Anderson Adventures

we've moved!

2010-04-26T10:11:00.000-07:00

we've moved our blog to a new site!
check it out : http://daveyandjess.wordpress.com/

Jess learns to snowboard!

2010-02-26T20:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Jess' first time ever to attempt any snow sport beside sledding, tubing and making snow angels. It was a very quiet car ride up to the slopes as she nervously fought "worst case scenario" syndrome, and butterflies in her stomach compounded by curvy mountain roads.

Armed with knee pads, wrist guards, and extra padding in her pants, Jess decided to dig deep and charge hard...right down the bunny slope!

It's fun to watch the progression as she starts with the lesson and improves throughout the day.

Success! Our day of adventure is all summed up by Jess saying, "I love snowboarding!"

oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree!!!

2009-12-01T15:27:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!!

we had a blast taking pictures for our christmas card! we headed to the beach with our fake snow, set up the self timer and made it snow!!! ***

it was pretty windy and the snow wouldn't cooperate...

but it made for some great laughs!

we're dreaming of a white christmas and are sooo hoping for some snow when we go to NJ!!!

* * *

Here we are picking out of very first Christmas Tree!!!!

it survived on the roof for the drive home :-)

carrying it in!!!

our tree with twinkle lights. the tree skirt is a piece of fabric my dad brought me back from Africa!

these icicle lights are as cold as it gets here :-)

I came home from work the other day to a surprise package from my mom... ALL MY CHILDHOOD ORNAMENTS!!! We'd get a new one each year, which is a tradition that Davey and I will start too :-)

"trimming the tree" in... SHORTS?!

putting on the star!!! in SHORTS?!

our beautiful 1st tree :-)

our stockings :-) (I sewed our names on them... so martha stewart, haha)

even our indoor plants get decorated!!!

Give thanks

2009-11-28T10:06:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!! We're so excited for our 1st Thanksgiving together! and we are just BURSTING with things to be thankful for!

I had to work the day before thanksgiving from 11am-11p. but they let me out early and Davey and I got to start our road trip to Sacramento early!!! we drove up north to spend the week with Davey's family. On the way we had to stop at Bravo Farms... our favorite rest area where you can sample all the cheese! yum!!!

Thanksgiving was wonderful and we had an amazing time together eating good food (especially the pie's Davey's dad made), talking, laughing and enjoying each other's company.

On Saturday, we took a trip to San Francisco and hiked across the golden gate bridge! it was soooo fun... and WINDY!!!

we are so thankful for our families and are LOVING being married during the holiday's!!!

While we were up north, we decided to all celebrate christmas because we are going to NJ this year. We were all abuzz with last minute preparations...

we decorated the Christmas tree...

Julie made the most AMAZING cream puffs...

and Davey and his Dad put up the lights outside,

I loved all the Anderson traditions... open faced sandwiches and cream puffs, and how they usually celebrate on Christmas Eve because his great aunt used to be too excited to wait until Christmas day. Hmmmm... I fit in perfectly with my own impatience :-)

trick or treat

2009-10-31T11:50:00.000-07:00

This halloween, we both had to work, but that didn't stop us from dressing up!!!

finding fall

2009-10-13T17:20:00.001-07:00

OUR MISSION: to find fall in southern California and go apple picking

Our adventure took us 2 hours inland to the little town of Oak Glen. Although it was too early in the season for the spectacular fall foliage I was hoping for, we did find some pretty amazing apple cider donuts and hot apple cider!

an apple cancels out the donut, right?!

a little bit further down the road, we stopped at another orchard and they didn't have any apple trees, but they sure had a ton of raspberries!!! we picked... and ate... raspberries until our mouths turned red! yummmm!

but we saved some room for apples!!! we found a few trees that still had some apples left and left Oak Glen with our MISSION ACCOPMLISHED!

we even found some yellow leaves!!!

here are the apples to prove it :-)

and my favorite--the apple pie... a la mode of course!!!

p.s. we opted out of picking a $25 pumpkin from the patch at the orchard and got a bunch of $3 pumpkins at home depot instead. if you close your eyes, it's just like being in the pumpkin patch ;-)

and of course we carved them!!!

more autumn adventures to come...

august rush

2009-08-30T15:50:00.000-07:00

August was such a fun month! It's been awesome starting out our marriage in the summer...we've had a blast biking, surfing, going on spontaneous trips to golden spoon for ice cream, sitting on the porch, growing tomatoes, relaxing with friends, grilling, going to the beach... and every moment is sweeter because we're together!

