First Snow

Last weekend (late November) we had our first snow of the year and while in our new house. The past few years we had our great landlord, Steve, take care of all the shoveling. We missed Steve the morning we had to shovel... and when I say "we", I really mean Justus. I did order some snow boots and got a shovel from my dad, so now I can be of some assistance for our next snowfall.

First snow

Less green and more white out there today! 

Justus working hard! I stayed warm with coffee during this. 

Thanksgiving

We should be thankful all times of the year, but Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on how thankful I really am. I am so blessed with a wonderful husband, close-knit family, great home, job I am passionate about, a church I love, and all the wonderful experiences I have had in my 25 years thus far. God has blessed me with a wonderful life and for that I am thankful. 

This Thanksgiving we traveled to Omaha to Justus's aunts house Wednesday night. We woke up to the smell of yummy food and good coffee! We enjoyed the day with family and amazing food. Sonya made a fantastic Thanksgiving lunch. We drove through a winter storm (a lot of ice) to Boone Thursday after lunch. We stopped for gas in Adel and someone asked, "Wow, where have you been?!" Our car was covered in ice! 

At my Aunt Sue's we enjoyed snacking, playing Outburst (circa 1980s), and seeing family. Justus had to head back since he had to work Friday morning. I stayed the night and enjoyed seeing Sam and Wendy. Sam was back from grad school at Southern Illinois...a 9 hour drive! We took the annual photo in front of the Christmas tree. I love the traditions my mom has. Her house is so welcoming and festive at Christmas time. 

Friday morning my mom, grandma, and I went shopping in Ames. It was not too busy, which was nice. That night my parents took me to Lowe's to meet Justus so we could get a real Christmas tree. Checkout my other blog post on the decorating! 

Came up the weekend before to see Grandpa. He is his typical, chatty and feisty self! 

Our Thanksgiving selfie to say hi to my parents

Me: "Wait, lets take a selfie with the deer!" Justus: "Fine....".
It is not rudolf fyi ;)

Cousin pic! 

That moment you get to Thanksgiving and you are wearing the same sweater as your mom!

Outburst circa 1980 made it tough for our us youngsters, but was a lot of fun! 

Cousins + Julia

The guys lookin' tough

Thanksgiving day lounging 

The annual sibling pic in front of the tree

Glad I could see my siblings :)

My mom's retro toy picture

Tis' the Season

I LOVE the Christmas season! I believe my mom inherited this from her mom and then I inherited from my mom and grandma. The Christmas season reminds me how thankful and blessed I am. I love the festivity, time with family, and the decorations. To sum it up, it puts me in a great mood!

This year I did a little decorating before Thanksgiving and then after Thanksgiving Justus and I put the tree up. My parents drove me back down to Norwalk after Black Friday Shopping. We met Justus at Lowe's so we could buy our very first REAL tree for our first Christmas in our house. My parents always have a real tree, so this was special to finally have a real tree. Justus and I had a fun time decorating the tree. Justus was such a helper, but wow does he despise glitter! Checkout the pics below of our decor and tree decorating.

Bowl from my Great Grandma with some pinecones, greenery, and Luminara (fake) candle

Mini ornaments I got 70% off last year at Target! 

Love the little lights with this :)

Random decor...

Ski poles from Boxwoods- love that store! 

My very special stockings from Grandma Sharol are hung. 

Cozy

Outside needed a little sparkle too! 

"Don't worry guys, I got the poinsettia!"
Dad and Justus taking care of the tree while I handle the $1 poinsettia. Mom had to document this I guess. 

Brr...got the garland up Saturday morning.

"If you give Justus a beer, he will help you decorate." He was a great sport, until the glitter appeared. 

Our first tree in our new home- makes me so happy! 

Selfie time! 

I love coming home to this. Notice the lit up Christmas pic- fun gift from my aunt last year. 

So Many Changes

Justus and I picked our lot in January 2014 and moved in June 2014. The changes that have occurred in our neighborhood in that period of time was amazing. Some of the biggest changes have taken place in the past month. They are beginning to extend High Road (yet again). It has been really sad watching them cut down so many trees. Once the trees were out they began smoothing the land to make the new lots. The machinery to move this much land is incredibly loud and is quite the process. The purpose of this blog post is so someday when there are houses we can look back at how things were. I am very curious how the houses and lots will work considering how steep the area is. I guess we will see!

How things were...notice the trees

The machines are close and loud

Our house looking pretty

Attempt at a panoramic 

A second attempt at a panoramic

Sod all the way down....finally no longer an island of grass

Couldn't find Justus. Found him here watching the trucks while eating lunch.

Walk down to see the changes

Investigating the changes 

They start so early!

Family Filled Weekend

Earlier this November (yes, I am behind yet again on my blog) we had a great weekend with my family. Max had a play at Hoover and did fantastic! It was fun to see his talents and see all my family in one spot. Saturday morning my Grandparents came down to see our house. It was fun to have them finally see our place and give another tour. 

Grandpa and Grandma Anderson

Sunday my parents made another trip to Des Moines! They came down to see all the changes behind our house and go to the new REI store. We started the morning off on a cold walk to see the new lots. It is amazing how they are fitting lots in such steep areas. It will be interesting to see how those work in the future. 

More water at the bottom of the hill than we thought. 

These machines wake me up every morning! It is as tall as me! 

Taking in all the changes and all the trees they cut down :(

Not a fan of this as my wakeup alarm

Somehow a house will be here...

Dad exploring, what he does best! 

Justus trying on hats at REI. Sorry ladies, he is mine!