The Battle of the Bulge!

 

This last year has been such a wonderful adventure with so many new beginnings, but with all of the distractions I just feel like I have let myself go! So now that things have settled down a little I am trying to refocus and once again start fighting the “battle of the bulge.” Since the beginning of the year I have began making my workouts a routine, so now it is time to tackle my diet. This is always the hardest thing for me because I never have been very successful at eating really healthy. When I think of eating healthy I think of chicken and vegetables. So what happens when I try to eat healthy? I eat chicken and veggies for about a week, and by the end I can’t even force-feed myself the stuff because I am soooo sick of chicken and veggies! Lets just face it, when it comes to eating healthy I am just NOT creative.

So I once again need your help. I am looking for some of your favorite healthy AND tasty recipes. Breakfast’s, lunches, dinners even snacks… I want them all. If you have a favorite recipe please post it on my blog or you can email me at Heather.Robison@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Please take our Poll!

 

My dear husband and I have this continuous battle regarding what he refer's to as his "Glenwood" cloths. Basically they are a group of cloths that he keeps around to wear when we go down to visit his parents and do farm chores... but he also finds reason's to wear them on weekends. One shirt in his collection is this flannel shirt he is sporting above. Up until recently he agreed that it wasn't the most fashionable shirt, but now he is convinced it is coming back into style. A couple weeks ago Jason from the Bachelor was wearing one, a guy on One Tree Hill also sports one occasionally and they have been making appearances on 90210 too (Yes, I occasionally watch that show ;). So we need your help to resolve our disagreement once and for all... Do you think this shirt is fashionable enough to be worn in today's society? Or do you think it should be burned along with the wood he just chopped wearing it?

Please take our poll listed on the right hand of the blog!!

2008 Review

So I realize that this is about a month and a half late, but I wanted to share 2008 since it was such a monumental year! It will forever be known as the year of the weddings in our family. We had my 4 ½ weddings (the half is because one didn’t end up actually happening) just in mine and Jeff’s immediate family. Crazy year… it was so much fun, but I am really glad it is over.

January
- I surprised Jeff for Christmas with tickets to the Rose Bowl, so we spent New Years Day cheering for the Trojans!
- Jeff surprised me and took me to Vegas to pop the question.
- I worked at Sundance 2008. My favorite show I saw was the “Sunshine Cleaners.” It is hilarious about 2 sisters who take a job cleaning up after “incidents.” I saw an advertisement for it the other day, so hopefully it will be out for everyone to see soon.
Jeff turned 30!

February
- Bauer turned 1!
- We celebrated Valentines Day
- I turned 27 (I am getting old!)

March
- We bought our first house together in Day Break.
- Mark and Liz got married in the Salt Lake Temple

April
- Nothing really happened in April besides lots of Wedding planning and we got our Engagement pictures taken.

May
- Sex and the City the movie premiered! We started the night off with some appetizers and Cosmos/Shirley Temple’s at my house and then headed over to the District for the show. Let me just say the night was an adventure… without naming names, some of us don’t know how to handle our Shirley Temples and

June
- My Dad and Sheryl got married at Fresco’s
- Jeff and I got our “Groomals” taken

July
- Beautiful baby Lola was born
- The Bachelorette Party!
- Jeff and officially became Mr. and Mrs. Warner! I could recap that amazing day, but you can read all about it in a previous post…

August
- Cancun here we come! Jeff planned the most amazing honeymoon, and the best part is he planned every last detail. I literally didn’t even know what time our flight was at, it was amazing. We stayed at this unbelievable 4 Diamond hotel that was all inclusive and as close to heaven on earth as I could imagine. We had this ocean front suite that was more like a palace. The food was nothing like you would think in Mexico. It was steaks and Sushi and amazing pasta’s… I seriously had to beg one of the cooks to make me a freak’in quesadilla one day!
- Jeff sister Carrie got married to Duke Dance in the Manti temple.

September
- Lake Powell with the Robison/Thomas clan. Two years ago I never thought we would make it to this point, but here we are not quite the Brady bunch yet, but getting a lot closer.

October
- Test is positive!
- Halloween with the Damjanovich’s and Hammers. Grace was the cutest chicken and Preston was the cutest monkey I had ever seen!

November
- Thanksgiving in Glenwood with the rolls, the only yams I have ever liked and of course the homemade apple pie!

