You WILL Want To Read This....

I figure we have waited long enough to make it blog/facebook official. Many of you already know, some of you don't, and I'm sure a few of you have heard rumors..... My friends, the rumors are true!!! Drumroll please.......

COMING (on or around) JULY 3RD..... Baby GIRL Dodge!!!!

Nick and I are SO happy, excited, overjoyed and a bit nervous to bring a baby into this crazy world. Mostly me on the nervous thing- he's done this twice before so it should be a breeze for him, right? Rriiiiggghhhttt. When we found out it she was a girl, we were so excited! Nick was so cute and the expression on his face was priceless! Melted my heart, that man is already wrapped around her little finger. When the ultrasound tech left the room, Nick turned to me and said "I don't know what to do with a girl!!!" I keep telling him the same things he's done with his boys, girls are just a bit more sensitive... should be pretty easy being married to me, right?!

How we found out:

Towards the end of October, I had been really REALLY tired. My daily routine after work would be:

* Nap

* Dinner

* Bedtime

Awesome, right?

There were a few days I didn't feel very good and just chalked it up to fighting off some of the nasty cold/flu going around. We had talked about booking a trip somewhere tropical in the Spring/Summer, I found a really good Groupon deal and Nick called me from work asking me if I wanted him to book it. I told him we could wait a couple more days and we could finalize dates, etc. A few days later I told Nick that it might be a good idea if we went to the store and bought a "test." He was SO excited! Neither one of us could wait. That Friday, we went to dinner and did a little shopping. We cut the shopping short because we were both so excited. We got home, and I took the test.... It seemed like we waited forever! After the 3 minutes was up, I asked Nick if he wanted to go into see what it said. He told me to go check and he would be waiting. I picked up the test and there it was, plain as day... TWO pink lines!

 I was speechless, I was so excited and overwhelmed with emotion that all I could do was walk out to Nick with the test in my hand and a HUGE smile on my face. Nick kept saying "are you serious?!!" We both gave each other a big hug and cried tears of PURE happiness!

Don't mind the "I had been so tired I never got ready" look I have going on



Fast Forward a few months- I was REALLY tired at first, then I was REALLY sick (whoever named it morning sickness needs to be punched... I was sick all...day...long), that changed to kind of sick and back to being tired. Now that I'm in my 2nd trimester I've been feeling a LOT better. The only thing I've been dealing with now is heartburn- nothing a little RX from my Doctor didn't fix though!

I can't even describe how happy and excited I am! I can't wait to be a MOM! (The thought of this still feels a little weird to me.) Having step-kids is one thing, having a child of my own on the other hand... let's just say I've had a few breakdowns to Nick about it. He has been SO sweet and so patient with my "pregnancy hormones." He takes such good care of me and I can't wait to see how cute of a Daddy he is going to be with our little Princess.

Let the countdown to Summer begin!!!!! Let's hope I don't look too much like Shamu by the time July rolls around :)

Update- 1 year & California Vacay

January 19th of 2012, Nick and I went on our first date! He took me to dinner and then to the Jazz game. The rest is history! :) When we found out that the Jazz were playing at home on January 19 of this year, we HAD to go. (We're both cheesy and sentimental about that kind of stuff) We went to dinner at the Melting Pot and then headed to the Jazz game. It was so fun reminiscing about the past year and to think that exactly 1 year ago that night, we had our very first date. Who would have thought that 1 year ago I would have found my best friend and soulmate?!! Life is good! SO good!!!!

This past weekend, we took a trip to California to get out of the cold and to visit the Bello's. We left the below freezing temperatures (Oh, and let's not forget about the nasty ice storm we had the day we left that temporarily shut down the airport. Luckily our flight was only delayed an hour) and arrived in sunny California. The weather was beautiful all weekend long! The sun was shining and we had 60+ degree weather the whole time we were there.

Friday we went into San Francisco. We went to Alcatraz and then had lunch on the pier. I took a total of maybe 5 pictures the whole trip. My mom, the photographer, will be so disappointed. 

