Fabulous Facer Four

There we are... the Fabulous Facer Four! A little about us. Mike and I met in high school and started dating right before he left on his mission. I finished high school while he served in the Kaoshiung Taiwan mission. 5 months after he returned home we were married... that was 7 1/2 years ago. Where does the time go? We've lived in Layton, Bountiful, Centerville, and just last year purchased our home in Syracuse. (Only about a mile from Denise... anyone surprised?) Mike has a degree from the University of Utah in Marketing and currently is working for Ringmasters in Ogden being their Marc Monson/Mike Thomson. He recently returned home from a 2 week trip to Hong Kong & China, which he loved... minus the being away from us for 2 weeks.

Keller (named after my grandma's maiden name) joined our family in 2006 and has brought us much joy and laughter. He is a very charming little boy with a very active imagination... so active in fact he tends to scare himself with the lions he is running away from. He is also very smart - people are always surprised by how well he speaks. He does tend to talk back a little... but I'm told that's normal. Some of his favorite things are his cars, Barney (yes, the purple dinosaur), Curious George, trains, dinosaurs, cowboy anything, reading stories, dancing to "crazy" music, his grandparents (who spoil him rotten), and Larsen. He currently working on getting potty trained and I am so proud of him because he ROCKS at it (he'll tell you so himself.)!

Larsen (named after my grandpa's middle name) joined our family earlier this year and is seriously the sweetest baby ever. He loves to give loves (lots of wet kisses) and snuggle up with anyone who will hold him. He refuses to eat baby food (any type - even cereal) so is already progressing to table food, which does pose some challenges since he only has his two bottom teeth. He loves to play in his exer-saucer or sit in his Bumbo chair. More than anything he loves to watch Kel and you can see it in his eyes that he can't wait to join his big brother in causing chaos.

Random Facts About Me:
*I’m the 2nd oldest of 7 children… no I don’t want a big family.
*When I was younger I wanted to be a doctor… I would still like to be in the medical industry someday just not as a doctor.
*I love to read, but not leisurely… I have to finish the book quickly. (I’ve been known to read 500+ pages in one day.) I also tend to read the end first.
*I would dare say I am pretty much addicted to working out… spin is my latest obsession. I’d also like to be a fitness instructor someday.
*I am a sugarholic… I can’t say no to sugar… I may try but will give in sooner than later.
*I LOVE being a mom more than I ever thought I would – it’s the greatest thing I’ve ever done!
*I have to put water on my toothbrush before and after putting on toothpaste – the before doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but I do.
*I enjoy baking a lot, but due to the sugarholic issue I don’t do it as much as I would like.
*I love infomercials! I will sit and watch them and ooh and aah over whatever is being sold. I’ve also been known to sit and watch QVC or HSN just for entertainment.

*I am actually a very shy person... but as y'all know that changes quickly once I get to know you.

*The first time I flew on an airplane was Memory Trends 2006 and the furthest I've been from home was CHA Summer 2007 in Chicago.

So there ya go – probably more about the Facer’s than you ever wanted to know! We wish you all a very Merry Christmas from our home to yours! Enjoy time with family and friends… and eat lots of yummy treats!!

Congratulations Monson Family!

Marc and Rebecca recently celebrated the birth of their 3rd child, a baby boy. Congratulations Marc--Samuel is certainly "Devastatingly Handsome!" :)

Samuel Marc Monson
9 lbs, 2 oz
21 inches
12/12/08 7:30pm
“Devastatingly Handsome”

Company Christmas Party

The Company Christmas Party was a HUGE hit! Thank you to everyone who helped put it together.

Meet the Durham Grandkids!

At this time of year we count our blessings. This summer we had almost all of our grandchildren up at our cabin in Montana. Ben & Jane's son, Peter, was being born the day this photo was taken. We are grateful that their baby is doing so very well and with Peter we now have 14 grandchildren. This is a big part of our joy.... but it gets better... We have another family here, the Durham Enterprises Family, where we all are blessed to be able to work together and help our customers remember, focus on and celebrate things that matter most.

We have had a great year and grown our sales volume even in a tough economy. It has not been easy and many of you have made many sacrifices to make it all happen. Thank you for your great attitudes, teamwork and dependability! This is and always will be the secret to our success.

We hope you can find some fun things to do this winter. We want to learn to make friends with the snow. (Even though I don't like driving in it much). Mary and I have tried snow shoes. Actually we find they don't work all that well for getting around, but they do help. We bought some cross country skiis at a ski swap sale and are hoping to learn how to use them this season. We like to ski and often go up with our family to Alta. Did you know you can ski for free there after 3PM? I can usually get in 3-5 runs and that is usually enough for me. Last year we took our whole gang up there a few times. We hope to do it again this year.

Mary and I wish each of you a great holiday season and give you our best wishes for a wonderful new year with much success in 2009!

