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!!!

Our Special Colby Girl

above : Colby


above : Shasta

above : Taylor with her girls this past Christmas

Last week they had to put our beloved family pet to sleep. We had picked out Colby from her litter 13 years ago, and she was a gem! Dainty and sweet spirited, she always had a smile on her face. Even up to the day she passed away, despite the pain she was probably in. We all love and miss her! We got Shasta later down the road, but they have grown to be inseparable and I know Shasta is going to miss her big sis Colby. Shasta's the protector (even though was much younger) of her brothers and sisters (the cats and Colby).

Vita-Mix : Sinful Chocolate Pudding

I blame it on the preggo-brain. It all happened in basically a split second mistake....just a blip in the day that's all. It's a good thing i doubled the recipe so i still had leftovers!

For those brave enough to try it, this recipe makes a delicious and healthy creamy pudding!

Sinful Chocolate Pudding
1 c. soft tofu (always make sure it is non-GMO or organic)
1/4 c oil (i use a little less of grapeseed oil - good for your skin)
1/2 c. sweetener (i used organic cane juice sugar...sometimes maple syrup instead)
4 tbsp cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Blend together all ingredients until smooth and creamy. Chill well before serving. I also like to melt 1/4 - 1/2 c chocolate chips and drizzle it into the blender until mixed in. Just be conscious of the power of the Vita Mix!

Enjoy! Especially great to dip strawberries, pineapple and bananas in!