Saturday Rylee and I went on our annual "girls date" and got pedicures while Nick helped Vail out running a couple errands. Saturday night, we went to the Dunham School Crab Feed! We got crabs ;) and had a lot of fun! 

Sunday we went out to Truett Hurst Winery, where Nick proposed to me last summer! They people there even remembered us!!! We sat by the river (the exact spot Nick proposed), walked around a bit and then headed to another winery. 



I realized I am in need of some serious sunshine!!!



We got home Monday to a driveway full of snow and temperature half of what it was in California. Needless to say, I've been pouting since we left the Bello's house Monday morning.  

It was great to get away, and it WOULD be great to be home IF the snow stayed in the mountains and left the valley alone. I wish I could say that we have another trip planned soon, buuutttt we don't.

At Least it's Somethin'

I get so backed up with blogging that I end up having a hundred things to post and get so overwhelmed I just don't do any of it. Meh...

It's now 2013 and I already am 2 weeks behind. Let's just start with New Years and work our way to the present, shall we? I may backtrack here and there but bare with me on my timeline these next few posts :)

New Years Eve
We went over to our friends John and Erin's house for a little get together. It wasn't a huge party, but Nick and I decided were getting too old for that anyway. We had so much fun! We laughed a lot and ate a TON!!! 2012 was an AMAZING year for both of us, and we're even more excited for what's to come in 2013 and beyond!

Winter Fire School - St George
Nick had training in St. George this past weekend so I decided to go down with him to get out of the frickin' cold weather to just cold weather. It was 40 degrees in St. George and I almost felt like I needed to put my shorts on (not really, but it was nice compared to the ridiculously cold weather we've had in Salt Lake these last few weeks). I spent time with my grandparents while Nick went to his training classes. Saturday after class we headed down to Mesquite for some blackjack and some Popeye's. We had a lot of fun playing blackjack, but didn't come out on top. Nick and some of the guys he works with are borderline OB-SESSED with Popeye's chicken. I have never been there and as soon as Nick got in the car to drive to Mesquite, the first thing he asked was "Can we go to Popeye's?" I don't think Nick wiped the smile off his face the whole drive down there. I do have to admit, Popeye's was amazing! I had high expectations of this so-called Popeye's and I was not let down!!!! I can't wait to go there again!
It was a short weekend trip but we enjoyed every second of it. Driving home the temperature hit -3!!! NEGATIVE THREE DEGREES!!!!!! I'm over this cold weather....

Nothing else has really been going on the last couple weeks, and all I ever want to do is go home and wrap up in blankets because of this weather. Here's to hoping it warms up.... and quick!!!! We leave for California in 10.39 days, but who's counting? Oh. Right. I am!!!!

I have a few pictures to post but they're going to have to wait. (My computer is not cooperating at the moment)

The Happiest Place on Earth...

....according to some. I happen to be one of those people that think Disneyland is, in fact, one of the happiest places on earth. Nick and I thought it would be fun to take his boys for a little vacation for a few reasons-

1. They had never been on an airplane and were DYING to
2. Nick said he has been talking about taking them to Disneyland for the last couple years but it never worked out in the past.
3. We felt a little guilty taking a week long trip to Hawaii without them (Not really, but kind of ;)
4. Having some time away from everything would be a good bonding experience/family vacay
5. It's Disneyland... Need I say more?

We booked the trip back in June so needless to say October took ffooorreeeevvveerrrr to get here! I had always wanted to go to Disneyland during October because I love Halloween! My parents joined us, and I am SO glad they did. They were able to get to know the boys better and it made it easier so everyone got to do what they wanted as far as rides go.

Both Logan and Bridger were a little nervous for their first plane ride, but ever since we got off the plane in California all they've wanted to do was take a flight somewhere.

We spent 3 whole days at Disneyland and loved every second of it! We talked Logan into going on a few of the bigger rides (Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror, Matterhorn) but Bridger wasn't having any of them. We did however get them both on Space Mountain - Ummmmm.... I didn't realize how fast/jerky/scary that ride is and during Halloween they change it to "Ghost Galaxy." Nick and I both felt horrible after... I wouldn't be surprised if neither one of the boys ever wanted to go on it again.

