What about BOB?

For those of you that have been through this pregnancy bit...help me out here.
It is now 10:30 a.m., and I can not possibly keep my eyes open. I went to bed around 8:30 last night, got nearly ten hours of shut eye, and I feel like I am on drugs right now. Just call me bob, cuase that is about all I can do with my head right now. You know that feeling when you can't possibly stay awake for one second longer or you might kill over and die!!
What the h*@# is going on? It is a whopping 26 degrees outside and I have my office window wide open as to try and keep myself awake!
I am sure Bentley does not want any more diet coke!!

We did it!

At this time of year, there are so many things to enjoy and be grateful for, but I just have to post this quick note...I LOVE MY JOB! I love what I do and I love the challenge and the rewards.
For the last month or so, a committee of about 15 have been working on landing this huge conference for Ogden. The last month has been very, very busy and many times, very tiring and frustrating!!
On Wednesday our labors came to fruition. We spent sleepless nights Monday and Tuesday preparing for a HUGE presentation Wednesday morning! It was very nerve racking and very exciting!
After a wonderful (if I do say so myself) forty five minute, very detailed, and very impressive presentation by ten of my colleagues in the industry and myself, the meeting planners gave us a confirmation of our award!! Tears were shed, hugs and handshakes all around! It was one of the most rewarding days of my career thus far.
It is so fun to be challenged, work together as a team and then get to celebrate!!
Way to go Ogden hospitality industry on a job well done!!
Brade and I had to celebrate that night. What would a good ol fashioned celebration be without...Utah Noodle and Christmas shopping. I had never been to the famed Utah Noodle, and Brade insisted we try it. Highly recommended!! Maybe it was just the great company, but all in all, it was a great day!!!

On the first working day of Christmas...

My co-worker, Joan and I decided to do the Twelve Working Days of Christmas to our boss. Now, all of you who know me, know that I would not just do the traditional gifts. Oh no, this is much more elaborate and themed of course. We chose to do things related to Rich or the CVB.
He is required to display all of them until Christmas. The pictures are kind of hard to see, but I think you can get the idea.


On the first day of Christmas, my true friends gave to me a...
Portrait of a pair at a party!






On the second day of Christmas, my true friends gave to me...
Two torn gloves!







On the third day of Christmas, my true friends gave to me...
Three next of kin!
(All of his favorite hobbies)








On the fourth day of Christmas, my true friends gave to me...
Four Falling Tours!
(Richard fell over a rope while giving a tour)







On the fifth day of Christmas, my true friends gave to me...
Five Gold Rings!

BLOGGER'S CHOICE AWARDS 2007

Good afternoon bloggers. It is my pleasure to be your host today. (insert funny joke here) This year has been an eventful one, to say the least. Many of you, like myself, have entered into the blogger world this year. It is a life changing experience that can only be expressed to fellow bloggers. I can not beleive I am already posting my twenty-first post. I thought this day would never come. (Misty eyed moment, wipe eyes and fan face).
Today is the day, that day we have all been looking forward to. The final day of voting. If you are anything like me, this has been consuming your thoughts, your sleepless nights, your dreams and your actions.
Voting will end at midnight tonight. I hope to see you in my inbox. Have a wonderful evening!

To my faithful fans...

I have let you down... I know, I know, get off my back! You may be thinking, "really? Does she really have a life, because she never blogs about it"
I really think Brade and I have a great and adventurous life, but for the last four weeks Brade and I have been living in a studio apartment (AKA, the office in our house). This studio apartment is fully furnished with a mattress, dresser, nightstand and of course the trusty ol' comp! The rest of our house you ask? Yes, the rest of our house is part of Extreme Makeover Ketcham Edition! So needless to say, I do not have much to blog about these days! Please stay committed to my blog, find it within your self to trust me that bigger and better things are yet to come!!
As a very important side note...you have five days left to vote! Those of you out there you have voted (you know who you are) give your self a nice firm pat on the back and next time some one calls you a procrastinator, you say "oh contrair (sp?) my love, I was one of the first to cast my ballot in the First Annual Blogger's Choice Awards!"
This is a little somethin somethin I whipped up with the scraps the other night when I was done working for the evening. Think of it as a little momento for the babe to let her know what we did to prepare for her! We can not wait to see out little BEE-NUT!!

