temperature gauge issue?
 

Since its getting colder I have started running my heat. When I first turn the heat the air blowing out is cold and the engine temp starts to rise like the engine is overheating but the engine doesn't seem to be affected. The air starts to warm up and the temp drops below normal before returning to where it should be. Anyone have any ideas what the cause is and/or possible solutions?

That sounds to me like you have an air bubble being created inside your cooling system getting trapped in the heater core then being flushed back out to the radiator.

So my recommendation is to find out from where the bubble is coming from, or check the coolant level to be sure its sufficiently full, and not low as this will make the bubbles as well.