Season Greetings

This week we went to Zoo Lights with some other couples, and had a fun time!



We love Jack and Kristin!

Sorry for the lapse in time between my posts. This season has been very busy for me. With my new officer position in Toastmasters (VP of PR), my pressuring work load at my marketing agency, Christmas parties, Cookie Lee orders, my second job pet-sitting, and trying to juggle being a wife, friend, sister and daughter all while trying to eat healthy and stay fit is really overwhelming. I truly haven’t been able to enjoy any time to myself or the true reason of Christmas!



Fortunately, I’ve had time to decorate our tree (in pink and silver!), buy fun gifts for others, share holiday cheer with my friends and coworkers (my secret Santa from work got me the coolest ‘VAMPIRE’ chardonnay!), and veg on the couch when I can with Rob. We can’t stop watching Friends… we love watching it this time of year for some reason.

I love all the Christmas cards we’ve been getting, and am so happy everyone is keeping us in their thoughts this holiday season. Hope you know you’re all in ours, too!

Rob and I are going to Washington State Christmas day to visit with the Dehart family. We are both looking forward to seeing his family, and know it will be a special trip! I’m personally looking forward to relaxing and being silly with my new cousins. I just wish I had more time to prepare! My emotions have been so erratic lately and I’m trying hard to prioritize my time and thoughts better. My days are full of prayer for everyone, particularly my sister and my parents.

I can’t believe all the rain and chilly weather we’ve been having.

Lucy is enjoying the snuggly weather, as you can tell:


I will miss her when we’re gone… she is the sweetest.

I’ll be sure to share some pictures and a post from our trip to Washington. I will have lots to talk about! Until then, Rob and I both wish you all a very merry Christmas, and may the love and hope of the Lord bring you closer to your families this holiday, and good health and security in 2009!

With all our love,

My “Fan”-tastic review of Twilight

Friday came and went, and now I can provide my review, considering I’ve done enough obsessing to really evaluate the movie based off its imitation of the book I love.

Pros

-Robert Pattinson as Edward. The first classroom scene was beyond perfect. His repulsive manner towards Bella was head on. His look, teeth, skin, everything was totally convincing, except for his red lips?



-Scenic depiction of Forks, WA and Phoenix, AZ

-The Cullen Family – I wanted more of them! Alice was the best replication of the literary Alice. They should all be developed more in the next one.


-Bella’s dad – BEST actor in my opinion. Bella’s mom did pretty well, too!

-The baseball game, what fun!

-Bella and Edward’s bed snuggle ;) Too bad there wasn’t more kissing.

-The eyes of the vegetarian vampires.

-Alice's bloodthurst at the end.

-Forks’ prom, loved the slow dance of Bella and Edward at the end.

-The unexpected humor the movie brought out from the book. Guess things ARE funnier when you’re not READING it but SEEING it. HA!

-Bella’s clumsiness. Thank GOD they portrayed this! Loved the fall outside her house, too, ha!

-The apple catch, looks like the book cover! DUH Cheryl.

-THE CLIFFHANGER. Victoria was perfect. Cannot WAIT until the next one… in 2010 :(


Cons

-Kristen Stewart as Bella. Yes, she looked the part to a T in my mind, but when she opened her mouth, she didn’t ACT like the real Bella. She was too awkward and stutter-ful to play Bella. Kristen pulled off the unenthusiastic part about Bella, but not the crazed, love-struck Bella we read of in the book. She had SOME good scenes, but lacked in the most important ones. Please read all the books next time you agree to play a literary character, Kristen.

-Bella’s art of NOT cooking. Hello! Why wasn’t it written in the script for her to COOK?

-Bella’s narration. Her unsure voice didn’t sound good as a voice over.

-Not enough BLOOD. James and his clan didn’t look that scary at all. They should have showed more biting and blood when they were feeding throughout the movie.

-Edward sparkling. I needed some hard core RAYS coming out of him!

-Jacob: not sure how or if he’s going to get BIGGER for the New Moon sequel?? Because he’ll need to.

-Why didn’t Alice and Jasper stress about their sun exposure in Phoenix? Weird.

-Where was the bonding of Alice and Bella?


Overall, I was THRILLED they made a movie of Twilight! I really enjoyed it! Not as good as the book of course, but as good as they can get it with 2 hours to work with and a low budget. I hope for the next one they can spend a little bit more money. And please, Kristen, show some more emotion and don’t hesitate so much in your delivery. Bella was shrill at times, and so can you, but without the stuttering. I think they’ll definitely put together an even better movie for the second one, knowing they’ll take all the feedback they can to ensure another successful release!

