Pregnant...

Yep, that's right, we're expecting our very first baby around September 13th!!! Ben and I are so very excited. We keep talking about names that we love (no I won't post them...that's dangerous, jk ;) and what it'll be like to have our very own child. Even though the morning sickness has been just aweful for the past 3 weeks or so, it still doesn't quite feel real. Like, I know that I'm pregnant, and the doctor said it's true, but I think that until I get that cute little bump or feel it move around for the first time that's when I'll really feel that it's all real.
So far the things that have been keeping my stomach somewhat manageable through this intense sickness have been: limes, just sucking on them even though they're aweful for the teeth; Simply Orange Juice, this stuff has so much flavor that it makes taking the Zofran bareable (Zofran is the medicine I take about once a day, really intense, but a nasty flavor while it's dissolving under your tongue.); Ginger Ale on ice, the ginger supposedly helps with all nausea, but it's great to just have with me all day and just sip on.
Most of the time I just eat whatever take out sounds like it will stay down at the time. It can be anything from Olive Garden's soup, to Filiberto's tacos, to Church's mac and cheese or mashed potatoes. But I better not talk about any more food, or I might make myself sick. Well, I'll keep you updated on what's going on, and maybe any advice I come across for those that are also pregnant.
Oh, and congrats to my sister in law Andrea who is also pregnant (with her 4th) and due about the same time as me. I'm glad we're kind of close together because then our babies will be great friends and cousins :)

Paragliding~

While in California for Christmas, Ben and I had the opportunity to spend time with Ben's brother Paul. He was nice enough to take us out paragliding in his tandum paraglider! Below are the pictures of Ben and Paul in flight. I was to go after Ben, but after getting all harnessed up the wind completely died. So, I'll have to go next time :)

Shoot out-part 2

Appearantly I can't upload two videos in the same post, so here's the other one.



I was going to take a picture of the targets too, but the camera's battery is dead.
Fun times!

~Crystal

It's a shoot out

Lately Ben has been very interested in getting a gun. With the little shooting that I've done, I've really liked it. So, we decided that we'd go to the shooting range and check out a couple of different guns, and try them out. We tried two different ones. First was the Glock 9 mil, then a Glock 40 caliber.

Real Tree

I've never had a real tree, and I've always enjoyed being the one to help Mom put the fake one all together. Ben has always had a real tree and really wanted one, so we made a deal that we could have a real tree, but he would clean up the pine needles and find out how to throw it away. It looks great, even for it being one of the last ones at the store.
Thank you to Mom who gave us a bunch of Christmas decorations when she was cleaning out the basement. That's all we used to decorate the tree. They are older, familiar ornaments, and artificial poinsettia leaves that dot the tree in various places. It looks very old fashioned, and we really like it!




Here's the proof of what romantics we are. I know, we probably make people sick :)

And to all a good night!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you are enjoying the holiday spirit and cheer as much as I am. I don't know why, but Christmas feels different this year, much happier. Maybe just because I'm married, or I don't know what, but it seems more joyful; for me at least.

Just wanted to wish you all a great holiday for you and your loved ones. I hope whoever you are that you can be near those you love at this time. I will however miss my family this year since it is my very first Christmas away from home. I'm still Christmas-ing with you in my heart though.
I will miss seeing Dad document each moment with the camera and camcorder, and Mom handing us each of our stockings. I will miss seeing the kids (my nieces and nephews) as they open up their presents and help Dad hand them out. And mostly I will miss their company and smiling faces. But this is only one Christmas out of many, and I'm still very excited to share it with Ben's family!!!
I'm excited to see how the event is done outside of our family. :)

So to whoever you are, and where ever you are, remember the reason for the season. The birth of Jesus Christ our Savior. And spread some holiday cheer with whomever you encounter, even if it's that mean old lady at the store that's trying to steal the last can of yams or whatever...jk. Merry Christmas!

~Crystal

Pigs Pigs

I found this pig keychain in my pencil cup at work.
Totally made my day. :)