It's official! We no longer own a house in Dubuque! We closed on our home last Thursday! Talk about a bittersweet moment. For months, the sale of this house completely consumed us. And now that it's all said and done, I'm kinda sad.
Troy and I built that house when we were 25 years old. A newly married couple, expecting our first baby. (Everybody now..........Awww!) The fact that all 3 of our girls were born there, baptized there, grew up there and made best friends there are memories that I will always treasure! It was a great place to start our life and Janelle Court will always hold a special place in my heart!
What we are going to miss the most are our neighbors. There aren't many streets like Janelle Court......where everyone knows your garage code and helps themselves to a shovel, a stick of butter or a beer when you aren't even home!
To the Noels. Oh the Noels! Trust me when I say this, you guys are one of a kind!
Deno: You were always there to help us whether it be moving a 600 lb piano or helping Troy w/ his "handy-man" skills. What I'm going to miss most about you is hearing you yell, "SAM, DEREK, IF YOU DON'T KNOCK IT OFF........" usually followed by a bunch of words that I shouldn't repeat!!! Those words will forever be music to my ears!
Jean: I'm going to miss our morning coffee, complaining about how hard motherhood is and how much we "adore" our husbands. I'm going to miss you barreling thru our door yelling "JENNIFER". I'm going to miss our nights in the backyard around the campfire. But most importantly, I'm going to miss having you to go to when I just needed to get the heck out of my house!
Tay, Sam, Deeks & Beaner: Watching you grow up has been so much fun! Troy and I always kinda felt like the cool aunt and uncle that you guys could go to if you needed an outlet. Our girls looked up to you, all of you. (And Deeks, if you ever need a girlfriend for the prom, Reese will be waiting!)
A few of my favorite Noely pics:





Next....to the Schlichte's: John & Kel.....What do you say? There's just something about us small town kids that we can't deny.
John: There were many winter nights you sat inside a warm house, only to look out your window and see me out there alone, trying to shovel our driveway. If I were you, I would have stayed inside. But you never did. You always came out and helped me cause you knew Troy was probably at a game. And I was always very thankful for that!
Kel Kel: Not sure what to say. You have been a great friend in so many ways. I never imagined us becoming the friends we are today, but I'm so grateful we did. You have always been so helpful with the girls, inviting them over to play, helping out after Paige was born cause you knew I needed a break, picking them up from daycare when I needed another hand. I'm going to miss having you there for me. I will always be grateful for our friendship.
Kels & Kar: I'm not sure there are 2 other girls names that my daughters have repeated as many times as yours! All I have to do to threaten my children is use your names!! Lauren and Reese adore playing with you and I hope every time you come out to Dyersville you stop in!




Next, to Ella Bean....our adopted red head! I already miss you knocking on our door Beaner! You and Lauren have been such good buds since the day you were born. I get teary eyed thinking about your friendship! I sure hope you remember how great of friends you were!





Halloween on Janelle Court was always a good time. Not many streets where you worry about running out of beer before candy! Memory lane of Halloween:








Finally, some fun pics of the Janelle Court Girls....we will forever miss you guys!




