35 weeks and 4 days

My belly has gotten so much bigger since the last time I posted on here, hope you enjoy the new picture:

Baby Gear Construction

A few weeks ago we went to Omaha and looked for baby stuff. We purchased a pack n' play and my parents were very kind to buy us the stroller we wanted(thanks!) for our new little bundle of joy arriving in October. I was so eager to see it all put together that my wonderful husband did it for me the day after we purchased them. Here are a few pictures of him in constructing the two items. I have to add there was no frustration in this at all, it was actually pretty easy to put them together, I was surprised(usually you need about 5 different tools when putting together something)!!! This was a "no tools" needed project.
Putting together the stroller:


The finished product, I love it!!!

Putting together the pack n' play, which matches the stroller: (looks like this when finished pretty much!)

We are both SO excited to meet our little one and it's been fun for us to buy stuff, put it together and put it in the baby room. The crib and dresser will be arriving at our house in early July, so I will post pictures of that construction then. I am sure that one will require some tools and maybe a little more frustration than these two items did, but let's hope not!!!

Downstairs of House

Some of you wanted to see more pictures of the house, so here are some of the downstairs. I guess I totally forgot about taking pictures of this before. Enjoy!!
Great Room Area:

Pool Table/Bar Area:

Jason's Poker Room:

Work-Out Room:

The Baby Bump Just Keeps Growing

We had our ultrasound exactly one week and one day ago today. This was a very neat experience for both of us and we were told at this appointment that our baby weighed about 13 oz. and I was about 20 weeks 4 days along, which is 4 days further along than I thought we were. In all aspects it would be nice to go early, but just because of maternity leave reasons I hope it's not much sooner than we have already been told, although we have no control over this.

Our New House

Well, we moved in just a little under 2 weeks ago and I am finally getting around to posting pictures of our new house. We love where we are living and couldn't be happier to finally have a house again. As I type Jason is outside working on our new landscaping. I have already put in a bunch of flower pots out front. Our house is already feeling much like a HOME!!!
Great room area:

Kitchen:

Front Entryway:

Master Bedroom:

Those are all the pictures I have for now. I forgot to take pictures of the downstairs, but will try to get that done and posted soon.

Tummy Pic

Well several people at work have already started to comment on how I am starting to "show," so I thought it was time for a post so everyone else who I don't see very often could see me as well, ENJOY!!! I am feeling pregnant, yeah!!! It is SO cute to hear Jason comment about my tummy, he is super excited and keeps telling people we're almost half-way there.(Tuesday is 20 weeks)

I have to share this funny picture that Jason jumped in when my mom was taking the pictures of me, SO FUNNY!!!

Due 10-6-09

Jason and I are proud to announce we will soon be parents. We are SO excited for this next adventure in our life. Though we know it will be challenging at times we are completely ready.

Black Hills Trip

This past weekend Jason and I ventured to the Black Hills with some friends for a nice long getaway weekend. We both took off work Friday, so we headed out there Thursday afternoon and arrived at Antelope Lodge around 9:30pm.

Since Jason had never been to the Hills we ventured out just the two of us on Friday and took a long drive visiting Hills City, Mt. Rushmore and Keystone where we picked up some of their wonderful taffy at the "Taffy Shop."

Jason and I by the "faces"
We got back to the cabin on Friday afternoon and met back up with the rest of our group for some grilling at the cabin that night. I also made a cake to celebrate Tom and Jason's birthdays, which were Feb. 28 and March 2.

Then we got ready to head into Deadwood.

The girls: Stacey, Dre, Me, Steph

"Penny Slots" in Deadwood
On Saturday we spent the day with our whole group of friends we went to the Hills with. We set out around noon that day and did not return till 8 that night to our cabin, it was a long, but very fun day spent together.
First, we went to Keystone for some more taffy.

The girls in the streets of Keystone.
Then we hit up the Presidents again.(first time for everyone else, second time for Jason and I, but it was FUN to be with everyone!)

Jason, Me, Stacey and Tom below the Presidents.
The last stop was to BEAUTIFUL Sylvan Lake.
Taken up top of a rock overlooking the gorgeous lake.
Then it was off to eat at the destination we had been waiting for all day, Alpine Inn in Hills City. I have to say, not being a big steak person, the restaurant was amazing and a must go to if you are ever there.
The weekend was very relaxing and lots of fun time shared with great friends!

