Belated Mele Kalikimaka!

I know I am way late at posting our Hawaii trip but better late than never! Obviously it was an exciting trip announcing our new baby and all but that was just part of it. We absolutely loved our trip to Hawaii. We saw beautiful scenery and experienced new things that were just amazing!

This was one of our first views of Hawaii from the plane. Its so beautiful even from the air!We first went to Maui. We stayed in a condo complex that was right on the beach where we saw whales and this beautiful rainbow that we woke up to one day. It was so pretty to see it just disappear into the ocean.

The day after we arrived, we made our way to a couple of beaches that were very pretty and I must say, a nice break from the winter storms back home!This video cracks me up! The waves were starting to get bigger and bigger as the day went on and I think the boys were starting to underestimate the strength of them... Watch this video and keep your eye on Jordan who is standing on the left...

I promise there were no camera tricks in that disappearing act!! By the way, Terry, was this
BEFORE or AFTER you belly flopped onto the sand??? :) Let's just say, the boys keep things very entertaining!

We took a drive around the island one evening and here are some of the pics we took. It started getting dark so they aren't the greatest quality and they definitely don't do the island justice. It was absolutely gorgeous.
Jeremy and I had decided before hand we wanted to spend a day just the two of us. We drove around the island a little bit and we went to a blowhole. It was a long walk for my prego belly but it was really pretty once we got to it.
We stopped by a little local town tucked away in the mountains and Jeremy got himself an iced coconut.
We walked down this little trail that led us to a very pretty secluded beach.We went down to Lahaina later. They have a street full of shops, a lot like Main Street in Park City. We stopped at an information booth and decided at the last minute to go on a Sunset Cruise. It was a fun little getaway for us. It was so pretty to be out on the ocean and watch the sunset. But the coolest thing was to watch all the whales that we saw. This is one of the videos that we took of the whales. There is a good tail flip at the very beginning and then its a little shaky and takes a little bit to get to the other good parts but its cool to watch.


Our very favorite part of our trip in Maui was our snorkelin g excursion. We took a boat out to a couple different islands and we snorkeled. On our way out to the first island, we saw a couple more whales that got really close to the boat. It was really neat. We saw a baby whale on the back of its mom. So that was exciting. The first island was really pretty. There were fish all over and the coral was really pretty. The second island was so much fun. We were just kind of snorkeling around and there was really pretty coral to look at. We stopped for a second to see if everyone was still with us and Jeremy stuck his head back in the water to just look around and there was a sea turtle swimming right under us! So we all put our masks back on and followed it for a while. It was so neat to see it in real life. It was a perfect day for me and Jer. We saw more whales, swam with a couple of turtles, on the way back in the really shallow parts there were turtles all over and they even put up the sails on the boat, which Jeremy was really hoping for. So it was really fun for both of us!


Our next stop was Oahu.
We had a lot planned for Oahu and it was a lot of fun. We went to Pearl Harbor first.Pearl Harbor was cool. We have a plethora of pictures, courtesy of Jake and Julie, so if you want to see more of Pearl Harbor, we have the whole museum on our camera! There were so many interesting things there. I can't believe having to live on that submarine the way that they did. It was pretty cool.

Our next stop... The Polynesian Cultural Center. But, you can't go to the Cultural Center without a ride on the Pineapple Train! Yes, we went to the Pinapple farm so Becky could ride on the train since we never boarded the Sugar Cane train in Maui... I mean, we went to the Pineapple farm because we all really wanted to (wink wink).

Pinapple Picking 101: Pinapples don't grow on trees. To pick a good pineapple the eyes should all be the same size, color doesn't matter and you twist the top and it comes right off! Who'd a thought we would learn the most on our trip at the Pineapple farm?!

Now on to the Cultural Center...
We spent the rest of the day at the Cultural Center. It was fun to go around and learn the different things of the different islands. I was actually quite surprised to learn that a lot of the islands still live the same way they did years and years ago. We got ourselves some pretty sweet tatts...don't we look just like a tough couple. Yes, that's my mean face. I think I need to work on that a bit but Jer on the other hand...he's pretty much got it down!So at each little village, they do presentations. This particular village, they did dancing. And it just so happened to be Jeremy's birthday... what a coincidence! So of course we didn't let him go the whole day without embarassing himself... take a look for yourself.


We ended the night with a luau... Jeremy and I were sitting across from his dad. We decided that this picture of him should go in the Websters Dictionary under Tourist. This picture says it all...
This is the famous Waikiki Beach.
This was the view from the roof of the condo we stayed in. The view was great! We were just a house away from the ocean and then these beautiful trees and mountains on the other side. Its a shame the house had cocroaches, ants, spiders, and who knows what in the couch bed.... ugh. Those who know what its like to have to go to the bathroom multiple times in the night when you are pregnant may sympathize with me when I did not want to get up in the dark and go into the bathroom just to find cocroaches... so I woke up Jeremy everytime I had to go so he could check it out. What a sweet man I've got!

