Christmas 2008

We are officially on to better days. Christmas this year was magical. Jeff and I spent our first Christmas together and it was everything I could have hoped for. We stayed up late on Christmas eve, slept in late (9:00 is a record for us) and then took our time opening gifts and eating a homemade quiche and orange rolls.

Jeff's Christmas wasn't very exciting. He made me promise I wouldn't go over a limit we set, and I actually stuck to it! He got some new church cloths, and sexy sweater and tie, and a new skillet to make his Saturday pancakes.I on the other hand got spoiled! Jeff was naughty and totally went over our limit. I got some new Kitchenaide pans I had been asking for that are red and fantastic... and Guitar hero! That's right, I am officially a rocker. I was so excited because that was totally a surprise, and something I have been secretly wanting ever since I played it last time we were in Gilbert. So thank you Jeff, and thank you for putting up with my horrible playing for the next little bit.

Later that night we headed over to Doc and Noni's house for the annual Christmas bash. This is the one Christmas party that is bound to entertain anyone who dare attend. Usually the night is filled with some interesting food, lots of adult beverages and Noni getting mad at Doc for something and going off at him in Italian even though no one including him can understand. This year was a little more low key with catered food, a poker game and lots of presents.

Yeah, he finally smiled!

My dad is looking pretty hip eh?

Mark and Lizzy... and yes that is apple juice!

This is my cousins darling daughter Zoe. This picture was taken right after the pinata was hit down. This is a yearly tradition, that really isn't the safest. Doc hangs a pinata from a random light with an extension cord. Brilliant huh? I am not sure what is more scary the kids wacking the pinata or the barely secured light fixture that is about to fall...

The Fam-Damily

GNO at Market Street

Merry Christmas Kittens! Every year me and some of my girlfriends all get together for a Christmas dinner. Getting this group of 6 together is never an easy task, but this year we solved that problem... we literally planned it the first of November!

Anyway the dinner was great, and its always so much fun to see these ladies. Most of these girls have been a roommate over the years, so our conversation always turns to the good old days. Nat and I were saying that we really need to write down some of our stories we have on each other. Looking back we have had some crazy fun together! You would never guess that those 6 girls we knew 7 years ago are the same old ladies sitting at that table. We went from cove nights, pulling all nighters and Nat's Crispy Creme runs at 3:30 am, to these ladies that work 9 to 5, go to bed at 9 and write blogs for fun. What has the world come to.

Nat and I were talking that one of these days we really need to write some of our experiences down... but a public blog that our mothers can read probably isn't the right place. So for now let me leave you with some key words to give my ladies a little chuckle.

• An Canadian experience
• Shot Mamma
• The "Purple" Christmas Tree
• The Welcome Home Amy song
• Elk Tacos
• 4 am in Newport Beach
• "HEEEYYY" in Denver
• "Luscious"
• Randi's Taxi ride home
• The infamous Pickle
• The Muskrat
• And when Nat cut her finger over the toilet

Retro Radio Red Flyer

Christmas is all about kids right? Well since my family seems to be getting a late start (our youngest is Davey who is 19) I have officially adopted myself as Grace and Preston's aunt this year. Anyway I was looking online and found these dang cutest Retro Red Flyer Tricycles, and I just couldn't resist! They were by far my two favorite gifts I got to give this year. There is nothing like the smile on a childs face when they open a present! Next year I will be adding Lola to my list of neices and anyone else of my friends to get a move on it. LOL.

Here comes LuLu! As you can see she is more excited about the Ice Cream scooper then the bike. She would put the thing down, which caused her to only turn left... and as Mark said, she just isn't an ambi-turner lol. When Grace opened her gift she was a little frightened by it at first, but 5 mintes later she was over it and as you can see had a great ride!

BTW I have to mention that Grace is obsessed with Jeff, could really care less about me. Anytime I go over to there house without Jeff she takes one look at me and puts her hands in the air and says "Jeff?" On this day we went over and Erin asked Grace to say Merry Christmas to us... her response "Merry Christmas Jeff!" Seriously, and then we went to leave and the child didn't want to give me a hug, but dont you worry she gave Jeff a huge smooch! I swear the more work you put into kids, the less they like you. Jeff shows up and he is the greatest thing since sliced bread!

Cute Little Preston and his first bike! To be honest I think he was more excited about the sparkly tag then anything, but to be fair this big boy bike is for 18 months and older and Preston is officially 1 on Sunday. Happy Birthday little guy!

Preston was a sport and let us put him on the bike for a bit. He even laughed a little when Steve pushed him around.

So this is the post that no woman wants to have to write, and no one wants to read. I have been putting this off since Friday, but I figured blogging is the easiest way for me to let everyone know. Friday night Jeff and I ended up in the hospital due to some “unusual” complications with my pregnancy, and got the worst news expecting parents can get.