Mark & Mary Durham

Company Christmas Party

Durham Family Christmas Party

When: Monday, December 15th, 2008
Where: Warehouse
Time: Noon- 2:00 PM
What: Please bring a white elephant gift to exchange.

Happy Holidays From Your Durham Family! :)

Durham Dollar Sale

Today (December 10th), we're having a special Durham Dollars sale in the warehouse. The Durham Store will be open all day for employee purchases. You will find that the Durham Dollar's value is WAY UP against the Euro and other currencies. Each dollar will go a long way.

You can also earn more DDs by submitting ideas for inventory blow-outs.

Durham Dollars and Sales Brainstorms

Don't forget to jot down your ideas on how to increase sales before the end of December. Submission boxes can be found by the water fountain.

Every idea submitted earns $1 Durham dollar. These dollars can be redeemed for free product from the Gimme Clips, Imaginisce, and DD&MFG inventory on Wednesday, December 10th.

Great job!

Durham Family,

Thank you for contributing to the Company's food drive last month. We exceeded our goal, and filled not only 1, but 2 barrels! Wow!

You've earned 10 casual dress days. Feel free to use these casual dress days ANYTIME during the month of December. You've earned it.

Thank you for sharing your kindness this holiday season!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the Stevens family for their new bundle of joy.
Name: Madilyn Suzanne Stevens
Born: 11/18/08, 2:28 AM
Weight: 8 lbs, 9 oz
Length: 20 inches

Food Drive Update

Last week we received an OVERWHELMING response to the Company's food drive. Thank you for your donations. :) Because your generosity we've already filled 1 barrel! As the food drive will continue until the end of November, we will have another barrel coming and will continue to collect donations.

This week, the Company has generously agreed to match the number of cans/goods that are donated on Wednesday. If you have not already donated, Wednesday would be a fantastic day to do so.

Food Drive Donation Schedule

Monday: Macaroni Monday

· Dry pasta Noodles

· Macaroni and Cheese

· Canned Soups

Tuesday: Tomato Tuesday

· Spaghetti Sauces

· Canned Chili

· Canned Spaghetti

· Canned Vegetables

· Canned Ravioli

Wednesday: Desserts Wednesday

· Brownie Mixes

· Cake Mixes

· Muffin Mixes

· Lemon Bar Mixes

Thursday: Tuna or Toothpaste Thursday

· Canned tuna

· Toothpaste tubes

Friday: Free for All Friday

· Some suggestions:

o Bars of soap

o Baby Diapers

o Peanut Butter

o Canned stews

Tomato Tuesday

We thank EVERYONE who donated this morning. What a great kick-off to our food drive!

Tomorrow is: TOMATO TUESDAY!

November Food Drive

We're delighted to team up with the Utah Food Bank to host a company food drive in November!

The onset of winter can be a difficult season for the elderly, families on a limited budget, and for families who have had a family member lose job. As a company we've seen tremendous growth and have been blessed with some spectacular sales. Let's work together to help make the holidays a happy time for families in need this holiday season. :)

Monday, November 10th is:

Don't forget to bring in canned or boxed goods that include dry pastas or macaroni and cheese. The food barrel is looking a little barren. Remember every line we hit means a "dress down" day at work!

And please don't feel constrained to have to only donate foods based on the theme for the day.

Needed food items include:
Canned Products

• Peanut Butter
• Tuna
• Chili
• Soup/Stew
• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Beans
• Tomato Products
• Spaghetti sauce

Boxed Products

• Macaroni & Cheese
• Boxed Dinners
• Cake Mix

Dry Products

• Beans
• Pasta
• Soup Mix
• Rice

Hygiene Products

• Toothpaste
• Bar Soap
• Baby Diapers
  

What do we do when we are not designing and shipping product

A Rare Glimpse into what really happens at
Durham Enterprises!
Close the door and come see for yourselves...


Pirates

Shipping Ninjas

Legal Counsel only looks mild mannered!

Proud Grandparents. Princesses, Pirates and Pigs.

Charlie's Angels

Mr. Woo visits after successful QC inspection

The whole gang!

Imaginisce, Gimme Clips et all

An amazing time at the Durham Enterprises Halloween Party. A great time had by all!

Good Things Utah 2.0

This morning, we were able to showcase our Hallowhimsy line again on Good Things Utah!!! :)

Halloween Party

We want to thank everyone for making our Halloween party a HUGE success! :)

And the costume winners are........
1) Best Costume: Bryce

2) Scariest Costume: Mark D.

3) Most Realistic Costume: Shelley

4) Most Suited: Nicole

5) Best Team Costume: Denise, Joan, Angie
6) Most Original: Marc M.

7) Most Soul: Don and Jeff

Big B---as Sam says

First Blog Post Ever.... (and maybe my last?)

Sam call's me Big B, and I usually answer to it... the rest of the world has called me many things... but my favorite thing to be called is "Dad".