This one goes out to those handsome boys in my life!

I am pretty sure they (my dad, Trevor, Mark and Jackson) like it when I do posts of them twinkling their little toes. In light of the season, this laugh is on me!

Merry Christmas to all!<---Click here!

And the first Blogger's Choice Award goes to....

Libby wins for the best votes and the FIRST person to cast her ballots. I must say...they were absolutely hilarious. I was sitting in my office reading them, laughing out loud! Great job Lib, this was a secret category, but you managed to pull out with the victory!
P.S. If you "happen upon my blog" like I do with so many people, you are welcome to check here for the categories and cast your ballot to LRK@ogden.travel. I would love to hear from you! I am sure you are a very nice person and have extensive knowledge of other bloggers! I hope to see you pop up on the email!

13 MORE DAYS

Just a reminder...thirteen more days until voting ends. Get your votes in for your favorite blogs. You do not have to vote in every category (Kristen) you can pick and choose which one is best suited for the blogger of choice!!

SNOWBASIN IS OPEN, I AM HOME!

(My Dad and me)

Two years ago my brother, Trev and I decided we no longer wanted our feet to be strapped to one board, but two. We were both working up at Snowbasin and had some hook ups in the rental shop. On our day off, we did what we probably shouldn't have. Neither one of us had skied in years, since we both jumped on the "boarder" train when it was the cool thing to do. After two dislocated shoulders, some concussions and wrist injuries, we decided maybe we should go back to skiing!
No lessons, no idea what we were doing, and absolutly no fear, we took to the slopes. Neither one of us have turned back. We fell in love. Fortunatly, we both had season passes and the convenience of working on the mountain and we had the time of our lives that season!! We have found our passion. We both have become quite obsessed with skiing!! There is nothing I love to do more in the winter months than be skiing with Trev, my dad, Brade or Maima. We have had so much fun.
Well, as you can imagine, when I found out I was pregnant, I quickly did the math. February, really? That means by the time the snow falls, I will be way too big to ski and then by the time I am back in shape after she is born, the snow will be long gone.
I am having some withdrawals and slowly working through it with the help of an experienced counselor. I am sure I will get over it just in time for next season! I CAN NOT WAIT!!!

Sualc Atnas came early to our house!!

UPDATE ON THE FREEZE OUT

Sualc Atnas (Santa Claus spelled backward) made an early visit to our house this year. But, rather than leave us with some nice gifts for the holiday, he warmed up the house and took $500.00 bones from the Ketcham's humble abode!!

I am sure some of you have had visits from Santa's brother Sualc in holidays gone by. He is so nice to drop in and take all the gifts waiting for December 25! Happy Holidays!

COLD FRONT HITS OGDEN, UT

I have inserted the temperature reading to the right to give you a better feel for this story. Last night as Brade and I are hauling in load after load of heavy lumber and peeling off layer after layer of clothing to accomodate for the warm temperatures in our home, we decided to turn off the heat, leave the front door open and open a few windows to get a draft through the house. Keep in mind it is approximately 35 degrees outside. Having a pregnant woman in the house and a man that NEVER gets cold, we keep our house around 65 in these latter months.
After about an hour we decided to nestle in, have some supper and prepare for bed. I proceed to the thermostat to resume the house heating process. The thermostat now reads 60 degrees...not bad. I turn on the switch and wait for the sound of the (nearly brand new) furnace to kick on, but to no avail. No heat, no roaring sound of the fan, no warm fuzzies, I got nothin!
Brade continues to fiddle with it and test it, meanwhile, I am on Google searching for an answer. We all know Google can solve everything. Needless to say, when we went to bed last night it was 53 degrees in the house, when we woke up, it was a whopping 41!!
Have you ever tried to do your hair with a beanie on or get dressed without letting any skin touch the cool crisp air. On this Thanksgiving Eve, I have to say, I did not attempt the shower. I know, I know, but really, I want you to go outside when it is forty degrees, strip down to your nothings and see how it feels. Just dont' call me to hang out until later when I can go to my sister's and shower!!