For Davey's b-day, we went to Santa Barbara for 2 days and then met our friends, Erik and Julie in Cambria and camped.

we had a BLAST and not only did the boys make us delicious breakfast burritos over the fire, but

we had tons of great conversations and laughs with two AMAZING people who we are so blessed to be friends with!

california reception

2009-07-25T15:19:00.000-07:00

since our wedding was in NJ and we live in CA, we had another reception for all of our california friends and family. Good food, great friends, dancing, talking... it was tons of fun! And... I got to wear my dress again!!! thanks to everyone who came and celebrated with us!!!

the flood

2009-07-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

we've been married for less than a month and we're LOVING it! this week, we had quite an adventure!!!

on my first day of work, I got a call from Davey that our neighbor's toilet overflowed and leaked into our apt and flooded the bedroom and living room.

For 4 days we lived in a complete disaster, with couches in the kitchen, soggy carpets, plumbers everywhere... we slept in the living room with loud fans blowing under our carpets.

We sailed through this "bad time" with each other and now have a crazy memory of our first month together :-)

pictures!

2009-07-16T10:16:00.000-07:00

check out our wedding photos http://www.pictage.com/675417

Always Forever- Our wedding!!!

2009-06-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

check out our website

http://andersonadventures2.shutterfly.com/ for more pics

June 20th was a warm, rainy day in Hawthorne, New Jersey... but that didn't stop us from having the BEST day of our lives!!! It was an incredible day and the rain made it memorable and romantic, and we also got some great umbrella pictures! Check out some of our favorites from our talented photographer, Andres http://www.andresvalenzuela.com check out this site for the slideshow and for more info on Andres!) Thanks to everyone who helped make our day so fantastic!!! We love you all and are so blessed to have each of you in our lives!

Practicing

2009-06-28T19:08:00.000-07:00

all the new siblings!!!

Anderson family

me and my bros

Davey and his dudes wearing their VZ shades

me with some of my ladies ;-)

the rehearsal dinner was the first day in 2 weeks that it wasen't raining. so we were really praying that it would hold off for the next day! We had a blast at my parent's house eating pizza and just hanging out talking with everyone!

IT'S JUNE!!! here comes the groom.... soon!!!

2009-06-08T18:58:00.000-07:00

I flew into New Jersey this morning to help finish up wedding stuff. IT'S REALLY HAPPENING!!! 12 more days!!! Davey flies in next Thursday... I can't wait to see my groom!!! We're so excited to celebrate with everyone!!!! See you all soon!

garden shower!!!

2009-05-09T17:24:00.000-07:00

My amazing cousins and mom threw me an awesome garden party shower!!!

bridesmaids minus 3... love these girls!

mmmmm cake!!!!

2009-05-08T18:36:00.000-07:00

YUM!!!

Planning a wedding is so fun because I get to eat cake!!!

Here's the cute little cake samples the bakery gave us...

but which cake to choose?!?

Since Davey was not with me, who better than my brother Jordan to help pick?! he he...which one did we choose????? you'll find out on June 20th when I smush it in Davey's face {just kidding!!}

bye bye bling. hello fake ring.

2009-05-05T10:11:00.000-07:00

It's been almost 3 weeks since I had to ship my ring back to the jewelers to have the wedding band made. AHHH!!! But I only went about 3 minutes without a ring, because right after Davey shipped it, we sped to the store and bought this sparkly fakey. Funny thing is that I've actually gotten a few compliments on it at work, ha ha!!! {but not as many as I got on my REAL one!!!} Can't wait to get it back!!! 47 more days till I get to marry the love of my life!!!

counting down the days!!!

2009-04-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

sunset @ huntington beach pier <3

Seal Beach 10k race... and 77 more days!!!

2009-04-04T16:47:00.000-07:00

77 more days till we get married!!! we can't wait!!!

Today we ran the Seal Beach 10k with a group from our church!

Davey grew up in this area and he and his dad and brothers used to run this race every year.

Davey was so sweet to run with me at my slow pace and we finished hand in hand with a time of 1:00:48... a good goal to beat next year when we run as TEAM ANDERSON!!!

Erik and Julie's wedding

2009-03-22T17:16:00.000-07:00

As if we weren't pumped enough to get married, after Erik and Julie's wedding, we're EXPLODING WITH EXCITEMENT!!!

Erik is one of Davey's best buds {and he's in our wedding} and we're totally stoked to have another rad couple to go on adventures with!

