Becker Tidbits (courtesy of my sister)

Moira beat me to the punch posting about the Becker's belated Father's Day celebration last night.

Check out the details and don't be alarmed by the lovely demure picture of me! I know...words can not express or explain!

Becker Tidbits

Where I've Been....

I bet you have been wondering where the heck I have been or what I have been up to since I haven't updated the blog in over a month. Well as we all know by know, Gabe and I are expecting our first little (or should I say big as he is measuring at about 97% right now based off of ultrasounds!) one at the end of August.

And before I get anymore ginormous (it's a word) and can't travel anymore, I have been spending every weekend up in Pomona working with Gabe on turning his bachelor pad of a house for the past 6 years into our home. We have painted (or should I say Gabe and his family), put in new carpet, bought curtains/blinds, new furniture, comforters, lights..you name it..we are doing it. What makes it challenging is the house is really old and made completely of brick (no drywall except in the bathroom) so hanging stuff and painting have been frustrating at times.

However, don't get me wrong, things are progressing well if not slowly. What also makes it hard is we only have less than about 48 hours each weekend to get stuff done and try and spend some quality time together as well. We are both exhuasted but think we see the end of the home update tunnel.

Check out some of our work:

Nursery/Guest Bedroom (door view...look at all the brick) Closeup of Nursery Valance Crib and Bedding (notice the LAPD dog in the corner. Gabe bought that for the little one...too cute!)Sports themed Ceiling Fan (I love this)Once we put up the closet doors I'll take a few more pics of the Nursery so you can see how it all ties together.

Master Bedroom Window Treatments (and another view of all the brick)

New dining room table/light fixture/carpet (love that the table is bar height but we still need to paint walls and hang new curtains)

As you can see we've made some awesome progress but have a ways to go. Who knew redecorating long distance could be so hard (oh wait...I did)...but it will be oh so worth it when it's done! So if you don't see a post for a few more weeks...well you know where I am and what I'm doing.

Iron Girl Triathlon and Red Rock Spa

This past weekend, I was in Las Vegas for a triathlon and Spa Day for Mother's Day weekend. It was a fun filled and very packed weekend...but oh so much fun (and somewhat relaxing at times).

I made the trip with my mom and we caravanned up to Vegas, following my best friend, Jen, her 3 kids, her cousin, aunt and Jen's mother and stepfather. We left around noon Friday from San Diego and arrived in Las Vegas a mere 6 1/2 hours later. Lots of stops for pee-breaks for the kids (and the pregnant gal).

Jen and her husband own their own business and have a branch in Las Vegas so we were lucky enough to stay in their rented loft style home. It was massive and so nice! Forgot to take pictures but I'm sure to be back to visit the house so I'll take some then.

On Saturday morning we woke up at a very reasonable (not!) 4:45am as Jen had to be at the All-Women's Triathlon by 6am for a 6:35am swim start. Me, my mom and Jen's mom went to support Jen in her all-women's triathlon.

Jen did awesome! She conquered her anxiety about the swim ...

and despite the blazing heat and horrendous hills (she swears a man designed the course!) finished in a great time of just over 3hours 31 minutes. She even had a smile on her face as she crossed the finished line.

Of course besides me, her mom was very very proud of her "Jennifer Wennifer"

Both Jen's mom, Irene, and I had also planned on doing the event but due to a back/leg not cooperating for Irene and my ever expanding pregnancy belly, we were religated to cheering on the sidelines. However, the event was so inspiring we both vowed to compete next year so all 3 of us can enjoy the 'joy and pain' Jen experienced this year.

After the Triathlon, we headed back to the house to pick up Jen's Aunt/Cousin and then to the Red Rock Resort Spa for some much needed Mother's Day pampering (hey cheering someone on for almost 3 1/2 hours in the blazing sun is hard work).

The spa was luxurious and wonderful. Here's a few shots of us waiting for our treatments.

Irene, Jen and Aunt Diana

My mom and me (again I swear I look larger than I am...white is not flattering on a 6 month pregnant woman).After my much needed pedicure, I met the ladies poolside in a cabana for some fruit, fun and sun. I guess I didn't get the memo about 'shades off' or 'smile wide'.

We finished the night with some penny slots and video poker (I won $40) while we waited for dinner reservations at an Italian Restaurant in the Casino. A good and exhausting time was had by all.

I think everyone crashed out by 10pm on Saturday and were back up by 5:30-6am on Sunday morning (apparently small children have an early rise button programmed in them). Jen's hubby, was kind enough to buy us donuts and coffee (for those who needed it) and then my mom and I were on our way back to SD by around 8:30am. We made a quick detour to Pomona to visit Gabe (baby's daddy..hehehe) and ended up having my mom meet most of Gabe's family (it went really well) and I got to see the new stove/oven we purchased getting installed (so excited...I'll blog about it when I talk about the whole home renovation or Gwen taking over Gabe's house entry).

