Sun Valley 2007

Me and My Hubby

Ice Skating

Us Again
I Love Him
Me on Santa's enormous lap
Me and my Good Buddy Hilary

Big shocker, Garrett and Me Again

Me with the horses

Ice Skating, Once More

Well Christmas is over. Although Christmas day itself is just another day for Garrett and me, we had a really nice break. We went to Sun Valley, Idaho for 3 days, 2 nights as part of my R&R benefit I get from work. What an awesome place...especially b/c our entire stay was on Sinclair's dime. Garrett and I indulged in a lot of things we would never do b/c we are extreme cheapos. We got there Saturday morning, checked in to the hotel, rented some awesome demo skis, skiied, ate a $100 fabulous lunch on the mountain, skiied a little more and then headed back to the hotel. We lounged in the 102 degree swimming pool before a horse drawn sleigh ride to Trail Creek Cabin for dinner. I loved the horses, they were so cute and friendly. I was the only person, yes me, and not the kids, to stay out and rub noses with them. Sunday, after ordering room service for breakfast, we hit the slopes again. The snow wasn't that great, but it was fun. After another full day of skiing, we hit the hot tub again, ordered more room service, went ice skating and had dinner at a fabulous restaurant in Sun Valley Village. We had such a great time. I can't wait to do it all again.

Welding 101

Me with my Tree (notice the Munchie Paws pic behind me...yes I'm a dork)

Munch always has to be the Center of Attention
Munch Admiring my Work

So, my sister-in-law Dustin welded these wonderful steel Christmas trees to be used as fun and funky yard art. Well of course I loved them, and of course she offered to make me one, but I wanted to make my own. So, Saturday, Dan gave me my first welding lesson and I loved it!! After a few practice welds, I began my tree. Approximately 3 hours later and ta-da! It is by no means perfect and the welds are probably really bad, but I think its great. I was very proud of myself. Even Garrett was shocked. When I told him I was going over to Dustin's house to WELD, he just thought I was going over to mess around. No sir. He was super impressed with my crafty welding skills...and my fabulous Christmas tree. So, the next day I put on a clear coat and painted my star...then attached the jewels. Isn't it holly, jolly and fun?

Trivia Rocks

Deal or No Deal Girls (Kids of some girls I work with...aren't they cute)

So yesterday, we had our 5th Floor Christmas party at work. Its nice, seeing as though we are the only floor who gets prime rib, twice baked potatoes, asparagus and cheesecake. The food is so good and I guess we're pretty lucky for such a treat. Anyway, lets get to the good part. We played a game...they called it "Deal or No Deal" but it was actually a game of trivia, with a little "Deal or No Deal" mixed in. Anyway, I am usually a horrible trivia player, but this trivia was so ridiculously hard, it was a multiple choice guessing game for everyone in the room. So, I managed to make lucky guesses and ended up winning the game...out of 13 other people including the President of the Company, 3 Attorneys, a Vice President of the Company and a lot of other really smart people. It was great! And the very best part was the awesome grand prize, winner take all load. Here is what I won:


2 Sundance Ski Passes
2 Snowbasin Ski Passes
2 Ski Salt Lake Ski Passes (good at Brighton, Solitude, Snowbird or Alta)
Dinner for 2 at Fleming's Steak House
1 night at the Grand America Hotel...Executive Suite
1 18 Hole round of golf at Thanksgiving Point
2 Movie Passes
1 Blue Tooth, Noise Reducing Headset
Misc. Bath and Bodyworks and Victorias Secret Product


The total prize value was $900. What a great prize to win at work of all places. Tuesday was a good day for me. Garrett couldn't believe I won...at a game of trivia no less.

Oh Munchie!

Only Munchie could be comfortable laying like this. He really is a piece of work.

It's a BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a picture of our new baby boy. How cute is he? Seriously. It kills me I can't have him right now. Garrett and I are super excited. We just hope the adjusting period for our Munchie isn't too long. I'm sure they'll be the best of buddies...eventually. We're still not dead set on a name though. We like Muttley, Atlas, Finn, and Murphy. I thought Magoo would be cute but Garrett said we would look & sound like idiots outside yelling for Magoo. Plus, he said it would be mean to name a dog Magoo. Well, I'm not sure I agree, but unfortunately, he does get a say. Let me know if any of you have any fabulous ideas.

