Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! We were so blessed to have fmaily around our table and in our lives for Thanksgiving. We so enjoyed the day with Alex's side of the family for Thanksgiving. The day started out with the Macy's Day Parade on tv, an annual tradition, prepping dinner, as we hosted, and getting all the last minute things prepped. It was a great day, full of food, family, and fun:) Thanksgiving night my Dad and Teri headed in to town with my brother Matt and his friend Nick for some Thanksgiving weekend fun. It was so nice to have them in town, one because we don't get to see them as often as we would wish, and because it's always fun being around all of them. We hit up the MOA on Friday via the light rail for some post-thanksgiving shopping, the Holidazzle parade, and Fogo de Chao for dinner. According to Alex, that was the best meal he has eaten in a very long time! While we were walking to dinner a fight broke out on the other side of the street. The looks on my 14 year old brother and his friend's faces were priceless...a little different from Appleton:) We laughed at how cultured they were getting!

All in all a fabulous weekend and we have so much to be thankful for.

Things we are thankful for: -Jesus, his saving grace in our lives, though we are so undeserving, He is so gracious -Families, their presence in our lives makes life filled with joy -BBC, our church, the people we've met, the teaching -God's provision through our most difficult and stressful year of marraige -For each other, the joy Alex brings to me...amazing -The food on our table, the roof over our head, the clothes on our bodies

Oh that we would be more giving and thankful the rest of the year!

Recommended Reading

Ever since the school year started, I have been reading non-stop. Isn't that funny how I still think of things in terms of the school year:) Well that might be because I am still nannying and a perfect, free activity is visiting the library weekly.

In the past couple of months, I have read some really great books I thought I would share.

Reading right now:

Things I Want My Daughters to Know by Elizabeth Noble

-really good, emotional, and intriguing

Have just finished:

Rain Song by Alice Wistler

great, set in the south, funny, cute

Rebecca's Reward by Lauraine Snelling I love this series; totally laura ingalls wilder but more grown up One Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling really good, but sad. about organ donation

The Pajama Girls of Lambert Square by Rosina Lippi really cute, good read, and just really good, there's slight romance:)

And the winner is...

SOUTH FACE!!!

Last night we attended the COTY awards hosted by NARI the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. The COTY awards stand for the Contractor of the Year. Basically you choose a project and present it as a nominee and a committee judges the binders. This was our third year at the COTY's but our first year submitting projects. We submitted two, one in the category Additions over $200,000 and the other in the category Whole House under $250,000. We were up against some really amazing projects and we WON in the Whole House category. We actually submitted our house on the lake that Alex remodeled. It was such a fun experience! Yea...Alex and South Face:)

Thanks Grandpa!

Today is veteran's day...and i want to thank my favorite veteran...my grandfather.

He fought in World War II, was shot twice in the leg, hit with shrapnel and manned the bunker where the others were killed. He is brave, loving, kind, and he fought for our country and our freedoms. Thank you so much...for what you sacrificed and the job you did.

One other interesting fact, was that while Grandpa was away fighting, Grandma was "Rosie Riveter" in the factory. So they both contributed and I am thankful for them both!

A day at the Park

Colin, the 3 year old I nanny for, and I met up with his friend Conner and his nanny Micayla for a fun day at Lynnhurst Park. Those two boys are the funniest and cutest little kids. We played on the playground, flew kites, and found the best slingshot stick...but we forgot it at the park!

colin playing with a stick

the two of us

conner tickling colin on the tire swing

me taken by colin

those boys again

Happy 60th wedding anniversary!