House Developments

WOW!!! It has been forever since I have posted anything on here. Many of you have been asking me about our new house and have been telling me for some time now how I need to post new pictures of it. I finally got around to taking some pictures yesterday. We now have a a roof, shingles, windows and garage doors on our house. The front door should be in soon and Jason has been working on ceiling designs inside the house. In about a week the sheetrockers and insulation guys will be going in, followed by the tape and texture man! I am getting SO excited. The move in date as been moved up(not what we preferred) to April 25, but the townhome we are renting has to be rented for the entire month, no pro-rating, thus kicking us out. The house will be ready, but we are putting it on the parade here, so all our stuff will be in when millions of people are touring it, now what i wanted, but I will deal. So without further ado, here are some pictures:
A view of the back of the house from the street:

A view of the front of the house:

A view from the hallway looking into what will be the great room and kitchen area:

If you can see it, I took a picture of the circle that is going to be the ceiling design for the Master bedroom:

I will take more pictures of the inside of the house as it becomes easier to tell what everything is. Right now it's kind of difficult unless you actually see it in person.

Week/Weekend Wrap

WOW!!! That's all I can say about the last 5 nights. We have had something going on every night, which is SO unusual for us. To make it even more unusual 2 of the nights were spent "bar hopping."

*Wednesday night= A week night spent with my husband because he got off work early. This rarely happens. We went for supper and then to a few stores where Jason ended up purchasing a brand new golf club, not sure why that had to be purchased now, well, I guess I do, old model=on sale=have to buy it (I am fine with it, I get my fair share of buying what I want)

Thursday night= A nice evening trip to Luverne to have supper with some friends that live there and their 2 boys. Then back to see their brand new home that my husband built for them. Love the house, it turned out so good. My friend, Stacey, is one awesome decorator and has many neat ideas for paint colors.

Friday night= A night out with my friend Jamie who was in town from Colorado. The night was spent going to 2 bars before heading home around 12:30 for the night (way past my bedtime). Night #1 of going to the bar and let me tell you I know now why I HATE bars, smelling like an ashtray when I get home=DISGUSTING!!!!

Saturday night= A combined bachelor/bachelorette party, which obviously Jason and I attended together. We had supper at a very nice restaurant in town before heading out to drive around in a stretch Hummer limousine and do Night #2 of going to the bars. Let me tell you this second night in a row of going out to the bars is VERY unusual for us as well, I bet we have not spent a night going out to the bars in over a year, just not us anymore. And once again I HATE bars, smelling like an ashtray 2 nights in a row=DOUBLE DISGUSTING!!

Sunday= sleeping in and laying in bed watching TV till about 10:30 with my hubby, so relaxing! Got some cleaning done and now it's time to do some more laying around.

How did you spend your week/weekend???

Highlights of Christmas Week

Wednesday Night:
We were at my grandparents house having dinner and opening presents. Around 8:30pm we headed off to catch the 9:00 Christmas Eve church service at the church in which my mom grew-up in, this has been a tradition since I can remember. We then headed back to my parents and Jason and I left to go to our house for the night just to sleep.
Family portrait at my grandparents:

Jason and I at my grandparents:


Thursday:
Up early around 7:45am to get ready and head to my parents for the entire day. We started opening all these presents about 9:00am

and did not finish till about 10:30am. We started a tradition a few years ago where only one person opens a present at a time, each year we switch it up and start youngest to oldest or oldest to youngest, it has been a great tradition and fun to watch what everyone is opening. Got some really neat gifts, such as: an ipod, a few sweaters, giftcards, money towards my new computer(just ordered it yesterday), a framed picture of the article the newspaper had in the paper about Jason's and my wedding and a bunch of other fun things! Jason got a new suede dark brown jacket, some sweaters and giftcards as well. After opening presents we sat down to a great breakfast prepared by mom the night before, all she had to do was stick it in the oven that morning. Then we all got changed into our regular clothes and played some games for the rest of the afternoon till about 6:00pm when we headed to the Skyforce Basketball game, where they ended up losing by one stinkin' point. A very great, memorable day!
A few snapshots of opening gifts:
Jason and I with the article my mom had framed for us (it will look great in our new house):