I’m sure I’ll go see it again (and drag Tayler along with me). Have a great week, and go see Twilight! Robert is worth it!

The Movie is HERE!!!

FINALLY! I've waited so long for this day!

I can't wait to see Bella and Edward in action, if you know what I mean... Ha!



The opener is today, so get to your nearest theater and watch it! I know I'm going to love it no matter what.

Happy Twilight Friday!

Too Good to Be True

Wouldn't this be SO cool??? LOL!!



Fun ad, Chevrolet!

I saw another ad this past week that I'm trying to track down, and will post that one, too, once I find it...

Have a nice weekend!

Best Concert Ever!

Friday night we went and saw Carrie Underwood! It was the BEST concert I've ever been to! Her voice, stage presence, style and show was amazing!!!

We had SO much fun!I stole these from her fan site. We were really close, but not THAT close.




In news stands soon...


What a gorgeous gal!


If she's coming to your town, you definitely should buy tickets! Her show is well worth it!

Love,
Cheryl & Rob

Today is the Day

Pumpkin Fun

I don't know why, but for some reason I really wanted to carve a pumpkin this year. Rob was up for it, too! Ha!





Although it was a memorable scent I've definitely missed, the pumpkin only lasted about a day... poo!

Hope everyone had a nice Halloween!

Love,
Cheryl & Rob

I’m Hungry for More!

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, is by far the greatest book I’ve ever read. Yes, even better than my Twilight series. It’s painful to say, but true. I read it in less than a day. The Hunger Games pulls you in and refuses to let your heart and mind go astray!



As the novel starts, you meet the heroine, Katniss, and learn of her unending love and determination, particularly for her younger sister, Nim, whose place she takes when Prim’s name gets drawn as the chosen girl from their district for the Hunger Games. I’m not going to tell you anything else other than The Games begin and you can’t stop reading. Once you start this book, you won’t be able to put it down! You read on to see if Katniss lives or dies. The descriptive way Collins writes is brilliant, and makes you feel as though you’re in the Games yourself, right next to Katniss, using strategy and panic to survive.

And the BEST part of it being my FAVORITE book? It’s a trilogy! I highly recommend you read it. God knows I’ll be reading it over and over gain. Sadly, Catching Fire, the next book in the trilogy doesn’t come out until September 2009.

Have a great week!
Cheryl

Wedding Wishes

We've celebrated some big events over the last few months and thought to share with you our "JOY" for the happy couples!

Matt & Allison - May 6, 2008



Angie & Tye - September 1, 2008



Chad & Whitney - September 13, 2008


Sarah & Anthony - October 3, 2008
See their amazing slideshow here.

Congratulations!!!! We love you!

Cheryl & Rob

Business and Life Advice from the Experts

I just got done with the most amazing business books:





From understanding the nature of people and making friends, to outselling your competition and managing your own business, both Carnegie and Mackay give you life-altering tips to influence others and succeed in the business world. The content in these two books is invaluable!

If you’re having a hard time dealing with people or getting your kids to do something you want them to do, then I highly recommend you read these two books, particularly “How to Win Friends and Influence People’. Carnegie gives amazing insight on how to handle people by smiling, showing genuine interest in them, and putting their wants before yours. Mackay provides tools to build true relationships with prospects and clients, while giving you advice to thrive in your career and life.

Happy reading to those who want to:
- make more friends
- envision success
- grow as a person
- choose not to condemn others
- show more gratitude
- be enthusiastic
- beat out your competition
- manage a prosperous business
- strengthen your current relationships
- compromise smoothly
- get more out of life
- reach your goals

After reading these, I found myself more motivated, more considerate of others and most of all I learned the importance of being selfless.

Have a great week!

Love,
Cheryl

The Power of Words in a Brand

Saw an article the other day in Direct Marketing, and was amazed to see my all time favorite nail polish brand featured as a brand expert!

