PEI - Prince Edward Island -

Cavendish Beach, PEI

34 weeks!

Lily as Anne of Green Gables

Where L.M. Montgomery grew up

You can't go to PEI and not have a lobster feast!

the Maritimes "Poutine"

Lots of red soil, green grass, and country-side

Carson in BC mastering his back flip on the air-chair (Okanagan, BC)

This summer Ben and I spent a week up at the Lake in British Columbia, Canada with my family. Although we didn't have perfect lake weather the entire time, we still enjoyed the relaxing holiday. They had some huge fires on the valley directly across the lake from their place this summer, and a water bomber crashed into the lake! No one was hurt, just lot of excitement around there this year.

Ben then flew to Denver and had a short but sweet visit with his family before getting back to work in North Carolina. I stayed another week and was able to see family and friends (including meeting the adorable Hudson Gage!) and then going to Prince Edward Island with my family. This is where my Grandma Shirley was born and raised. My mom spent a lot of time in the Maritimes as a little girl too.

My girlfriend - Lily - flew up from NC and met us there for a fun filled week (after Hurricane Bill passed through of course!) . One of our highlights (for the girls) was seeing the "Anne and Gilbert" play at a theater in Summerside, PEI. Carson was playing golf in the Canada Games. We even saw a few more relatives out there....such a pretty island!!! I can't wait to go back! Us girls are inspired to read more L.M. Montgomery books, and catch up on the Anne of Green Gables series once again :)

31 Weeks & Counting!

This past Saturday Ben & I were down at Linear Park for a family photo session (which was so much fun for me!). It was about time for us to take another belly photo of me (& baby) so we stayed around after the shoot and Ben took these awesome shots!!! Then we had fun checking out Fayetteville's "Joe's Crab Shack". I REALLY wanted to try the new Coffee Scene's homemade-onsite gelato so we walked over after and sat on the super comfy couches eating our AMAZING gelato!! love it! (See all the fun things we can do if you come and visit us here in the south?)

Tri the Pee Dee Triathon

Competed in my first triathlon yesterday in 2 years. Ironically enough I finished both of those tris within 2 minutes of each other. Two buddies from here competed with me and we had a blast. The best advice I can give right now to anyone wanting to do a tri is to sign up and pay early... fun times when your rushing to register. Tri the Pee Dee Triathlon is where you can find our splits for each portion of the race.

Belly Pictures

People keep asking for photos of our growing baby via the belly shots so here they are! The most recent taken yesterday on Fort Bragg property on our way home from a great weekend in Charlotte, NC. It is amazing to feel the baby moving, I feel like there is so much growth and change every single week now! Every day the baby seems to kick and move harder and harder making my belly shake and move. Someone lent us an old doppler so we enjoy listening to the baby's heart beat every once in a while now too! It's hard to believe how fast time flies, and how fast babies grow!

Half-Century

Just completed a half-century ride and feelin pretty good.

This computer as my witness...
Avg Speed: 18.7 mph
Total Time: 2hr 39min
Top Speed: 34.3 mph

Take a look at my new bike rack.

What is this Plant?

Ben bought me this plant about 2 months ago, and we were told to water it about once a week. Lately the leaves are drying out in spots and dying. I'm not sure what the proper care is for a plant like this....can anyone help?? It hasn't seen much sunlight, so i moved it closer to a window for the past 2 days, but that seemed to worsen the drying out.

Airborne

Last weekend I saw a truck with that little Calvin character who pees on __________(you've seen em and can fill in the blank). But this time it says "LEGS". I told Ben and I was like "I don't get it". I learned something new that day, and it goes to show that the 82nd Airborne is a different culture. LEGS : dirty rotten legs. It's what they call those who go into battle on foot. Airborne paratrooper pride. Only here hey!

I forgot to post these photos of a jump Ben did (i think last month?). It was so fun to see! There were 2 airplanes and the sky was full of paratroopers! I had trouble picking Ben out, but i knew he was the 2nd plane somewhere. This week they are doing some jumping + mission for a few days. I can't wait to have him home! He sent me a quick text to let me know how stinking HOT they are out there!

Stars, Stripes, & Canoes

My baby belly at 4 months pregnito (I am almost 6 months now!). Taken on a fun day trip on May 1st to Wrightsville Beach with our friends, Dave & Lily.

Gaby ready for the Memorial Day Parade! (also in May). After our trip to Canada in May, we met up with our friends down in Atlanta, GA.

Ben, Chelsa, Kate, Johnni, Matt, & Brian...oh yes we did ride in a Memorial Day Golf Cart Parade at a lake outside of Atlanta, GA!!

Matt & Johnni's pup - Kaida - loving her boat ride :)

Our Haugen relatives who once again showered us in their southern hospitality ! We were here in August last year to celebrate Ben's graduation of Ranger School. We had such a great reunion with friends and family and are so grateful to be in touch with them all. It is neat to live on the East Coast and be able to get in touch with relatives.

One of the many obstacles that Ben & I faced on our canoe trip this weekend here on the Little Indian River in NC. We had to go over or under a lot of fallen trees. We even came upon 2 small dams! thank goodness the water wasn't moving very fast :)

We rented a canoe for the weekend! It was fun because it was something "new" for us to do around here, but exhausting at the same time! (Saturday was almost, if not, 100F!!)

Ben did most of the work getting it down those steep banks and into the water :)
We paddled for 3 hours on this little river in the bush!

The tricky part was having a vehical at both ends of our river tripping. but only one of them could carry this canoe. that meant a lot of back and forth driving. we still had fun :)

There it is! Our little-big update. For those who keep asking for my baby-belly pictures...i have more i just need to organize them on my computer and i will put them up "soon"!

Our Trip to Canada

the family at the airport. it was so good to see them all!!

We had a great time out at the Farm, sleeping in well-site trailers & having bonfire parties that lasted well into the night.

feeding my smokie cravings!

Ben and I at the corner of Main St. and Railway Ave in the sleepy Saskatchewan town.

Wow, 17 grandchildren!! And that doesn't include our spouses or children! Muriel and Bill sure had a beautiful, strong, healthy family.

Feeding my Joey's cravings after a round of golf! (Yes i went golfing with the family pro!)

Okay so maybe it was only a par 3 course, but whew, that is long enough for me!!

Ben and I spent a few really great days up in Canada. The first trip was to the Farm in Lampman, Saskatchewan to celebrate my late-Grandma's life with each of her children and grandchildren (plus a few of the great-grandchildren who were able to make it). It was really a great few days with everyone.

I also got the opportunity to "give the belly what it wants" while there! In Red Deer I enjoyed my Poutine's...an image for you americans who feel out of the loop as to what this glorious food is....

oh how i already miss them.

Ben left back to NC a week before me, but I got some awesome weather and relaxing in out at the lake in BC with the fam. The baby starting kicking/moving noticeably harder that week!! (19). We are now at 21 weeks!! wow!

I didn't get to spend as much time with my cousins/aunts/uncles from my mom's side so i will have to come back and see you all!

After Canada, Ben and I met up in Atlanta for a great Memorial Day weekend, more to come on that!!!