Woohoo Good News

Old WindowNew Window

Well the window cutting extravaganza was a success...yippee!!! Everything went better than we expected which is always a nice surprise. I have a motto of "Always think the worst of things." At first glance, you would think I was a negative person. Quite the contrary. I find it works well for me. You see, if you always think the worst of things, you can never be disappointed...only pleasantly surprised. I'm getting off topic...okay so the men arrived on Friday morning at 8 am as scheduled. Approximately 4 hours later, we had our window holes. We were planning on having to board up the holes for 4 days, b/c our window weren't supposed to be in until tomorrow. But, much to my surprise, Home Depot called about 11 am on Friday, before the guys were even done cutting, to tell us our windows were in and ready to be picked up. So, Garrett called Dan, my fabulous brother-in-law, and a couple hours later, I had brand new windows. Good Job Garrett...I knew you could do it. I never doubted you :) Now...lets get it finished.

I Hate Effin Fobs

Why can't I just keep my freakin fob. At Sinclair, you have to have a fob to get anywhere...any door, any elevator. Its so annoying and I HATE them. My first fob they gave me, I'm pretty sure I flushed it down the toilet. No one will ever know...unless the toilets clog of course. So, then they gave me a replacement. 3 days ago, I had to run a WORK errand, came back, looked down and it was gone. Damn it. I had to write a check for $10 to buy another one. Just what I wanted to do. So today, I get to work and no Fob. I don't know where it is. I'm very frustrated and I refuse to buy another one...even if I have to borrow one everyday for the rest of my stint here. In my opinion, if they force us to use those stupid things, they should be replacing them for free. Blah, Happy Friday!

***UPDATE*** Garrett called...one of the concrete cutter guys found my fob. Thank goodness. I think I'm going to have to buy a lanyard.

Let the Cringing and Nail Biting Begin

Before the Destruction

"Mr. Destructor"

These pictures are taken before the actual mess happens...believe it or not.

Hopefully I'll be posting next week, with nice, big windows and letting everyone know this whole experience wasn't near as bad as I had initially thought.

Friday, at 8 am, men will be at my house to cut 2 36" x 48" holes out of the side of my house with CHAINSAWS. We ripped up our perfectly good carpet and took down perfectly good walls. I have heard this project makes a tremendous mess. BREATHE. The whole idea makes me want to vomit a little. Why would anyone do this you ask? Well, the husband thinks its a good idea, that's why. He says we need to have large, to code, basement windows. That's well and good and I'm sure it will look fabulous when its done, but until then, I'm slightly freaking out. To top it all off, the windows won't be here in time and we have to go a few days with nothing but enormous holes...where cute little windows used to be. One would think this would be a good summer project, seeing as though we don't have an air conditioner anyway. Not us, no sir, we like to live dangerously...mix it up a little. So in advance, your welcome Questar Gas Company...I loved writing that obscenely large check to you for heating my house. As if all this isn't scary enough, I have one more reason to fret. I would probably feel a tad better about the whole situation if professional window installers would be coming out to put the windows in. NOPE. Garrett says it will be a piece of cake and he would NEVER pay anyone to do such a thing. I hope my little handyman is right, for both our sakes.

My Birthday

I had a really great Birthday on Friday! I only work 1/2 a day on Fridays now, so that is enough in itself to make for a great day. When I got off, I went to the mall to look around. I have an obsessive thing about not making spontaneous purchases...even when I find something I really want. So, I found a Judith Jack neclace at Nordstroms I really wanted but couldn't buy it then, so I thought maybe Garrett would go back with me later to help make up my mind. I went home and cleaned my house. I know, I know...no one should clean on their birthday. But, my house was pretty messy, Garrett was at work and I wanted a clean house for my birthday. Its another obsessive problem of mine, among others, so I really don't mind cleaning. Its not like I have a huge house to clean. I can vacuum the whole thing from one plug for God's sake. When Garrett came home, he helped me finish up. AND, he brought me home a dozen beautiful red roses, my favorite. I LOVE roses and the red matches my kitchen beautifully. Also, roses are awesome b/c they are one of the only flowers I have found that save well. Before they die, I hang them upside down for a couple of weeks and they are good to go for tons of craft projects. My wonderful husband then went back to the mall with me. I got my cute, cute necklace (we decided it was from him sent he made the effort), I filled my Angel perfume bottle and then we looked at the tools at Sears, poor Garrett, it was all I could do to help him feel manly. After that, we went out with Hils and Pete to Desert Edge for dinner and an obscene amount of beer. Pete just kept ordering more, typical Pete. It was a lot of fun and I'm grateful to surround myself with such great friends and my awesome husband on my birthday.

