Back to blogging...

Yay! We got a camera for Christmas!!! Finally I can start posting pictures again. My ultrasound went well two weeks ago. The baby was super active in there...hmmm maybe like dad! It was really fun to watch. We were in awe! The little hand went across the screen and we could see all of the fingers and bones. It was so amazing. The baby was stretching out a lot too which was super cute. I'll post the pictures when I can get to a scanner. We were unable to tell what the sex is with all the movement. Our next ultrasound will be at the end of January. Hopefully we will find out then if the baby lets us. I'm farther along than what they originally thought too. I am 16w and 2d today! Time seems to be going quicker now.

We had a nice Christmas. It was low key. My sister Sarah was up from LA which was really nice to see her. Tala and Brian weren't able to come up because of all the weather. We have been laying low and catching movies here and there. We went and saw Marley and Me. Loved it! If you are a dog owner it is a must see. We had many connections to the movie. It made us appreciate Roy even more than we do. Other things we have been up too...

My niece Gianna turned 3 yesterday! We went out to dinner to celebrate and then to Cold Stone Ice cream for dessert. She is such a cutie! We bought her a barbie and a baby doll. Girls are so much fun to buy for!

Today Katie and the babies and Trina and the girls came over for lunch. The boys were out numbered for once in my house today! They left to run errands while the girls and Carter hung out for some well needed girl time!

I have turned a corner!

That's right! I am feeling so much better. It is amazing how I have somewhat forgotten what morning sickness was like already! I had my 13 week appointment on Friday where I heard the heart beat. It was so amazing! Now I really feel pregnant. I have an ultra sound scheduled for 6:50am on Tuesday. Justin wasn't too happy to hear the what time we have to get up, but we are both excited to see our baby again. I'm anxious to see if the baby is still a week behind what I thought. I'll keep you posted! We might be able to find out the sex too! If we can, we will have them write it down in a card and we will open it on Christmas morning. It is still early, so who knows what we will or won't see! I'm starting to show a bit. Looks like I have a beer belly. Ha! I'm still able to fit into my jeans, however I'm not very comfortable. I look like I have a muffin top because my jeans are so tight...oh well! It is all worth it. I do have the Bella Band, so I can unbutton the top of my jeans for some relief! I'll post a picture soon of my growing tummy. I'm hoping Santa will bring me a new camera!!! My camera is 5 years old and isn't taking very good pictures. Plus, I still can't find my camera cord.

This weekend, my sister turns 30 and my brother turns 18! Two memorable and specials years for them. It will be a great weekend...both of my sisters will be in town! I'm so excited!!! I miss them. It isn't very often where my whole family is together at once. Cannot wait! Friday we are having dinner to celebrate Ty and Sarah's birthdays, then on Saturday we have our Hiatt family Christmas party on my mom's side. We have a very large family and always have a ton of fun.

Thanksgiving Weekend

We started our Thanksgiving festivities by heading out to Pub 85 In Kirkland on Wednesday to see some friends. We ended up having a great time. I was finally feeling better, so I hung out the whole night and was the DD!

On Thanksgiving day, we headed to my parents house. Justin's family was there too. It was nice to have both of our families under one roof to celebrate! We had many great conversations from politics to Colon cleansing! Tala and Brian were in town with their dog Cali too! Grandma Hiatt came over as well. Both my family and Justin's love to play games, so we played chicken foot dominoes and Justin and I came in first and second place! WHOOO!

Tala posing with my black lab Roy. Roy is 4 and he has a grey chin already! He is the sweetest dog I've ever known and his fur still feels like a puppy. So adorable! Okay... I may be a bit bias!

I love you Aunt Tala!!!!

Isaiah and Roy cuddling while playing what else...video games.

On Friday, my niece Gianna came over. She will be 3 after Christmas. She was so much fun to have around. I need a little girl around more often!

Gianna LOVES Roy and Roy Loves Gianna! I pulled out a couple of crowns I had in a closet so she could be a princess and she followed Roy around trying to put the crown on him. It was really cute. They just follow each other around and love to cuddle!

Lefsa!

One night this week I went to my Mom's house and made lefsa with my grandma, mom, and aunts. Lefsa is a Norwegian soft flat bread made from potatos that you cook on a griddle. Typically, I like it rolled up with butter, cinnamon, and sugar...yum. You can buy it in the grocery store too already made and ready to eat! I love it! Making lefsa has been a tradition in our family that I hope to pass on to our little ones. My mom, her two sisters and sister in-law, and mom typically get together to make lefsa right before the holidays. This is my second year helping out. The wine flows (not for me this year :( ) and we usually order pizza. It is so nice to chat and catch up with my family. It is really neat seeing my mom interact with her sisters and mom too. Sisters are the best. If my sisters would ever move home...hint hint! Come on girls! Grandma Hiatt, Aunt Sandy, Mom, Aunt Polly, Aunt Kathy, and I in front of the griddle.Grandma getting the dough ready to role out. Aunt Polly on griddle patrol.

