The Pennsylvania Puker

We flew out to the Pocono Mnts. in Pennsylvania to visit Mama & Papa G for a long weekend. We had planned to take a red- eye flight a long time ago, before we even considered trying to start a family and I wasn't sure how my nausea would be on the flight... well, without being too graphic, I will say this... it was the worst flight of my entire life! I threw up 2 times on the plane from Sacramento to Houston, 1 time in the airport, 2 times on the plane from Houston to Newark, and 2 times in the car from the airport to Mama & Papa G's house... they say nausea is a good sign that everything is developing well... so I officially have the healthiest embryo on earth! I do have to say that I have the most wonderful, supportive husband in entire world! He takes such ridiculously good care of me and I know it hasn't been easy for him to watch me go through this (gush gush, swoon)!

We were greeted at the airport by Mama & Papa G, holding 2 long stem roses, one with a pink ribbon and one with blue... they're not excited or anything!

Posing with our flowers... Ross was feeling rather dramatic!

Casa de Gimpel

After my harrowing journey from Cali, I was in no condition to do anything more than lay down & try not to die! We had stopped at CVS and gotten motion sickness acupressure wrist bands and Emetrol (an over the counter nausea med that's safe for me to take). I slept for about 6 hours straight. The next day I was feeling better and Mama G & I went off for mani's & pedi's. There was also much more needed napping all around!

Our 2nd full day we all drove into the cute little town of Milford, PA. We walked around & had a nice lunch.

Buddah Bear...

Paying tribute to the old Wilford ranching days...

Taking a breather!
More town cuteness...
Speaking of cuteness...

Mama G's nickname for me has always been TP, which stands for "tall & pretty", as well as toilet paper...but we won't go there, now TP stands for "the puker". Although, I only threw up on the car ride to the airport once, and ZERO times on the flights back home! I'm so pround of myself!

First Baby Gifts

First, my mom got me a "pregnancy pillow" for the nights that I just can't get comfy & I need a little extra support... unfortunately I have been playing tug-o-war with Henry over it...

My friends at work have also been wonderful. Denise, who teaches 1st grade in the room next door to me gave me these adorable sleepers today!

And the kindergarten team left a bag in my box this morning with a surprise inside...

Pickles & Ice Cream!!!! Very cute!

On side note, how disgusting is that, that they sell snack packs of pickles in their own juice... like a fruit cup or Jello! Oh man, that grosses me out!

Here comes trouble...

Good News!!!!!!!!! We're having a baby!!!!! We're due April 29. (Trust us, the doctor assures us that that white blob near the top is a future Gimpel. He said it has a 'Strong heartbeat' :) If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you'll see 2 tiny x's that show the distance from "crown to rump". Our baby has a rump!

It looks like the blood line will be continued...so much for evolution...

We couldn't be happier! Send good vibes and baby love our way. Thanks in advance to all of our friends and family for all of your support and Love.

Love to all!

Ali & Ross

Bear-ly Rescued

Our friend EW snapped this picture on Sunday of the Rainbow Bridge at Donner Pass (that's Donner Lake in the background). Check out the link to see the full story... Nice pic E-dub!

1st Anniversary in Our House

This weekend marks one year since we moved into our first home!

The entry way...

The Mezzuzah...a gift from Mama & Papa G to bless our home...

We thought we lost this tree last winter during a big frost... in April, Papa G cut it back for us & now it is coming back to life!!!!!

And its gorgeous purple flowers are BACK!!!!!

We even still have roses blooming on our bushes!

And, of course, no picture of the house is complete without a shot of our attack cat, vigilant at his post!

Trust me, you DO NOT want to mess with this dude!

On a completely unrelated, random note... we took a nice walk by the river this morning & caught a nice pic under one of Folsom's beautiful bridges... ENJOY!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Brent asked Vanessa to marry him last night and more importantly... she said YES! We couldn't be happier for the two of you and can't wait to welcome Vanessa into the Gimpel Clan! Don't worry, the hazing rituals really aren't all that bad- my eye has nearly stopped twitching now, all bowel functions have returned pretty much to normal, and I don't have to rock myself to sleep for quite as long as I used to! Seriously, we love you both & are so happy!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!