Ashes and Ashes....the tree fell down!

I know we said it might happen but we really didn't think it would.....

The carnage was not pretty....and I think I am most sad about my shattered bulbs, but I have to admit it is funny.
Hank and I came home from work yesterday to find this mess. We didn't know whether to laugh or cry. At last I will attempt to salvage the tree for Christmas, but it may not be pretty!

JOY!

Thats what this guy brings me!

The Christmas Tree Adventure....the leaning tower of Treeza!

Every year I do the debate in my head...should I just get a fake tree it would be so much easier? But I can't do it...I am a sucker for a real tree!I love the smell, the adventure of going to get it, the unknowing of how it will turn out.
If it weren't for all these positives I would ditch it in two seconds for one reason...PINE NEEDLES EVERYWHERE, seriously being such a clean freak that I am I don't know how I do it but when that tree is up and smelling delicious it makes my sweeping 10 times a day worth it.

This year to get our tree I talked the Dahl family into coming with us...mind you in Utah whenever you pick out a tree they are all different shapes and sizes and on display so it is a hunt to find the best tree, so when I dragged them out in the -20 degree weather I was unaware that all the trees are wrapped and look identical, kind of taking the fun out of it! However, we braved the cold, made a night out of it and had a blast. Simone did the honors of picking the tree and did a fantastic job!

We took the tree home got it all set up in the tree stand ready for the big reveal.

It was looking great, as we let the branches fall and things took their shape, and then we realized we had the great LEANING TOWER OF TREEZA!!!
After much time of trying with no avail to get the tree straight we settled with our leaning tree and decorated it! Everytime we come downstairs we feel it is leaning every so slightly a little more and we are quite convinced it is going to topple over at any time!! We are waiting to be awoken by a crash in the night! None the less it is Christmas Time and I have a beautiful smelling Christmas Tree and I could not be happier about it!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

BUMP WATCH 2009

Its official I now can count down in days and weeks not months. So if you are wondering if this baby comes on time (crossing my fingers) it will be here in 27 DAYS!!!

So here you go, here is my baby belly in full form!!!!

Questions you may be wondering???

Am I ready?...I think so!! Are you really ever ready for your first. I feel like it is fake that a baby girl is really going to come out of me so soon, but we could not be more excited.

The nursery is partly ready, the place I bought my crib from just informed me it will not be here for 6 weeks, needless to say I was not very happy but what do you do.

Work? I finished teaching my last class on Thursday night and could not be more excited, I have loved teaching and staying active during my pregnancy but I am so excited to have time at night with Hank. You should see the agenda I have of daily evening plans I have for us this week. I am sure it will get old fast.

So I officially start my Maternity Leave on December 15th, this will give me time to relax and get things done before christmas and the baby. As for right now I dont' know how long I will stay away from work but I wil at least be taking a break until mid March and then will see from there.

Not too uncomfortable yet so I guess that means she is not coming anytime soon, I guess compared to the first 4 months of being so utterly sick I think this end part is just great.

So now it is time to just prepare myself for the birth. I just keep telling myself millions of women have already done this you can do this. Hank and I didn't take any classes and have never been to the hospital here so I was like we should probably go there sometime soon so we know where were going...needless to say we are not the most prepared but how prepared can you be?

One last good news of the day...my two sister in laws Greta and Katrina are coming for Christmas. I have never been away from my family for Christmas so I was having a hard time, but with these two around I am sure to have a good time.

Thanksgiving to WINTER...

Thanksgiving home with family was great I had red rocks, sunny days, a turkey bowl in the sand dunes and plenty of walks up snow canyon......

Turkey bowl 2009

Jane putting rocks in her pocks

Seriously is my mom's outfit with her headphones like the best crazy lady outfit ever!!!
And now I am home and this is what I get......

Freak snow storms, iced in windows, and really really really cold temperatures!

AHH there's no place like home.

Ok back to my trip home...since I only took pictures of the beautiful red rock I will give you a short synopisis of everything I fit in.

First off, it was way TOO SHORT, everytime I go home it is too short. This trip my time was split between Salt lake and St. George which made it crunch time to see everyone.

Of course I had many good times with my sisters, shopping, eating and sorting through more baby girl clothes then you can imagine. Lets just say Hank and I came with carry on's and came home with 4 full suitcases. This baby girl will not lack for clothing!!!

I got to see many of my favorite girlfriends and even got to go to a bridal shower for my old friend Amanda and see friends I have not seen in years.

My best friend Lynlee was sweet enough to throw together a baby shower/lunch for me which consisted of she and I (both 8 months prego) sitting there eating while people came and went. Our waiter's wife was 20 weeks pregnant so he took pity on us and gave us free chocoloate Cake. Thanks Lynlee it was a great day!

Of course cousin Sara was there to take advantage of anytime she could with me (and just so you know sara it was not enough, it never will be).

I also got to see my old besties Maureen and Staci where we feasted on Cafe Rio, oh it had been too long and I am already craving it again.

Well that is about it.

St. George was great. Hank flew into Vegas and we spent thanksgiving with the Hughes and my parents in St. George. It was very casual and relaxing and I loved every minute of it.

I miss everyone already and can't wait till this baby comes out so that people will come visit me, I am rethinking posting the snow pictures, Adrien, Sara, and Annie may cancel their flights!!

Don't worry my next post will be an update on everything baby and pregnancy. The countdown is on!!!

Coming Home!

Friday can not come fast enough...I am so excited to go home I can hardly stand it! Not really excited to see everyone in all my 8 month prego glory...but I don't care because I AM GOING HOME!!!
Bring on the sisters, the girlfriends, the shopping, and the good food. I miss so many restaurants! Is that sad that I miss the food? I guess it is allowed when you are pregnant and that is all you think about.
I am technically not supposed to travel but I am risking it so just pray I don't go into labor. My mom thinks it would be great if I did and I told her ok then you are paying the bill! One good thing about socialized medicine FREE Baby.

Hank and I are getting really excited for this baby girl to join us, I feel like it can't come fast enough yet I am not really ready either so I guess I need time. I will finish teaching my aerobics classes in the next two weeks and I think my body is telling me it is about time. I have loved my job here at Heavens Fitness and will continue teaching while on maternity leave and maybe work a little too, we will see.... yet I am really excited to be done for awhile and have time to prepare for this little one to join us.

Thanks for reading my ramblings....SEE YOU SOON!!!!

Happy Halloween

I attempted to get you all a belly pic, but didn't realize until I uploaded them today that the all black camoflauges the belly, I promise I tried! and the belly is there and growing fast!!

Last sunday I decided to go ahead with doing a small party on halloween! We had a few friends come over and it turned out to be a blast. Thanks to all that came!!!!

I didn't make it mandatory to dress up but some people did not dissapoint...

Little monkey Bella

The gang

Monkey Tristan and his zoo keepers

Mike and Amy....they definately were the costume winners!

Although Hank did compete niceley

Vegetable Skeleton!!

I love Halloween so much. I was very dissapointed in the lack of trick-or-treaters that came to my house however, now I am stuck with too much candy!!!!

Hope you all survived and are having a good sugar high today.