And this was our last day at the beach before our arrival back home to the bitter cold, which I must say is lasting way too long. This beach was beautiful! So relaxing and so quiet. Even with hotels all around it, no one seemed to know about it or we just went on a really good day. We did a little bit mostly just relaxed and hung out. I do remember something about Jake's swimming suit revealing a little too much skin while doing the chicken fights with his brothers while we were in the water...and as a result my mother in law laughed so hard she....well I won't say. But I'll tell ya, we sure laughed hard about it!


Well, that was our trip in a nut shell. Looking at all the pictures sure makes me miss it even more!

My Sweet Valentine

My sweet hubby took me out for a nice romantic evening for Valentine's day. He booked a room for us at the Anniversary Inn.For those who don't know, I love Italy, even though I've never been, that is my dream vacation one day. He got us the Venice Suite.
It was very sweet and very romantic! I definitely have the best husband ever! And, I think we had a better Valentines than the couple who stayed in the room above us because when we went to bed all of a sudden you could hear them yelling at each other. And I mean full blown yelling! Jeremy fell asleep, but I couldn't. But don't worry, they made up.... don't ask me how I know!!

It was a very nice relaxing weekend with just the two of us and it was needed. Thanks Honey, you are the greatest!

The Baby Bump

We found out a couple of weeks ago that we are having a little baby BOY! We are so very excited to be having a boy. I think that boys are just the magic gene for Jeremy's family (Apparently you can't have enough of them in one family). But the rumor is boys are typically easier to have for your first so I'm just banking on that! I'm sure in the future he will be one great big brother! (Hopefully to a little sister...)

I thought that it was about time I posted some belly pics. I have missed a couple of weeks and a couple have gotten deleted accidentally :(

I must say I have been very lucky this pregnancy. I was never really sick. I had a little nausea but that only lasted a few weeks and for a while there I was overly exhausted but that has all past months ago and I have felt great which I love because I have been able to have a real positive outlook and really enjoy being pregnant.

I absolutely LOVE feeling him move! And let me tell you, this kid is a wiggle worm but nothing else has put a smile on my face like his little cartwheels I feel like he does. We are both healthy and doing well so far and I am already half way through so hopefully all stays well!

The only complaint that I have had so far, and just recently, is that I cannot for the life of me find maternity clothes that fit! I wish it would just hurry up and get warm so I can where my comfortable capris and skirts! No more tight pants!! But hey, if that is my only complaint for this pregnancy, I'll take it!

Ready or not...

Parenthood here we come! Yes, we are pregnant with our first! Don't let our title fool you, this baby was very much planned but no matter how much you plan for it, I don't think you ever feel like you are ready. However, we are very excited to have a little bundle of joy on the way! I am due June 22 and will find out what we are having in just a few weeks! Our families were very much surprised since we had told them we were still going to wait another 2 years or so. We found out we were pregnant in October but of course wanted to wait a few weeks to tell people just to be on the safe side. So, we thought that since it was so close to Christmas we would just tell our parents with a christmas gift. So we bought a baby ornament and a baby book for them. I made them christmas cards and wrote a little poem about having the baby. We spent christmas time in Hawaii with Jeremy's family so before we left, we told my parents. They are very excited!! For those who have seen me lately know it hasn't been the easiest thing to hide physically. I started showing at 10 weeks so by the time we went to Hawaii, I was really showing a little belly! We got off the plane and I was trying so hard to hide it by holding my purse and some magazines in front of me... I told Jeremy I couldn't hide it much longer, so on our way to the condo we pulled over to watch the sun set into the ocean and Jer told his parents we would just give them our present then. She asked if we were pregnant and we played dumb. But I wanted to post the video that we took of his parents opening the present. It is priceless. BUT before I do, I have to give some background information. So after we found out we were pregnant we called Jer's brother because they had been trying as well and to our surprise and excitement they were pregnant too! We are due a week apart! They had all arrived in Hawaii a couple of days before us, so they had already told his parents by the time we got there. So, with that said, here is the video.



I think my mother in law was in complete shock, or she thought it was a joke at first. She wanted to be a grandma really bad and now she is getting two babies in one month!! Lucky her! Needless to say, our families are very excited and it will be great to have a little cousin for our baby to grow up with!

Instant Replay!

Ok, so for the record, we have not fallen off the face of the earth. We are still very alive and well! So, we obviously have a lot to catch up on, so I am going to do an "instant replay" of the past few months! These are in no particular order, just whatever order they were on the camera! Here we go, I'll make it quick!

So, Halloween morning I woke up and made pancakes. I flipped over the first pancake and this is what I found...

Now, maybe I'm on crack, but does it not look like Count Dracula???!!! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

and MERRY CHRISTMAS!... This was Jer's handy work at pumpkin carving this year.

Jer's little brother and his friends had a Masquerade Ball. It was fun to get all dressed up. Yes, I wore my wedding dress, and it was way too tight to wear for very long! But atleast I got two uses out of it!

And ofcourse, who can forget our CUTE little niece that was born in July?!! She is now 5 months and she absolutely ADORES her uncle! He just walks into her view and she smiles so big! He can make her smile more than I can which makes him happy I'm sure!! He is really cute with her though. He always says he doesn't want a girl cuz he knows he will be wrapped around her little finger!!

