Full of Gratitude...

I hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving!! Jeff and I were able to celebrate Thanksgiving with our "family away from home" again this year. We have so much fun with everyone and I just love how we all get along so well and have such a good time together. We ended up having dinner at our church again this year which seems to work out great. After dinner everyone sticks around to play games while the kids run around the gym... it's much better than cramming 20 of us into someone's house and having to worry about making a huge mess.

I find it hard sometimes to not get more wrapped up in all the good food on Thanksgiving than on all the things I have to be grateful for... which is what Thanksgiving is really all about. So I would feel ungrateful if I didn't express my gratitude for all the blessings in my life. There are so many things I am grateful for this year that I can't even begin to list them all. But to name just a few....
I am so grateful for a testimony of this gospel, to be raised in a family who has taught me so much and showed me by example the importance of the gospel in my life.
I am grateful for a loving Savior who made it all possible for us to be here today, who loves us despite our mistakes, who is ALWAYS there when we need someone to talk to, and is always there to hold our hand and help us when times are tough... and for the many many blessings He continues to give us each and every day.
I am grateful for a husband who honors his Priesthood and helps me to be a better person... for a husband who loves me despite all my imperfections... and for a husband who tries so hard to make me happy.
I am grateful that Jeff and I made the decision to move to Pittsburgh, even when it took A LOT of convincing for me to consider moving here... thank heavens for a persistent husband!
I am grateful for the many friends we have made out here and the many memories we have and will continue to make with all of them.
I am grateful to be able to move so far away from home and have the comfort of a ward family and friends who make all the difference when you don't have family to turn to.
I am especially grateful right now for our little guy that keeps growing in my belly and for the amount of love I feel for him already...it's crazy. I can't even begin to express how excited I am to start raising our little family and experience the joys of being a mother. That in and of itself is such a HUGE blessing to me.

Okay so that was a little more than a few... but trust me, the list is much longer than that. On a less cheesy note.... what is a post without a few pictures??

Jeff played in our ward "turkey bowl" this year which he just informed me today, he wishes they would do that once a week. Ha.. keep dreamin Jeff. :)

Here's a few good action shots taken by one of the wives in our ward. (I didn't want to fool you into thinking I actually got up early to go watch him play football!)


I decided it would make Thanksgiving at the church a little more "homey" if we actually decorated a little. So we went the night before and set up on the stage. Jeff will take the credit for hanging all the lights. He did a great job if I do say so myself. :)

The guys can only handle so many pictures... so the girls decided to take a few without them.


And just for you Kelli... I will post a couple of belly pics.

Me at 25 weeks

And me at 26 1/2 weeks... taken today in fact. Can't get much more accurate than that. :) Jeff claims my belly has gotten bigger in the last few days... it must be all the Thanksgiving leftovers I have been eating. Hey, it's great to be pregnant over the holidays, I don't feel near as guilty for pigging out!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!! WE SURE MISS EVERYONE BACK HOME AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL IN JUNE.... wow, that's way too far away, let's not talk about that.

2nd Annual Pie Night

Our good friends Lisa and Joseph hosted the 2nd Annual Pie Night for the 2nd year dental students. (yes we can say that now) :) It was a huge turn out with a whole bunch of delicious pies! I made a banana pie (per Jeff's request), he was hoping that he could take half the pie home, unfortunately it was gone before he could go back for seconds! I guess I'll continue the tradition of making my banana pie... at least it was a hit.


Thanks Lisa and Joseph for continuing the tradition of hosting pie night! We had a blast!

October Fun

I really don't have much to post about lately... life here is good. I am feeling MUCH better this past month, making things a little more livable around here. Although, I feel like I am getting so big, so fast! And to think I still have 4 months ahead of me!!

Jeff is doing great in school and is continuing to get awesome grades! This semester has been so much easier, and a lot more stress free than we are used to. He has only had a couple weeks where he has had some stressful tests, but other than that, it's been great. We'll take this semester over any semester last year.. any day!! We can only hope it continues this way.