I want to say thank you to all my friends and family, we really have the best support group anyone can ask for. Thank you for the waffles, the flowers, the cards, the treats, the meals and all of the texts and phone calls of encouragement and support. I also need to thank my amazing husband who hasn’t left my side since it happened and who has been waiting on me hand and foot. I love you Jeff and can’t wait to start a family with you someday.

Wedding Pictures

I feel kind of funny posting these, but a lot of you keep asking to see our wedding pictures, and I figured this was easier then showing everyone one-by-one.

This is just a couple shots Brody took around Log Haven. I love this shot of the stream, it is just a sample of how green everything was.

Here I am getting ready and just a couple of the bazillion shots of me that day. I will be honest, I don’t know how Britney Spears does it… My face felt like it was going to crack by the end of the day I was so sick of smiling! BTW you have to check out the ring in the left hand corner. Its my Grandma Ericsons dinner ring and I am obsessed with it! It’s a light blue aquamarine surrounded by diamonds and it is fabulous! It was my something old, something borrowed and something blue.

This has to be the Money shot! These doves were awesome. They were making all of us that were standing at the front of the ceremony laugh because they just kept “cooing” so loud during the ceremony. It seriously gave us the giggles! Then when they flew out it shocked people so bad, that some jumped out of there seats. It was pretty funny.

Me and my sweetie!

This is a picture of my gang. From left to right we have Davy, Angie, Sheryl, my Dad, Me, Jeff, my Mom, Kent, Liz and Mark

Here is Jeff’s family. Okay starting on the back row from left to right is Duke, Carrie, Travis and Kevin. Then the middle row is Rusty, Kristel, Jeff’s Dad, Me, Jeff, Jeff’s Mom, the other Heather Warner lol, Tyler and Bethany. Finally on the front row is Kevin and Heathers two darling girls Courtney and Kelsey.

My girls! I love these pictures! Aren’t these girls some sexy ladies!? From left to right you have Lacey, Nat, Angie, Me, Randi, Erin, Amy and Jeana. We had so much fun on the wedding day and with these pictures.

These girls are more like family to me and have seen me through everything. Most of them I have even had the opportunity to be roommates with and if you ever want an embarrassing story on any of them, just let me know… I have a ton!

This is a picture of Jeff and Jack. Jack was Jeff’s best man and is his uncle. Jack and Jeff are like two little kids when you get them together, and they are just a riot to be around. Jack and his family live down in Phoenix, and we absolutely adore them. We were so grateful to have them at the wedding and so lucky Jack agreed to be Jeff’s best man. If you didn’t notice we had 1 best man and 7 bridesmaids… but for some reason I don’t think Jack minded the attention ;)

Aren’t these girls stunning? And not to mention the one on the left is totally SINGLE! So if any of you reading this blog have any cute, single 25 to 28 year old brothers let me know. She is a total catch!

Daddy's little girl...

Lets get this party started! We had so much fun dancing, but the YMCA had to be the highlight! I need to thank all the boys who participated, they were all such good sports!

*Be warned what is to follow is a bit cheesy, so you if you don’t like that “yucky love stuff” (Princess Bride shout out), you should really just stick to the pictures!

As most of you know Jeff and I were married on July 30th at Log Haven. We couldn’t have asked for better weather and the day was just perfect. I spent the morning getting ready with my bridesmaids and my mom. We did everything from getting matching pedi’s and mani’s to having everyone get ready up at Amy’s. Amy was a champ. She did my hair and make-up along with touching up everyone else. After we were all ready we headed up to Log Haven where my photographer started what felt like another Bridal session. While I am talking about him I need to give him a shout out. His name is Brody Dezember and he was absolutely amazing. He was by far the best money we spent on the wedding!

After our pictures were done it was time for the ceremony to start. My Dad came into my dressing room to get me, and it was a good thing he wasn’t wearing make-up and that mine was waterproof. I think that every little girl dreams of the day that her daddy walks her down the isle to the man of her dreams, but no dream compared to the reality. The ceremony took place on the beautiful mountain terrace outside of Log Haven. The way we set up the ceremony is we had our parents and bridal party walk in from below the terrace, while my Dad and I came in above through a patch of trees (sounds a little untraditional, but it was actually really cool). It was a little bit of an adventure too because to get above the ceremony to the patch of trees my Dad and I had to do a little hike… mind you I was in a 15 pound ivory dress and we were hiking along a ridge trying to not fall or get the dress dirty. Needless to say I ditched the high heels at the last minute and went with the back-up flip flops for the journey. When we got to the top the music started playing and I watch my bridal party all come in and the tears just started coming. I couldn’t see Jeff until I got about half way down the isle, which was probably a good thing since I was already having a hard time walking. Even though the flip flops might have been easier for the hike… my dress was tailored for the high heels which created quite a problem because I kept tripping on the dumb thing! Anyway we made it without a tumble and there was my handsome Jeff with his hand out.

