Way Past Due...

It's probably about time that I catch up on my posts...I wish I could say that I've been really busy and have had no time, but that would be a lie. While we have been busy these past few weeks most of my laziness is just not wanting to download pics. So here we go!! On August 15th, Morgan and I celebrated our two year anniversary!! Since we were crazy busy that whole week we decided to postpone the celebration till a week later. We went to a awesome restaurant in Independence called the Okoboji Grill. The food was pretty good but we mostly went there because we heard the patio was awesome!! It is on a golf course that runs along a river (not sure which one...the cedar?) It was such a perfect night...we just sat out there and talked it was perfect!! Here is a picture of us with Berkley before we left!!

One of our favorite things to do is go to the UNI vs. IA State game!! Morgan went to Iowa State and I went to UNI so it's a really fun game for us to go too!! This year we asked our friends Bobbi and Nate to come along with us. Although it was a rainy day and a boring football game till the last 5 min. We had a lot of fun!! Here is a picture of Bobbi and I cheering on the Panthers!!!

Berkley and I started doing Pet Pals which is a group that visits nursing homes, hospice's, hospitals etc...We will be visiting the Western Home. He had his first visit last Saturday and he was a hit!! Those people LOVED him and Berkley loved all the attention he got!! We are excited to go back :) Here is a picture of us before we left!!

On the Farm!

Last weekend we spent the weekend up at Morgan's family farm in Allamakee county. The boys worked hard on putting tile down around the trailor and the girls worked hard shopping, napping, reading etc...although we did end up helping the last day!

Our 2nd Anniversary was Monday and for a gift to Morgan I took a couple pictures of Berkley up on the farm. I then went out and got a John Deere picture frame to put the picture in. It turned out really great...but hey I have a cute subject :) Here are a couple of the pictures I took!

The farm is really beautiful...it's set down in a valley with hills all around! It's really a great place to go to get away from crazy life. The best part is there is no cell phone reception I love that every now and then!

First Boat Ride!!

Last weekend we went out on our friends Nate and Bobbi's boat. It was a busy day at George Wyth Lake so we didn't get to do much driving around but it was still fun to layout, stick our feet in the water and just talk! Ok the boys probably would've rather been sking or wakeboarding :) Here a a couple pictures of Berkley on his frist boatride!!

My sister Kara was even able to join us for the day!

Somebody looks awfully comfy :)

Welcome Berkley Troendle!

This week we introduced a new member to our family...his name is Berkley!! He is a male cockapoo (cocker spaniel/poodle) and currently is weighing in at 3pds 2oz (he's SO tiny). He is so great!! At first we were kind of worried...he was VERY scared and didn't really want to do much. Since Monday he has begun to emerge out of his shell and we have seen some of his personality! Last night he managed to wedge his head between the back of our kitchen chairs. I didn't think to take a picture I was more concerned about getting him unstuck! He has also been doing so great on potty training. I can only blame myself for the few puddles we have had. One thing I was nervous about was his sleeping at night. The first few nights I barely got any sleep. My mom said just add 6 months and this is how it will feel to have a baby. Oh geez! Last night was a success though...he made it through the whole night with no bathroom break and no crying! He's a champ :)

Norwex Your House!

I have never been one to be all about organic, all natural stuff. But I have recently gotten hooked on Norwex Products. All I use is water to clean my whole entire house! The enviro cloth and polishing cloth are both constantly used in my house, my windows have never looked cleaner!! Goodbye streaks :)

I just recently bought the body pack and I use them to wash my face at night. All you use is water and the cloth...no more facewash!! My face has never felt cleaner...the fibers are so small in the cloths that they can just reach down into your pours and get all the oil, dirt ect.

I am now wanting to reach out and challenge myself to be more natural. If I get into the habit now I feel like it will be easier when I have a larger family to keep things healthy and safe for everyone! If you have any advice, recipes, products that I should try, please let me know :)

Cruise 2011---to the bahamas!

Over Spring Break this year we joined Morgans family in a fun cruise! This was a 4-night trip to the bahamas. We stopped in Coco Cay which is Royal Carribean's private island. It was so awesome stopping at their island because there was NO ONE else on the island. We found some GREAT chairs on the opposite side of the island. The water was BLUE BLUE BlUE and you could walk out into the ocean for a long time because the sand bars went on forever. The next stop was in the city of Nassau! Nassau was a bussling city with lots of noise and sights. We took a boat out to a private lagoon called Blue Lagoon where we layed out and watched the dolphins swim (you could do a dolphin excursion here too). To bad it got cloudy and rainy early! We hopped back on the boat and made it back to port in time to stop at the staw market where us girls bought some knock off purses and bags. The final day was a full day on the ship. We woke up early to claim our chairs right next to the stage so we could watch all the fun events of the day. Here are some pictures that we took :)

The college crowd was a little crazy...mental note never go on a cruise over spring break again!

The Band Perry!

I can't wait to see these guys tonight!!!  This is one of my favorite songs that they sing...enjoy!

Follow the Leader

Our church is doing an event called Follow the Leader--89 Days in the Gospel of Luke.  Every morning I receive an email with the days verse so I sit down with my cup of coffee, turn the TV off and learn more about Jesus.
  So far we've read about some of the miracles he did, and the teachings he gave to huge crowds of thousands of people!  I think what has struck me the most about Jesus' life is how no matter what he was always about the needy people.  I just think about how sometimes I'm just very tired and don't even want to talk to anyone or do anything and he was never like that!  I just read about how once he went with his disciples to a place that was away from the crowds...but the found out where he was and went to see him!  He didn't try and hide again, but instead went to see them and preach to them.  His disciples wanted to send them away to find food and shelter but Jesus said no problem we will feed them :)  What a awesome guy!!  I feel very challenged to be more like Jesus no matter what the day brings!! 

If you want to receive the daily emails here is the link...Follow the Leader

Welcome 2011

Morgan and I just got back from Missouri for my Cousin Angi's wedding on New Years Eve.  What a special way to ring in the new year, surrounded by friends, family and loved ones!  It was a great time to reconnect with family members from all over the country and meet new little ones as well! 

I don't really do New Years Resolutions but I'd like to make a list of goals that I can work on this New Year!  I feel like putting them online will help me stay more accountable...we'll see :)

1. Connect more with God through reading the bible and through everyday experiences...
2. Work to be the best wife I can be through doing small things
3. Work on my refinishing of furniture...I have so many pieces laying around waiting to be painted, stained etc...
4. Make exercise a daily activity...We've been looking at ellipcitals and recently went out and bought a new one (thank you New Years resolution sales).  Hopefully this will help me stay more accountable!
5. Spend time with my immediate family and grandparents more

Well that's all for now...here are some pictures from our weekend away!

 Getting ready for leave for the wedding..

 Happy New Year!

 Jonathon the little party animal!!! He was more awake at midnight then I was!

Had to take down our Christmas Tree before we left :( So sad...