Monday, December 29, 2008

Lance Armstrong & Anna Hansen Expecting!

I'm not usually one to be involved in celebrity gossip, but this I couldn't pass up. Turns out Lance Armstrong is expecting a child that was naturally conceived, even after having testicular cancer. Well, that may be the news that the most people are in awe of, but I'm actually more in awe of who the mother is. Turns out it's a girl named Anna Hansen, whom Jeff and myself worked with at the Rio for a few years! Her and I hosted together every Sunday morning in Fort Collins. Supposedly they met through the non-profit for cancer survivors, where Anna now works.

When I knew Anna the most, she was in high school and I was in college. She was 16 and I was 19 when I started working at the Rio. From the few years I worked with her, she was always such a genuine and good person. She was so naturally beautiful. I always thought she should've or could've been a model. She has that all-American, blonde-hair, blue-eyed, tall and slender look going for her. More importantly, though, was that she didn't flaunt it. She could've had any guy she wanted, but she never appeared boy crazy, or perhaps she had certain standards for the guys she'd be with (Lance is quite the standard if so!). The Rio was known for it's incestuous behavior. But, she never fell into that trap, and she was always purely herself. I am so happy for Lance. If Anna is anything like she used to be, it reflects good character on Lance. I hope that they both are happy, especially Anna. I can't begin to fathom the exposure and life change by not only having a baby, but having it with such a 'superhuman' celebrity. 

In a supposed statement to PEOPLE magazine, Lance says, "We are very much looking forward to what 2009 brings on many fronts. We appreciate respecting our privacy, as we are both eager to celebrate the holidays as a family." Anna was a Facebook friend of Jeff and I, but noticed that her profile was deleted, which makes perfect sense now. Jeff and I know that she will probably be bombarded by people since this news broke and don't wish to do the same. We respect her privacy and know that if she wanted to reach out to us, she knows where we live (which happens to be in Austin where Lance's training headquarters are). Although, at this point we are mere mortals to her, especially given that we haven't kept a close connection with her. We just hope that her and Lance maintain a good relationship and have a healthy and happy family. 

Here's a video of Lance in Austin, recorded on 12/10/08 
(not related to the news of expecting a baby)

Happy Holidays

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas or Hanukah and a happy and healthy New Year!

Sunday, December 28, 2008

RODC Headlining January 16th

Hey everybody! Renegades of Disaster City, aka RODC, is headlining on Friday night January 16th at 12:30am (yeah, it's technically Saturday morning) at the Red-Eyed Fly. They hope to have a CD release that night as well. Please come and enjoy the music and Jeff's infamous dance moves on stage!

Christmas 2008

This year Jeff and I spent Christmas in Austin with his dad and our two dogs and cat. It was really laid back and just what the doctor ordered!

Jeff's dad, Jerry, moved back to Texas at the beginning of this month, after successfully selling his house of 30 plus years in Tennessee. We were so excited to have him here to share Christmas and call Texas home with us. 

Jeff made two great meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas night. Christmas Eve's meal was my favorite, being that it was Italian - gnocchi, grilled portabello and red pepper with fresh mozzarella, and caesar salad (see photo). I picked up dessert, tiramisu and gelato, from Mandola's, an Italian market and restaurant.

Christmas day Jerry, Jeff and I had breakfast, (ironically it was a Jewish breakfast, consisting of lox, capers, red onion, cream cheese on bagels) opened presents, and then we went to see the opening of the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I highly recommend it. Jeff's criticism was that Brad Pitt's acting was a bit distracting, but nonetheless he liked the movie and Jerry did as well. 

For the past 3 years, or however long it's been since the Xbox 360 was released, Jeff has been wanting to get one, but we couldn't justify spending the money on something as such that wasn't a need. So, on every birthday and Christmas, Jeff asks for one half jokingly, well knowing that I won't be able to afford one (I'm such a bad wife! so sad). Well, this year, his wish was granted - only, his dad gave it to him! He was the happiest I've ever seen him. I guess the saying's true: good things come to those who wait. :) See video for his reaction.

Jeff, getting warmed up.

Jerry

Christmas Eve dinner




video: Gift unwrapping

Burnaugh Family Christmas

The Saturday following Christmas, Jeff and I traveled two hours to College Station, where the rest of his family joined in celebration of Christmas. 

Baby Elijah had his first Christmas this year, and needless to say, he stole the show. He's so cute and such a happy baby! 


It was great to see everybody together and to eat such a wonderful meal. I always go nuts when I'm with Jeff's family when it comes mealtime. They do it right, with so many yummy dishes and desserts that it's virtually impossible to walk away without my belly stretched full with as much food as I could possibly take in!

Jeff completely surprised me with gifts at his family's house. They were labeled, 'from Santa', but they had been shipped to his cousin's house with her name on the box. The adults weren't supposed to get each other gifts and Jeff and I agreed to only buy stocking stuffers for each other this year. So, I was completely stumped! Not until Jeff confessed did I understand what he did for me. I feel so bad that his 'trick' was a bit too effective, but in the end I was beside myself for his generosity. Next year I'm gonna have to come up with something really big for him - no silly stocking stuffers and his dad can't beat me to the punch on his gift either, damnit! ;)

We hope everybody had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season this year. I'm sad I missed seeing everybody from my side of the family this year. Wish I knew further in advance to have planned to see everybody, but that's how the cookie crumbles. I realize that moving away from your home town makes for careful planning when seeing old friends and family, and just hope that we can see you all soon!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Sweet Dreams

I just love this! Great imagination and animation!

"Sweet Dreams" (2007) from Kirsten Lepore on Vimeo.
Check out the artist's site and blog


Minilogue - Animals

So much fun! I want to learn animation!!...

Minilogue - Animals from ljudbilden on Vimeo.


A Short Love Story

This is such a beautiful stop motion film....

A SHORT LOVE STORY IN STOP MOTION from Carlos Lascano on Vimeo.