Family Weekend

Last weekend my family came from Minnesota to meet sweet Norah Kristine for the first time. We had such a good time hanging out and Norah loved all of the attention. Her Gramma spoiled her with many hugs and kisses but I didn't have a problem with that, and her Auntie took some amazing photos of her.  My nephew, Seth, couldn't get enough of little Norah. I really enjoyed having them here and I was sad to see them go.

Gramma given Norah some love

Seth giving Norah some love

Hanging out in the livingroom

Norah with her new blankie from Auntie

Gramma and Norah chatting

July catch-all

The month of July went by so quickly! I can't believe it's already August. Looking back, Jesse and I had a lot going on in the month of July. The end of June we moved from our old studio apartment to our new two bedroom apartment. I cannot begin to express how happy I am to be in a bigger place. Our time at our last apartment was sweet and fun but not always functional.

Our dinning room

Our library/den

Dinning room/ library =] close quarters

The foyer/only window/tv room

The bedroom/closet

I will have to post some pictures of our new apartment later; we're still in the process of moving in so things are a little crazy. Jess and I had a lot of fun in the month of July just hanging around Dubuque with friends and what not.

My dear husband applying sunscreen before swimming.

Jesse and I at Barington Lakes-- Lazy day at the lake.

Jess and Aaron being... Jesse and Aaron. =]

This is Jess and I at our friends wedding.

Jesse decided to shave in honor of editing "Lost on Dress Parade"

Our Anniversary

Sweet diaper cake I got for my shower!

Amazing rattle cup cakes at the shower

Fun in the rain

Sitting on our patio during a thunderstorm
(don't mind my cankles)

A nice drive through the Botanical Gardens

First Year Anniversary!

I can't believe it's been 1 year already!

Jesse and I had our first year anniversary on July 17th! It was also Jesse's birthday, so it was a big day for us! We had planned a while ago to take a trip to Washington Island for the weekend, but since I was 37 weeks pregnant we didn't travel far from home. I wasn't feeling the best that day so Jesse went to church alone but came home with these:

Receiving roses when you're not feeling good is wonderful.

So instead, we went out for dinner to one of our favorite restaurants, The Olive Garden. We had a gift card from his loving parents to The Olive Garden so it worked out perfect! Afterwards we rented Harry Potter and picked up some ice cream. Yes we watched Harry Potter on our anniversary. Truth is... you can't do much when you're full-term and it's 111 degrees out! We both enjoy watching movies, so it was wonderful. For an anniversary gift I made Jesse a small hard-covered photo book of our wedding pictures. He really liked it! For his birthday he purchased an online music program. He loves making music, so I was glad he got something he would really enjoy. For me he purchased a Singer sewing machine online and sent me this picture.

I am patiently awaiting this to arrive in the mail. Can't wait to use it!

We are also patiently awaiting the arrival of baby Norah Kristine!! So much has happened in a year and I'm so thankful to the Lord for His blessings and growth in our family.

The bustling Month of May

May was such a crazy month! I really can't believe it went by so fast! Married life is pretty crazy in the first year -- trying to coordinate two agendas and deciding what is priority, but in the month of May Jesse and I did it all! I think we were traveling almost every weekend. I'm glad I wasn't very far along in my pregnancy or else traveling that much would have been a pain!

Jesse and I went to our first annual recognition dinner for Emmaus.
We enjoyed the fellowship dinner with his co-workers and
celebrated the many years of certain individuals service to the College.

Here we are in Clinton, ready to film
the annual "Dancemakers Recital."

Graduation this year was a pretty big deal for Jesse and I because some close friends and teachers graduated/retired. We had fun celebrating the accomplishments of our classmates, but it was bitter sweet knowing that they were moving on from Dubuque. Jesse and I went to the ceremony and then went on a cruise... of the Mississippi! =D

Here we are aboard "Dubuque's American Lady" a very nice boat.
We were celebrating Daniel and Joy Stratman's graduation.

After Graduation we made our way up to Minnesota to lead music at Hiawatha Bible Chapel for Mother's Day! My mom joined us for church that day, so it was really special. =] There was a brunch that all the men prepared following the service -- it was cute to see all the men in the kitchen kind of looking clueless and the women wanting to help so bad, but letting their husbands handle the situation. =]  The brunch was excellent!

We also stopped by my little sister, Saydee's, house to wish her a happy
mothers day! She has the sweetest daughter in the entire world... or I should
say I have the sweetest niece in the world! =] The day was filled with
family and fun but we soon had to head back to good ole Dubuque.

The next weekend we made our way to Minneapolis for my friend, Abi Wildie's, wedding! I put together a bachelorette party for her Friday night which was fun! We went out to the Melting Pot for the first part to enjoy some fondue and came back to the hotel where Jesse and I stayed for gifts. Sadly we had to kick Jesse out of the room for a while, but he was a good sport about it. =]

On our way back from Abi's wedding we stopped by Wabasha to visit my mother.  She showed us her new toy that she received for Mother's day and made Jesse take it for a spin. =] He loved every minute of it!

The next weekend was Bekah and Samuel's wedding! Jesse and I sang in their wedding and during the ceremony in the middle of our song Bekah's sister almost fainted! I had to catch her before she toppled over and bring her to a seat. Everyone thought it was so heroic of a pregnant woman to rescue someone, but I told them it was just my maternal instinct. =]

Me with the beautiful Bride, Bekah.

All in all May was an enjoyable month spent with family and friends. Almost all of our friends are married now so this will hopefully be the last of our crazy summer months.

Crafties

Lately I have been working on a sewing project for Norah's room with my friend, Laura. I have enjoyed sewing so much that I've asked Jesse for a sewing machine for our 1 year anniversary (which is on Sunday, along with his Birthday =])! So in the time that I await the arrival of my new sewing machine I have been searching all over for sewing ideas and here's what I've found! 

Babies go through a ton of onsies (or so I hear). I can't wait to spruce some of mine up with a simple little design!

I thought this would be an excellent diaper bag. Hopefully I can get it done before Norah arrives!

I'm not sure how sewing tissue paper will work, but this idea looks cute enough to try... we'll see if it works. Knowing me it will result in a miniature fire or something...

This shirt looked so cute and simple. I can't wait to make cute clothes for my little girl!

This mobile is sooo cute! It looks really simple, too!

I love the patch work curtain! It looks so sweet and bright... I might have a hard time finding fabrics that go together, but I'm going to give it a try!

Once Norah finally comes I probably won't have a lot of time for sewing but hopefully I'll become a pro right away and it will only take me 15 minutes to complete a project! I will post pictures of our current project and Norah's nursery when they are finished!