Where In The World Is Lance?

Pickle Party Album Contest Winner Announced!

Thank you for your patience in awaiting our announcement of the winner; we had a hard time confirming some of the contestants' information. It was so hard to pick the finalists in the Pickle Party Album Contest, and even harder to narrow it down to just one winner!  It took 16 Chefs, the RP warehouse crew, Tasha and Lance to vote on the albums during our recent Chef Retreat.

We would like to express our thanks to all of the finalists for sharing your lives with us - your albums were even more amazing in person!  Your heartfelt stories just glowed from the pages of your books.  It was tough, but we were finally able to decide on a winner! 

Rusty Pickle would like to officially announce the Pickle Party winning album:

1st place - The Greatest Gift - Heidi Erickson

Heidi's album told a story of a girl who always wanted a dad and in her search, happened to find even more.  We were all very touched by Heidi's story and her beautiful artwork.  Heidi wins a dinner, class and crop with Lance!

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But wait, there's more! We couldn't choose just one winner, so we decided on TWO RUNNERS UP:

The Tooth Fairy - Ginger Ditton

Andrew's First Year - Barbara Spade 

Ginger and Barbara each win $250 Rusty Pickle product (retail value)!

Congratulations, ladies!

A BUSY Fun Life

So I have been sooo busy the past few weeks.  I was in Kansas a couple of weeks ago.  Or at least I think it was.  Again, with a GPS you really just go stupid.  I had a great time there with everyone there.  I was driving back from the Scrapbook Garden to catch an early flight.  You see the next day was my anniversary.  This is number 8 for us.  Wow, time flies when your having fun.  But as I tell my wife tasha, It just seems like longer – much much longer :)  But, I couldn’t make it so I got a room in a very small town and Did I sleep well.  I then caught a later flight on Delta and It was great.  You see, I had bought my ticket on Travelocity last minute deals and you are not eligible for first class upgrades.  I know – poor me.  I am such a first class snob – the seats are so big and comfy and they kiss your butt the whole time.  But back to the story - the lady at the gate was soooooo kind.  I asked if I was upgraded (knowing that I wasn’t) and she said she had just tried to upgrade me but wasn’t able to.  I said is there nothing that you can do??? ..... PLEASE.  The she said not in the computer so I am like what about just walking me on and she said  “DON’T TELL ANYBODY” :)  So lets just say it was a very pleasant flight home.   Then I flew home Sunday for my anniversary. We were married 9/9/99. But, it was our daughters birthday the week before and we were having her party the next day (Monday) but Tashas dad and family were in Idaho for a couple of days.  So, I got off the plane and we drove 3 hours up to Pocatello to have a birthday dinner for Audrey with Tashas dad and family.  (did I say it was our Anniversary)  We did talk about celebrating it in a couple of weeks because this is where our lives START to get really busy.  We did have a fun time at dinner and then back down 3 hours to Salt Lake.  It was one of those events that I am glad I went.  I went a little disgruntled about driving up but secretly I was glad that Tasha waited for me to drive up together.  We had talked about her driving up without me but like I said – I was glad she waited for me.  I didn’t tell her that but if she is reading well....

Now To put our lives in perspective and let you see why that past couple of weeks were soooo busy – Monday was work and then Audrey’s Birthday Party then I was to leave Tuesday night for Phoenix.  I started a class to finish my MBA Tuesday night before I left.  We had the Chef retreat starting Thursday with some of our designers arriving on Wednesday.  I flew home Saturday morning early and then drove up to the Retreat. The Designer Retreat ended Sunday morning and we left for Memory Trends Sunday afternoon.   I taught on Monday (although I thought it was Tuesday) at Memory Trends.  We drove home Friday and went to the Football game on Saturday and then Sunday – Crashed.  Monday back at work Tuesday work and then another EMBA class and that brings me to Tonight.  Trying to catch up on my blog.  Well first when I got home grabbed some dinner kissed the wife and then got Mason out of the crib and watched the end of a Disney show with the kids till 10:30. Of which I got in a little trouble.  Tasha asked “Is it always a party when dad comes home?” why YES it is.

The Chef Retreat

We had our third annual Chef Retreat a week and a half ago. IT WAS THE BOMB.com  I was only there for Saturday but it was amazing.  Our designers are the best.  We didn’t have everyone there and missed those not there greatly but for those who were there it was a good time.   We taught classes (Practicing the classes that we will teach next year at the conventions) and just played with the new product.  I took a couple of hours and tried to design a new Pirate album like Robins with the new Pirate Princess line – I saw Robins Sample the next day and there is a reason that I teach and don’t design.  The setting was just beautiful.  It was a cabin near Heber Utah.  Click here for some photos of the event.

FOUR Things About Me

So I was reviewing my email a few weeks ago and I found this email Tasha sent me about a year ago.  It is called 4 things about me.  She had filled it out and sent it to a bunch of her friends and also to me.  At the bottom of it – it says people who will reply.  Well, She didn’t have me listed as one who would reply.  So I had to show her – only about a year late. She then sent my reply to Cassy and had her post this on my blog AND That is why this is here.  Just some fun info about me.

