Cousin/Sister {+Michele} Christmas luncheon

Many of you know I used to be a caregiver for the most wonderful lady and during my years of caring for her became quite involved and attached to her amazing family! Her family spent many hours with their mom, grandma and aunt and so consequently I spent many hours with them. Her grandchildren and I became the best of friends! I remember {secretly} wondering if our friendship would remain as strong after their Grandma passed away but I had nothing to worry about!  Our friendships have not only remained but grown stronger and I look forward to many years and cherished memories ahead.

One of my most favorite events is a Christmas luncheon held by her granddaughter Cami. It is a cousin/sister lunch and I was invited last year. It was truly beautiful and perfect in every way. I did not assume that I would be invited this year so when I received my invite
 I WAS ECSTATIC!!!

The luncheon was the day before a big Christmas show 3 Craft Chicks participated in so that meant a big day of set up!  Did that stop me? NO WAY!!! I went up to Southhill and dropped off my "stuff" and did alittle bit of unpacking and then hopped in my car and headed out to Liberty Lake to Cami's. Got to Cami's and was immediately transported into her
WINTER WONDERLAND!!!

Pretty PINK Christmas decor ~ so lovely!!!

Just absolutely love me my Cami!

YUMMY FOOD ~ Spokane Club Salad & their Grandma's bean salad

Their Grandma's {delicious} chicken casserole ~ such comfort food!

Their Grandma's one of a kind cheesecake ~ served on Fostoria dishes

Flocked tree with Cami's grandma's pink ornaments

The start of Cami's wonderful SANTA collection!

The BIG Tree ~ glass & old world Christmas ornaments ~ so pretty!

Pink kissing ball

 The SKATERS ~ a  favorite that had been her Grandma's!

Asian themed tree ~ love!

Skiier ornament tree {all ornaments given by her Grandma through the yrs.}

FRIENDS FOR LIFE! Kathy & Cami ~ love them bunches!

LOVE!!!These 3! Watch out when they are together!

Dani, Terri, Rachael, Kathy, Cami & Shelly ~ COUSINS & SISTERS!

Gathered around the table!

Lovely aluminum tree with beautiful shiny brite ornaments!

Can you tell how much fun we were having? Laughed so hard that day!!!

LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL!!! for SURE!!!

Perfect & beautiful tablescape!

Felt stocking made by Cami's grandma years ago...!

Family heirlooms are the best!

Orange felt stocking made by Cami's mom when she was little!

Love this vintage church!

THIS IS MY FAVORITE!!!

This was Cami's Grandma's and the years I cared for her, I helped her put out her Christmas decor! I loved every single thing however this was at the tippy top of my most favorites list!!! I love how this family "does" Christmas ~ like how I "do" Christmas! All the grandchildren have inherited beautiful decorations and family heirlooms and continue to carry on traditions that I KNOW their Grandma would be most proud of!!!

Cami said she would understand if I couldn't have come due to scheduling conflict however there was no way I was going to miss this event! I don't ever want to loose my spot at it! :)

Can you even imagine my surprise when I got a Christmas calendar card in the mail? She used the picture with me in it...I was so humbled and honored!
It made me start crying!!!

This is such an extraordinary group of women that I'm blessed to be part of!!!

The BEVERLY HILLBILLIES have been spotted...

ON THE ROAD TO UTAH!!!

OOPS!!! NO...IT'S JUST THE CRAFT FAMILY

WE LAUGHED SO HARD!!! Once the truck was all loaded and ready to go, Jim said the only thing missing a rocking chair on top of our load and the sound of banjo's playing in the background!!!

We made a quick trip to Utah last weekend to see Jim's mom, sister, brother in law & 2 nieces. Jim wanted to take this Simplicity tractor to his bro in law that was Grandpa's... so that and all its accessories plus our baggage...we ended up with a large load that let me tell you got some looks as we traveled the highways of Washington, Idaho, Montana & finally Utah!!!

We were taking care of Saylah at this time so I was a bit nervous about 11-12 hours traveling with a 20 month old HOWEVER I was PLEASANTLY surprised!!! SHE IS A GREAT LITTLE TRAVELER ~ I'm pretty sure I whined and/or complained much more than she did! :)

We left our house at 9:30 a.m. on 8/9 and had a couple appointments & errands in Spokane. Officially got ON THE ROAD at NOON!!! We rolled into my mother in laws driveway at 2:00 a.m. on 8/10. Mind you we did loose an hour with the time change but all in all felt pretty good about our travel time. We probably stopped somewhat more often with a little one but I think it made for more fun!!!

 Did alot of this...

this...

this...

{fyi - cheetos on the road - not such a grand idea}

and this...

{thankful for Nats laptop & a Chuggington dvd}

FIRST STOP ~ MISSOULA, MONTANA

We had lunch at Fudruckers! A family favorite! 

Saylah agrees with me! We wish there was a Fudruckers in Spokane!!!

BACK ON THE ROAD...

This lasted for about another hour and THEN SAYLAH SAID...NANA...NANA...

SO I SWITCHED AND RODE IN THE BACK WITH MY LITTLE SUGAR PIE!

I love that she likes to try on and wear my jewelry!!! Such a little princess!!!

We enjoyed our whirlwind weekend in Utah and managed to pack alot of FUN into just a couple of days!!!

Jim's sister Shannon and her husband Frank have a beautiful home and we had a great evening being together with them.

Beautiful antiques & wonderful collections!

Saylah adored the HORSES that were behind Shannon & Frank's house and had the best time playing on the slide they bought just for her to have!!!

Natalie loved being able to see her cousin Allison!

We spent a few hours at the Farmers Market in Salt Lake City and let me tell you it was a fantastic one!

First stop before the market was this yummy German bakery...

Saylah was quite enthralled with all the baked goods too! :)

Off to the FARMERS MARKET...

We had a delicious lunch here after we were done at the Farmers Market!

Saylah & I passed out back at Grandma Lynda's after our big day in Salt Lake!

Time to head home...

X-Large drinks from MAVERICK will help I'm quite sure...

We weren't on the road but 10 minutes and little Sugar Pie fell sound asleep...

Once again, just like the trip there, Saylah did so well going home!

Last big stop was in Missoula, Mt. for dindin and we went to Hoagieville...
OH MY SOUL!!! I have a new favorite place...but we don't have one in Spokane either!!! Probably a good thing...RIGHT?!?!?

There was outdoor seating which was nice so we could let Saylah run around a bit and of course Jim said we could eat there because they serve COKE!!! You know how everything is always BETTER with COKE in the CRAFT family!!!

Load 'em back up...

We weren't the Beverly Hillbillies going home just had the truck loaded up well from a few fun finds we got while visiting in Utah...

Sure had a wonderful weekend and can't wait to go back to Utah again!!!

Let me know if any of you spot the Beverly Hillbillies on the road this fine summer...