On another note, I had my friend/co-workers baby shower on Saturday at my Job Share Partner, Diane's house. She is the most creative person I know! She had the most beautifully decorated fall home. Her tablescapes are to die for! Check it out...

Great idea if you are hosting Thanksgiving! She also in the living room had a glass bowl filled with water and had the little pumpkins floating in them. She had carved out the pumpkins to fit tealights in them. It was a beautiful center piece. Thanks for the ideas Diane!

Thank you!

We just wanted to thank everyone for the overwhelming support! We have the best families and friends! So just as I start to feel a bit better, a day like yesterday happens. I just felt horrible all day long. Thankfully I didn't have to work. I am so blessed to have my job share partner, Diane! She is the best! I truly believe that we were brought into each others lives for a reason. She is a huge support and has become a truly great friend. Diane works Monday and Tuesday and I work Thursday and Friday. Then we alternate our Wednesdays. It is so great if we ever need time off because we just trade days so we don't need to use our personal/sick time. It is wonderful for the kindergartners too because they rarely get a substitute.

Today I am feeling pretty good. I think I'll attempt to clean my house. It is a disaster! Justin said, "our laundry lady quit." I had to laugh and said she won't be back anytime soon...until we have no clothes to wear then she will be forced to come back! How do you second time mom's out there with toddlers and one in the oven do it? Bless your hearts!

Exciting News...

We are having a baby! I'm a little over 9 weeks pregnant. We went in for the ultra sound on the 6th and saw the flicker of the heart beat! My heart skipped a beat and Justin and I were in aah! It is so amazing! I was a bit disappointed because according to my last known MC, I should have been a whole week farther along, but the baby measured to be a week behind. So technically I am 8 weeks...I guess we will see at our next appointment! We were really scared the first few weeks because I was spotting so much, but I guess it is more common than not. I've been feeling so terrible. I figured out as long as I have food in my tummy I don't get nauseated as easily. It is no walk in the park! I've been eating terrible, but I will eat whatever sounds good at the time. Cheeseburgers have been a hit! Other than feeling sick, I've been really tired. I am excited to move into my second trimester and leave all of the yuck behind! Before I found out I was pregnant I had the case of the dumb dumbs! I was thinking I had meetings for school that never existed! I seem to be getting back in control of my mind...pretty funny! The boys are excited for a new brother or sister. Tyson wants a sister and Isaiah wants a brother (so he can beat him up he says...not a chance! He couldn't hurt a fly and is all talk. I guess that is what a big brother does?) Isaiah is so cute he keeps putting his ear up to my tummy to hear the baby. So adorable! I was eating some candy the other day and he said, "doesn't the baby eat what you eat?" I have a little guardian for the baby already! Both of our families are ecstatic! Here is the ultra sound picture...the top picture is the best view. You can see the head and the body! So incredible! The circles in the other two frames is the sac and the baby is next to it. We are due in June...another Gemini baby for our family?

Two years ago yesterday...

Two years ago yesterday Justin and I were in St. Lucia with the boys and 21 other family and friends for our wedding! We both wish we were back right now. It was the best times of our lives. We spent a whole week leading up to 11/11 with our family and friends vacationing! What could be better? Our wedding day ran so smoothly. Suprisingly I was so calm and ready! Justin is the perfect man for me. We got married on a private beach around 4:30 in the evening. We stayed on the beach drinking champagne and taking pictures until after sunset. Then we went to a restaurant called Froggy Jacques. We had the place to ourselves for dinner, drinks, dancing, and cake. We then went back to our resort and continued our celebrating at the resort beach bar. Justin and I were on cloud 9 the entire night. It was so perfect! I got my fairy tale wedding! Here are some pictures of our amazing wedding. Our dream is to get back to St. Lucia on 11/11/11 for our 5th anniversary and we are hoping that our friends and family will be able to join us again! I know that far out there, but a girl can dream right?

To celebrate our anniversary, we went to a movie and our favorite Indian restuarant in Kirkland, Shamianas. We saw Role Models. I wasn't sure if I would like it, but it was hilarious!

Tala's wedding picture link!

Finally Tala's wedding photos link has been published! I've waited for sooo long to see them. Tala and Brian look so in love and wow does Tala look stunning! You can tell by the pictures that everyone had such a great time. It was an amazing wedding and I can't believe it is over. Check out the pictures they are really great! Here is the link... www.pictage.com/558169 Type in jessicaandrews31@hotmail.com as the email and the password is briantala

Back to the blogging world!

Hello again! I'm finally back on. I've been terrible about blogging this month. I've been a little under the weather and I still don't have my camera cord which is so annoying when I want to show everyone our pictures. I just had to break down and go to Costco and get them on a disk. Here is what we have been up too... Jerame and Katie came over on Halloween for dinner and trick or treaters. It was so nice to stay in and be cozy. Carter and Chloe were so adorable in their dalmation costumes. Cute little pups!