  

Toystory-mania - This was more of a favorite for my dad and Nick than anyone else although we all loved it.

 

Carsland was AWESOME!!!! We went on the Radiator Springs Raceway ride a few times! While my mom and Nick went on Tower of Terror, Logan and Bridger talked me into going on the 'Mater' ride in Carsland. I get motion sickness pretty easy so I was a little hesitant to go. Bridger told me "You won't get sick, I promise. I'll hold your hand." He was right. I didn't get sick, the boys and I laughed the WHOLE time and it ended up being my favorite ride as well as the boys.






* Tower of Terror- My favorite ride!!! I think I went on it 4 or 5 times.

* Splash Mountain

* Grizzly River Run- I think this was Logan's favorite ride. We got drenched when we went!!!

* I LOVED the Nightmare Before Christmas Haunted Mansion- LOVED IT!

* Pirates of the Carribean (I think it scared Bridger a little more than he would ever admit to)

Bridger LOVED Toontown. we took him through Mickey's House so he could meet Mickey. SO cute!

What would California be without a dip in the pool?







California Screamin'




 
I don't have any pictures of this, but on Sunday AND Monday we went to Ruby's Diner. Ruby's is one of my favorite places to eat and Nick and boys loved it too so we went twice. Since our trip, anytime we ask Logan or Bridger what they want for dinner they always ask if we can "just fly to California and go to Ruby's and then we'll come back." If only money grew on trees, boys.


 Monday we headed home, but not before stopping by the beach. The boys had never seen the ocean before. They LOVED it! It was so fun to watch them run in the waves, laughing hysterically. We had such a fun weekend and made a lot of great memories!! We are currently brainstorming where to take our next family trip!!!  

Hawaiian Honeymoon

Don't worry, it's only been 2 months since we went to Hawaii. Where does the time go?!!!! Unfortunately, all my pictures are on my laptop (which does not happen to be the computer I'm currently blogging from) so I only have a few.

We had such a great time in Hawaii. We spent 4 days on the island of Molokai, and 3 on Oahu. Both islands were complete opposite of each other, but we loved every second of our vacation. Some of the main highlights of our trip included:

• Spending LOTS of time on the beach. I'd estimate a good 80% of our time
• We had our own private ceremony on the beach at sunset. (This was planned and paid for before we decided to do some wedding festivities here so we decided to still do it. It was PERFECT)
• Snorkeling off the shores of Molokai





• On Molokai, there is basically.....nothing. So we went to one of the only grocery stores on the island and got food to make for the majority of our meals in the condo we stayed in. I would much rather have a home cooked meal anyway.
• Ate way too much food on both islands. I don't regret it, and I also got my beloved shave ice at Matsumoto's on Oahu. It was even better than I remember.
• Went to the Polynesian Cultural Center
• Talked Nick into getting his first pedicure with me. (If he tells you he hated it, he's lying ;)
• We took a lot of naps! :)
• Saw a fire engine in Hawaii equipped with a surfboard that took me 5 minutes to get Nick to break focus and walk away from. He went back to the hotel and put in an interest card for Honolulu FD. Silly boy.
• Watched AND finished season 1 of "Once Upon a Time".... we're both now addicted.

We spent a perfect week with each other in paradise! Until next time Hawaii......
















I sure do love this man! <3


Horrible Blogger

I have been a HORRIBLE blogger. There are so many things I have to blog about, but never seem to have the time to do it! I've also been horrible about taking pictures of the fun and eventful summer we've had and let's be honest- A blog post isn't nearly as fun without pictures, right?

Here are a couple pictures I DO have (Thanks to Heather posting this on their blog :)



We did a small/family ceremony with just our families 

 We had a small,  way bigger than originally planned luau/party/celebration/reception to celebrate with family and friends! A few pictures coming soon! A huge thank you to everyone who came and helped us celebrate! (And even bigger apologies if you didn't get an invite... like I said- it was originally going to be small and somehow ended up lots bigger than expected).

