Homecoming, Grandpa, Yard Work & New Car

Oh the joys of owning a house.  Bryan's and my first two months of marriage have flown by without a doubt.  We got back from the honeymoon, I left the next morning for ISU to recruit at the Engineering Career Fair, then I was sick, gone for a week in Toronto, Ontario for GreenBuild 2011 and then finally home for two weeks.  We were able to go to ISU for the Homecoming game, which was a loss unfortunately.

ISU Football Team enters Jack Trice Stadium 

Team Prayer before the game...side note - the Pastor at the church Bryan and I attended in Ames is the Chaplain for the ISU Football team (Pastor David Staff) 

ISU Marching Band...so proud! 

Oh how much we love being back at ISU!  Someday, I'd love to return to Ames! :)

Just after getting to work on Monday we found out Bryan's Grandpa Mikels wasn't doing well. Thankfully we were able to go to Omaha to see him and say our good-byes.  He passed that Thursday, October 27 and we spent the weekend with Bryan's Mikels side preparing for the wake and funeral.  Though it was sad and hard to say goodbye, we are thankful that Grandpa is no longer in pain and is up in heaven with our Heavenly Father.  We look forward to the day we will see him again.

The memory board with photos of Grandpa Mikels that Bryan's dad and I worked on.

Getting back to work was hectic.  Bryan and I have both been slammed with bids and estimates upon bids and estimates.  It's good to be busy, but we would like to have a project to work on as well!  


The next weekend we watched Bryan's mom's cousin's (Lisa Shafer) three kids (Drew, Lauren and Ella) Saturday night through Sunday morning.  Lisa and her husband, John, were going out for John's birthday.  We had a blast with the kids - pizza, popcorn, dance party, playing barbies, the guys playing chess and the drums, and then watching a movie.  Sunday morning I made french toast and scrambled eggs and then we all went to have fun with the leaves.  

Using the lawn mower to mulch the leaves - it looked like it had snowed leaves all over our yard and driveway. 

I did the driveway by hand :) 

Drew, Lauren & Ella playing with Ryder...tossing his toys into the leaves where he would go hunting for them. 

Ryder jumping for the football...his new favorite toy. 

Ryder - keeping his eyes on the ball 

and he found it! 

Awe.... 

Ryder, a football player at heart...Go Cyclones!

After a long search...Bryan has been looking for months now...we have bought a used car (2007 Nissan Murano - blue with black leather).  And...Bryan's dad bought a 2006 Nissan Murano - black with tan leather - from the same dealership in Peoria.  They had great deals from what we were finding in KC, Omaha and Des Moines.  And the best part, they both had what Bryan and Mike were looking for.  We picked both up last Saturday...that was a LONG day.

Bryan with our "new" car 

Mike and Bryan with the Muranos.

Honeymoon

Though most people stated...I can't believe you're letting Bryan plan the whole honeymoon...I had no doubts or worries whatsoever.  Bryan did a wonderful job planning our honeymoon....a surprise 7 night trip to Cancun...staying at the Moon Palace Nizuc resort (thanks to my uncle Tom and aunt Cora Lea for letting us use their share).

I found out where we were going as we approached the gate :)

 

Our room - ocean view

Day 2 - Tulum (Mayan Ruins)

The beaches at Tulum were incredible! 

 Day 3 - Golfing on The Jungles course

 Golfing on The Dunes course

 Day 4 - Jungle

Twister boat, jet skis and then snorkeling

 VIP members - drinks and appetizers

 Honeymooners dinner - steak & shrimp...mmmm

Day 5 - heading to Isla Mujeres (Island of the Women)

Saw my favorite animal

Downtown Isla Mujeres = shopping = Nicole didn't buy a thing!

Day 6 = Pool Day - Bryan pointing out our room

Day 6 - pool day

Lobster dinner by the ocean

Day 7 = Spa Day (I got a facial, 25 min back massage, hot stone massage, mani & pedi for $10 thanks to the deals uncle Tom has with the resort)

 

Typical honeymoon photo

Last night dinner at our favorite restaurant - Mo No Mo Hana

Day 8 = Good bye Cancun...hello reality



What a great honeymoon!  This was the first time Bryan and I had spent more than 1 day alone together for the past two years...hard to believe it took that long.  We're going to make it a point to do a "vacation" alone every year!  Don't get me wrong, we love going to see family and friends too :)