March 21st turned out to be a rainy day, but still AMAZING! We had such a great time and are so happy for Erik and Julie Benson!!!

travel info

2009-03-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

the big day: June 20th, 2009

Ceremony: Hawthorne Gospel Church

2000 Rt. 208 Hawthorne, NJ 07506

www.hgcusa.org

Reception: Ramsey Golf and Country Club

105 Lakeside Drive, Ramsey, NJ 07446

www.ramseycountryclub.com

OUT OF TOWN GUESTS
Welcome to New Jersey!!! We're so honored that you are here to join us in the celebration!!!

here's some helpful travel information. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us:
Davey: 714-322-9800
daveyanderson@gmail.com
Jess: 201-450-5204
jessica.minnema@gmail.com

Airports:
Newark {EWR} *best and closest option*
John F. Kennedy {JKF}
LaGuardia {LGA}

*please let us know your flight info so we can see if someone is available to pick you up!!!

Car rentals:
There's lots to do around the area and if you want to use some of this weekend to explore, it would be a good idea to rent a car. {and it would be really helpful to us as well} You should be able to book car rentals at any of the local airports. You may also do well looking on a discount website such as priceline.com, hotwire.com, orbitz.com, etc. You can usually find transportation cheaper at these sites than from the major car rental sites directly.

Hotel Accommodations:

Courtyard by Marriott
140 Route 17 South
Mahwah, NJ 07430
(201)-529-5200
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ewrmw-courtyard-mahwah/

We have reserved a block of rooms for the Anderson/Minnema wedding available starting Thursday June 18 - Sunday June 21

*The cut off date to make the reservations will be May 29th.

Rates: $89 for a room with one king bed and $99 for a room with 2 queen beds.

To reserve your room, please follow these simple steps:
1. Call 1-800-MARRIOTT and identify yourself with the above group.
2. Ask the reservation agent for the hotel listed above.
3. State your arrival date and room type desired. Requests will be honored on a first come, first
serve basis

Bus Station {to NYC}
Shortline (201-529-3666) (2 miles)
Shuttle service, for a fee

Train Station {to NYC}
Mahwah NJ Transit (2 miles)

Other hotels in the area:

Best Western, The Inn at Ramsey
1315 Route 17 S, Ramsey, New Jersey, 07446
Phone: )201) 327-6700

Holiday Inn Express
946 Route 17 north Ramsey, NJ 07446
Phone: (201) 934-9250

Super 8 Motel
160 State Rt 17, Mahwah, NJ
Phone: (201) 512-0800

Paaaaaarty!!!

2009-02-28T21:54:00.000-08:00

We just got home from our engagement party!!! We had an amazing dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Newport Beach with a bunch of our friends. It was a blast and it was so fun to celebrate with such rad people!!! We want to thank everyone for coming and especially thank Sarah for organizing everything and for making the best cheesecake EVER!!! yum!

Engagement Party!!!!!!!

2009-02-20T10:02:00.000-08:00

Our friend Sarah made these awesome invitations and is organizing our engagement party!! We can't wait!!!

Registering...

2009-02-07T12:39:00.000-08:00

We are registered at:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/regHome.asp?order_num=-1

And...

Target: http://www.target.com/registry/wedding/portal

Look for our lists under Jessica Minnema and Davey Anderson!!!

The Proposal- Davey's version ;-)

2009-01-29T12:30:00.001-08:00

It was Jess’s birthday and little did she know that I would surprise her with an engagement ring later that night…

After church, we drove down to La Jolla, where I had made reservations at the Marine Room, voted San Diego’s “most romantic restaurant.” Although it was here that we experienced the worst part of our night, as Jess described, we now think back and laugh.

La Jolla has beautiful beaches and I knew that it was there I wanted to propose—I just wasn’t sure where exactly. As we cruised along the scenic route, Jess was enjoying a gorgeous sky and ocean views while I was desperately trying to scope out the prospective proposal terrain. “God, please show me the perfect location,” I prayed. I knew that when I saw it, I would know (just like when I saw Jess!)When we came to the end of the coast, I was inwardly disappointed and said that because we had some time to kill, we should drive up the road to see if there was any sort of lookout. Not long after the many aimless U-turns, we spotted a sign for Mt. Soledad Park. As we turned in and followed the road up, suddenly we found ourselves on top of the world! With breathtaking views of ocean cliffs along the coastline on one side, and downtown San Diego on the other, this was it. The day was crystal clear.

After dinner, I asked Jess if she wanted to go back up to the park and look at the city lights, so we headed back up the narrow, windy streets. We parked, and I grabbed some blankets and a back pack from the truck, as well as my guitar—all still a surprise to her.

Earlier, I saw a spot that I knew would work for “the big question.” It was a grassy clearing off the beaten path, overlooking the city lights. We spread out the blankets, and I took out a pot, put it on my camp stove, and filled it with water. Then, while the water was heating on the stove I told Jess that I wrote her a song and wanted to play it for her. (Surprisingly, it went off without a mistake, despite the fact that I had only finished writing the last chorus just minutes before we left the house! Ack, nerve racking!) Needless to say, she was touched; but I was just getting started!

