Lots of Hard Work

Hard Work, Busy, Tiresome, Tough, Exhaustion, are some of the words that come to my mind today when I think about starting a business. Rob is no stranger to starting a business, and all the hard work that comes with such a task. Rob and Troy (my brother) have been super super busy with getting their business name out and about. They have been busy with doing expos, lots and lots of Expos. In fact just in the last week they have done 3. Today Rob and Troy participated in a Main Street Kid Paloosa Festival. It wasn't like your typical expo, it was outdoors, had food vendors, live music, and games and activities for the kids - more like a fair. They actually were one of the sponsors of the event, and so their day started at 8:30 am and didn't end until 10:30 pm (the extra hours were spent helping set up and breaking down structures). Karlee and I know that if we want to see Rob we go where he is working, and so today we were able to spend much of the day with him. Which was really nice, other than the fact that it was atleast 105º outside (I am sure much more when you take into count that their booth was on a black asphault road. They had a really nice booth set up and had quite a few people really interested in their product. I just know that all these long hours and all this hard work will pay off down the road.

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Here is another picture of their booth

Karlee hanging out with dad under the shade.

My Watermelon Winner

Today at the Kids Festival Rob participated in a Watermelon Eating contest. This was Rob's first watermelon contest and he was amazing. He was kinda nervous about having to eat all that watermelon, in such a short amount of time. Just as the contest started Rob wasn't playing around. He was serious, actually not too serious as Rob was trying to be pretty cautious about not cholking. It didn't take long and the contest was over. And yep Rob was the big winner. He did an amazing job, infact he was going so fast that he actually ate a bunch of the white part (the rind) before the judges called the race. I tried to take some pictures of Rob in his contest, hope you enjoy the play by play.

And he's off...

Keep going... (Rob trying not to choke)

Almost to the end!

Rob looks pretty exhausted!!

The Proud Winner!!!

Paying It Forward... Pays off

Over the weekend I received in the mail a wonderfully cute gift from a sweet friend, Melissa. A couple months ago (of which I had totally forgotten) my friend had put on her blog a Paying it Forward exchange. I was one of the first 3 to comment (as described in the rules) and am so totally excited that I did. Look at what I got in the mail. I love it. Absolutely Love it. Thanks Melissa you are so talented. Wow!!! (I am already using it)

I also should thank Melissa for reminding me of my post last November. I believe I had two people post and so not to completely be flakey I am getting your little bit of homemade ready to mail out. (you know who you are and if not its Bethany A. & Chelsea M.)

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Then I thought why not do it one more time and get the ball rolling again. So here I am starting the Paying It Forward exchange again. I am going to post one on my blog. Here are the rules: I will send a handmade gift to the first three (3) people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. You may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. (So, you must have a blog to participate.) I can't wait to see who I will be giving to. To join, just cut and paste this on your blog and comment away. So get posting!! Time to give...and blog :)

All for Love!

So Rob was working a Pool, Spa, and BBQ expo this past weekend, and it was pretty slow, so I decided that Karlee and I would take him some lunch. He had mentioned last night that many of the vendors at the show were eating IN-N-OUT Burgers, and how that really sounded good. I said (as I do everytime Rob and I pass IN-N-OUT Burger) that I would never never wait in the extremely long line for a hamburger. And that it wasn't that I didn't love him, it just doesn't make sense to me to sit in your car for 30 minutes for a hamburger. With him completely clear on how I feel about that whole issue, we agreed on another place for lunch. Karlee and I left to go and get his lunch at 2:00pm. I thought I would surprise him and would go to IN-N-OUT Burger. So I pulled up and got in line...

I was in line for 35 minutes. (yep waisting gas as my car was idling) I think when I got in line I was probably #10th.

Here I am almost to order Robs delicious IN-N-OUT yummy lunch. . . . Two Hamburgers hold the Tomato Please!

I forgot to take a picture with him and his IN-N-OUT Burger lunch, but I think that he really appreicated the thought and effort it took. I guess I will never understand the facination that people have for this place. I get that its good and all, but come on 35 minutes waiting for a hamburger? Crazy!!! Rob works really hard for us and so the wait was just a small gesture of our appreciation for all he does.

Here is Karlee hanging out with Dad at Saturday's Expo.

Summer is Here!