The actual ceremony turned out to be my favorite part of the wedding. Jeff cried (which if you don’t know him, this is borderline of a miracle), the arch Russ and Ashley made for us was gorgeous, Judge Oddone preformed the simplest yet sweetest ceremony I have ever heard, and the doves flied away perfectly over the crowd when Jeff and I kissed for the first time as husband and wife.

All and all it was everything I ever dreamed my wedding would be… gorgeous location, beautiful flowers, my whole family, my closest friends, a yummy cake and of course a wonderful man that I get to spend the rest of my life with.

Tag, your it!

Erin, since you are the one that tagged me, this one is for you. See I am blogging... are you so proud!?

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper for sure. And I am obsessed with making it all match. The presents, the tree, the whole deal.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. The real ones are too big of a hassel.. and my dog might just lift his leg if it smells real.
3. When do you put up the tree? The second we get home from Thanksgiving!
4. When do you take the tree down? After New Years, I am not like Angie who leaves it up till March.
5. Do you like Egg Nog? Ummm... The traditional kind you buy in the store? No. The homemade kind with a kick... Absolutely! Jeff drinks the boring stuff like its only around once a year.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Probably either my Puff-a-Luff (which Angie loving harfed all over a couple weeks later when she had the flu) or my easy bake over (which I didn't so much ever bake anything, but I really liked the batter, lol)
7. Hardest person to buy for? Angie this year since she "doesn't want anything..." whatever!
8. Easiest person to buy for? Bauer, nothing beats a Rotisserie chicken for him.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, I am still building up my Christmas collection... maybe next year.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I just finally got done sending Thank You cards from the wedding... sorry people you are getting nothing this year!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Sorry mom, but you know I love you. I would have to say those hideous sweaters(even though I know you tried really hard and they were really expensive), they were just not fashionable for an awkward Jr High girl.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Never.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Sugar Cookies and Hot Chocolate with a million marsh mellows!
16. Lights on the tree? Who does a tree without lights?
17. Favorite Christmas song? Oh Holy Night by Celine Dion. It gives me chills every time!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I guess you would call it stay at home, even though we have 5 places to visit between Christmas eve and Christmas day... Jeff loves it ;)
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixon, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. Oh and Rudolf.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? STAR! And not going to lie, it is a little crocked. How do you get those things straight anyway?
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both! Some comfy PJ's Christmas eve, and the rest in the morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People who only put lights in their yard but not on their house. Go big or go home!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Jewel colors. So ruby red, deep garnet purples and gold. 24. Favorite Christmas dinner? Whatever Noni cooks... Usually something Italian that no one can pronounce and by the time it is actually served she is usually 3 sheets to the wind, and you just don't ask what is actually in it unless you want her to yell at you in Italian.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A healthy baby! Well I guess that part won't come until June, but it doesn't hurt to start thinking positive!

I tag Lacey, Nat and Amber to participate in the fun!

Copy this entire post & paste onto your own new post! Change all the answers so they apply to you. Then tag a bunch of people you know....Tis the Season to be NICE!

Its begining to feel a lot like Christmas! Last night it snowed, and we decided as a family to go down and see the lights at temple square. All of the fam-damily was suppose to go, but our favorite youngest brother Davy totally stood Jeff and I up. We showed up at the house at 7:00 like planned... but no Davy in sight. One of these days that kid is just going to wake up and become responsible... right?

Okay, okay... So I was totally against this whole blog thing and refused to have a blog until I had kids. This excuse worked great until Jeff and I found out one month ago that we were expecting our first... Surprise! No really, surprise! Not a bad surprise, we were planning on starting our family sooner then later, but I guess we didn't think it would be so easy. My doctor had told me that it takes around 3 months on average for birth control to get out of women's systems. So we decided I would go off of it the end of September and that would put us sometime next year before we actually get pregnant. Well 2 weeks later there was our SURPRISE!

I am convinced it is a little boy. Immediately when that second line appeared I just had this overwhelming feeling it is a boy. Jeff doesn't have a feeling either way and is just excited to have a little rugrat to hang out with soon. As for the rugrat's name we have a few front runners. If it is a girl it will most likely be Madison DeLila (after Jeff's late grandma). The boy's name we are a little more unsure of, but right now our favorite is Lynkon Graham. The more Jeff hears that other's don't like it, the more he likes it... hence why I am on the fence about it. Obviously we have some time, and who knows what I will like by June.

Its been a bit of a rocky start, and hopefully everything is good now, but at the first I was so unsure that when I had Jeff open the present that told him I was pregnant I immediately yelled "but I am probably having a miscarriage" before he could get too excited. What a freak am I!? I seriously ruined one of the best moments of his life... Awesome Heather... Anyway things are looking good now and we get to hear the heartbeat on the 22nd of this month! All very exciting. Oh and yes, Bauer (our dog) is very excited to be a big brother!

I added the pregnancy count down to the blog, which is really depressing right now... 205 days? Ouch!