opps he did it again & my awesome responses

My husband has pulled off his second surprise for me. This is actually quite amazing as I usually can figure things out or have a way of guessing what is coming.

This first was his proposal. To which my response when I saw him on one knee was, "SHUT UP!".

The second was this past Thursday night. I was on the phone with a good friend and I had just gotten home and let Cooper outside. I rounded the corner to head upstairs and the next words that left my mouth were, "HOLY SHIT!".
(Not my finest moment. Trust me I am one of those people who cringes when people cuss, but he really surprised me, which called for yet another one of my awesome responses.)

There sat a dining room table with a wonderful Christmas note from my husband. No, this wasn't just any table it was my dining room table. I have been telling Nate how much I want a table since we started living together three years ago. We had been dining at a two person table my Dad built since we first moved in together, and then after that at our kitchen bar in the new house. I always felt embarrassed having friends and family over to eat and not having a proper place to sit.

My family always sat at a table to eat supper and I want it to be the same for my family. I have often told Nate this, along with the fact that I refuse to start a family until we have a dining room table. Which he so kindly reminded of the night I found the table. Does this mean we are ready to start a family? Who knows, but I finally feel like our home is complete.

holy night...

 My mother let me have the nativity scene that she had all while I was growing up. I was thrilled, and so excited to put it up in our first home. Hopefully some day I can pass it down to one of my children.

he made us do it...

This Christmas has proved to me that Nate and I lack patience. For the first time, since our first Christmas together, we bought presents for each other. Saving up for school and our wedding took precedence in the years following that first year.

We have already opened two of our presents this year.

The first unwrapping was rationalized by beer. We are holding my families' Christmas at our house this year on New Year's Eve, and Nate has been dying to brew his own beer. So after a few hours researching my boys felt ready to brew their own beer, and I let Nate open the 5 gallon pot I had gotten for him to begin.

Then before I knew it my kitchen became barely visible under the mess and my house smelt terrible. Nate will never again be allowed to brew while I am home. I thought I was going to have a panic attack just looking at the state of distress my kitchen was in. I am sure I will soon forget all about that when we enjoy his beer on New Year's Eve.

The next present Cooper pretty much forced us to open. Cooper had gotten both Nate and I a present and we got one for him. Last Sunday night I was talking to my sister when I heard a scratching noise from under our tree. There was Coop scratching away at his present, trying to dig and bite away at the paper. It must of smelt like the pet store and boy did he want to know what was inside.

So, you see we had to let him open it. And how fair would it be for Coop to open his present from us and leave us out on all of the fun? So we all took turns opening our gifts. Cooper got me new socks and a shirt, and for his papa a new pair of Hawkeye slippers with an apology for having an accident once when he was really sick in his old pair.

And from us Cooper got a new bachelor pad. He has had the same small kennel since we fist got him and it was time for an upgrade. He seems to be comfortably enjoying his new space in our absence.

Now, to make it until Christmas without opening another. I make no promises.

'tis the season

Nate insisted that we put the tree up the week before Thanksgiving this year. And by insisted I mean he carried the tree upstairs, set it in the middle of the living room and then walked away. Fully aware that I could just leave that there for a week.

This was the earliest I have ever put up a Christmas tree. I have to admit it was nice to have it done already when we returned from Thanksgiving.

The boys also enjoyed an afternoon of a nook/nap fest in front of our first fire in our home. It may or may not have taken a call to my dad to make sure we had done everything right, and that were weren't about to blow up.

So far this is shaping up to be a very wonderful second married Christmas. 

december 6th

Good ol' St. Nicholas sent us a package with some goodies.

candy...

 peanuts...

and somebody even got a couple dingos.
(he has been busy moving it from hiding spot to hiding spot everyday since)

My personal favorite was the Hawkeye snowman and tree ornament. 

Now I should mention that this package a few days early, and neither of us were able to wait until Tuesday to open it. However, St. Nic was still kind enough to visit us on December 6th.

thanksgiving travels

thanksgiving replay

Wednesday

I took the day off and got some Christmas shopping done.

When Nate got off of work we sent Cooper on his way to my parents house with my older brother, and Nate and I headed to Des Moines to see Wicked. We went with my sister, Lisa, brother, Andrew, and Mom. I LOVED it. I have been dying wanting to see Wicked since freshman year of college. I think Nate will enjoy all the music more now when I play it, because yes he LOVED it too. Maybe not as much as me (my eyes may have welled up a few times) but he still enjoyed it.