November 20th, 2007 through November 21st, 2007-
Brady and Lindsey Ketcham
have successfully completed the
Klondike Challenge-CONGRATULATIONS!!

1st Annual Blogger's Choice Awards

Announcing the First Annual Blogger's Choice Awards



I welcome you to cast your vote for your favorite blogger in each category. After the votes have been cast and ballots have been tallied, there will be an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the blogger celebrities. I will be hosting the award party at my house in the latter part of December. Everyone is invited whether or not you are up for nomination. I apologize I can't claim a specific date at this time due to the uncertainty of remodel completion. Please stay tuned for a definitive date. This will be a party you will not want to miss.
To cast you ballot, please read through the categories below and email your votes to LRK@ogden.travel. Thus, your votes will not be public knowledge until the big reveal!
You may vote for any blogger that you know. They do not have to be present to win. I will notify all award recipients after the grand party!!
Categories
1. Most humorous blogger overall
2. Most Unique Post
3. Most original background and layout
4. Blogger with most frequent posts
5. Blogger with the most "friend" links
6. Most humurous post/story
7. Best Soundtrack
8. Funniest Photo
9. Best Halloween post
10. Best Thanksgiving post
11. Most improved blog
12. Best vacation post
13. Best Comment
14. Most unique viewer tracking system
15. Best advice on a blog
16. Most unique place of residence
17. Saddest story/post
18. Most impactful story/post
19. Best Overall Blog
20. Best looking blogger
21. Mother of all bloggers

Please submit the bloggers web address and name to the email provided. Please keep in mind, you do not have to "know" this person to nominate them for any of the twenty one categories. Good luck, voting closes Dec. 10 and nominees will be notified by Dec. 15th.

You might be an obsessed blogger if...

*you know way more than you should about the lives of "friends" within six degrees of separation of all your friends.
*you post a comment in less than five minutes of your friend's posting on several occasions.
*you "happen" upon old high school/junior high/elementary friends will surfing blogs
*blogging is the hot topic at most social occasions with your friends
*your husband and immediate family have resorted to gourmet meals of cold cereal and chicken nuggets because you can't be bothered to leave the home office.
*you can ramble off all the Halloween costumes worn by all your acquaintances, their children, their neighbor's children and where they went trick or treating.
*you would think about grabbing your home computer before your albums, in case of a house fire.
*you check blogs while enjoying a relaxing vacation with your family because maybe, just maybe, somebody else you know took a vacation and they took photos.
*you are bothered to think that you need to use the restroom before heading to the computer upon waking in the morning!
*you spend most days observing the surroundings for an idea for your next blog!
*you allow blogging to interfere with your 9-5 work schedule.

Ketcham Krash 2007

For those of you that missed out on our party on Saturday...you should feel really bad. We had a good turn out and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves. Hopefullly next time, everyone will be there. Here are some photos from the eventful festivities!


Rory attempted to climb the fireplace. He did a really great job, and we are really proud of him! Way to go Ror.





Markus was a trapeze artist. He was amazing. He could scale the ladder and tear wallpaper at an amazing pace.
Do not worry...I have saved that beautiful chandelier for the first commenter on this post. You better jump...this one is going to go fast!!
Vern, this would look great in your hew house!





This is what our house looked like after all the party goers had gone. Just a small mess for Brade and I to clean up!

No, really...thank you to Maima and Markus, Jen and Ror and my mom and Jeff for helping us on Saturday. There is no way we could have knocked that out in the time we did without your help.
I mentioned in a previous blog that Brade did not think that Bentley should come home to wood floors. Well, we have taken it just a hair past recarpeting the floors. Trust me, it needed it and I am SO glad Brade finally gave in to demolition!! Stay tuned for the AFTER pictures!!

(sorry the photo quality is not really up to par, I had to take them with my phone)

Tag, you are it!

Nicole made the suggestion on my last post that I tag everyone to do a post about what they are grateful for. It is kind of fun and it will be super cool to read everybody elses! I can't wait to see them. I just gave you a perfectly good post, so there are no excuses!

I heart....

I am feeling really grateful today. I decided since I am a horrible journal writer, I would share with all of you the best things in life.

I heart Brade!

Just look at him. You really can not help but just love him. He is so dang cute.