October seems to have flown by and now we are nearing the end. We've been to a few halloween parties but have yet to dress up this year. I can think of a few things I'd rather be spending my money on right now than a costume. So yeah, we are kinda lame. Did I mention the fall here in Pittsburgh is SO pretty! I just can't get enough of all the colorful trees! I LOVE IT!

We (mainly I) have made some pretty fun baby purchases lately! We found a great deal off craigs list for a crib and changing table when I was only like 9 weeks along. We may have been jumping the gun a bit, but hey we thought it was a great deal so we got it. We just recently bought the bedding for our crib and of course I have purchased some cute little outfits for our little guy. It's so hard to resist!!

Jeff and I just recently got called to the cub scouts as the new Webelo's leaders. I am absolutely clueless about scouts, so this will be interesting for me and a great refresher for Jeff! We are in the process of getting released as Sunbeam teachers... I think they want us to stick it out until after the primary program, but we will sure miss teaching the little sunbeams, they are so full of positive energy and they make us laugh every Sunday! I think teaching the 10 year old boys will be a true test of our patience... seriously! :)

Some awesome friends hooked us up with tickets to Circue de Soleil! Even better we got to be in a suite! The show was awesome, but we weren't allowed to take pictures... sorry. Thanks Tiffany and Darren!

Halloween Party and the Grant's... we got a picture of most of the kids all dressed up! Oh, and Nicole. :)

I love baby shoes! They are so fun to buy! Jeff and I found these shoes for a great deal at a second hand baby store but they look like they have never been worn! So cute!

And last but not least... a belly pic. This is me at 21 weeks. Time sure is flying by! Before we know it we are going to have a little toddler running around! So help me!!!

The Results are In!!!

Well, It's official.....


Looks like we are having a................................








Drum Roll Please............................










BOY!!!!

(Sorry for the bad quality, but this is his profile, his legs are up on my stomach.)

Not what we were expecting but we are way excited and can't wait to start buying cute little boy outfits! Okay, I can't wait to start buying cute little outfits!

These are pictures of a picture so they are kinda hard to see... but, doesn't it look like he is sucking his thumb??? So cute!

If you can tell that is the profile of his head on the right and his little hand is making a little fist into his mouth.

Oh and did I mention we are accepting suggestions for boy names!! We can't agree on anything!

And here is an official 181/2 week belly pic. I feel like I have doubled in size in the past week! (I bet my family would agree!)


Aside from our exciting news... here's some pics of a few of the things we've been doing since we got home from Utah.

We had some friends invite us over for Bunco night. If you get bunco you have to wear the funny outfit Devin is currently wearing. It's not so easy to roll the dice with a baseball glove and an oven mit! (My husband did NOT quit early to watch the BYU vs. USU game) ha.. yeah right, he looks like a little boy in front of the TV.


I love conference weekend... and the only thing that could make it better was a nice big Sunday breakfast!! Thanks for planning it Nicole and Tyler!


These are just a few of the wives... we almost had ALL of the second year LDS students come... we had a full house!


HAPPY OCTOBER EVERYONE!!!

UTAH and Wedding

Jeff and I were able to go home to Utah for my little sisters wedding... it was so good to go home and see everyone again! Let me give you a quick recap... or more like a quick photothon.

I flew in Saturday night. (Jeff couldn't come until Tuesday because of school) My mom and sister and her two kids greeted me at the airport. It is always so fun to see my neice and nephew and how much they have grown! Although, it makes me a little sad...


My friends threw me a baby shower while I was home, (even though I was hardly showing and didn't even know the sex) I have the best friends ever!





This is my friend Dani... our due dates are one day apart!
A few of us got together afterwards and went to Chelsea's... we always have such a good time together!

We got to go through the temple with Ashlee for her first time. They make such a cute couple!


Of course I have to throw in a couple more of my niece and nephew... they are so stinkin cute! This was at my cousin Alex's high school football game.


Awww....

We went to Firehouse (which I have been craving and still continue to crave) with some of Jeff's friends and their wives...


My little sister decided she didn't want a reception so they ended up having a casual wedding dinner the night before the wedding... he surprised her with a carriage ride to the dinner.