FOUR JOBS I HAVE HAD :

1. Waiter, waiter, waiter, waiter
2. Bagger Dominicks and then produce
3. I was an upholstry assistant when I was 15  We would keep the change from the couches and then buy pizza with it
4. I sold illegal pepermint toothpicks in 7th grade to buy pizzas and tater tots.

FOUR MOVIES I HAVE WATCHED OVER AND OVER :

1. Stick It!  Dora, Curious George, Mary Poppins
2. Better off dead
3. Crouching tiger hidden Dragon
4. Ground hog day  (Get it)

FOUR PLACES I HAVE LIVED :

1.Provo, Ut
2.Manhattan beach, California
3.Naperville, Il and Aurora, Il
4.Salt Lake City, Ut  (Oh and Brazil)

FOUR TV SHOWS I LIKE TO WATCH :

1.  LOST
2.  Medium
3.  Friday Night Lights
4.  Heros

FOUR PLACES I HAVE BEEN ON VACATION :

1.  Hawaii
2.  Europe
3.  Costa Rica
4.  Brasil

FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS :

1. Steak (NY)
2. Mexican food  (El terasco and Los Hermanos)
3. Pizza from The PIE  (Strambolli)
4. Greek Town  - Flaming Cheese

FOUR PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW :

1.  NO WHERE.  I am at Home with my Family and LOVING IT

If I had to be somewhere,
2. Lake Powell on the house boat
3. In Hawaii on the beach
4. Getting a massage

Armstrong Family Fundraiser

Back in August, Rusty Pickle came to hear of a tragic story that affected the Armstrong family of Utah.  Tracy Armstrong, a loving husband to Lynn and father of 9, was severly injured by a random act of violence while at work at his family's lodge.  As Tracy was the sole provider for their family, this catastrophe has also left them with an insurmountable  amount of bills.  Ever since we were made aware of their heart-breaking ordeal, we've thought hard about what we could do to help.  It is for this reason that we have decided to host a fundraiser for Tracy & Lynn's family in hopes of relieving some of their financial burden so that they can focus on what's most important- Tracy's recovery.

There will be TWO events, one to be held in Utah and the second in Arizona.  At each event, Lance will be teaching two classes at night with a dinner break in between. Visit the Armstrong Family Fundraiser Blog for more details.

PHOENIX AREA FUNDRAISER
Friday, October 19, 2007
3601 E Shea Blvd Phoenix, AZ 85028
FREE CROP : Noon - 5pm
1st Class "LOVE FOREVER" : 5pm-7pm
Dinner : 7pm-8pm
2nd Class "MAMA'S ANGEL" : 8pm - 10pm
FREE CROP : 10pm - Midnight
Silent Auction : 3pm - 9pm

SALT LAKE CITY AREA FUNDRAISER
Friday, November 2, 2007
FREE CROP : Noon - 5pm
1st Class "ODE TO MOM" : 5pm-7pm
Dinner : 7pm-8pm
2nd Class "FAMILY ACCORDIAN ALBUM": 8pm - 10pm
FREE CROP : 10pm - Midnight
Silent Auction 3pm - 9pm

Click here to register your space for a spot at this amazing event!

We are also selling raffle tickets!  How would you like to win $500 in Rusty Pickle goodies?  Here's your chance!  We have teamed up with Legacy Scrapbooking and are offering raffle tickets at $5 each or 5/$20.  Each ticket gets you a shot at a picklelicous stash!  Not to mention, you will be donating to an amazing cause!

Click here to purchase raffle tickets

Important Links:
Fundraiser Blog - See here for the most current info on the event!
Armstrong Family Blog - See Tracey's amazing progress and wish him well!

Kansas Rocks

So I was in Kansas this past weekend.  I kept thinking “Were not in Kansas anymore”  - But I was.  Well actually, I had no idea where I was.  Using the GPS, I had no Idea where I was but I had a great time.  The stores and the ladies this weekend were Awesome.  On Friday it was just Crazy and On Saturday it was too fun.  I will post photos later today.

Bouncing off the walls

Monday was Audrey's Birthday and she turned 5.  We went to Ihop for Dinner because that is what Audrey wanted for her birthday dinner.  (We are having the party next Monday).  Well lets just say the kids were crazy.  Literally bouncing off the walls.  This video is of Mason Bouncing on the bench.  After dinner we went to see Ratatouille and it wasn't much better with the kids.  They were crazy.  After the movie was over, I felt like I had been working out for two hours.

Football Season - YEA

I scrapbook but I am also a guy and I love Football.  So What an awesome weekend.  We picked mom (Tasha) up at the airport Saturday morning (after a REALLY QUICK CLEANING in the kitchen).  And then we were off to the BYU football game.  It is a Totally fun family tradition.  We love football.  I love College football and especially my BYU Cougars.  We stopped before the game for lunch at my favorite restaurant in Provo – Los Hermonos.  It is so American Mexican food.  I worked there when I was in school.  I helped to open the Lindon Restaurant.  I loved waiting tables.  People would come in and I would always ask where they were from.  So people from American Fork would say “AF” and people from Pleasant Grove would say “PG” and then they would ask me where I am from.  I would say “ I live in P R O V O but I am from C H I C A G O” spelling out the letters.  I would always get a blank stare but --- I would laugh. 

