Ultrasound

IT'S A GIRL!!!

We had our BIG ultrasound today and found out we will be having a little girl. :) Sorry, we are not giving away any names though. She was quite wiggly and also had the hiccups.

Christmas Tree Hunting

A few weeks ago we headed out to Kluck's Nursery to get our very first real family Christmas tree. We had fun looking for the perfect tree, and cutting it down ourselves. Jacob enjoyed helping dad with cutting and dragging the tree. It was pretty cold, but we had fun doing it. I'll try and post a picture of the tree setup and decorated too.

An update....Finally!

Okay, I've had a lot of requests for an update. I know I've been slacking lately, but actually have been just really busy at work and at home. So here is a picture of me sporting my little belly and new hair cut. I am currently at 17 weeks, and we will hopefully be finding out the baby's gender right after Christmas. :)

No more Queasiness?

I have been struggling with all-day queasiness for a while, mostly in the evening now. I just found these Preggie Pop Drops at Babies R Us and decided I needed to try them. I'm getting to the point in my pregnancy where these symptoms should subside, however I still feel icky occasionally. These little hard candy treats are pretty tasty and if I take one at the first signs of queasiness, they seem to help. They have gotten really good reviews from other women, and I give them a thumbs up.

My ONLY Trick-or-Treaters

We live in a decent size subdivision, however the only little trick-or-treaters we had were Rachel, Adam, and Tommy. So glad they stopped in! Maybe it's because it was rainy, or the fact that we are in the back of the sub, which is not fully developed yet. They probably figure it's not worth the walk for two houses, since the others are still empty. Someone should have stopped, because I would have given them a loot full of candy. :)

Special Treat

I stayed home sick yesterday from work, just my usual all-day queasiness. Dean had to work down state and came home with these YUMMY chocolates for me. He's so wonderful, and knows how much I LOVE chocolates, so when he found this little store he had to stop. Each one is almost too pretty to eat, but they taste even better, melt in your mouth! I like to make my own chocolates, but I don't think I could make anything that looks like these. Some of them are shaped like ice-cream cones, pumpkin, dog, etc. Very tasty!

A 'Little' Surprise!!

I am joining the many girls I know who are expecting. That's right, I'm PREGNANT!!!

I had my first doctor's appointment today, and they think I am about 8 weeks along. They couldn't really make out much on the ultrasound, it's still kind of early. My due date is not definite yet, but should be around May 16th. I am going back tomorrow for another ultrasound(one a little more invasive), and will hopefully have more of a definite due date then.

We are VERY happy and excited, and it has been hard to keep this little secret for the past couple weeks. I just started telling people at work today.

Midland Balloon Festival

Last weekend was the hot air balloon festival in Midland. The pictures don't do it justice, it is so cool looking up to the sky and seeing over 50 balloons all flying at once. Dean was able to go for a ride on Saturday night. I got to go up Sunday morning, although it was a short ride. I never get tired of being up in the balloon, it is so peaceful and always such an awesome view. Unfortunately, Jacob was not allowed to come with us to the festival, but hopefully we will still be able to get him up for a ride this fall. Dean thinks we should get our own hot air balloon and start flying, I wouldn't mind. The couple I help out has two balloons, which were both in the festival. One is called Dreamweaver (pink, black, purple), and the other is Dunderchief (green, black, marroon). Among some of the favorites at the festival are Garfield, Sugarbear, U of M, MSU, and one shaped like a hamburger. No duck or barn this year though.

Football Season has Started

Jacob's first football game was last Saturday. He plays on one of the 3 freshman teams for the Clio Mustangs. He is number 19, and plays Center...he hikes the ball. This is his second year playing, and I love that he is so interested in football. Go Mustangs!!

Cider Farm

I know Kara posted some pics of our trip to Bayne's, but here are some of mine too. We will definitely have to go back again this year.