According to the calendar Summer is here. But it sure has been feeling like Summer for awhile. Summer is one of the seasons that I love the most. I have been loving the warm/hot weather we have been having. Its like as nice as when I was growing up. I have been thinking about our last summer in Kentucky and how much I love Kentucky EXCEPT the humidity. All the beautiful green trees, green grass, and wonderful charm that comes with living there. The main issue with Kentucky summers is the unbearable heat/humidity combo. You literally feel like you are walking around in a sauna. The heat is only slightly muted by the beauty that surrounds you. We are back to our summers in Utah, and we love them. It has gotten up to 108º this past week here in Southern Utah. One can definately feel the heat, but it is live-able. One can still breath, and their clothes don't feel like they are sticking to you. I just love all the many things that one can do outside during the summer. Now I am just trying to figure out how to keep Karlee cool while riding around in the car, and her carseat. She is really a great baby. She never complains about her little ride abouts in the car. She just sits right in and enjoys the moment. I guess basically I just want to say how excited I am that Summer is Here!!!

Happy Father's Day 2008

Happy Father's Day Rob.

Rob has definitely deserved this day. Rob is such a wonderful husband, father, and friend. I am hoping that Rob knows how much both Karlee and I love him. Here are some of the wonderful things that makes us so lucky to have Rob in our family. He is a hard worker, he loves to create. He is so fun to be with, he loves to have fun. He has a strong testimony of the gospel and loves to learn. He is an optimist. He is such a Super Great Dad. He loves Karlee so much and works so hard for her. He is a Great Friend. He has a way to make you laugh (his laugh is contagious)

Karlee and I worked really hard to gather a few things for Rob. Karlee made him a cute video, with some of her favorite photos of the two of them.

Karlee also helped me with a keepsake for Rob. Karlee was such a good sport, she didn't even get fussy when her crazy mom started to paint the bottom of her feet for this little keepsake for her dad:

Cookies and Dads

Today at church the primary came into Priesthood meeting and gave each dad a cookie and a cute little poem. They all thought it was the best way to end church. Rob loves his cookies so he was pretty excited.

Cookies and Dads are both so much alike...

After the first taste you can't stop at one bite.

They're both irresistible and a treat that's second-to-none,

When the jar is full and Dad's at home, it's time for family fun.

Cookies are rough around the edges, with a middle so tender...

Dad's are like that, too -- well-rounded, its all their splendor.

Cookies are always better when they're lovingly homemade,

Just as Dads create homemade memories that the mind will never fade.

Cookies warm an empty stomach, while Dads warm a troubled heart,

So thank goodness for them both and the meaning they impart!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to our Dads

Happy Father's Day Again: Rob and I are so blessed to have wonderful fathers of our own.

My dad is such a great example to me. He has so many qualities that are both outwardly and inwardly shown. Some of the things that I love most about my dad are: he is a hard worker, he is a great listener, he is an explorer, he is a real inspiration and example of setting a goal and working towards that goal. He has a testimony of the gospel, and is great example for people to follow. He has love for everyone and is slow to anger. He is a man who has the respect and admiration of an entire town without seeking after it. Most of all he loves my mom more than she will ever know. He lives his life for her, to make her happy. How much better can life get. I love my dad so much and thanks for all your years of sacrifice!

Rob's dad and my father-in-law, Dan is a man who loves his family and will do anything for them. He is someone that I have always known to be a hard worker, and great provider. He is someone who loves his kids unconditionally. He gives with nothing expected in return. I know that Rob looks up to his dad in so many ways and knows that he gives a 100% of himself everyday. He knows how to have fun, and knows the importance of taking time for the moment. Dan is a man that loves his family, the gospel and loves life. How much better can it get.

Lemonade Diet/Cleanse

2 more days to go, but we are DONE we're throwing in the towel. Rob and I have taken on a Lemonade Diet/Cleanse Challenge. We started it on Wednesday last week, and have only 2 more days, but due to circumstances we are throwing in the towel. I heard about this Lemonade Diet/Cleanse awhile ago, and thought that maybe it was just enough crazy that I would try it out but that there was probably not going to be any way that I was going to get Rob to do this with me. Surprisingly enough, Rob said he wanted to take it on. It is a pretty EXTREME diet. The rules are as follows: 6-12 glasses of (10 oz.) of Fresh Lemonade made with Genuine Maple Syrup, and cayenne pepper (in capsule form) a day, and as much water as you want. Absolutely NO FOOD can be consumed during the 10 days. That's right we were doing this for 10 days. The reason for No Food, is because as it is said in the diet: "All solid food is turned into a liquid state before it can be carried by the blood to the cells of the body. The lemonade is already a food in liquid form".