We each carved a pumpkin and they turned out so cute! The boys are getting really good at carving. Tyson needed zero help and Isaiah had Tyson help just a little.

Our front step for Halloween was all decorated.

Earlier in the month, my mom and I went to a corn maze in Snohomish. It was acutally really fun. They have these ramps that you can go up on to see where you are. We went through two times. The first time, we were totally lost and the next time we were able to follow the map the whole time. We thought it would be fun to go with a group and see who can get through the fastest. Next year for sure we will go again with the boys.

I just love this family picture from Tala and Brian's rehersal dinner. I have such a great family! Can you believe how tall both boys are? I'm not wearing shoes, but it just blows me away.

Got Candles?

So it's that time of year when candles are lit in my house non stop. My husband calls me a pyro...and yes I consider myself to be one too. There are three types of candle burners. (1) the duster: someone who dusts their candles and never lites them. (2) burner: someone who burns candles occasionally. (3) Pyro: someone who burns candles nightly. I love candles! They just set the mood especially in the fall and winter...so cozy and my house smells wonderful! Of course I only burn one kind of candle and that is PartyLite. They are made of paraffin wax and have cotton wicks...NO LEAD (safe for families and pets)! I swear once you start burning PartyLite candles you won't go back to the gross generic kind. So, do you "got candles"? If you are in need of some candle ambiance and/or gift ideas... check out the catalog online and put an email into me, your candle lady, for an order! You won't be disappointed! I'll be submitting an order for October on 10/27...get your order in!

Email: jessicaandrews31@hotmail.com

Blustery Day

Five years ago today Justin and I met at WSU. We were both visiting for the homecoming game. I love him so much and am so thankful he came into my life. Timing is everything...we had been in the same places a few times and knew some of the same people, but never crossed paths until 10/4/03!

Coachella 2007

We had a flag football game for Isaiah in the pouring rain. Isaiah is getting so big it is crazy to think how time has flown by. He made his first touchdown today! It was awesome! He actually had to run a ways and made the touchdown just in time! We are so proud of him. We decided to bring Roy...never a good idea in the rain. He always steps on my feet. (I was wearing my Uggs. They are so dirty.) To top that, he jumped up on me and got me all dirty down the front of me. He has been acting like a puppy lately. He has been having some hip/joint problems so we bought him some treats with Glucosamine. They seem to really be helping him. He has so much energy now it is crazy... what happened to my mellow 4yr. old lab? When he has these treats its like giving a two year old candy. I guess its better than seeing him limp around. I hated seeing him in pain. He still occasionally limps if we excersice him too much, but its not as much now. After Isaiah's game we went to Tyson's football game in the wind! I got my weekends mixed up and we were headed to Issaquah H.S. when we found out that the game was at Juanita H.S. Nothing like a good drive on a Saturday. We made it in plenty of time. I told Justin that I did it on purpose so that I wouldn't have to sit in the wind and rain! It was so windy that the benches on the field blew over at the same time! Brrrrr. I was glad to get home. Fall is definately here.

Tomorrow the Hawks play the Giants at 10am! Go Hawks!!!!

This picture was taken at the opening game for the Hawks. Aren't they cute with their beaks? :)

Tala's Wedding Weekend

Last weekend was Tala's wedding. I can't believe it is over. I was so excited for the day to come and now that it is over I'm sad! We had such a fun time and Tala was so pretty. I think I left my USB cord for my camera in my mom's car, so I'll post my pictures when I get it back, but for now Quincy has sent pictures that I posted... Here we are...all the bridesmaids and the bride at the rehersal. From left to right top row: Sarah (sister), Joleen (childhood friend), Me (sister), Liz (Oregon friend), Quincy (Oregon friend), bottom row: Misty (WSU~DG), Tala (bride), Meghan (WSU~DG).

We all got ready at this little salon in Oregon. It reminded me of Trudy's salon in Steal Magnolias! We had mimosas, fruit, cheese and crackers while we got ready. My mom looked soooo beautiful. The prettiest I have ever seen her! Hot mama!
Tala wore this ice mask becuase she woke up the morning of with swollen eyes and hives!!! A brides worst nightmare! My mom and us three girls stayed at the Westin together the night before and tala had put on the hotel moisturizer. When we all woke up and saw Tala's face we were worried. Sarah and I ran to Rite Aid and picked up a bag full of different meds. She ended up taking the benadryl every 4 hours leading up to the wedding. Since she was only taking one pill at a time she wasn't drowsy and the hives and swelling went down!

Ohhlala! We were all staring at her in awe during her photo shoot!
Greg and Tala's dance... isn't her dress pretty?

The bride and groom. I love the flowers in Tala's hair. You can't see them very well. When the professional pictures are online, I will post the link....I can't wait to see them!!! Tala and Brian are in Europe for their honeymoon. They started in Amsterdam and are going to Germany next and ending in Venice. I'm excited to see their pictures and hear all about it. Now that the wedding is over, we have to get these two newlyweds to move home!