The Range

I took a few pics of Jacob and grandpa hitting some balls at the range. Jacob did pretty well considering he's only been golfing once. He listened to all of our 'advice', and he hit a few that went 75-100 yards. I may to have to quit once he starts hitting it farther than me. :)

Jacob's 9th Birthday!!

We celebrated Jacob's birthday this weekend, which was actually on Saturday. It was complete with a football cake! We weren't able to go up north to celebrate with my family, but Dean's dad was able to come over for cake and ice-cream. Then we went to the aqua driving range to try out the new clubs. It was fun, but very hot.

Happy Birthday Dean!!

Today is Dean's birthday! I am taking him down state to eat at the Melting Pot tonight. It's a fondue restaurant, it's fun and very yummy. In fact we like it so much, my mom is getting us a fondue pot so we can start having fondue at home too. My favorite of course is chocolate fondue.

Happy birthday honey, I love you!

All dressed up

Dean stood in his friend Matt's wedding last weekend, so I decided I needed to look good too. Here are a couple pics of us all spiffied up. I even got to ride in the limo bus with the wedding party, it was my first time in a limo, very cool. Note I'm even wearing heals, which is a first really for me, and I didn't fall on my butt. :)

Mooney's

Grandma Maude, Dean, and I took Rachel and Adam to Mooney's for ice cream last night. The kids were good and throughly enjoyed their superman ice cream (yuck). The last one of Rachel makes me laugh.

Up North

Jacob and I went up to my parent's in Cheboygan for a few days, about two weeks ago. We went tubing down the sturgeon river in Indian River, just as I did when I was a kid. This was Jacob's favorite thing we did. We also went to my dad's family reunion, and Dean was able to come up for a day to join us at Mackinaw Island. The three of us biked around the island(it's the thing to do) which is about 8.5 miles. It was nice to visit with everyone and Jacob was able to meet some more of my family. It was his first time meeting grandpa George(my dad). On the way home, we stopped by my uncle's farm to see his baby pigs.

Oh BOY!!

My sister is expecting in December and we just found out it will be a little boy! We are all very excited for her. I'm excited about helping to plan a shower for them and starting to spoil my soon-to-be new nephew. There seems to be a lot of women I know right now who are pregnant...and Kara's not one of them...weird. :)

Cedar Point!!

The three of us made our yearly trip to Cedar Point. We spent 2 days there and it was great. No cell phones or computers, just the three of us spending time together. We all love the roller coasters, but it took a little convincing to get Jacob on the Top Thrill Dragster. He was in tears the first time we got in line because he was scared, so we didn't go. By the end of the day he was ready. It's now his favorite ride. The boys begged to go on it again the next day, so much for the water park. We did spend a few hours in Soak City, but then it was back to the coasters. :)

Pool Fun!

Here are some pictures from the Luter's pool party. Everyone had a great time.





















Adam doesn't like the pool, but he sure loves the water guns.
















Casey in mid air, I have a lot of these pics.
















James taking a dive.
















Cannonball!
















Hannah...isn't she cute.
















The little swimmer.

Phil and the kids.

Ground Crew

I have been helping a fellow co-worker/friend with their hot air balloons for a few years now. I have been up 3 times so far, and it is awesome. For the most part I help setup, chase, and bring down the balloon. Jacob went with me last time to see what it was all about. He wants to go up next time. If you ever have the chance to take a ride, it is well worth it. There is also a hot air balloon festival in Midland in September that is always fun.

















Jacob helping to inflate the balloon(envelope).

















Inside view of the envelope.

















Up up and away....

















Sometimes there are other ballooners that go up too.
It's fun to watch them all, very beautiful and peaceful.

















Nice soft landing.






















Jacob testing out the basket, I think he's excited to go up next time.

Just the Girls! (and Adam too)

The girls decided to have a little picnic at the church. The weather, food, and company were all great. We had a wonderful time catching up with friends.

Where ever Adam went, his fruit went with him. Deb was a big hit for bringing the awesome fruit basket.

The 'little' girls had fun too.