new year, new vaca

Guess where we're going?

After much convincing we finally booked our tickets to peru. It's a honeymoon/anniversary trip. we went to moab on our honeymoon with the idea of saving money for peru. Were going in April for 2 weeks! Can't wait!

Wedding Ceremony Video

http://www.vimeo.com/15793154

Above is the link to the video of our wedding ceremony. Reception to follow, as well as pics.

For some reason couldn't copy and paste the embedment, so result to the link above.

*If you can't view the video you may have to enable to HD feature.

Before pics

Our kitchen post Demo!

I decided to document our hard work of remodeling our house (mostly Ben's hard work and my expensive taste:)) Let's begin with the kitchen.

The old kitchen was in great condition which made for an easy demolition. Ben tore out all of the cabinets and appliance and had everything sold on KSL within hours. Once everything was stripped to the studs we began re-redesigning the layout of the kitchen. We extended the island, changed the location of all the appliances except the sink and fridge, shorted the length of a wall and reduced the width of the pantry cabinets to make room for bar seating on the island.

The layout re-design was the easy part. The hardest part was making decisions on paint, cabinets, countertops and appliances! I dont' recommend re-modeling a house and getting married all at the same time. It took us many Saturdays and "visual" representations to make a decision. If you are in the market of remodeling, call me for referrals.

Stay tuned for the new and improved version of our kitchen!!

My new love....

Here she is!! We welcome my 2010 Specialized Stumpjumper fsr comp mountain bike to the Wheat family. I can thank the Blackburn's for graciously getting me addicted to mtn biking. My bro in laws ghetto bike just wasn't cuttin' it for me. I tested her out this weekend in Jhole and it was like floating on a magic carpet ride:) I love her. Can't wait for more rides this season!!

I'm alive, and married

It seems the title of mostly ALL my posts are related to me not keeping up in the blogging world. Seems regular for me to post every couple of months? Well here's an update on the past couple of months..
Ben and I finally got hitched on May 22nd, and everything was fabulous! As cliche' as it sounds it really was one of the best days.
Followed by the wedding we were off to Moab for hiking, biking and camping. We stayed in an RV park with our trailer and pup in tow(we dont' normally stay at RV parks but I insisted we have full hook-ups at least for the honeymoon) We felt like the young old couple chillin' with all the reitree's. It was way too short but a nice relaxing weekend.
Post honeymoon we've been settling into our new house in CWood Heights. It's starting to feel like home minus the giant empty family room. Anyone have good ideas for cheaper furniture that isn't RC willey's? I applied to work at Pottery Barn this week in a desperate attempt to furnish our house :)
I've been trying to find motivation to get back into the swing of real life post wedding. I for some reason have been obsessed with cooking and NOT working out. Damn all the fun kitchen gadgets from the wedding. I'm blaming all my post wedding gain on my new kitchen appliances, specifically my icecream maker!! Making yogurt/icecream has become my new obsession.

We planted our first garden this summer. I have already re-planted my tomatoes and am considering uprooting them again? They are seriously struggling and I feel completely helpless. I am realizing gardening is seriously a skill, and takes time and patience. Maybe I should reconsider taking up gardening as a hobby! We've planted a lot of fun things, but I'm seriously terrified for when it starts growing:) come on over for fresh veggies during the harvest(if my stuff grows!!)
When we get a new camera, I'll actually post some pics. Yes, I have lost now my third camera? actually it's ben's camera and it's a sore subject. I'm pretty much off limits to any camera.

I am on count down mode until July 4th weekend. We're off to Stanley, Idaho for a long weekend of fun!

Alright already!

Okay, okay.. I've been super lame at this whole blogging thing lately. I was about ready to quit altogether:) There have been some major events that have taken place since my last post, what 3 months ago? well needless to say if you don't already know Ben and I are finally gettin' hitched! He proposed the weekend before Thanksgiving. The story is amazing! he actually faked a robbery to pop the question. I knew he'd had the ring for a couple of months so the suspense was killin' me. He figured he couldn't do anything romatic or I'd totally be on to him. So instead he decided to scare me into thinking we were robbed! good times.
Planning the wedding has been on the brain since the proposal weekend until we recently sold Ben's house and went under contract with our future home in cottonwood heights. We don't move into our new house until March 15th which means Ben and I are crashing with the rents until March 15th:)) Needless to say wedding planning have been on the back burner and remodeling a kitchen is on the brain! It's been more stressful than planning the wedding!
Oh and I just found out my sis is going to be dancing during the opening act for the Oscars! what?? she's so awesome:) she recently started her own blog www.hayleeroderick.blogspot.com

Ben and I are jettin' off to Jhole to shred the gnar! maybe I'll be better at bloggin, maybe I won't? haha.