Us with our giftcards from my brother:

The gifts we gave my dad:

The present of MANY assorted gifts for mom:


Friday:
We awoke early, but I was able to get a work-out in at the gym from all the food eaten the last few days because today we were about to embark on yet another BIG Christmas get together with Jason's family this time. We got a late start and did not leave till about 11:00am, but we made it there before a few other family members, thought we were going to be late! :) We had a nice sit-down family lunch with about 30 of us, now you ask how do you do a sit-down lunch with that many people!? We managed to do it and all in good order. The mom's dished up their children who well, did not eat a whole lot, more like snacked on desserts! Jason and I just sat down and ate, we have no children(YET) as you all well know, so we got to dig in and eat right away. After lunch the women cleaned up while the men took naps and watched some television. The kids ran around the house and were all into something different, playing Wii, playing with their new toys etc. One little nephew got some special attention from his uncle Jason though,

after playing and hanging out all afternoon we headed back home and arrived here about 8:30pm that night. It was a great day spent with Jason's family and a day of great company enjoyed by all.
Our Christmas very joyous and memorable, we hope yours was as well. Jesus is the reason for the season!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
We hope everyone enjoys this special time of year with family and friends. Please remember that the #1 reason for this very wonderful holiday is the birth of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. We pray that you keep this at the forefront of your minds during all the holiday fun and cheer that is brought your way.
Jason and I will be spending tonight with my mom's side of the family at my grandparents house. We take in a big meal, good conversation, present opening and a church service around 10pm tonight. Tomorrow morning we will wake up and head over to my parents where we spend the entire day. We will open presents, play a lot of fun games and later that night head out to a basketball game. This has been a tradition my family has had for MANY MANY years and it is a day I look forward to many months ahead of time.
Friday we will make the drive to Iowa where we spend the entire day with Jason's side of the family. We open presents, take in some good conversation and relax.
Merry Christmas and God Bless you all!

Thanksgiving Weekend

We hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving! Our weekend was filled with being with and enjoying the company of family and friends. My weekend started Wednesday and I will just tell you it was a much needed break. I can't believe it is already over to be honest, it flew by! Wednesday night we spent the evening going out to supper with my parents and brother who was just in town for a few nights. Then later that night we went to a party at my mom's work. Thursday was turkey day and we spent the day relaxing till about 4:00 when we went to my aunt's. There were about 24 of us there and it was extremely fun and very nice to see some of my cousins that I have not seen in awhile. After supper we spent about 2 hours playing wii(SUPER FUN!!) I want one now. :) Friday I went shopping a little in the morning with my mom while Jason worked all day. I have to say those people who get up at
4am and go to the stores or even those guys who were camped out at Best Buy since Tuesday are really crazy, I say just spend the extra money! I made some chili for our chili feed that we went to in Iowa on Friday night. I even met a friend for some good conversation with a warm drink in hand at Barnes and Noble. Saturday was spent in Iowa with Jason's family having Thanksgiving there. Then today we had some good friends come over and the guys watched football while the girls went shopping. They brought their two adorable little boys with them and we had fun playing with them for awhile as well. So that about sums up the weekend, now you can see why it went by SO fast, we were busy almost every minute of it. Now as I sit here writing this I am thinking how in 12 hours I will be at school again and I am feeling sorry for myself, why do breaks have to go by so fast!? How did you spend your Thanksgiving weekend?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! We hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends.

House Update!!

The house is well underway and is now at a standstill while Jason and his partner frame a few houses for another contractor here in town. Sometime the end of November beginning of December the rafters will be put on the house, but for now this is where the house is and I can say I am VERY pleased with it so far. I have gotten everything I have wanted and more!! :-)

Outside of our new home:

Great room/kitchen area: (the larger space in the middle is for my 8ft.X5ft. FULL GLASS window, I am SO excited about it! Also the far right framed out room in the picture is my nice PANTRY, another request by me and Jason tells me we are putting a deep freeze in there.)

Looking into the Master bedroom: (notice the two windows and then a longer, skinny one above where the bed will go, another one of my requests!)

Back of our new home: (notice the space for my big full glass window again!)


So what do you think? Pretty far from the last time I posted pictures, huh!?