In late August we headed to Appleton for Labor Day. Not only did Alex and I celebrate our Anniversary early but we celebrated Grandma and Grandpa's 60th wedding anniversary with the whole family in Manitowac. It was so special to spend the day with them! They look great and are doing well at 96 and 93.

mom with her parents

alex and i with grandma and grandpa

G&G with the trips and aj

the whole fam

(from l tor: chris holding kate, alex, me, luke, grandpa, jodie, mom, aj, grandma, jack, jen)

Madden's

We *heart* Madden's resort in Brainerd, MN. Last year we headed there for our 1st anniversary and had so much fun golfing, playing bingo, roasting marshmallows, and riding the tandem bike. Because we loved it so much, we decided to go again in the fall last year for their halloween celebration. Though we don't love halloween, we do love the amenities and watching all the adorable children dressed up in their costumes. They are the cutest:)

So this year after all the house stuff was finished we needed a break and where better to go than to Madden's. So for the cheap rate they offer we were able to get all our meals, lodging, free unlimited golf, use of the pool, and enjoy each other's company all for one low price. Though we didn't head out on the bikes this year, we still had a blast just letting loose and getting away from the everyday stress we seem to carry.

Here are some pics from our fab weekend away!

Us after dinner on Saturday night!

On the golf course

me trying to keep myself entertained while I walked along:)

Alex looking oh so professional

the golf course in all its fall glory

Our belated anniversary!

On September 2nd, Alex and I celebrated our second year of marriage. I am so blessed to have such an amazing husband... A for amazing, authentic, awesome, athletic L for loving, loves to learn, laborer E for energetic, enthusiastic, enjoyable X for extra caring, extra gracious Along with these he is a hard worker, generous provider, faithful, filled with Jesus, and he's my best friend. These past two years I have been so humbled and challenged as a wife and fellow believer...I'm thankful God chose Alex to be my husband and fellow sanctifier. The second year was different from the first with its own challenges and blessings. I can't wait to experience all the years to come. We spent our anniversary at Kincaid's for dinner and celebrated with m&m cookies. Here are some pics from our wedding two years ago!

the venue, a vineyard in stillwater mn

our engagement pic courtesy of our friend Neal...thanks!

our first dance

at our rehearsal dinner, Buca of course!

Election Day...

Well today is the day...GO OUT AND VOTE! I believe it's our duty in a democratic society to voice our vote through elections for those things we feel strongly about. At the same time, my beliefs assure me that it is not up to us but to the Lord. He's sovereign...the new president will not be a surprise to Him...He knew before time began who would serve our country...O God that you might lead our nation to know You. If you vote here is what awaits you: -Free cone at Ben and Jerry's -Free 12 ounce cup of coffee at Starbucks -Peace of mind...priceless

Birthdays, Fall, and Fun!

I have been so behind on posting that I thought I would add in some pics from what we have been up to in the last couple of months now that it seems like we have all the time in the world. After our trip to Europe, Alex and I were basically working around the clock to finish the house. We would leave our house in Prior Lake around 6am and work until 8pm then head the 30 minutes back home, crash, and then do it all over again. Good thing this didn't last too long, only about 3 months. Believe me it will all be worth it. But in between all that work we actually did take some time to have a break, enjoy family and friends, and relax. Our niece Macayla celebrated her 5th birthday in September, along with my mother's 60th, and Alex's parents birthdays as well. September is a busy month with birthdays. October held the Remodeler's Showcase where 500 people went through the house. It was amazing. Also in October, my mother, sister and her son, brother and his wife and their triplets all came to visit the cities for a very full and fun-filled weekend. Also I gave Alex his first haircut...I have to say it didn't turn out too bad! So here are the pics of the happenings from July forward.

The first haircut...oh what a kitchen scissors can do:)

Lauren, looking a little concerned

Happy 5th birthday, Macayla!

Macayla and her Barbie cake, isn't Patty talented!

Update...

Wow, it's been awhile. Things with us are as good as can be. We are finally finished with the home in St. Louis Park. We started the remodel in May and finished in October just in time for the Parade of Homes Remodeler's Showcase. The house is now finished and on the market.

We have officially moved into the new house, leaving our house on the lake up for sale as well. Reasoning behind the move, location and a break from commuting almost an hour each way to work. I'd say it has been well worth it...though the change from 950 square feet to 3500 has been a little difficult. Raising our voice is now necessary to catch each other's attention in another room, no more whispers:)

Here's the house...

the master bath

the 4th bedroom

the 3rd bedroom

2nd full bath

living and family room

master bedroom

kitchen with dinette area off to left/mudroom through doorway on left

dining room

living room

family room