June 2013

We are proud to announce that Dan is expecting a puppy to be born June 28th, 2013!!!

As you can tell, Dan is SO excited!

Just kidding!

We are both excited to announce that we will be having a baby June 28th, 2013!!!!!

Whenever people ask whether we would like a boy or a girl, Dan jokingly tells them I'm having a puppy so it really doesn't matter!

Dan and I have been planning our family for a while now, we just didn't know when the Lord wanted us to start. With residency coming up, me just starting into my career, and a possible move around the corner, there just doesn't seem to be a "right" time. At the beginning of 2012, we started going to the temple with starting our family in mind. Once we received our answer, Dan bought me prenatal vitamins, the sweetest gift I think he'll ever be able to buy me! Three months later, we started trying. Then in September, we got pregnant! Of course, I didn't realize I was pregnant until October when I missed my period. 

6 weeks pregnant!

A few days before I made my first OB appointment, we figured I better take a pregnancy test to be sure I really was pregnant. 

Two blue lines=pregnant! 

8 weeks along!

10 weeks

13 weeks: Dan's been such a good sport at taking this pictures! 

Humor me!

Merry Christmas!

It was Dan's idea to announce our babies' birth with this adorable picture!

We had both printed out. 

But loved this one the best! We put them in our Christmas cards to our parents and grandparents.

Since my parents do not have any other grand kids, we had my mom open a frame which said Grandchildren on it with a picture of our babies' 12 week ultrasound. It was such a tearful, unforgettable moment!

16 weeks along!

Omaha Christmas Symphony

For Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, I was lucky enough to work both holidays. I don't know how my manager pulled that one off, but she did and I had no choice but to do as she wished. 

Dan had boards the Monday following Thanksgiving, so Dan studied the entire day and took a short break to enjoy some turkey with our neighbors and their two small children. When I came home, I ate their leftovers, which were delicious leftovers :) On the following Sunday, Dan and I ate steak and mashed potatoes and prayed Dan would do well on his boards the following day. Our prayers were answered :)

The first year Dan and I were married, I decided it would be the perfect opportunity to start our own traditions. I love watching ballet. In fact, many of my friends growing up were dancers, and I had grown up watching them dance at their recitals. So naturally, when my neighbor asked if I would buy tickets to watch her girls dance in the Nutcracker, I had no choice but to buy two tickets for Dan and myself. I enjoyed the entire experience, while Dan dreaded it from the first plie to the last pirouette. Dan had me promise that I would NEVER drag him to another ballet for as long as I lived, unless, of course, it was to watch our own daughters dance. 

I promised. 

I have to say, from this experience, I was rather surprised when Dan came home with two tickets to the Omaha Christmas Symphony. I was pleasantly surprised at how much Dan enjoyed the concert and dressing up for the show. It was a night I will surely never forget. 

Dan is already making going to the Symphony somewhat a tradition. He has purchased another two tickets to attend James Bond at the Symphony for Valentines Day.

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I'm sure Dan is glad I didn't forget to add this little gem from our Ugly Christmas Sweater Party this year:

Delicious Apple Pie

Omaha is such a great place to enjoy fall, with all of its' pumpkin patches and apple orchards!

As a way to enjoy fall this year, Dan and I had plans of going to an apple orchard to pick our own apples and make a homemade pie, but as usual life got pretty busy. Instead, we opened up a can of homemade apple pie filling my mom gave us and made this delicious "homemade" apple pie!

Dan and Chealse, Fall 2012

This October was absolutely gorgeous. In fact, I can not recall a single fall in Omaha that has not be completely breathtaking. As a result, Dan and I decided we wanted some new family portraits taken. 

Enjoy!

Vala's Pumpkin Patch 2012

This year, we decided to go to Vala's Pumpkin Patch with a few of my nursing school friends to help bring in the holiday season. 

The Famous Vala's Pumpkin Patch Rocking Chair!

(Too bad it doesn't actually rock!)

Our little princess! Isn't he so glamorous!

I love the attention to detail at Valas'.

It was SO cold! We should have been in winter coats, but forgot them at home.

Maggie and Seth, enjoying the hay ride!

Top Row: Peter, Amber, Emily, Dan, Seth, Maggie

Bottom Row: Chealse & Dan :)

So excited to pick out a pumpkin!

We found our very own "muffin top" pumpkin! 

Dan has been practically dying to drive a tractor and he finally got half his wish! Sitting in one is almost just as good!

Using my pumpkins in a practical sort of way: As dumb bells!

Actually, with our admission, we received a free 8lb pumpkin, so I was trying to gauge what 8lbs might feel like.

See, it's the details that make Vala's so magical!

The petting zoo! This year, we couldn't find the two headed goat, but we sure tried!

Howdy!

Graceful #1

Graceful #2

Not so graceful #3

We finally met up with Jessica & Mike. They got caught up eating turkey legs and caramel apples!

Speaking of caramel apples, Dan and I shared a fresh one, but since it was so cold, it really didn't matter, the caramel almost broke our jaws.

On to the races!

Dan and I also raced against each other (not pictured). This year, I ended up crashing, and lucky for me, Dan stopped and came back to help dust me off. Needless to say, Dan won. BUT if my rick/short cut would have worked, I would have won, but instead I crashed :( Moral: Cheaters NEVER prosper. 

Just stopping at the John.

Vala's 2012 

The Pig Races fell a little short on comedy this year, but it is always cute to see the little piglets race for an oreo!!

Last, but definitely not least, Dan and I stayed a little longer than everyone else to play a little mini golf.

Yet again, Dan was victorious. I blame it on the "glow in the dark" balls that just went flying every which way! Better luck next year, if we stay in Omaha that is!