PLEASE buy our house!! (our meaning Ben's)

Ben is trying to sell his house! We are ready to ditch the bachelor pad and get a place of our own. If you know of ANYONE who is looking for a twin home in the nice holladay area please, please spread the word. You can see more pics of the house below..
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=475&ad=8708866&cat=279

Winter Westwater..

If you need me..I'll be freezing on the river! I don't know how Ben talked me into this, but here we are rafting in November. I scared..

One Year Mark (mostly for Jill)

Found this poem here which is a great gift idea. (Jill- I think we should get one for all the kids for the year mark) It was written by a son who lost his father to cancer.
Cancer just sucks..

If my Father were here
He’d show us this
That true love is found
In a family kiss

That a hug must come freely
That a smile leaves a mark
That a quarrel long forgotten
Must remain in the dark

If he were here with us now
He would teach us by deed
How to give oft in silence
To those so in need

How to walk through life proudly
With our heads pointed high
Hold regret a mere moment
And then let it pass by

If my Father were here
On this sad and gray day
He would give us “that look”
Then know just what to say

He would smile at us brightly
Make us laugh on a dime
Tell us just what will heal us
Family… and time

But wait, he is with us
He will always be with us

Though his body will rest
In a safe space below
He’ll continue to guide us
And he wants us to know

That although he is absent
He’ll continue his love
And he’ll visit us daily
From his home up above
And we’ll see him again, but until we do, Let us honor his memory
Let us treasure his memory.
Let us never forget that the only things

which mattered to him, were not actually things
But instead, the souls of those
of us here today, and those in his heart, which are not.

This is seriously wrong!!

After reading MSNBC that the Duggars are expecting thier 19th child, yep that's right 19th child it made me through up a bit in my mouth! I've been disgusted all day that these peeps are going to have 19 children! I know I'm not a mother, but can you physically, mentally, emotionally and financially give the proper care to 19 children??

Mama Wheat in Town

Ben's mom was in town for a whole week! We had a great time, sure wish she lived in SLC:(
We dragged mama wheat up to wasatch state park to camp in the cub. (ben and his family grew up camping at wasatch state park for a couple of weeks a summer) It was nice taking her down memory lane, and not to mention show off the trailer!

1-Me discovering the cub's AC! It was pretty hard for me to leave the trailer with the cranking AC.
2-An unsuccessful attempt to have a fun filled day at Jordanelle
3-BW's Bday! and his lovely phrase ALL weekend "It's my birthday weekend" this was his phrase to have everything his way. (not my idea of fun)
4-Pete and Tim, enough said..I've never laughed soo hard! It's really like hanging out with immature teenagers, but highly entertaining.
5-My amazement at how momma wheat loves her miller lite:)
6-REI lounge chairs.
7-Grandma backing up the big dodge while grandpa smokes a cig guiding her in.
8-People watching, people watching!
9-Seeing mama wheat ride a bike for the first time in what she claims 20 years!
10-Seeing Pete ride a bike and calling the night short due to exhaustion from riding 2 miles.
11-Big dinner at the Harry's with the combined families! ahhhh.

It was a great weekend. Pics to come.

Sistas

I love this pic..
My little sis is packing her bags for LA. She's 3 months shy of 19 and well on her way to the big city. Hay Hay is paving the path for her dancing career. She has an AMAZING talent that she's brave enough to chase. I'm really going to miss her:( It's going to be a great experience for her and I can't wait to be the big sis and help her along the way!

Tour of Utah!

Everyone should support this event! It's becoming a more and more competitive race in the cycling world. Be on the look out for hot professional cyclist on the road this week and next. I especially love the Friday night event and the Saturday morning finish up little cottonwood canyon. My sis and I are considering climbing little cottonwood Saturday morning before all the pros come through. Any takers??

It will be mine, oh yes..It will be mine!!

My new found love..Isn't she pretty? If only I can afford it!! I'm dying for a new bike these days. I've had my bike for about 6 years now, isn't it time for a new full carbon? I think so!

back to the grind

Outside my Window: I actually don't have a window at my new job:( but I guess enough time to put in a quick blog!!