We did a couple of camping trips this summer. This picture is of us after a 2+ hour ride on the four wheelers. Can we say DIRTY?

So, before our ride, we told Koda we were going to go on a ride and he ran out the camper door. We came out a few minutes later to find him sitting on the four wheeler just waiting for us. So we hooked a crate up and he came too.

He looks like a shaggy monster in this picture. The one thing that I learned this camping trip was.... shave your shaggy dog before you go camping or you will be cutting burrs out of his fur the whole time. I had to completely chop off his ears and big chunks of fur on his legs. It was awful!

My birthday! The big 25!!!

My wonderful, amazing, most awesome husband gave me what I have wanted for YEARS! I finally got an electric guitar! I LOVE IT! And ofcourse, since I have gotten it, I have had absolutely no time to play it or learn any thing cool. Thats my New Year's Resolution!

We celebrated our 3 year anniversary this summer. We didn't really have time to do any thing on for it but we went to Park City a couple weekends later on a whim so we decided it was a late celebration. No matter how we spent it, we are just glad we are together for another year and for all eternity!

Looks like another camping trip.... this is what happens when you mix rain/snow with dirt and four wheeling...

Look a deer!

We even went shooting. This is me not wanting to shoot.... But I did and don't care if I do it again. If I do, I want earplugs.

We went mini golfing a couple of times as well, Jer and I both got a "hole in 1" this particular time. I'm not sure what angle this picture was taken at so I wasn't sure if I should bother rotating it or not.... Its a strange picture any way...

Well, that's our recap. We have done some remodeling but I'll save that for another post...it might be after Christmas. "Mele Kalikimaka" everyone! I'll be sending my warm tropical wishes across the ocean to you all here in the cold bitter weather!!!

What Matters Most

"What matters most in my life right now?" I have asked myself that question a lot since Tuesday morning. We, (as in those in my office at work) had quite an interesting start to the work week. We learned that a coworker, who some of us were closer to than others, had unexpectedly...passed away. I was not one of the people who knew him very well but had a few laughs and conversations with him. I have come to realize that no matter how well you know someone, the decisions and events in their life can affect you personally. His passing has made me think about what I have in my life that maybe he didn't. Well, maybe he did but didn't know it. What do I have in my life that I look past every day? Probably a lot. I wake up, go to work, come home, go to bed, wake up and do it all over again. Is it too late for a new years resolution??? Cuz mine is to recognize, everyday, something or someone that makes my life GREAT! I thought of 5 things, just off the top of my head, that make my life great! Not necessarily in this order either except the first one of course!!
1. My husband. He is the greatest. The other morning I was running late, he was sound asleep in bed and I went to put my deoderant on and the top of it got stuck in my lid! I tried to get it out so I didnt have to wake him up but I couldn't get it. So I quietly walked over to the bed and gently said "Jer....my deorderant is broken. Will you fix it??" Instead of rolling his eyes and complaining (like I probably would have done) he opened his eyes, looked at me, then the deoderant and just laughed. And of course one try and he got it. So I went back to the bathroom and a few minutes later was attacked by some huge mosquito bug!! It came out of nowhere! So I once again went to Jer, not so gently this time, and asked him to kill it for me. Without complaining, but with some laughter, he got up and killed it while I hid in the bathroom. There are lots of other reasons he is great but it's the little things that he does for me like these that really matter to me!! I love you honey!!!
2. My Furry Friend! There is nothing better than a fuzzy little furball greeting you everyday! Any bad day can be erased by a slobbery kiss or a nice cozy cuddle with Koda!!
3. My Family. It is so great to be able to be with a group of people who love you no matter what! (even when you are camping and playing QUELF at 1:00 in the morning and doing a hula dance humming a hawaiian song!!) My best memories are with mine and Jer's family. I love being able to turn to our parents for ANYTHING! They are always so willing to give what ever we need. Whether it's advice or a good laugh. It's always a good feeling when we can be of help to our family too. Especially our Brothers and Sister (and sister in laws).
4. Living close to my brother & sister in law. I know his is kinda a break off from the last one but I love having my brother and his family so close. I can literally run to their house. And I can't run very far! We have had some GOOD times! Their home is our second home. We especially love being close to our HILARIOUS nephew, Dawson. That kid cannot fail at making you smile! And cute little baby Emmy. She doesn't know us very well yet, but she will get used to us. Hopefully she will be cool like me and her mom. Then we can all pick on the boys!!
5. Church/Temple. This is a given. I would not have joy in my life without the gospel! I don't know how people live without it! I am not a strong person and I coudn't rely on myself to get through this life! There is no way. Jer and I have been good to go at least once a month to the temple but I missed last month because something came up at work and I couldn't get off. I have definitely felt the difference from not going just that one time. It's influence is AMAZING! I am so glad I can share it with my husband and family.

There really are so many other things that make me glad to be alive, in the place that I am and with the people I am with. I feel so sorry for those who can't see everything they have. These experiences are saddening but it is a reminder to never take anything you have for granted and enjoy everyday you have!