Christmas Festivities in NC

We had a really fun Christmas in NC with the Hart crew. There was lots of good food, good times, and mini-spats among the little ones. But, it was a great, relaxing trip. (On a side note, I am happy to be back home until after the baby comes, so no more traveling for a while. Phew!)

Mom, Dad, and Baby Girl's Stockings

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field...

Some of the Grandkids Dancing With Santa (I love this)

I was also blessed to have a family dinner/shower at a Japanese steakhouse in Asheville (courtesy of my brother-in-law) and a ward/friend shower at my parent's house in Whittier. I got so many wonderful gifts and had a great time with some great women. Thanks everyone for being so kind!

Family Shower Cake

Ally & Mom at Dinner

One of the Family Shower Gifts

Hart Ladies

Chapman Ladies


Family Shower Guests

Friends & Ward Shower Cake

Friends & Ward Shower Guests

A Gift from Friends/Ward Shower

And now we wait...I am 34 weeks along and getting really excited...

Parties, Parties, and More Parties!

I got back a couple days ago from a jam-packed trip to Utah. It was a great trip filled with lots of family time, and it was hard to say goodbye to people (even though it is only for a few months). This was my last trip to Utah before the baby comes, so things will be A LOT different the next time I see everyone.

Party #1 - Baby Shower

My wonderful sister-in-law, Jess, hosted a really fun baby shower for me (32 weeks, BTW - getting there) - complete with yummy food and a cool cake! She was also an awesome photographer, but that means I didn't get any pics of her. :( Anyway, thanks Jess! I had a great time!

Me Holding my Baby Girl for the First Time (Kind of)


Me and Sara


Aunt Joanne, Cousin Gina, and Emily


Aunt Julie and Karen and Sweet Baby Darby


Gift


Another Gift


A Totally Cute Tutu from Auntie Em


BYU Paraphernalia for Our Little Girl! (Chris' Favorite Baby Items so Far)

Party #2 - Omniture Holiday Party

I have been posting pics from this party (or me on the day of this party) for 4 years now. This was actually my fifth party. The first one was not documented for all to see (since everyone cares). I have to say this year's dress was the least formal, but the MOST comfortable. I had a great time this year. I missed having Chris with me, but he probably didn't mind not having to mingle with a lot of people he doesn't know.

Me Before the Party (Thanks for helping me get ready, Jess!)
(Could I look more pregnant in this pic? Nice pose - feet apart.)


My Co-Workers

Party #3 - FP&A Christmas Dinner at Sundance

This has become a tradition, too. Our dept goes to dinner up at the Sundance Ski Resort every year at Christmas time. This year it was snowing A LOT, and my rental car was an SUV, so I got the privilege of driving. I have to admit I was a little scared going through the canyon and up the steep road to the resort, but all went well. Phew! We had a fun night including a white elephant gift exchange (or Yankee Swap, for you Office aficionados). My co-workers also gave me a nice baby gift. Thanks, guys!

Now after 12 hours of traveling through snow and freezing rain on Tuesday, I am back in Texas enjoying the warm(er) weather. And, we are leaving town in just a few days to go to NC. Fun and exhausting!

29 Weeks and Counting

I had a doctor's appointment today. All is well. I am right on schedule for weight gain, the baby's heartbeat was great, and she's exactly the size she should be. Onward and upward!

Friday Night Lights

This post is for you non-West Texans. What kind of football game is this, you ask? A small university. No, it's the local high school stadium - complete with a jumbo tron and box seats. I don't know about you, but this is quite a difference from the concrete slabs and thin wooden slats at my high school. Midland High played Permian High (team from the movie Friday Night Lights) last night. Midland lost, but it was a good high school game, nonetheless.

Permian Panthers

Jumbo tron

Field

Box

This is the visitors side only. The whole stadium seats 15,000.

99 Days Left

Are we finally under 100 days? This is taking forever...but, it's worth it.