The Big 26

These pics are all random, just some of the things I love about my life.

Today is Pearl Harbor Day. Today is my 26th Birthday. I don't fret about turning another year older...it's life, and life is good. So, instead of thinking of all the negative things relating to turning another year older (wrinkles, gray hair, aching body, difficulty in staying fit), I'm going to focus on the positive. Here are 26 things that are great in my life and things that make me HAPPY.

1. Garrett...I feel very lucky and blessed to have him in my life. He is my best friend and

I adore him.

2. Munch...no description needed, he is the reason for lots of smiles

3. My Home...I love our house, it's perfect.

4. My family, I am lucky to come from such a normal house. I have great parents and a cool

sis.

5. My NEW family. I have the best In laws a girl could ask for. I really love them.

6. My Car...its nice, reliable and I can afford it

7. Our Jobs...working isn't always the best, but Garrett and I both have good jobs

that enable us to enjoy all the cool stuff life has to offer.

8. My friends...they keep me sane.

9. My financial stability...I think we don't always realize how lucky we are.

10. My marriage, I love being his wife.

11. My Health...I'm very lucky, so far.

12. Being Creative, cause it doesnt happen often

13. Riding my bike, both bikes should I say.

14. Running...I feel really good about myself afterwards.

15. Good Mexican Food, yummmmmmmm

16. Ugg Boots...I could wear them everyday

17. A great pair of Earrings

18. Skiing...we're so lucky to be able to all winter long.

19. Being girly once in a while...not very often though.

20. Lazy days at home with Garrett and Munch

21. Traveling...with my hubbie of course.

22. Snowshoeing...there is nothing else like it.

23. Attention from Garrett...I'm very needy sometimes.

24. Good Beer

25. Friday nights with my buddies...we have been known to get crazy.

26. The soon to be new addition to the Kener Household... the doodle.

Let it Snow

This weekend we got an insane amount of snow at our house...much more than several of our friends that only live a few miles away. It just kept coming down. As much of a pain it is for Garrett (he is the official shoveler), and as much as Munchie hates it (would you like to try and "do your business" with snow up to your neck), I really love having it. Its very festive and it is actually starting to feel like Christmas time. Saturday Garrett and I went up to Snowbasin for our first ski adventure of the season. The snow wasn't great and there was only a couple runs open, but it was just good to get out again. Now if only we can just get more snow. I think it snowed more at my house than it did at the resorts. Sunday we busted out the snow shoes and snowshoed our selves up to Dog Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon. It was a lot of work and my legs are definitely feeling the effects. All in all, we had a really nice weekend. Its fun to take advantage of all the cool things you can get out and do here in Salt Lake...sometimes, its easy to lose sight of everything. With just a little thought and not a lot of effort, people in Salt Lake should never be bored, just sitting at home. We have an outdoor mecca right in our backyard, and I'm not going to be the one missing out.

1st Real Snow

Yesterday, November 27, 2007, we got our 1st Real Snow of the Season. Yippee! Now maybe I'll start feeling a bit more festive...I can't believe Christmas is in 26 Days...where did the year go? This will be our (me and Garrett's) first of many Christmas's as a married couple...how very exciting!

Tis the Season...for an Awkward Night

Last night (yes, in November) was the annual Sinclair Christmas Party held at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake. Its a night of good food, weird entertainment, a bunch of corporate ass kissing and super awkward conversation. We all see these people on a daily basis but when we're outside of the office, in an actual social setting, its just sorta weird. Everyone just seems kinda fake and I'm a "keep it real" kind of girl. I always feel the night would be a lot more bearable if only I could have an adult beverage or two beforehand, but b/c I'm usually rushed and the party is held by mormons, it never seems to work out. But, amidst the prompted laughter, fake smiles, and an unnecessary amount of clapping, we managed to have a pretty good time...I mean, I only get to see Garrett dressed up one day a year, so I'll take what I can get. So, after the Bagpipers (I'm not sure I get it either) we took our ham and Sun Valley Chocolates and headed home. I guess it was a good night...for a Tuesday.

