NEW RIDE

I am went down a path I never thought I would. I bought an SUV. Well, I had to rebel slightly by buying a crossover. (Mitsubishi Outlander) It is really awesome. I got rid of my old car and upgraded to a daddy mobile. I had to it make it as cool as possible by getting it with big tires and rims, a nine speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system including a 12 inch subwoffer built in, tinted windows and a sun roof. Now I have plenty of room for all the really cool stuff dads have to carry around when they have a baby.... I am so cool.

WE HAVE NEWS!

Yep - it's confirmed, we are having a baby!!! The due date is April 1, 2009. We found out a couple of months ago but are finally making it public now that Kristin is in her second trimester.

It has definitely been a rough 8 weeks with a lot of sickness, tiredness, and throwing up. Everyone says it gets better in the second trimester - HOPEFULLY SOON!!!!

A couple of weeks ago we went to the doctor and we were able to hear a heartbeat. According to our doctor, everything looks and sounds good. We are going to find out whether we are having a boy or a girl at the end of October!! Can't wait!

Fantasy Football Anyone?

Finally football season has arrived. I have a group of guys that always get together to watch the games and have some food. This year I am getting the NFL package at home. I spend way to much money at the bars every Sunday to watch the Browns play. I am thinking basic economics now. $250 NFL package or $50-100 dollars at the bars every Sunday. It's a no brainer.

My football adventure begins next Wednesday when eleven of my friends will be joining me in the nerdry to start our Fantasy NFL draft. We are talking big time business here. Theme music and light shows... My personal belief is that Fantasy football takes watching football to a whole other level. It is not always about winning and losing for your favorite team, (the Browns) but it is how well your individual player does in each game. How fun!

There is a small entry fee to join the league and we have twelve guys participating so it will be a nice payday to whom ever wins at the end of the season. Hopefully it's me....

My first pair of Nike Shoes!

Ok, so I broke down and bought my first pair of Nike running shoes. Typically I am a big fan of Saucony shoes because they are the most cushiony shoe. I have never like Nikes because they are always so narrow and just feel flimsy. But Jon, the 17 year old shoe salesman at Sport Chalet, told me that the Nike Zoom Vomero is by far the most cushiony running shoe on the market - and he is RIGHT!! I tried it on and it was literally like running on a rubber innertube. I know some people go for the stability but I am all about getting any extra bounce I can to help me when I run.

It set me back $119 +tax but I think it will be worth it. Jon, my new best friend, told me that I can try them out for a while and if I don't end up liking them, I can bring them back with the receipt. He said "we'll take anything back" - good to know! Thanks Jon!

More updates on the performance of the Nike Zoom Vomero to come......

Palm Valley Church

Since Kristin and I have been in Phoenix we have done a lot of crazy and fun things. We have met really fun people and traveled to many many different places. It seems we travel at least two weekends a month. But I think the biggest thing that has happened to us since we have been out here is we both found a home in a local church called Palm Valley Church. This church is like no other church we have ever attended. Palm Valley is a very progressive church with young members, the messages are presented in a way that is easy to understand and relate to, and the stories are amazing and easy to apply to our lives. The music being sung there is like being at a rock show. Live bands play Christian music in a very modern way. We both love it.

Kristin loves that I am taking an interest in going to Church because she was raised that way. I find myself in uncharted waters. I listen to a christian radio station every morning on the way to work to hear the different stories of the bible. Pretty cool stuff if you really pay attention to it.

WE'RE BAAACK!!!

Kristin and Jer Wine Tasting - 11am!
Viansa Winery in Sonoma
Private Tasting in the Wine Cellar!
Amiksha, Jill, Kristin and Ginger on the way to the Luau
Sarj, Curtis and Jeremy at 3 a.m.!!

Dad and his girlsThe In-Laws (Pallottas & Oravecs)
Kristin and Beth
Kristin & Padge
Kristin and Amiksha at Cosentino Winery in Napa Valley

WE HAVE A LOT OF CATCHING UP TO DO!!
We have been VERY lazy about updating our blog but we are going to try to keep it up on a more regular basis. I refreshed the look as a new starting point for the blog :-)

So, what's the latest? Over the 4th of July weekend we went back to Cleveland, OH for a short visit with our friends and families. It was nice to see everyone again and spend time with our families. My brother, Matt, got engaged to his girlfriend so that was an exciting annoucement. It was also nice to see our college friends at Around the Corner.

The following weekend we flew to Northern California to hit the wineries in Napa and Sonoma. We then headed down to Los Gatos and went to Kristin's bosses Summer Company Luau party. It was great!!

This weekend our good friends had a pool party on Friday night and then we floated down the Salt River all day yesterday. You either have to be in the water or in A/C when it is summertime in Phoenix, since we are in A/C all week at work, we try to get creative about staying cool on the weekends :-)

Bye Kate!!!! :-(

Our good friend Kate took a job in San Fran and she moved this past weekend. Last Saturday we threw her a 'Good Bye, Good Luck and Happy Birthday' party at the Sandbar in Scottsdale. Ames, Angie, Brooke, me and Dee took Kate to a girls dinner and then we took her to Sandbar and surprised her when everyone was there! Fun times - I gotta book my trip to San Fran!!!