My cousin Sarah

I just wanted to send a shout-out to my cousin, Sarah Jane! I am so proud of her right now. Sarah is only one year older than I but I have always looked up to her. She has always been artistically inclined, something I only dreamed of being. She is an artist! A painter/graphic designer?/illustrator. Check out her art! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5317715. She became an artist at a young age and studied at some famous academy one summer in the midwest--Interlochen???? and she painted me this kitty painting which is now in my bathroom:




But a little back story. Micaela, Sarah and I (all cousins)created this little club that we would re-visit each summer when we were young. It was called "the three dolphins club". We each bought a silver ring with two dolphins intertwined. And then we had a little box that had "valuable" things and we were going to make it into a time capsule and bury it in Grandma Knell's backyard. Did we ever end up burying it? I can't remember.






One of my favorite memories w/Sarah was when I spent time with her at her home in MD. We toured Washington DC (right--scary...). We watched the summer Olympics together and took walks in the forest behind her house. We also drew a lot, well, mostly Sarah drew a lot. We drew pictures of our favorite gymnasts, our favorite Olympic event to watch. I loved visiting her!



Below is a picture, though, of when her dad brought her on a business trip to Colo Springs.



I got to meet up with them down there and stay at the grand Broadmoor Hotel. a 5-star Resort Hotel. We thought everything was on the business's tab so we ordered in breakfast. We went all out. We ordered fresh strawberries, french toast and eggs. It was nice. But later that trip when Scott, her father, found out what we had done he kindly told us that he had to pay for that and not the business. Oh, we felt so bad. I still remember not wanting to buy anything after that. But then we decided to take this train up to Pikes Peak and they told us it would be cold. Well, it was the summer time and I hadn't brought any warm clothes. So again, Scott, had to fork out some money to buy us each a sweater from the gift shop. They were like $45 each! We're wearing them in the picture below. We had fun, didn't we? I felt so rich and fancy when I stayed there. We kept imagining we'd bump into a celebrity and practiced what we'd say to them. OH, the memories.



But since those childhood days she decided to go to the performing arts realm. And doing very successfully. She majored in Musical Dance Theatre at BYU and went on to the lead role of Mary in the Church's production of Savior of the World several times.

But after having two children she has stayed at home and been able to go back to her roots as an artist. She debuted her Etsy shop in October and as Micaela put it, her art is "flying off the shelves." I am so proud of her! And I know she is trying to balance her dreams of being an artist and a mom, and all at the same time! Go Sarah! I am so proud and happy for you!

Please check out her artwork on Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5317715


Here is one of my favorites. She illustrates children's art. I love it and can't decide which ones to buy!!! Check it out for yourself. I am sure you will see something that you will connect to and bring you back to your childhood!



I love you Sarah!