December
- Boo… Stupid Doctors.
- Merry Christmas! We got some crazy snow making it the perfect white Christmas to just sit around in PJ’s in front of our fire. We decided since we had already had a big year full of Diamonds, Honeymoons and Weddings, to take it a little light on the Christmas… Well I kept my end of the bargain and stuck to the budget, but Jeff spoiled me first with some Kitchenaide Pot’s and Pans and then secondly surprised me with my secret passion… Guitar Hero!
- The Christiansen’s yearly ski trip! We love the Christiansen’s, and we love it when they come to visit us. - Happy New Years! Dinner at Red Robin with the Dam’s and Hammers… and then some killer Guitar Hero!

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Birthday Bauer!

Today my little Bau-Bau is 2(or 14 in dog years J)! I got Bauer just under 2 years ago when he was about 8 weeks old. I had just moved to Chicago where I didn’t know a sole and needed a companion to come home to. After researching a bunch of different breeds I decided on the King Charles because they are relaxed, loving, small enough to fly in the cabin on planes and supposedly don’t shed. Well all came true but the shedding part. Bauer has been such a blessing in my life and I still look forward to coming home to him everyday! For those of you who don’t understand people like me who treats their dogs more like a person then a pet, you should just stop reading right here because you are going to think the rest of this post is absolutely ridiculous.

Things about Bauer:
- He is the cuddliest dog you have ever met
- He is named after Jack Bauer from 24 which is ironic because the dog is pretty much afraid of his own shadow
- He loves everyone… and assumes everyone loves him
- He knows how to sit, stay, lay down, and walk on his hind legs
- He is so chill that when he was a puppy I finally took him to the vet because I was convinced something was wrong with him because he was so low key. Nothing was, and still to this day he just follow’s you around and lay’s down wherever you end up.
- If you tell him to “go to his room,” he will
- If you tell him to “go to his bed,” he goes to the one in Jeff’s office
- I can only get him to howl at sirens and trains
- He will only bark if we are home and someone comes to the door
- He can’t sleep with us because he snores like a bulldog and hogs the bed. Seriously he has to be touching every last inch of his body to you so if you go to move over a little for some space, he just follows you and repositions… by the morning you are on the edge of the bed and this little 11 pound dog has a queen size bed to themselves
- He will come cuddle in bed with me until he hears Jeff turn off his shower. Then he knows his time is up and he puts himself to bed
- His favorite food is Rotisserie Chicken from Costco
- When he is really excited to see you he whines
- His favorite thing in this world is when it snows he loves it if you kick snow at him and he catches it in his mouth. He will be shacking because he is so cold, but refuse to go in because he is having so much fun.
- If people are over Bauer will always sit with them instead of us. We call him a cuddle slut
- He might like Jeff more because if he has to choose who to sit by, its usually him. Even though he is usually more excited to see me when I get home, so I don’t know it is a toss up
- He is a little scared of riding in cars because of my driving
- When possible he likes to be touching both Jeff and I at the same time. When we are in the car he is usually on my lap and stretching his neck across the consol so he can rest his head on Jeff’s arm
- His favorite place is Glenwood. He is a farm dog at heart. He thinks horses are just big dogs
- His best doggie friend is Piper. They are the same color but she is a Vizsla and about 3 times his size but he LOVES her and her owner Yvette
- He has only growled at one person ever which was JoJo because she jokingly punched Jeff and Bauer got all protective and stood in front of him and just growled at her. We all laughed, it was pretty funnyHis favorite people are Grandma and Grandpa (any of them really), so he goes crazy when you ask him if he “wants to go to Grandpa’s house?”

I am the biggest IDIOT EVER!

I got a new job... that is not the idiot part. I actually applied to get a position that is 2 paygrades lower then my current position... that is not the idiot part either.

The idiot part is this: It came down to myself and another manager I have worked with in the past. I found out on Friday I got the position and on Monday I was on a conference call and a coworker came over and wrote me a note asking if I got the position. I put the phone on mute and asked her if the other manager received a decline yet and she said yes, so I told her I got the job.

I go back to my conference call, and two seconds later I realize I probably better tell my coworker not to say anything yet because it wasn't announced. So not paying attention I pull up my instant messenger and send her "But don't say anything yet because it isn't announced."

I go back to my call once again until I get a response saying "Wow, Congrats" which catches me off guard being that I already told her and she already said congrats... then I realize the response wasn't from my coworker, it was from the other manager who was up for the position. Awesome, I am the biggest idiot ever! Who does that? Who messages the person they just got a position over and pours salt in the wound? Out of all people for me to accidentally message, I message the one person who it could offend. Her name and my coworkers name both start with "S" and just happen to be next to each other in my messenger, hence the mix up. So after being completely mortified and million apologies I think everything is okay. Although she says its okay, I am sure for at least the next couple months I am going to feel humiliated every time our paths cross.

