This year, they're wearing birthday party hats! Cool!

Let's see what happens next year... maybe some streamers? Balloons? Who knows what they'll do? :-)

Thanks!
-T

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Well, it was a wedding in a barn. The upstairs was packed full with over 200 friends, family and onlookers (the cows were outside). Brian Montrey officiated. A few grandmas were in attendance as well. I sort of helped usher at the last minute, but I was glad to.

After the cermony, we visited and then ate downstairs. Lots of friends were there: Jason and Jen, Scott and Angie, Carl and Trudi, Tim Bellmore, Tim and Kris Bristol (and family), Kris and Paula Sachs, Jack and Kristi Lepak, the Flahertys, Brian and Michelle Montrey, Dale and Shannon Struck, Jason Thysse, my folks and the Castelbergs brought Mr. U, too.

After dinner, the live band started and so did the contra dancing. I got in on a dance with a partner (thanks to Jason's drink serving skills) but the people we were partnered up with ducked out, so we had to get out of the dance, too.

There was a bonfire and the weather was perfect all day and night. I know we were there until almost midnight. People young and old were still dancing strong into the night. Jason called his 30-something yr old brother, who has long gone to bed while Don Struckmeyer and at least one grandma were still partying... so you're only as old as you feel, Jeremy. :-)

It was great sitting out at the bonfire realizing that this same thing could have been happening 100 years ago. Pretty cool. It was simple fun that totally fit how Karl and Amanda are.

Well, eight of us guys went up to Apocalypse Paintball to go shoot each other out in the woods. It rained a little but was mostly clear. We're glad it wasn't really hot or anything as it took a lot out of us. It was a blast though. We all had a few bruises and I know Karl had a nice welt on his leg - not my fault since he was on my team. But I know I caused a few bruises and welts on some of the other guys. I had a few bruises myself but somehow made it up to the top of the tower with the flag unscathed to win the last game. I think having a few layers on helped because the paintballs would hit me but not break.

We're launching our new Webstix website pretty soon and one thing we needed to do was ask clients for some testimonials. We hadn't done this for years. I wish I would have been doing this more regularly for two main reasons.

First, we're getting some really good and genuine testimonials from people and that's encouraging. I get maybe 15 to 20 or more support type requests per day and that can kind of weigh you down a little at times although I try to keep a positive spin on those requests, which helps. It's just nice to hear good things from clients and it also helps reinforce your relationship with your clients because they're also reminded of the good things you do for them.

Second, there were some clients in my email list that we hadn't heard from in a while and I felt funny asking for a testimonial from them. So yes, I know we need to be in contact with our clients more and we're already planning to do that.

We find that websites with testimonials get more leads and sales. We also found that testimonials appeal more toward women. So I'd encourage anyone with a website or even a company that has marketing material to stay up to date on their testimonials and ask for them from new clients maybe a month or so after you've completed work for them. Get on some kind of schedule. You'll solidify that relationship with your client and it's also encouraging for you and your company.

-T