I, too, think OPI Nail Lacquer has created a customer experience unlike any other. Since my first days of organizing the OPI racks at Ulta during high school, I’ve had an obsession with OPI Nail Lacquer. Not with just the colors and high quality of the finish, but the NAMES of the polishes!! Oh, how the use of words draw you to a brand…

Some of my favorites are “Pompeii Purple”, “Bubble Bath”, “Lapazitively Hot”, and “I’m Fondue of You”. I’ve always wondered whose job it was to pick the colors and names of each and was thrilled to find out in the article. Her name is Suzi Weiss-Fischmann and she’s the Executive Vice President of OPI Nail Lacquer, a.k.a. “First Lady of Nails”. She single handedly selects every shade based on the season’s colors and works with others I’m sure to extend their brand ‘experience’ by picking the most catchy and outrageous names for them!

If you haven’t already seen their new Fall line, La Collection De France, you should make it to your nearest salon, Ulta or Beauty Supply and check out the amazing colors and above all, the NAMES! It’s habit if you know the OPI brand – you pick up the bottle and flip it around, almost simultaneously, hold your breath and read the name of the color. Ask any OPI fan!

This behavior proves, case and point, that words can alter the customer experience and take your brand where it’s never been before. OPI tells a story, lets you live the personality of the bottle. If you know OPI, you know that it even turns into a conversation, like “Oh, are you wearing Midnight in Lincoln Park?”, "You have Dutch Tulips on, right?", or “I’m wearing I’m Not Really a Waitress”. Ha-Ha! Other brands are using words to build their brand, like Vitamin Water, Philosophy and Dogeared Jewelry. It’s so brilliant considering most consumers, particularly women, pay attention to the little things that appeal to their creative and sensitive side.

I highly recommend you experience the brand of OPI. You soon will fall in love with the random names and silliness the brand brings to your nails… and to your life, he.he.

It’s about time I see OPI in some marketing publications! They deserve the recognition!

Even for my bridesmaids, I got them all a specially named OPI polish, themed around a wedding and honeymoon. Here are the fun names:

Catch the Garter
Matched Lugged
Sweetheart
Bubble Bath
Passion
Honeymoon Sweet

Now go pick out one for yourself!





With color,

Cheryl

New Trailer for Twilight!

I'm SOOOO excited!

More of Vegas for You!

Had so much fun...















Michael Phelps text messaging on stage at Rain.

That should about do it for my Vegas fun. Thanks for stopping by!

The Perfect "Love Story"

I can't tell you enough how adorable this song is.



Enjoy my new favorite song!

Love,
Cheryl

p.s. thanks Tayler for showing me how to post 'youtube' videos! You're the best.

What happens in Vegas...

Sarah's bachelorette party in Las Vegas was AMAZING! Us girls had such a GREAT time!

Our trip started off great as soon as we walked into our luxury suite at The Flamingo. Who would have thought to put TVs in the bathroom mirrors? Ha-Ha! It was the biggest hotel suite I've ever been in! More to come...

We were then off to dinner at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba for some Spanish style food and peach Sangria.







Tao at The Venetian after was interesting...loved the girls floating in the bath tubs of rose petals, but not the creepy guys.



Saturday was our day on the strip shopping, drinking Sarah's favorite (Starbucks), riding the roller coaster at New York, New York, and discovering the convenient bus line! The European style pool at The Flamingo later was a little shocking, but SO much fun once we found some chairs to lounge on and avoided the topless older women. Pool volleyball rocked, accept Kate wasn't on my team :(



Night came and it was time to get dressed up. We grabbed the buffet at the Excalibur (so not worth over-eating at) and got in our seats for Thunder from Down Under. Sorry, ladies - no cameras were allowed. I highly recommend the show though, especially for a ladies trip to Vegas. If you feel like being sexually harassed and put on the spot, make it to the Thunder from Down Under show!

After our cheeks hurt from laughing and smiling at the oiled down Australians (sorry Robby...), we headed to The Palms for the rest of the night for the star treatment we somehow received for being a 'bachelorette party' group. We got into all of the clubs, fast and free-of-charge. My favorite was Ghost Bar and Rain. Ghost Bar had a stunning view of the strip, and Rain played TECHNO! What more could you ask for? We saw Michael Phelps at Rain, but he wouldn't take a picture with any of us ladies. Kind of gay, right?

It was definitely one of the best trips to Vegas I've ever had. It was great celebrating this exciting time with Sarah and I hope she had fun with all the games I planned for her, including a sexy panty game which she did extremely well at! I was so proud!



I love you, Sarah! Only 1 more week and you'll be hitched!



I'll post more pictures once I do some swapping with my friends! I'm definitely playing catch-up! And p.s., red bull is dangerous to phones!

Love,
C