Thursday

Woke up to the smell of a turkey in the oven and watched the Thanksgiving day parade. We had dinner at my parents and then made our way to Nate's aunt's house for a few hours. We went back to my parents that evening and played cards. We even introduced Nate to the game Pay Day.

Friday

We woke up and put our game faces on for the Iowa vs. Nebraska game. We watched the game at my parent's house until half time and then drove to Nate's parents house. Unfortunately, the game didn't fair so well for our beloved Hawkeyes, but I still love them regardless. We spent the afternoon playing games.

Saturday

Was a very relaxing day. Nate's mom cooked up a turkey and his grandparents came over to help us enjoy. We spent the rest of the day enjoying everyone's company and playing different games. The night ended perfectly falling asleep to the movie Elf.

Sunday

We woke up early and hit the pavement. We wanted to try and get home early. Which bring us to now. We have spent the day getting little odds and ends finished up before the start of a new week.

And Cooper has spent his afternoon enjoying the heck out of our fire place.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! Christmas will be here before we know it.

thankful for

nate's patience with me

cooper's cuddles

phone calls with my sister

a good night out with friends

having a job and coworkers who are willing help one another

each one of our nieces and nephews

night time w's (walks) with n & c

our first holiday season in our home

old friends that will always be there no matter the distance

a good home cooked meal tomorrow

family humor that is best shared between siblings

just to name a very few...

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving with the ones you love!

Family Photos

My friend Carrie was kind enough to let me take her family photos. Lauren and Lexi are adorable and a ton of fun to be around. Just as sweet as their mom.

free help

Coop is always happy to lend a helping hand paw.

I think we may be witnessing the makings of Cooper Lueth, DC (Dog-tor of Chiropractic).

happy birthday, coop

Happy 2nd Birthday to our puppy-dog, Cooper!

Don't know what we would do with out you around.

carving pumpkins

After our visit to the pumpkin patch we were both excited to carve pumpkins.

Neither of us had carved a pumpkin in years.

We always talked about it, but just never did.

Coop was very interested in what we were up too.

A nice action shot of Nate.

Nate took a not so great picture of me carving that I have opted not to share.

Also, we didn't have any candles the night we carved so we planned to take pictures later.

Well... we still haven't gotten candles and Nate's pumpkin took a turn for the worse, but carving them was a step in the right direction. Maybe next year we will get a picture of the carved pumpkins.

Nate did a tigerhawk (duh!), and I carved a ghost.

the pumpkin patch

The weekend before last my mom and sister visited my brother, and before they headed back we stopped at a nearby pumpkin patch for the kids to have a little fun.

Does anyone else put hedge apples in their basement to keep the spiders away?

 

Meagen had to plug her nose while we walked passed the cows.

She clearly is not a farm girl. 

Zander loved the the corn and hay maze.

They took turns picking which way to go next.

Lisa had to get a picture next to "Jake's" grave (her husband's name).

Meagen and Zander took a minute to see how tall they are this Halloween.

 A little fun with my sweetheart. 

Nate needed a little extra help with his wagon. 

We had a blast at the pumpkin patch with our family. 

happy birthday, nate

Happy Birthday to the best hubby I could ever ask for.

Wishing you many many more, old man.

Also, congrats on one year since you graduated from chiropractic school.

You make Coopie and I so proud.

Love,

Wifey & Coop

born a model...

Trying to get a nice picture of your three-year-old nephew

And you may both end up feeling something like this...

But in the end it will be worth it to have this...

going to the chapel

Sam's wedding day has come and gone [ :( ], and I can hardly believe it.

Seems just like yesterday we were at her wedding shower.

I happened to get a few pictures while we were getting ready.

The bride's mother using cold Budlight to help with puffy eyes.

Works every time.

Sam getting the finishing touches on her hair.

Beautiful fall colors.

Yum.

The hubs and I after the ceremony. 

He told me I was pretty. 

I blushed.

Okay, so it didn't go just like that. More like this...

Me: Do I look pretty?

Him: Yes.

We had a great time at Kevin and Sam's wedding. 

My legs were sore for a week I danced so much. 

May you have many MANY years of happiness... and many MANY babies!