We are going to have a Japanese exchange student staying with us for the next week or so... in the process of introducing ourselves, I wrote a quick summary about each individual in our family... it is shared below with edits:

I grew up in Idaho on a ranch that has lots of horses and cattle. I graduated from tiny Cascade High. After graduating I went to work on a forest survey crew and eventually worked in the sawmill with my dad. When I was 19, I was called to serve a mission in Fukuoka, Japan. After I returned from Japan, I attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. While at BYU I met Krista and we were later married. We have been married for almost 19 years now.

My carreer has consisted of sales, marketing operations, and executive management. I have been blessed to work with incredible individuals.

I am 41 years old and try very hard to stay in shape so I can keep up with my children! One major personal accomplishment in my life was when I decided to get back into shape. It took me 6 months, but I dropped 82 pounds and have kept it off. My family and friends asked me “how” and if I would share it, so I took the time several years ago to write a deatiled “my story”. If I could figure out how to attach a .pdf file I would probably share it...Krista was born in Utah, and grew up here in Utah until she was 14 years old. When she was 14, her family moved to Israel where they lived until she returned to the United States to go to school at Brigham Young University where I met her. She is a wonderful wife and mother and is my best friend. Krista spends hours and hours helping out others, scrapbooking, and doing other items of service. She is a Mary Kay Cosmetics consultant. She stays at home and takes care of our children and our home.

Shiri is our oldest daughter. She turns 18 years old on October 20th. She graduated from high school this year and loves to play fast pitch softball. She will be attending Brigham Young University Hawaii and pitching for their fast pitch softball team. She is an angel if I do say so myself! We will miss her very much when she ventures out on her own.
David is our oldest son. He will turn 16 years old on October 27th. He is in 10th grade and attends Pleasant Grove High School. He plays baseball (pitcher and first base) and golf. He is on the high school golf team and on the "fall ball" baseball team. He is excited to turn 16 because it means he can drive cars and can begin dating. He is 6' 3" tall... even taller than his dad. He has a warm heart but is a big tease to his family members.
Bryson is our second son and is almost 12 years old. He is in 6th grade and he loves to draw. He is taking art classes and draws many Japanese Anime characters. He loves Scouts and loves it when Dad takes time just for him. He is our most helpful child and is immediately obedient. He takes after his mother in that he serves others constantly.
Jadon is our third son and he will turn 10 years old on October 23rd. He LOVES LOVES LOVES baseball. He plays it all year long. He plays on a "super league" team that travels to surrounding states and cities and plays in tournaments. He plays many positions including pitcher, catcher, 3rd base, right field and first base. He is a very happy boy. All of the parents and the players love Jadon. His happy go lucky/supportive attitude is contagious. The only one he is hard on is himself. He demands perfection of himself and works hard to deliver. Courtnee is our second daughter and she is 6 years old. Her brothers think she is spoiled! She makes us laugh and loves to play with friends. She is daddy’s little princess and boy does she know it. She is “all girl” right now and loves to have friends over and color, play, color, play, etc. One of the funniest things about Courtnee is that she can glance at an image of Gimme Clips on my computer and immediately tell you which ones are new! Our last child—a daughter or so the Dr. tells us… (Much to the chagrin of two of our son’s but to the delight of our daughters) will be born on November 20th of this year. We are excited to add another child to the mix of chaos. Her brothers say it is “another one for the spoiled club”.
Most memorable Haloween?
This is a tough one for me… could be the one when I was a teenager and got caught by the local police throwing eggs “Bryce, come and clean this up before I call your Grandpa!”, was the officers response… small town you know. It could be the one when we got snowed on… it could be the one Krista and I went on just before we were married… but probably the best halloween memories come from sharing them with our children…
The biggest project I have this month is $500k in sales! I’m sure glad that this is a team effort! You could almost say it is 300 smaller projects… order after order after order.

I have worked with Durham Enterprise for 10 months now… I know most of you probably think it has been forever, but my official start date was Dec 13, 2007.

Favorite Movie?? I don't know...

Growing up on a ranch with 10 brothers and sisters didn’t leave much time for movie watching or TV watching for that matter, so I didn’t really get hooked on them as a youth. I can’t say I even have a favorite movie, but I do love to read and love to watch shows that my wife and children want to see. It is rare that I have a “gotta see that one” moment when I see movie trailers…

This is guaranteed the longest BLOG you will ever get from me… I know you are thankful for that! Perhaps a few posts here and there from here out, but alas… now you know more than you ever wanted to.

B-, Bryce, Dad

Halloween Celebration

13 days to plan your costume!!!!

(Some ideas via http://www.homelifeweekly.com)

Who: ALL EMPLOYEES

What: Costume Pot Luck

When: Monday October, 27th 12:00-1:00

Where: Break Room

Sign up sheet for the pot luck is in the break room.

There will be prizes for employees with best costumes etc. come to have fun!

Later that day….

Between the hours of 3-5:00 we will invite all children of employees to come in for trick or treating by department. Each department is in charge of providing a bag of candy. It will be very flexible and not real organized, just come and show off your kids in their costumes.