AND.... tomorrow we are headed here...

To drink some of these....

And to see sights like this....

And to eat lots of these....

And TONS of this..



In the meantime... ALOHA!!!!!!!!!!!!

A little vacation, a lot of fun, and a BIG surprise!

I am sloowwlllyy getting better at blogging again. This post is only a month or so late...

Last month, Nick and I took a trip to California for a little getaway and to see the Bello family. (I had to have "final approval" from Vail, Tonia and the kids ya know ;)

I could go into SO much detail on this trip, but I'll touch on the main highlights!

Thursday-

We flew into California early afternoon and got settled at the Bello's. Logan had his last little league baseball game that night so we went and watched him play.

*Side note- Tonia asked if we wanted to go check out a winery that they are wine club members to the next day because they had to pick up their monthly wine shipment. (What?! I'm obviously living in the wrong state)

Friday- (Here's the BIG surprise)

Tonia had some errands to run so we spent the morning lounging around and then got ready to go to the winery. We had planned on going to the Giant's game that night so I was super excited for that! We headed to the winery, it was a fun drive to see all of the other wineries along the way except for the fact I started getting a little car sick :/. We made it to Truett Hurst Winery and went in for some wine tasting.

Truett Hurst Winery

We walked outside to see the rest of the winery and the vineyards and lost the Bello's somewhere along the way. Nick walked me down by the river where they had a bunch of these cute chairs set up. I wanted to sit on the chairs but he insisted on walking down a little further. When I saw where he was taking me I saw 2 chairs, a tablecloth over the table, a bottle of wine, grapes, chocolate, cheese, and wine glasses....and it hit me. I knew what was coming next and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

Nick told me he had this whole speech prepared, but couldn't remember any of it. He did remember the most important parts though I'm sure. He got down on his knee and asked me if I would marry him! I can honestly, whole-heartedly say that I have NEVER been so happy. I said yes (of course). I sat there thinking for a minute, put my hands on my hips and said, "My parents aren't in New York, are they?" Nick said "Turn around"... and there were my parents and the Bello's walking towards us.

*Another side note - My parents told me they were going to New York for the weekend to stay with my dad's friends. Nick had planned the whole thing with my mom and Tonia. Sneaky, sneaky :)



The Proposal

I can't even tell you how much I truly LOVE this man!!! We had sat and ate lunch, drank a little wine, took some pictures and then headed back to the Bello's to get ready for the baseball game. Vail was able to get tickets for my parents too so we all got to go to the game! The Giants lost, but it was still fun!

Saturday-

We took a drive to through wine country- did a little wine tasting, my mom took some pictures of Nick and me, tasted a little more wine, lunch, wine... you get the idea :) We came home and took a nap and then went to a BBQ with of the Bello's friends.

Sunday-

Nick and I took Logan and Rylee to Black Bear Diner for breakfast. After breakfast, Rylee and I had our annual "girls date" getting pedicures while the boys went and hit a bucket of balls. We stopped for ice cream before we headed back to the Bello's. That night, Nick and I drove out to the beach to watch the sunset. We got there in enough time to play in the water for a second (literally a second, the water was freezing!). We layed a blanket down and talked while we watched the sun set. The communication that Nick and I have is A-MAZ-ING. I have never had a relationship like this before, completely honest and open about everything... good, bad, ugly.... I love this man with everything I have!!! I'm quite confident he feels the same way about me, and he definitely knows how to make me  feel loved and special every second of the day. I am SO lucky and SO blessed!

Monday-

We took a day trip into San Francisco. We were originally planning on going to Alcatraz, but didn't reserve tickets beforehand and they were sold out until that Wednesday. We walked down by the Wharf and had clam chowder, went to Ghiradelli Square, ate lunch on one of the pier's, and then stopped at the Golden Gate Bridge on our way home. Nick and I went and got much needed massages that night!



Ghiradelli Square



Tuesday-

Sadly, our trip had to end sometime. We had so much fun and Nick got the stamp of approval from the whole Bello family! We can't wait to come visit again!!!!!