I heart my family!


See if you can pick out who is who.

I heart Brade's family!


I heart the snow and skiing!

Yes, this was last year at Snowbasin after a huge snow dump. I was skiing down and realized this was a picture I never wanted to forget. I stopped, took my phone out and snapped. WOW, you don't get scenery like this anywhere else!

I heart Ogden!

This picture really does not do it justice. This is what I get to look at on my two minute commute to work everyday! Top that big city dwellers!

I heart my job!

Not only do I live in an amazing city, I get to travel around the world and tell people how wonderful it is!! Seriously, I know you are jealous. It is ok, I understand.

I heart my childhood friends!



I have many other people in my life I consider friends, but I could take up the whole page in photos. That will be another post!

I heart Diet Coke!

Brade is a Coke lover and of course I choose the Diet, but needless to say Brade and I had a wonderful afternoon sampling the offerings at the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, GA.

I heart having nephews!




Jackson and Tanner are the cutest little boys ever. Brade has become a totally different person around Tanner. He used to be so hesitant about children, but then Tanner came along and he instantly fell in love. He loves to be the "cool uncle". Jackson is the happiest kid I know. He can always make you laugh!

I heart blogs!

Happy Happy Birthday Maima!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Maima,
I know you don't usually have the birthday you want because it is shadowed by Halloween. I just want you know how lucky I feel to have you as a sister. You have helped me through so much and inspired me throughout my life. I have always looked up to you and sometimes even despised you for how talented and strong you are! I hope you have a wonderful birthday and try and remember all the great and wonderful years you have had with our "super cool" family and now your wonderful husband and BEAUTIFUL SON!!

But, what if I don't think my child is cute?

I had my big ultrasound today. You know the one that is supposed to detect birth defects and make sure everything is ok. Well, it turns out Bentley is doing great. She is growing normally, heart is strong and healthy. She is in picture perfect health.
But, picture perfect is not what we got when we had a 3D scan. I wish the tech would have never offered it. I know Bentley is still developing and still very much a skeleton with some very thin skin, but she was...alienish. I was not prepared to see that come up on the screen. For all of you that have had one, I hope yours looked better than mine. From what I can see, she has two rather large dark holes where there should be soft eyelids. She has the same mouth you see when a geriatric patient removes their false teeth and she ...well she...how do I say this...she just isn't what most would consider "a beautiful baby".
I am sure she will be beautiful, but don't ruin a mothers dreams by showing her this. I just thought I would warn all of you that have yet to experience this.
Good luck out there. The imaging room at the OB can be a cruel, cruel place.

Have Busy Ball Popper, Will Travel!

This is a public service announcement. I am pretty sure Playskool will recruit me for their marketing team after this one. For all of you that have kids between the ages of nine months and five years or ever will have children between these ages...you NEED one of these.
The utterly AMAZING Playskool Busy Ball Popper. My sister-in-law discovered it first. She bought it for my nephew and then turned me on to it. Brade and I gave it to Jackson, (check Amy's site if you haven't already) for his first birthday two weeks ago. He has not taken an eye off that thing since he opened it. It is a pretty basic concept, but it does wonders. So you say you need a little time to catch up on some tube or whatever you like to do, you just put this is the middle of floor, give your child a brief demonstration how to keep it running, and you are home free. In fact, I watched Jackson for a few hours today at my house. Yes, you guessed it, he came with a diaper bag, blanket and his Busy Ball Popper. Really I could have left the house and he would have been perfectly fine!!
You can find this Gem (I call it that because children of ALL ages fell in love with it at his birthday party) at your local Toys R Us. It is a small price to pay for sanity!!
For every baby shower here on out, yup, you guessed it, Busy Ball Poppers all around!
I would love to hear other succes stories if you have them!

Really? This much time spent on a nursery?

I really do not have a life. My sister, Amy, convinced me to do a blog because I would have "so much to talk about". Well I am quickly finding out that is not true. I go to work, I come home work on the house and then wake up the next morning to do it all again. So I apologize for the content of my posts being pretty much the same topic. However, if you want something to read, like I know I do everyday, you will just go with flow.