There have been days, hours, moments when I think that we have completely lost my mind. I know...Many of my family members have already shared their thoughts that I am probably CRAZY. But oh well... Its a challenge that I decided I wanted to do. Rob really surprised me. He was amazing. Yesterday was my last day with the diet/cleanse due to a situation that I had earlier in the afternoon, where I not completely but only for a second or so blacked out. I thought that I would be fine with another glass of lemonade, but never felt better after it, so I am calling in the towel. Rob is done as well.

To date: (for documenting purpose only)

Rob has lost 15 lbs, ?? inches (he didn't measure before he started)

Heather has lost 10 lbs, and 3 inches.

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Now the real test will be now the diet/cleanse is over, and we are back to eating "solid/real" food. (I'll probably eat one bite of bread and gain all the lbs. back). But honestly I didn't go into the Lemonade diet to loose weight, I was just testing my body to see if I really could go that long with out eating real food. I wanted to see just how strong my self-disciple was. I feel pretty good about the whole experience. ...I can say that I probably will never do this diet/cleanse again. Just thought I would document this experience so that years later I can look back and think what a crazy and insane person I am.

Tag of 3's

Thanks for the Tag Monica & Hayley...

How to play this game. Post these rules on your blog: List 3 goals, 3 fears, 3 joys, 3 current obsessions/collections, and 3 random surprises about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names.

3 Goals
- Hike rim to rim for 2nd time (Grand Canyon)
- Read more
- Get into shape (duh)

3 Fears
- Any family member driving late at night
- Being in Debt
- Never Sell Our House in Kentucky

3 Joys
- Karlee
- Knox Blox (Jell-O Jigglers)
- Family & Friends

3 Obsessions/Collections
- White/Black Shirts (probably have more than 20)
- Reality TV
- A Clean House (throwing stuff out)

3 Random Surprises
- I color my hair to hide all my early 30's Gray!
- Don't Eat Chocolate (not sure that really is a surprise)
- I have eaten a worm (when I was little of course)

Tag: Anyone who wants to join in.

What would you do?

Okay so today I (along with Karlee) went to the Grocery store to grab a few things. When we were leaving I saw a man who was facing (hiding) in a corner between a Coke machine and the store building, gulping the remainder of his Giant can of Beer. I thought it was odd, seeing that it was only around 10am. When he turned around he threw the can away, and walked to his truck. I watched him as I got Karlee and myself into my car. I thought that if he was going to drive on the same road as I was, I was going to get a head start. While I was driving home I was thinking of what I possibly should have done. I guess take his license plate number, and then call Public Safety. It just made me mad to think that he would drink and then drive. How selfish his decision was. I will never know what, if anything happened from this choice. But it does make me think that one's choices ultimately affect others. Just thought I vent my feelings on this issue.

Karlee's New Trick!

Look! I have a new trick!!!

Karlee has finally learned to roll over. Only problem is she doesn't know how to roll back onto her back, so she then starts screaming, and panicing. It is actually pretty funny. Infact the day she actually rolled over Rob was so excited that he tried to call our sister-in-law Hayley and tell her the great news! Why? One might like to ask...here's the story... Almost 8 years ago. Rob and I were down visiting my brother Tom, Hayley and their new baby, Abbey. Hayley told us that Abbey had a new trick and that we were gonna want to see it. So we visited, we waited for Abbey's new trick. But no trick...time past quickly and we had to leave. Abbey didn't want to show us her new trick (rolling over). For quite a bit of time after Rob would tease Hayley about Abbey's Cool Trick... Rob has always said that when our Karlee rolled over Hayley would be the first person he was gonna tell. Not sure if he ever got a hold of her by phone that day, but it did make for a very excited dad (rob).

Here is Karlee on her tummy, just before she starts to panic.

My 1st Craigs List Treasure

Thought I would document my first Craigs List purchase. I love to look through Craigs List but never really set my heart on buying any of the stuff on there. As if anyone has talked to me lately (in the last 6 months) I have become the throw out Queen. I can't stand all the little things that I have around my house, that just seem to clutter up my life. I have been going through stuff and taking boxes and boxes to the D.I. So to my surprise I found an armoire for our TV. I have always wanted one. I have felt for a long time that we decorate our homes/rooms around a TV, and not to say that this is the case in other peoples homes. I just want to be able to have the TV visible when I want to watch it, and then close the doors, and not see it. Wasn't sure if Rob was as excited as I was, but he has warmed up to it. He actually said just the other day, that he was glad that I found it online.

Looks like this when Heather is home.(not all the time)

Looks like this when Rob is home.