I am Thinking: About my cousin Tiff's wedding this past weekend. It was beautiful!! She and Zack are a great couple and I couldn't be more happy for the both of them.

I am Thankful For: My family! We know how to party and tear up the dance floor:)


From the Kitchen: Just bought a great new cookbook! 3 new recipes this week..Wish me luck.

I am Wearing: Navy pants and my new fav shirt from jcrew.

I am Creating: Work list, after work list for when my replacement leaves at the end of the week! ahhhh..

I am Going: to attempt to head to the gym after a long weekend of not much activity besides eating and drinking!

I am Reading: The poison wood bible

I am Hoping: That I get back in the routine of life..A long weekend is rough on the everyday schedule.

I am Hearing: The hustle and bustle of crazy physicians.

Around the House: Laundry and healthy meals!

One of My Favorite Things: Camping in the CUB with Ben and Koda Bear!

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week: Hopefully getting the boat out and camping!

What are you doing Today? working for 45 more min, then off to the gym and grocery shopping.

I survived!

Phewwww.. I made it through the 103 mile bike race this weekend. The little red riding hood is an anual all women's bike ride through northern Utah. This year they had 2600 women participate in the event raising money for breast cancer. It was a thrilling 103 miles (some of the time). I couldn't have done the ride without the other 7 strong women who helped us all accomplish our 103 mile goal! Congrats to all of us!

I'm baaccckkk!

It's official! I'm moving back to Utah..A job opportunity at the University of Utah school of medicine presented itself and I took it! It's been a crazy week, but I'm excited to be back in SLC. My new job adventure begins June 29th. Jackson was a great experience and I'll be leaving behind some really good friends, but I'm ready to move on with my life and future plans.. For those of you who never made it to visit, you have 3 weeks and counting!!

Conference

Last weekend I had the opportunity to fly on a private plan (not kidding) and attend a holistic nursing conference. It was very inspiring and motivating. The concept is to integrate traditional medicine with hollistic approaches. Which means providing alternative therapies in a traditional hospital setting. Some examples include providing acupunture, aromatherapy, biofeedback, healing touch, music therapy massage therapy, yoga, etc. Wouldn't you all love to have these services if you happen to be in the hospital?
http://www.scripps.org/services/integrative-medicine

Here's a brief description of the integrative center in San Diego. The physician who started the center is amazing! I sorta have a crush on her:)
Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine
Healing People and Changing Lives Through Science and Compassion

Our mission
The Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine offers the best of conventional and complementary medicine. We believe there are many paths to healing and that health is a cohesive balance of mind, body and soul. Through research, education and the design of healing programs, we value and recognize the wisdom of all healing traditions.

We take a holistic or “whole-person” approach to your health
At Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, we take a holistic or “whole-person” approach to health and wellness. We believe that health is dynamic, continually influenced by how we live our lives and how we relate to the world around us. And, we believe that healing starts from within.

From the moment you walk through the doors of the Health and Healing Center, you sense that the integrative approach is unlike any other. We blend evidence-based complementary and alternative therapies with conventional Western medicine in a “best of both worlds” approach to treating disease, healing and improving health. We care for people with heart disease, pain, weight management needs, cancer, diabetes, stress, women’s health issues and many other health concerns.

We empower you to promote your own healing with a full range of conventional and complementary treatments and therapies. Through clinical research, education, prevention and lifestyle changes, you’ll discover powerful new ways to take control of your health.

Teton Tiramisu

The most amazing "giant" tiramisu ever! Ben and I had a romantic mother's day dinner at a local Italian joint in Jackson. It was delicious..

6 months

Last week marked six months since my grandpa passed away. There still isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about him. I still find myself dialing his cell phone just to hear his voice. I have so many things to tell him about what's been going on the past six months.
the birth of another grandson
my older sister's success at her "big wig" job
my little sis and her dance career
haylee graduated
Ry dogg and his sweet lacross skills and becoming a teenager!
many trips to the desert
Moab
San Diego
grand canyon
RV camping
River trip, after river trip
many friend's weddings
me completing ALL my nursing pre-reqs!!
my dad's heart softening
exploring
appreciation
private jets
good food and wine (always!)


Love you gramps! I know you're here with us through all these experiences.