And now for the wedding. They got married in the Bountiful Temple. What a pretty temple.... and an even prettier bride.

It's tough work trying to entertain two little ones while you are waiting for the bride and groom to come out!


Here they come!!



The whole fam-damly...

The sisters... and sister-in-law




I just couldn't resist posting this video. My sister doesn't blog so I guess she'll just have to start making copies of mine!




I feel bad I didn't get any pics with Jeff's family... I promise we spent time with them!!

Well we sure had a great time visiting family and friends and hope we can come home again soon! But it just may not be until we have the baby.... :(

All about Jeff.....

These past couple of weeks seem to have flown by. I have been looking forward to going home for a REALLY long time and now it's just a week away. I seriously CAN NOT wait. I think my homesickness has set in a little more these past couple of months since I have been so sick. I used to be the one who was calling my mom telling her all the fun things I've been doing, and now, she's the one calling me telling me all the fun things her and my family have been doing... That is partly my fault, I haven't been up for doing too much lately. Ask Jeff. Needless to say, I am very excited to go home.

Last week Jeff was playing basketball with some guys from church and he called me about a half hour after he left and said... well, I'm on my way home, I cut my eye pretty good. Somehow him and another guy (I won't say any names Devin) :) ran into each other and happened to both get a big gash by their eye. Jeff probably should have gone and gotten stitches but we quickly discovered that option was a little too expensive, so we settled for some steri-strips to hold it together.

This is a couple of days after the fact... he got a pretty black eye.

Jeff finally finished tiling our bathroom... here is the end result.
He did a pretty good job if I do say so myself... especially for a beginner. I forgot to get a before picture which I am mad about, but just imagine ugly linoleum. The base-boards have since been put on but we need to repaint them and touch up a few paint spots on the wall from pulling off the baseboards... and then we really will be ALL DONE... for now. :)

Also.. since this post seems to be about Jeff, I can't forget to mention that he PASSED his boards!! We are so thrilled... and even more thrilled to have it all behind us. What a relief to know he doesn't have to worry about them for a few more years.

School is back in full swing, but so far I haven't heard Jeff complain once about how hard his classes are, nor have I witnessed him studying... he seems to enjoy this semester and is always quick to remind me on the days he doesn't have to be to school until 1... or the days he gets done at noon. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it continues to be an easy semester.

Last weekend we had some people over to watch the BYU football game. BYU FOOTBALL you ask??? If you know Jeff at all, you will know that he is NOT a fan of BYU football, or BYU anything for that matter. But we're always looking for an excuse to have people over, so we did... on ONE condition.... he puts up THIS sign...


Of course everyone who came either went to BYU or was rooting for BYU, which only lights the fire more for my husband who will happily cheer on the other team. Unfortunately for Jeff... BYU came out with the win. I'm sure my dad was gleaming with joy. :)

As always at football gatherings... the girls will be in the other room with the food...


And the boys will intently be watching the game...

Just as it should be....

I have another Dr.'s appt. this week and hopefully I will be able to schedule my ultrasound appt to find out the sex. I can hardly wait!

Until next time...

Summertime... and the livin is... not so easy. :)

I know... don't fall off your chair... it has been almost three months... but yes, I am blogging.

Please take my quiz....

Why have I sucked so bad at blogging lately??

A. I don't make dinner and can't keep up with the laundry and the dishes.... let alone my blog!
B. I come home from work every day and lay on the couch until it's time for bed, because I feel like puking my guts out!
C. I am always tired, I go to bed way too early, and I feel extremely lazy lately...
D. I am Pregnant!
E. All of the Above

Yep, you guessed it! All of the Above!! I promise, I am not ALWAYS that bad of a wife!! Jeff and I are expecting baby Wegener sometime on or around March 4th! We couldn't be more excited! Aside from the seemingly never-ending 24 hour morning sickness, everything seems to be progressing great! Although everyone keeps reminding me that it's usually a good sign if I am sick... that typically is a good indication that the baby is still doing well! So I guess if that's true, I'll take it. I am a few days shy of 13 weeks... which means I am officially past my first trimester. So with any luck, hopefully this nausea stuff will subside soon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! We finally got to hear the heartbeat last week which was so exciting and so crazy to think there is actually a little baby growing inside of me... it really made this whole pregnancy seem much more real for both of us.
Jeff has already been calling our baby "she"... so if that's not any indication of what he thinks we are having, I don't know what is! I think I have already become accustomed to the whole "she" thing, so if we find out we are having a boy, I think it might throw us both for a loop. But whatever the outcome...we will be thrilled either way, I'm just praying for a healthy baby!

