Friday, October 31, 2008

BELIEVE in the power of 10,000

On Sunday October 26th I travelled to New Orleans for our Leadership Conference. I have been to other conferences that were on a much smaller scale so I wasn't sure what to expect. Seeing this billboard as we left the New Orleans airport heading into town gave me an idea that this would be a very big deal! This was not the only sign in the city with our name on it. We were on every lampost! One said "BELIEVE in the power of 10,000"- another said "ONWARD". These were the theme of our conference.

Our conference was to include four galleries, coffee, partner, customer and stores, one day was to be spent participating in community support (ours was Tuesday), and one day was the general session where all 10,000 fo us were together in the arena to see Howard speak.

The first gallery I attended was the stores gallery. There were many topics highligted in the gallery, how to 'green' your store, being involved in your community, tea beverages, holiday set-up, and a new store model. I was most excited about how to green your store. I have always set the expectation for all of my partners to use for-here cups for their beverages while they are at work, and we recycle EVERYTHING that is recycleable, even coffee grinds! What I want to work on next is getting the customers to use travel mugs to take their beverages in and to use our for-here cups to enjoy in the store.

MORE TO COME...

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Mercy's visit






Mercy came to visit us for five days of beautiful weather in October! It was great having her. We romped around town to see the sights. We made some great meals and ate outside on the patio. We also forced Mercy to watch the final Presidential debate on Wednesday. Someone had to keep us calm, all this talk of Joe the plumber- "what about Jessica the barista?!" I yelled.

Thanks

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Welcome Ellie! We love you!

Isn't she beautiful?! She is so tiny and soft!

The happy family! When do you want me to babysit?

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Paradise

Our first bird! We have been waiting for two years for this thing to flower!
This is our Bird of Paradise and Canna Lilly.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

The Danish Connection

Mom's half sister, Birta and her family came to visit the western states for three weeks in July. It was great meeting them and getting to know a little about their lives.

George Michael show @ the MGM

Ricky surprized me for our anniversary with tickets to see George Michael in concert! It was a great show! He is an amazing performer.

Rampage!


We went to the weigh-ins before the Ultimate Fighter Championship in June. At the event we met several fighters and got lots of pictures. Rampage in one of our favorites! He looks mean but he is super funny and very friendly.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Aarin's baby shower-May 25th


Isn't she glowing?
Practically another family reunion!

I went to visit my family in April.


Sunny and warm the first day, snowy and cold the next! I don't want to move back here after all!

Erica, Aarin & Jamie visited in March




Reno taught Ricky to swim!


Isn't he doing great?!

Places we took Barb & Reno when they visited!




Elvis' Honeymoon house & Barbara and Reno at Sea World!

Christmas Eve dinner at Sigga's


Dinner was awesome! Where's the presents?!

Halfway to Vegas




Barbara and Reno came to Socal in December to spend the holidays with us! While Jessica had to work the days leading up to Christmas, I took Barb & Reno to Las Vegas to see the bright lights of the big city!! This was the halfway point in the middle of the desert!