Then we were off to the game.  We got these great seats this year because of Tashas uncle. I love our  seats because we get to sit the whole time in these really nice seats with an amazing view.  It was SOOOO HOT and as the game ended we got some shade. Mason doesn’t like the noise too much.  Every time the crowd would cheer – he would put his hands over his ears.  We had lots of water and the best slushy ever.  That or I was just so hot and it tasted so good.  After the game we went out with our friend Chris and some of his friends to dinner.  Chris is a friend that has been with us since 1999.  When we started Rusty Pickle he helped dip the Walnut Ink Tags and he would hang out with me at the warehouse till 3AM while I picked orders.  Key word is Hang out while I worked but it was nice having someone there as our first warehouse wasn’t in the best area.  So BYU won.  Next week is UCLA.  Anything to beat Ben Olsen (who was at BYU but left to play for UCLA).

Sunday was a great day.  We went to church came home had lunch and then I slept forever.  (I guess I could say a great day for me – Tash was a little anoyed that I slept all day)

Dad and the kids

I am officially addicted to this.  I have tried to keep a journal for the past  - well forever.  But I have the hardest time writing in a book.   Now I can type something up - add pictures (and Videos I hope) and Boom.  I have a journal and a personal history.   I LOVE THIS.  I am not really sure where I am going to go with this BLOG – I want to do a huge give away of Product for Scrapbook Jokes and then have challenges and who knows what else?  But for now, it is going to be my place to record memories and share experiences.                        

Tonight I picked the kids up and we ran some errands.  (back to Rusty Pickle to pick up a package and letters and drop them off at UPS and then USPS). I checked out the movies for the three of us to go see but nothing peeked “MY”  interest so we went home to make cookies and watch Hanna Montana.  I LOVE Hanna Montana. And Billy Ray is SO COOL. 

I had A GREAT night.  We had so much fun with the three of us.  We were all actually supposed to all go to California Yesterday and then See Toby Keith tonight but I am just Tired and flying all of us home to catch the BYU Football home opener would have been really tough.  So we dropped Tasha off at the airport yesterday so she could go to the concert with her brother Eric (The really skinny kit that works for us at the Scrapbook shows) and her mom.   She called a little bit ago and had a great time.  I was working on new jokes.  I love jokes that build on each other.  I search the internet for kids jokes and then when I find some that can go together I save them in a file next to each other.   For now I am into Cow, Elephant, Fish, PICKLE and Scrapbook Jokes.  I got a bunch of new – really dumb elephant jokes and a couple that I can make into Scrapbook Jokes.   This is my newest string of Jokes:

What is black and white and green and black and white?
    Two zebras fighting over a pickle
How do you tell the difference between the male and female Zebras?
    The males have black and white stripes and the females have white and black stripes.
Do you know why it's so hard to eat zebra?   
    You keep getting white meat - dark meat - white meat - dark meat.
Whats the first Law of the Jungle:   
    Don't be a zebra.

Back to my night.  I had a blast hanging out with Mason and Audrey.  We made a huge mess in the kitchen and then we watched “8 Below” downstairs on the big screen with Capri Suns and Pop Corn.  It was so fun just hanging out with my two kids one on each arm with all of us in the monster big been bag.  We kind of stayed up way too late and they both fell asleep in my arms before the movie ended.  It would have been a perfect night if Tash were here but I am glad she got to have a fun little break.  All in all, I had a great time just staying home.

Swimming and POO Problems
Two nights ago we made invitations for Audreys Birthday Party and yesterday we sent them out. She is turning 5 and in love with High School Musical.  “she is Sharpay”  (I will have to post the invitations because they really are supper cute). We have had a swim and picnic party every year for Audreys Birthdays.  This year both kids are in preschool so Audrey wanted to also invite some of her friends from school.  Well one of the moms called me this morning and asked what we were going to do about the pool party.  I was like ...” Ugh – what do you mean”.  She informed me of County health issue. I guess we have a problem in Utah with “poo in pools” 

That reminds me of a joke.  Why does tiger always smell.  Because he is always playing with Poo. 

Seriously, No kids under the age of 5 are allowed in public pools for now.  There is an outbreak of Cryptosporidios. 
Crypto for short.  This is scary stuff.  It just makes me think about entering a pool in the future.  (You can read more about it here).  So I guess we are going to have a party for Audrey Without the pool (and poo).  What time is it? – its party time.

Funny Scrapbook moment
I woke up today to my 2 year old Mason using my Fiscars Cutter this morning.  I had left it and extra paper out from making the invitations for Audreys invitations.  What amazed me is that he knew how to  use it.  He lifted up both the clear part and the blade – placed the paper in and then put each one down separately. Then he Pulled the blade across with a BIG GRIN as he cut the paper. That’s my boy.  Or as I say Real MEN SCRAP.