Snow!

We had the most beautiful snow the day before Thanksgiving.

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Iowa

After the wedding we traveled up to Buffalo Center and spent a few days there.  BC is the town where Steve was born and graduated high school.  He spent most of his growing up years in Colorado.  BC is very unlike anything we see here in the East.  It's a very small town and runs at a different pace of life. It's always fun to return for a visit.

My lovely sisters-in-law

And my lovely mother-in-law

We spent a day at Steve's grandparents farm.  Morgan was thrilled to drive this Gator!  Claudia even got to drive the van on the back lane.  She was pretty excited about that!!

Shootin' on the farm

Power couple

These 2 are the cutest!

And once again the boys were extremely uncooperative for a group shot!  It's like they talk before the picture and agree to both have a fit.

Grandpa Osterman and his 80th birthday party.

Steve and I used to attend this church when we were first married.  It is now deserted and run down.

Morgan was so thrilled to have a cousin her age.  Grace is actually Steve's cousin, but it's close enough!!

Steve's mom and her parents and all the kids

The buffalo of Buffalo Center

These windmills have taken over in the fields in Iowa.  Steve doesn't like them, he thinks they take away from the natural beauty.  I think they are cool.

Wedding Part 2

Seth and Keely had a beautiful wedding.  It was perfect for us out of town guests, we stayed at a beautiful hotel and the wedding and reception were both right there.  The hotel had a courtyard and if the weather was nice they were planning on having it outside.  As I anticipated this outdoor wedding at the end of October, I would have never anticipated the beautiful day they had!!  It was sunny and warm and just all around gorgeous.

Keely was a stunning bride and I'm SO BUMMED that I did not take more pics.  Everything happened so fast and the next day I realized I did not take a single picture of her and Seth together on the day of their wedding.

The kids grassy corner to watch the ceremony

Seth waiting for his beautiful bride

Steve and his Uncle Michael.  Love seeing these 2 together

I am disappointed in myself with my reception pictures.  I took so many fun shots of the kids dancing.  They were having a blast!!!  I overestimated my camera's ability to shoot indoors (yet again) and should have just turned on my flash.  Oh well... I'm still learning.

Steve and his sibling.  It's fun to see them all together.

Greta doesn't realize how lucky she is.  Her daddy VERY rarely gets on the dance floor!!

Wedding pics, Part 1

It's taking me an eternity to get through my pictures these days so I'm just going to post the ones I have edited so far!  We made it to the wedding in Iowa and it was so fun to be reunited with all Steve's family.  It's been years since we'e seen some of his aunts and uncles and cousins.  Unfortunately I was having too much fun visiting to get too many pics but I did snap a few before it started.

Mr. Ring Bearer had a tough job.

Greta and Alana were so thrilled to have matching dresses at the wedding.

My soon to be sis-in-law.  Only 2 more weeks!!

                                                   

                                                      

Josiah is 3!

Little dude...he is getting so big. Today our Josiah turns 3.   He has brought so much joy to our family.  He is loved by all.  Smothered and pampered and very much taken care of.  One of my first joys as a mom was sharing all of Claudia's cute things with Steve.  Now I have the joy of sharing them with Steve...and the kids who love all things Josiah.  We love to laugh together about all the joys of him growing up.

I am still getting to know Josiah's personality.  He still can be clingy and loves to snuggle.  He loves his dad and his grandpa and grandma.  He loves all things trucks and tractors and has recently become obsessed by Legos.  He plays all day long with anyone who will agree to keep him company.  He is an amazing eater.  Loves mushrooms, tomatoes, salad, things my other kids never ate at that age.  He's laid back and compliant...except for sleep.  He's a bit of a sleep monster.  His latest trick is to wake up at 1:30 and scream, "I DON'T WANT TO SLEEP IN MY BED!!!!"  Greta was a good contender for "worst sleeper" in our house but I think he takes the cake.

Here is a Mr. Jo at age 3.

This is his 'handsome face'.  Cracks me up.  You'll see 'handsome face' on repeat for the next 2 photos and then he gave it up.  

Nap time was quickly approaching and the thumb kept going in the mouth.