Aside from our exciting news... I thought I'd give a quick recap of what we've been up to this summer. Oh wait... WHAT SUMMER??? :) Atleast that's how Jeff and I feel! We aren't sure where our summer disappeared to. We were both so excited it was finally here, and now it's over! How depressing! But here are a few pics anyway of some of the things we did...

I planted me some flowers.. and Jeff planted some bushes, to help spruce up our yard a little... I meant to take a picture a while ago of how good my flowers were looking... but now... half of them are dead. :( So you'll just have to take my word for it. They sure did look great… they tripled in size and amount!




Went with some friends to the movie "Iron Man" at Shenley Park. Would have loved to have gone to more movies... but unfortunately I just wasn't feeling up to it.
Spent a few days in Ohio visiting P and Taryn... they showed us around their home town and even took us to a fun little firework show for the fourth. We found out the night we got home I was pregnant... two days after they announced to us THEY were pregnant!

Jeff and I splurged a little and went to a few shows at the dollar theater! :) We decided that's the way to do it from now on... it's just hard to justify spending 20 bucks to go to a movie nowadays. Plus the dollar theater has like 10 different movies to choose from... how bad could it be, really. Not to mention I don't have to feel guilty if I end up falling asleep... and Jeff promised he wouldn't even get mad, just as long as I go with him!

I have sort of given up on taking pictures lately, I guess it goes along with everything else the past couple of months... so hopefully that will change soon too. We have had a few bbq's with lots of the dental students and even gotten together to do tin foil dinners with some friends.. all of which I failed to get any pictures of.

And other than that we have had a pretty low key summer. Jeff has fried his brains out from studying every waking minute of every waking day for the past month... actually make that the past 4 months. His summer semester of school was a killer.. and just when he finally got that over with, he had to start studying for boards.... which he takes tomorrow!!!!!!! I'm so glad he'll finally be getting a break from studying. I don't know which one of us is more excited, him or me. And I'm sure I could say the same about my morning sickness... I don't know which one of us is more excited for it to be over!!! Between the two of us lately, we have both been pretty pathetic! I guess we make quite the pair!

Hopefully this next month will bring a little more excitement to our lives. My little sister is getting married the end of September which means WE GET TO GO HOME!!!! I really CAN-- NOT wait! I'm ready for a break from work and more than ready to see my family!

Yesterday was Jeff's birthday and he was sure to inform me that we would not be celebrating because he would be studying all day. So, I made him chicken enchiladas (per his request) and Tapioca pudding for dessert (with two candles in it of course)... and that was the extent of his birthday celebration. That is cetainly NOT how I would choose to celebrate my birthday... poor Jeff. But I do want him to know that I am really proud of him and proud of his dedication to school. I know he gets burnt out, but somehow he finds the motivation and energy to keep on studying! He did AWESOME this last semester and I know he is going to do great on his boards tomorrow. Good luck Jeff, and Happy Birthday! I love your stinkin guts! :)

As of Late...

Here's a few pics of some of the things we've been up to the past couple of weeks...

We celebrated Rachael and Carlee's birthdays.... at the Pancake House...

With these people....

And ate this yummy food! My mouth is watering right now... yours should be too!