The Rubbles - Halloween 2008

We had a lot of fun at the ward Trunk or Treat last night. And, my tummy has really started poking out recently...it looks like a torpedo.

Pic of Baby Bump

Since some of you have been asking...here is the latest belly pic of me - 23.5 weeks. I'll post more as I grow...

Cougar Town

Chris and I were in Provo last weekend, so it was a perfect opportunity to attend the BYU Homecoming football game. We were still riding the wave of the Cougars' recent success (before last night's unfortunate loss) and had a great time with Chris' friends, Dan, Kevin, and Chad. I hadn't attended a BYU football game as a real spectator in probably 6 years, so it was a treat - especially since we sat on the 3rd row...thanks, Dan!

Just like old times...

PV5ers - Dan, Kevin, Chad, & Chris

OMTR showing its support of BYU football

Becka's Baby Shower

I was lucky enough to go to Lubbock yesterday for Becka's baby shower. (Boy, things have changed since we were roommates at BYU 7 years ago!) I am excited to meet her little boy in a few months. Becka is quite the cute prego lady!


Here we are with dueling tummies - 21 weeks vs 32 weeks. (I am finally being forced to wear maternity pants, and even the small ones are still way too big - belt required.)



Becka's cute little 7 month tummy!

I Will Now Have to Learn How to Do Hair

We are pleased to announce that the little bun in the oven is now officially a bunette. Our baby girl is safely baking away at 19 weeks and counting. I thought it was going to be a boy, but we are very excited to be having a girl!The left pic is a view of her bum and legs - proof that she is in fact, a girl! The right is a profile pic. Look at those lips!

This is me at 19 weeks...She is beginning to make her mark on me...

Hawaii Report

First of all, I have to say that at no point have I been more disappointed in my lack of picture-taking motivation than I am at this point. We actually had a great trip and did lots of cool stuff - a lot of which was not caught on camera. Mostly it's because of laziness, but also because we like to enjoy things without worry about getting a good photo while we are doing it. So, with that caveat, here are the highlights and the pics we did take. (Awesome footage that was not captured: taking a boat with our friends Josh and Amanda taking out into Kaneohe Bay and snorkeling, snorkeling at Sharks Cove and seeing tons of cool fish and a sea turtle, lots of swimming/boogie boarding/beach time on the North Shore and Waikiki, more pics of the Luau and activities at the Polynesian Cultural Center, us eating at lots of yummy restaurants, and I'm sure I'm forgetting other things...sigh.)

Day 1: Arrive/Have Dinner at 5:30/Are Completely Exhausted and Go to Bed at 7:30

The View of Diamondhead from our Condo - Beautiful Sunrises and Sunsets

Day 2: Oahu - North Shore - Cliff overlooking Waimea/Snorkeling at Sharks Cove/Haleiwa

Awww...Where We Got Engaged...What a Difference 6.5 Years Make :)

Matsumoto's Famous Shave Ice

Day 3: Oahu - North Shore - Scuba Diving/BYU-Hawaii/Luau and Night Show at Polynesian Cultural Center

Scuba Chris

Day 4: Oahu - Boogie Boarding at Waikiki Beach/Boating and Snorkeling in Kaneohe Bay with Josh and Amanda

Day 5: Big Island - Driving along Northeast Coast/Hike to Akaka Falls

We're Up on a Hill Overlooking the Ocean Here

Lots of Cool Bamboo on the Hike

Day 6: Big Island - Volcano National Park

I love Chris' hair in this pic. There is no reason to do your hair in Hawaii if you have curly/wavy hair, by the way. It will never stay how you want it, and it is too windy to keep it down.

Cool Lava from Years Gone By

Arch Where Old Lava Deposited into the Ocean

More Lava

Day 7: Big Island - Beaches/Black Sands Beach/Point Where Lava is Still Flowing into the Ocean

Day 8: Oahu - Boogie Boarding at Bellows Beach with Amanda/Dinner at Roy's

Day 9: Oahu - Drive on Pearl Harbor (pays to have friends in the Navy)/Sickness/Flight Home