Finally, we finished our jam packed Mother's Day weekend with dinner/presents at my parents house with my brother and sister (my other sister, Moira was in Detroit for work).

Happy Mother's Day!

Sooner Birthday!

Today is one of my best friend, Jen's, husband's 38th birthday and besides heading over to their house after work for a Birthday BBQ, I am bringing him a Sooners Helmet Cake (or attempt at one anyways).

After a lot of trial and error...here's the end result.

Not perfect (wish I could have figure out how to make the face mask stay but the fondant I used kept falling so I had to just pipe it on) but not half bad right?

So to all you Sooner Nation Fans out there and CHAD.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

WARNING: Objects in Picture May Appear Larger Than They Are

First the picture to go with the Title of this Blog (which is referring to me, not my petite mom)

Now the not so secret, secret I have been keeping...

I'm PREGNANT! (a collective sigh of 'phew I was going to say she had packed on some lbs' )

I am happy and excited to announce that Gabe and I are pregnant with our first baby. I am about 21 weeks along and due at the tail end of August (August 29th to be exact, though we all know how exact that really is, NOT).

We are totally jazzed as both Gabe and I have always wanted kids and this will be the first Becker grandchild for my parents, and the first BOY (yes I said BOY) for Gabe's parents in about 8 years (they have a slew of grand and great-grand kids but the last 4 have all been girls).

So many changes this year as I will be moving up to Pomona (about 2 hours from SD) after the birth of the baby and living with Gabe and then later in the year we will look to move into our own house possibly a bit closer. I still plan on working at my job (it's a great gig!) and have the opportunity to telecommute a portion of the week and then possibly stay in SD for a portion of the week when Gabe is working (he's a Police Officer so he has whacky hours). So the good news is my family and friends will get a lot of baby time (oh yeah, and still see me a tons too!)

For those of you who don't know the background; Gabe and I have had a long distance relationship for just over 3 years and he's definitely the love of my life. We have known each other for about 15 years as friends in the same circle and things just aligned and here we are!

For proof of his existence take a gander at us from our friends Sara & Nick's Wedding in 2007. I know we make a pretty good (and modest) couple! He's a handsome little devil! Hopefully our baby takes after him.

Well, that's it...that's the news...that's why I have been so sporatic in the Bloggin' department this year. But now that the cat is out of the bag (officially), I'm sure future blogs will keep you updated on the baby's progress.

Thanks for sharing in our excitement!

Happy Easter!

This Easter was spent with all my siblings, my parents, my sisters' 'significant others' and Moira's mother-in-law, sister-in-law and beau. Gabe ended up spending Easter with his family in Pomona (but one of these days soon you'll see him at a family gathering, I promise).

We had a really yummy meal and easy going conversation for dinner. Moira even made these adorable chick cutouts for part of the table decoration (sorry for the blurred picture):

Here's my family 'hamming' it up for the camera:

For dessert I attempted to make a garden themed cake with a new cake pan my mom had given me for Christmas. The mini cakes turned out awesome (carrot cake can't go wrong), but frosting those suckers was another story. I ended up putting some of the 'veggies' on a round cake that I decorated with a bit too bright pink and purple cream cheese frosting...but the crushed oreos for dirt and the overall affect was still cute (in my humble opinion). Judge for yourself (btw...the vegetables were suppose to be carrots, lettuce, pea pods and radishes...a stretch...I know).

After dinner we all convened in the living room, or should I say Becker Bowling Alley for a little single elimination Wii Bowling. All 12 of us participated and boy all I can say is we are one competitive bunch. Even the newbies were 'in it to win it'. It took 3 rounds, but in the end, my sister's boyfriend, Jon was the victor. Though Moira gave him a run for his money in the finals.

Doesn't Jon look happy he won?

After all that fun, we all got our Easter Baskets (hey, I may be 36 but I still am a candy loving girl at heart!) and hopped along our merry ways.

Some parting shots of some of the participants of the Easter Festivities at the Becker Household:

Moira & Sheona (can you tell they're my sisters?)

My Dad in his 'take me serious' pose:

Moira's hubby, Mark, loving that I always take pictures of him:

The Extended Easter Family (The Hills):
Ranee & Cindy (great picture of Mom and Daughter)

Cindy & Alan

Hope everyone else had as great an Easter as we did!

37 years and counting!

Today is my parent's 37th Wedding Annivesary. They are celebrating it in style with a quick getaway to the Red Rock Canyon Resort in Las Vegas.

I hope they are having a fabulous time.

Check out one of our family's favorite pictures of them from back in the day (courtesy of my sister, Moira's post).

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!