The Calm Before the Storm

These pics were taken this morning from our back door... beautiful... and you know it had to be beautiful b/c I took the time to find the camera and take the pics and I hadn't even had my coffee yet. We're supposed to get a snow storm this afternoon...why is the sky always so gorgeous right before the bad weather hits? Well, who cares I guess. I'll take my one moment of awe...right before I get in my car to begin my wonderful day of work. I like this positive thinking...maybe one day it will rub off.

Just Our Luck

So for months now, Garrett and I have been planning our Moab Thanksgiving weekend adventure. The food was bought, hotel reservations were made, trails were picked out...we even made it all the way there. We got up Thursday, Thanksgiving Day morning, drove 3 1/2 hours to Moab, rode the Klondike Bluffs Trail (thank god) and checked into our hotel room. The weather was damn near perfect for mountain biking in the desert. We went out to the Moab Brewery for a traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner. The food was really good and the beer was even better (only $2.50 for pints...beer specials seem like a rarity in Utah). So, our trip was off to a great start...

...And then Friday morning we woke up to this:

Just our luck. Snow...in Moab of all places...totally unpredicted, unforecasted SNOW. After much deliberation we decided to pack it up and head back to Salt Lake. It was still snowing pretty hard and it was too cold for it to melt. As we left the city limits of Moab, the ground was bare...not a glimmer of snow to be found. Only Moab. With all the biking we do on a regular basis, we were probably due for some bad weather. Oh well, maybe next time.

All Together Now...AWWWWWWWW

Look how big the babies are getting. They look so cute all smushed together like that. Having my very possible new baby so far away is torture...I just want to hold/pet/kiss one...really badly. We're still not sure if we want a boy or girl, but if it's a boy, I think his name will be Muttley. It's really hard to come up with a name on par with "Munch" but Garrett and I both really like Muttley. If its a girl, we like Moxie, but we're not set on it. If anyone has any fabulous ideas, let me know.

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

I just want to wish my Dad a very Happy Birthday! I love you and I'm sorry I can't be there to tell you in person. Have a great day!

Thankful for Sticks

Top 10 Things Munchie is THANKFUL for

10: Nice, long walks (he saves his pee just for this)

9: Duncan, his very best buddy (his only buddy)

8: Ol' Roy Dog Treats (he is sure he deserves one every time he goes outside)

7: His toys (he really does love them all)

6: His Beds (all 3 of them in our 1500 square foot house,not to mention the couch)

5: His Mom (me)...and Dad (Garrett)

4: Road Trips (Oh how he loves riding in the car)

3: Being able to take mighty dog leaps off of things (I am NOT thankful for that)

2: Attacking Yard Care Equipment (see videos on blog)

And the Number ONE thing Munchie is Thankful for:

STICKS (that includes my knitting needles)

So Dang Cute

After losing my "wear everyday" necklace, I scoured the internet to find something that made me happy. I came across Lisa Leonard's blog: http://lisaleonard.blogspot.com/

She makes the most awesome hand stamped jewelry, keychains, bracelets, etc. I chose the oval necklace with my "NEW" initials. I love, love, love my necklace and highly recommend her stuff.

I Will Miss Her

Winter is almost here...Snow is almost here...Freezing temperatures are almost here...No riding my road bike is already here. Garrett and I got one last road ride in yesterday...probably for the season. We took Wasatch Drive all the way out to Draper and back. That is such an awesome ride. This time of year is great for the skiing but horrible for my biking addiction. It's so nice to be able to get off work, go home and still have plenty of time to get a nice road ride in. Oh how I love my road bike. My beautiful Vicious is just sitting in the garage...missing all of our weekly adventures together. I'll also miss all of our usual rides, the beautiful scenery and all of the critters, large and small, we may come across. I'll miss you Wasatch Loop. I'll miss you Millcreek Canyon. I'll miss you Emigration Canyon. See ya in the Spring.