Brade has decided that he wants to redo the entire house before Bentley is born. He is covering all the wood floors with carpet. I know, I know, many of you think we are lame. This is how our conversation went:

Brade:"You know I really want to be that dad that rolls around on the floor with their child. I want to be everywhere they are."

Linds: "I think that is great. I agree with you. What are you getting at?"

Brade: "I have decided I want to cover all the wood floors in the house with nice plush carpet so Bentley can go anywhere and feel comfortable."

OK, how am I supposed to deny him that. It was way too cute. Needless to say the carpet is ordered. We are in the process of painting her room now. I found this bedding online for a mere $800.00 dollars!! Really, who buys bedding laced with gold these days. I feel in love with the pattern and the color so my WONDERFUL friend at work is going to whip it up on her sewing machine! People never seize to amaze me. The bottom half of the walls in her bedroom will look like the lime colored fabric in large vertical stripes. I have decided to be very bold and paint the chair rail, trim and door casings black. We will see how it works out. She has a black crib and changing table as well. Maybe, a little morbid, but we will soon find out!!

Dear Bentley,
Even though I have had a pretty rough pregnancy, I did want to highlight some of the best times we have had so far. Bee, your dad and I are so excited that you are going to be part of our lives. I have never seen your dad so happy and so engaged. When he talks about you his face lights up. He is very proud of his daughter, even though he has yet to meet you. Trust me on this on Bentley, your dad will be your protector from now until forever. He will watch over you and protect you as long as he is able. Just be prepared.
Bee, you and I have had some amazing memories already. You and I have traveled to nine different states and shared some great moments together. We have been to Alaska, Chicago, Jackson Hole, San Jose, Colorado, Idaho, Florida, and Georgia. Atlanta, GA was my favorite by far. Your dad and I decided to take a "Babymoon." While you are still pretty easy to travel with, we took one last get away. We went to the PGA Tour Championship, where we sat feet away from Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and the rest of your dad's heroes. There is only one thing that makes your dad happier than being a husband and a father...GOLF. You will soon be hitting the links with him, I am sure! You have been a pretty good traveler, except when I had to get up early, sit for long periods on a plane and stand at a trade show.
Bentley, not only are your dad and I excited, you have so many close friends and family that are anxiously waiting to meet you. Your Grandma Annie, Maima and Emma have spoiled you rotten already. You have a whole closet full of clothes, shoes, and accessories. I don't think you will ever have to go without. Your Grandpa Jeff could not be more excited. He tells everyone about you and happy is for your dad and I. He does call you Mercedes though. We love him.
Bee, as your mom, I can not tell you enough how excited I am to meet you. I feel like I know you already. You have already changed our perspective and outlook so much. We love you!
I promise to be the best mom I know how to be!
Love ya,
Mom

Vampire Veins!

I have been reading the Twilight series, so that is probably why this title came to mind!

Unfortunately, I did not receive the first time mom memo when I found out I was pregnant. You know the one that reads:

ATTENTION: you have now officially lost your immune system. You will contract every illness or infection from here until delivery.

In the last six months I have had everything from kidney infections to bronchitis. Let me just tell you about my latest adventure with illness. I have a very overprotective husband who insisted I call the nurse because I had not kept any food or liquid down for over 36 hours. I had the stomach flu bug that has been going around. The nurse suggested I come just to make sure I was not dehydrated.

Come to find out, yes I was severely dehydrated and I did need an IV to get some fluids in balance. Just my luck! After trying for about ten minutes to get a vein, they decided it wasn't going to work so they put me under a heating blanket. Just when I was all nice and toasty, they started the IV. If any of you have ever wondered where they store those large bags of the mysterious liquid...wonder no more. I took it upon myself to find out. They store them in the sub zero!!

I have never been so cold in all my life. After the first bag of ice crystals, I asked for a blanket. We all know what kind of blankets they supply. The nice warm quilt that was offered to me reminded me of the little apron the dentist places on your chest while in the chair. Needless to say, after three bags of fluid and six hours later, I had officially turned stone cold!

I now know how Edward Cullen feels!!

New Blogger

I am so excited to finally be blogging and not just stalking everyones blogs. This is a glimpse into the exciting life of a saleswoman, wife, and soon to be mom.