Happy New Year!

01 Jan Happy New Year!

Last year worked so well, the online “Christmas letter” might become a tradition.  Looking back on the past year and desperately try to catch everyone up, a better schedule is needed to post regularly on here in 2014.  New year’s resolution anyone?

Noelle started a new job in February doing marketing for Beth Nordaune at RE/MAX Results.  She was hired on valentines day which is perfect because she is loving real estate and plans to get her real estate license in 2014.

By the time April rolled around, Chris and Noelle were actively looking for a home of their own to purchase in Rochester before their lease ended in May. After losing out on what seemed like a perfect house, they were pleasantly surprised to find something bigger, better, with more character, and great neighbors. A blessing also was the fireplace, which is used frequently.

They had an accepted offer and closed on May 28th.  That evening was a late night with friends who graciously helped paint and clean from top to bottom.  They finished the 2nd coat of paint before going to work the next morning.  Chris and Noelle’s apartment was packed up, the truck driven across town and unloaded in a matter of 2 hours with the help of about 24 amazing people with whom they shared a meal.  Friends and co-workers were nothing but positive and excited them despite the rain showers on moving day.  To read more about the home click here. 

May 2013 will also go down in the books as the year of an outrageously large and abnormally late snow storm.

Additionally, Chris and Noelle celebrated with Julianne Roberts as she graduated from Minnesota Life College on May 18th.

The summer was spent making house (which is still not completed) getting rid of bugs, getting used to bugs, and enjoying the new home between travels.  July was exciting – Chris and Noelle tagged along with Chris’ mom, Sue, on a work trip to New Orleans, LA. It was very fun to go back almost a year after having been there for their honeymoon. Who doesn’t want a second honeymoon with their mother/mother-in-law?

After returning Chloe came to live at the new house in Rochester.  Everything felt more like home after she was there.

Noelle’s business venture, The Jive Mill, had its first house show in August.  The OK Factor performed an outdoor concert that was part of a series that will hopefully continue into 2014.

The two celebrated their one year anniversary in Cedar Falls this past August by going to a very special 3 year old’s birthday party and later at a local brewery.

September brought with it a new niece.  Noelle’s Brother and sister-in-law had a baby girl, Brielle Ronan.  She arrived as Noelle and Chris were Celebrating another addition to the Roberts side of the family at Christopher’s cousin Andrea’s wedding in Green Bay, WI.  What an exciting day filled with family, phone calls, and joy!

In October, Chris and Noelle went to Kansas City again for a U.S. Men’s National Team soccer game.  It was a fun day with friends, food, and loud cheering!

While sitting around the dining room table one evening, Chris found tickets for round trip flights to Colorado that could not be beat, nor could they be passed up.  Chris and Noelle went to Colorado and brought with them snow and fog – Tripolino luck.  Chris still has yet to see a clear view of the mountains, but they got to see and stay with friends. Chris also met Noelle’s nana, Ester, for the first time -definitely a highlight this year as it was long awaited.  A treat, also, was dinner with Aunt Bobbie and Uncle Paul.

The Jive Mill had its second house show of a series, Nic Stevens, in November.  He performed in Chris and Noelle’s basement for a group of 25 people who purchased tickets.  Chris and Noelle are really enjoying setting up, hosting, and encouraging live performance in Rochester.

We were blessed to celebrate Thanksgiving with both of our families in 2013.

Noelle’s Brother took a job with Jacob’s Well Church and his family moved to Minneapolis, MN.  It was exciting to see their new place and to celebrate the Baptism of Brielle this December before Christmas.

We hope that you all have a wonderful new year and take time to look back on the blessings of this past year.  We are so grateful for our travels this year, the friendships we’ve gained, and the changes that have come.  We are excited about the possibilities of 2014 and hope to see you all.