Lucky for us, Jeff's dad had a convention for his work in Pittsburgh last week so both his parents were able to come visit us again! We kicked off our week with dinner at one of our favorite restaurants... ICHIBAN. (We actually love ALL Hibachi grill restaurants) Plus you get to watch them make your food which is definitely a bonus! If you haven't gone there... you should. My favorite is the volcano. (Those who have been there know what I am talking about)

Unfortunately Jeff had school and I had to work all week so Tony and Kathie were pretty much left to entertain themselves... but on Saturday we were able to go to Falling Water (the house built on a waterfall by Frank Lloyd Wright). It was really quite amazing to see the work he put into this home. He was an amazing architect. They wouldn't allow us to take any pictures once we were inside, so here a couple from the outside. (The house goes back a lot further than what you can see.)

The view from the other side. Everything was so green. I loved it!

On our way home we stopped and ate at PF Changs... (thanks to our free lettuce wrap coupons we were able to get a free order of lettuce wraps with the purchase of an entree... don't worry, we got 4 entrees, which means 4 lettuce wraps... we weren't letting those coupons go to waste!) And yes, we still have leftovers!
On our way to PF Changs... we saw this....

Is this a new fashion statement that I'm not aware of?? I caught part of Jeff's head in the pic, it was the best I could do without making myself TOO obvious. We already had to slow down so I could take the pic. We still can't figure out if this was their underwear or what they were wearing underneath their shorts, the girl in the front was just as bad as the girl in the back! So attractive...

We had a barbecue with a few of the incoming students for next year. Yay for summer! They were here for orientation so we decided to plan a bbq so we could meet all of them and hopefully help them feel a little more comfortable about coming out here. We had a pretty big turn out! Here's a pic of a few of us.


We decided to do it at a park this year which turned out great! The kids could play on the playground and the boys could play football... while the girls talked!

And yes, I won the biggest hamburger contest. Okay, there wasn't a contest, but if there was... I would have won... HANDS DOWN.

As you can see we are very much enjoying our summer... as much as we can anyway, between work and school. I'm definitely looking forward to more sun and more bbq's. Summer... HERE WE COME!!!!

Memorial Day Weekend

Jeff and I had a great Memorial Day weekend. We drove to Rochester Friday night after work and spent the night in a hotel. Saturday morning we drove to Palmyra and visited all the church history sites. We were also able to do a session at the Palmyra temple. It was such a neat experience! Then we spent the night again in Rochester and drove to Niagra Falls Sunday morning... where we spent the rest of our day... Couldn't have had a better weekend!

Camping...ish

Last weekend Jeff and I and 5 other couples went to a place called Raccoon Creek to go camping... only Jeff and I didn't actually camp. We couldn't spend the night because unfortunately I had to work in the morning. But we still had a lot of fun and we ended up staying a lot later than planned Friday night. It was worth it! I hope we get to go again soon!

Here's some pics from our night...

We made tin foil dinners and then topped that off with what we like to call a "banana boat" (cut a large slit out of a banana and fill with chocolate chips and marshmallows, cover with tin foil, place in the fire for about 20 min.) It can't get much better than that! Only it can because I discovered that it's even better if you add a little peanut butter in the mix! (Yes, I will take credit for that idea)
We also played some fun games... We played Guesstures, Signs, and the name game. We are definitely going to have to have a rematch soon. It's our turn to dominate! Right girls???

Needless to say we had a great time! I look forward to our next camping adventure... Thanks guys!

Two Years...

Today was our 2 year anniversary! I can't believe it's already been 2 years... time sure flies when you're having fun! It's crazy that we've almost lived in Pittsburgh a whole year. Jeff's going to be done with school before we know it. I am so lucky to have such a thoughtful, smart, patient, good looking, understanding, and most of all, loving husband! I couldn't be happier right now! I really think we are in the right place doing the right thing... and we are having so much fun doing it. Living in Pittsburgh away from family has been such a strength on our relationship, I wouldn't change it for anything! (Of course I miss my family but it makes it that much better to see them when I go home.) Jeff took me to the Cheesecake Factory tonight for dinner and then we came home and watched American Idol. Oh yeah, so romantic. :) (Last year at this time we were laying out on the beach in Hawaii... too bad that can't be the case for every anniversary.) Thanks for being the best husband ever! Love you Jeff!