Gingerbread House 2013

Every year my employer sponsors a gingerbread house contest, and employees can make a house for "examples." This year since I am much more busy than usual, I was going to make an igloo out of Marshmallows. Well, that idea kinda flopped, so I went and bought a kit. To much of my surprise when I got it home it was already pre assembled! Woo hoo! All I had to do was decorate. I used marshmallows since we had them, and the candy we sell. I did add the front porch/awning to make it look like I put some effort towards it.

My big helper!

Ugly Sweaters, Jumpers, Oh My!

Today was the 2nd annual Ugly Christmas Sweater day at work. Unfortunately, I didn't win the prize - even though I was the only one with "technically" a Christmas sweater. Oh well, no hard feelings here! How do you compete with someone dressed up like Eddie for Christmas Vacation?! You don't. Period.

Marketing crew

Senior picture inspired

Awkward family photos inspired

Mom's sweater closet :)

5 Year Service Award

Our Marketing team on Halloween

We had our service awards at work, and the day before, the VP called me into her office and told me to be prepared to say a few words. I usually don't believe anything, until she told me she was serious. So I prepared something to say. She saw me print it out and she stated, "I didn't think you would actually have a speech." And I just responded, "hey, I do what I'm told." and someone else heard that and said, "now we know why you have been here 5 years!"  haha. So anyways, here is my "speech."

Yesterday VP called me into her office,
And to be quite honest, I thought what she was telling me was bogus.

She told me to be prepared to say a few words,
On this special day of my 5 year service award.

So I was trying to think of what to say,
And I thought I would take a trip down memory lane.

Back in the day with a four person marketing crew,
We developed a product named Super Chews.

It was a project that ended up not going anywhere,
But you never know, someday it may just reappear.

Gummy Earthworms was my first project I ever made,
And it turns out, it's still one of my faves.

Elfworks Candy Canes, my first Christmas project ever,
I'll always remember VP mocked it up on fit-to-page letter.

For this project I thought we had the gummy designs solved,
Until one came back as an anatomically correct baby doll.

I created Mr. Bones during my 1st Halloween season,
It wasn't as bad as gummy body parts - that made my stomach start queasin'.

Designing Lots a hearts with such pretty art,
I was disappointed it got taken off when it made it to Walmart.

Peek-a-Babies and Chicks, Ducks, & Bunnies for Easter,
Are products I designed that are big crowd pleasers.

Rat Traps, Coffin Creepers, & Lots of Frutti Chews,
Are some of the other products I have made, just to name a few.

These are a few of the projects that I have made,
There's always plenty to do - no need for a rainy day.

Designing candy and packages are all part of the development process,
But don't forget the mockups taking up space in our offices.

Don't forget catalogs and signs for the Sweets & Snacks Expo,
They take lots of work, but they always look good, that's for sure!

I am proud to be part of the Foreign Candy family,
After all, I started out single, got married, and had a baby.
And now, after 5 years, I feel like one of the older ladies.

So here I am, accepting my 5 year service award,
And I would like to thank you for the delicious smorgasbord.

So I want to thank you, TFCC, for being a great place to work
You will always be a wonderful, caring group of people, in my book.

 I also received a certificate and a small gift and handwritten note from the CEO. We also had filled cupcakes and frosted sugar cookies. Its hard to believe I have been there that long already. Time sure does fly!

Queen Cruise

Waiting to go on the Queen

For my work, we had a "surprise summer gathering!" All we knew was that we were supposed to meet in Arnold's Park at 4:30. It turns out we were going for a cruise and having a meal on the Queen II. We first all sat on the top deck and took it all in. Then after we cruised for about 45 minutes and enjoyed some pop and popcorn, it was time to go down on the bottom deck and have our meal. It consisted of chicken, green bean casserole, cheesy potatoes, dinner rolls, and peach cobbler. It was delicious! Macyn wasn't too excited about eating anything, until I convinced her the cheesy potatoes were french fries....then she ate all of them :)

After the meal we all hung out on the top deck again and enjoyed each other's company. It was nice to hang out with coworkers outside of work - even better since it was a perfect night for a cruise on the lake! Macyn enjoyed running around like a maniac on the boat, and the VP taught her some tricks, such as how to steer the boat. Every time I couldn't find her, she was always by the boat captain! After the 2 hour cruise we got off the Queen and the boss took us out for home made Nutty bars. They were soooo yummy! Macyn ate a lot of mine, so she approved too. All in all it was a great night/day and nice to have a company outing. It was a ton of fun!

Macyn loooves the boat (if you couldn't tell!)

Macyn steering the boat

Enjoying the view

Our family

Sooo fun!

After Macyn ran laps around the boat, she was out within 10 minutes of leaving. That girl has some serious energy!