visited friends... and now we are looking forward to the Skinner Christmas at Aunt Patty's on Friday!

Here are some pictures:

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5145861015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Ellie and Ethan's Christmas Play

Ellie is in a one day a week pre-school class at Old Bethel, with her BFF "Effie"-- Ethan is Emily's youngest. For those that don't know, Emily is my BFF who lived across the street from us growing up. We are still close friends today, as are our kiddos!

Anyway, their class put on a "Christmas Play"... and when I say "Christmas Play" I mean 2 year olds half way paying attention to their teacher while the teacher reads a very condensed version of the first christmas. Then they sing two songs. And then I say "sing songs" I mean, the teachers sing the songs and a couple of the kids do a few of the motions!

And it's your lucky day! We got it on video! If you are wondering where Ethan is for most of the presentation, he is off playing in the corner :).

Ellie and Ethan Xmas from Jennifer Skinner on Vimeo.

November Pics

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=4984184015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Patterson

Happy Veterans Day! These are my Grandparents (mom's parents). My Grandma Wilma was an Officer in the Army Nurse Corps during WW2 (she met my Grandpa in France). She is almost 90 and still an inspiration to me today! I couldn't have asked for a better female role-model in my life. Whether she meant to or not, she taught us that women have no limitations in the world! And that you can have a successful career, be a good wife and great mom! Ellie shares her middle name, Blanche.

Korean Tacos

YUM

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2011/11/slow-cooker-shredded-korean-beef-tacos.html

From my fave Crockpot Recipe Website/Cookbook! See the bottom for a few of my changes...

Korean Beef Tacos

The Ingredients.
serves 6-8

3-4 pounds beef roast (I used a trimmed chuck roast)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup soy sauce (La Choy and Tamari Wheat-Free are gluten free)
1 head garlic (peeled, but leave cloves intact--approx 10 cloves)
1/2 onion, diced
1 inch fresh ginger root, peeled and grated
2 tablespoons seasoned rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 whole jalapeno, diced (be careful! use gloves!)

The Directions.

Use a 6-quart slow cooker. Okay. This truly can't be any easier. I didn't brown my meat, but I did trim off the visible fat. I can make these directions complicated and tell you to add this or that first,
but it honestly doesn't matter. This is going to cook on low all day long, and the ingredients will distribute just fine all on their own. Throw everything in however you'd like.

Cover, and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until meat has fully shredded--- you can help it out by cutting the meat into pieces an hour or so before serving time. Serve in soft corn or flour tortillas (we are gluten free, and used tiny corn tortillas that are labeled gluten free) with shredded cabbage salad and white or brown rice.


this is how I made my shredded cabbage:


1 bag shredded coleslaw from the grocery store's produce section
1 tablespoon soy sauce (la choy or tamari wheat-free)
2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
toss together and serve immediately (it gets too wilty if you make it early in the day)

J's notes: I actually used boneless pork loin chops (the costco ones) instead of beef. I also used Soyaki (basically Teryaki sauce) from Trader Joe's instead of the soy sauce, brown sugar & ginger... just since I didn't have bs and ginger. I used jarred jalepenos too. Also for the slaw, I just had green cabbage, so I used that instead of coleslaw mix.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMY!!!!!! Craig really liked it too. I served it with some Japanese noodles.

LOTSA Recent Pics!

Pumpkin Show
http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=4838850015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Random Sept & Oct
http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=4838731015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Halloween
http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=4839127015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Parenthood

This post COMPLETELY sums up my exact feelings on parenthood:

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2011/10/on-parenthood.html

I came across the link from Dooce.com.

Here is one of my favorite exerpts:

Well, having children changes you. Jonathan Coulton likens it to becoming a vampire.


I was having a conversation with a friend who had recently become a parent, and she reminded me of something I had forgotten about since my daughter was born. She was describing this what-have-I-done feeling – I just got everything perfect in my life, and then I went and messed it all up by having a baby. I don’t feel that way anymore, but the thought certainly crossed my mind a few times at the beginning. Eventually you just fall in love and forget about everything else, but it’s not a very comfortable transition. I compare the process to becoming a vampire, your old self dies in a sad and painful way, but then you come out the other side with immortality, super strength and a taste for human blood. At least that’s how it was for me. At any rate, it’s complicated

This was especially funny to me, because I have said since Evelyn was born that she has the ability to "glamour" me! You have to watch HBO's True Blood to understand that reference...

Then of course, the best pie chart ever:

IU Game!

Last weekend, my mom babysat & Craig and I headed to Bloomington (or B-town as the kids call it these days!) for a tailgate with my IU friends! We had a blast, of course. Weather was gorgeous.

My friend Jade wrote a great blog post on it & posted some pics! So, since I am swamped as usual, I'll just link to her page :)

http://wethemanns.blogspot.com/2011/10/cream-and-crimson.html