The Bachelor

I am a reality TV buff, and one of my favorite shows is the Bachelor. I mean who wouldn’t like to watch 25 self absorbed girls go on national TV and compete to not get rejected by 1 guy! The funniest part of the show is that they all think they are in love with this guy, but I think most of them are mistaking love for that competitive instinct to be the last women standing.

Anyway this season actually has some really decent people on it. We all know and love Jason from the Bachelorette, and some of the girls he has left seem really cool, but in the end it will just be one. Here are my predictions…

Final 2 – Molly and Melissa
Next to go home – Naomi and then Jillian will go home the week after that
And the one he chooses in the end… Molly!

La Caille

Saturday night my Dad and Sheryl treated Jeff and I to a dinner of a lifetime. Jeff helped my Dad and Sheryl rent their houses (yes plural they have 3 these days) last year, and so they wanted to take us to a nice dinner. We went up to La Caille and ate everything from appetizers to dessert. We ended the night with some Banana Foster (YUM!) and my Dad tossing the keys to Jeff ;) I think he really likes that quality in Jeff!

Wallpaper

New step ladder - $24.00
Wallpaper - $230.00
Hiring someone else to do it for you... Priceless

So I have had this brilliant idea to wallpaper our downstairs bathroom ever since we moved in, and this weekend I finally did it. About mid way through wallpapering I had a realization; the reason that wallpaper went out of style wasn't because all of the paper was ugly blue, purple and pink floral patterns, it is because it is a pain in the ass! For those of you who are offended by that language, I apologize, but saying it was a pain in the butt just wouldn't quantify the pain I went through to get that stupid wallpaper put up! Luckily my Mom and Kent were there to step in when I was ready to throw in the towel. If it weren't for them my bathroom would have ended up with one "accent" wall of wallpaper. So if any of you reading this get that same crazy idea I had, do yourself a favor and paint the room!

It seems that everyone always waits until they are ready to sell their house to make those modifications you have always wanted to do, so I have decided to try to do it different this time. That way we will actually get to enjoy the improvements for a couple years before we sell it. My motivation might be slightly raised due to the fact that Bunko is at my house February 9th ;) So besides my adventure in wallpapering, I also finally finished my upstairs bathroom, and this week I plan on repainting our bedroom. Now start singing circus music in your head and scroll down...

This picture doesn't really do it justice, but about 6 months ago I painted diamonds behind by bed, and off to the sides I have brown stripes painted... Yes I realize it looks like a circus tent. I actually kind of like it, but I have decided to change it since every time someone comes over I feel self conscious about it. I know, I shouldn't care what other people think, but that is just who I am. I haven't decided how I am going to change it, but most likely in 1 weeks time it will look very different then it does now.

My Old Man

Monday was Jeff's Birthday and he turned 31. Jeff is one of the only people I know that actually enjoys getting older. I think that he thinks that the older he gets, the lower expectations people have of him or something. He also uses his "old" age to get out of everything that he doesn't want to commit to. Like this year he "retired" both from wake boarding and snowboarding... Seriously "retired" at 31, what a joke. The whole thing is actually kind of funny, but don't tell him I told you that because I act like it annoy's the heck out of me. Anyway on his birthday we celebrated with some homemade Lasagne, a Texas sheet cake (thanks Amanda for the recipe!) and of course some Martinelli's! Happy Birthday old man!

Big Weekend

This weekend Jeff and I celebrated two big events in our relationship history... our 1 year anniversary of getting engaged and the premier of our favorite TV show 24!

That is right y'all 24 is back and this season is better then ever! Because of the writers strike, and Keifers little incident with the law, this has been the longest awaited season in the history of good TV shows. Jeff and I are huge 24 buffs. He actually got me hooked on the show years ago and we are so obsessed our dog is even named after him... Bauer! Anyway I suggest everyone tune in because this season has Jack, Tony, Chloe and Bill... Yeah!

Also 1 year ago Sunday Jeff surprised me by taking me to Vegas and popping the question. Jeff had told me that we were headed to his parent house in Richfield for the weekend, but when he passed that Scipio exit I knew exactly where we were headed. Jeff and I have some history in Vegas because we were sent there together for work years ago and it was probably the first place that Jeff and I were ever alone together. Work had put us up at the Belligio and we worked during the days and spent the nights in my hotel room eating some cheesecake and watching the fountains and even saw the Circus de Soleil show "O". Don't worry mom, no funny business that trip! Anyway for his proposal he brought us back to that same place, took me to see "O" again and then had the concierge prepare a suprise candle light dinner that was ready in our suite right in front of the window so we could watch the fountains. It was all very special and as we all know I said YES!

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.