By the time I finished singing “Jess’ Song,” the water was warm. So I poured it into a basin, and unlaced her boots. As Jesus washed the disciples’ feet to symbolize servanthood, I said that in the same way, I desire to serve her with my life. Nonchalantly, I had slipped the ring into my back pocket, and while I was still down on my knees, I took her hand and said, “You are so much more than I have ever wanted and could even dream of. My heart cannot live another day without you. Jessica Faith Minnema, I beg you to marry me.”

At first Jess was speechless, and I wondered why she was staring at me, and not the ring I was holding in front of her. Then she threw herself into my arms, and we hugged and kissed and cried. Finally, as if she suddenly remembered that there was a diamond ring involved, she gave me her hand and I placed her engagement band on her finger!

the best day ever!!!! by Jess {the long version}

2009-01-29T12:30:00.000-08:00

Jan 25... My 25th birthday. Davey told me to keep my afternoon open because he was planning to take me out. The last thing I expected was to get engaged!! I had NO IDEA what to expect and he wouldn’t give me ANY clues!!!

After church, he told he needed an hour to get things together and then he’d pick me up. It was an hour of torture wondering what we were going to do! He finally picked me up and we started driving towards San Diego. He told me he was taking me out to dinner at what was rated "the most romantic restaurant in the area"...The Marine Room. It was a gorgeous day and we had a great Sunday afternoon drive to La Jolla.

Once we got there, we found the restaurant and then set off to find a cool place to watch the sunset. We drove around and passed all the beach lookouts and I was wondering where we were going. Then Davey started to drive up this hill and we ended up on the top of Mt. Solidad. The view was breathtaking! It was such a clear day, so we could see the beach and the cliffs on one side and downtown San Diego on the other side. Amazing. We took some pictures and Davey suggested that we come back up there after dinner to see the city lights. I love cities, so I loved the idea, not thinking anything of it.

Then we went back down to the beach to watch the sunset. It was really romantic... until these 3 people came and sat down right next to us. THEN a cop came out to snap some pictures of the sunset and he was really annoying and his radio kept going off... way to kill the mood. But the sunset was really beautiful!

By then, we were starving, so we drove to the restaurant and were escorted to a table right in front of this HUGE window overlooking a white sand beach with the waves all lit up... amazing! As soon as we sat down, two older ladies at the table behind us started making comments just loud enough

for us to hear, "can you see the waves?" "oh no, that girl's head is in the way... the hostess promised we'd have a good view of the waves..." I was kind of shocked at what they were saying, and tried to ignore it. But then, the one lady actually stood up, and tapped us on the shoulder and said, "can you sit farther apart, you're blocking our view of the waves." I got really upset and said, "no! it's my birthday!" I almost started to cry. So we reluctantly moved apart and Davey said, "I'm going to go get your birthday present to cheer you up!" I didn't want him to because those ladies ruined the mood and I wanted to have a good reaction to whatever it was and they would probably get mad if I made a scene. But Davey insisted and went out to the car to get my present. Then I got up to go to the bathroom and the ladies said, "can you see the waves now?" "oh yes, you asked me at the right time, when there is nothing blocking my view" So when I returned, Davey had moved my chair next to him and when I sat down the lady said, "oh wonderful, now we can see! Those two have such a sense of humor" How RUDE!!! Davey wanted to me open my present, but I still didn’t want to, which is really quite ironic because I’m a really impatient person, but those ladies were just so mean!

Eventually, our dinner came and it was DELICIOUS!!! Except that I had some rocks in my rice. Davey politely told our waiter. He returned and said that the chef said they were bones. He ended up arguing with us that they weren't in my rice and that it was a bone, not a rock… long story short, the chef ended up giving us a free dessert.... which was the best ice cream pie I ever had... yum!!! That totally redeemed the entire experience and Davey was so sweet to take me there despite the horrible service, and rude customers.

So we left the restaurant and while we were in the car, I opened my birthday present... a YELLOW ipod!!! Davey had already put some songs and pictures on it! So while I played with my present, Davey drove to the top of Mt. Solidad. I didn't expect anything because he was acting perfectly normal. When we got to the top, he took his guitar, a backpack and sleeping bag out of the trunk and we sat down overlooking a beautiful view of San Diego all lit up. Then Davey took out his camping stove and started to heat up a pot of water... I just thought that he was making tea or something. He’s kind of random sometimes.

Then, he took out his guitar and told me that he wrote me a song and he tried to record it and put it on my ipod, but couldn't figure it out, so he had to play it for me live. So, he sang me the song he wrote and it was the best song I ever heard! I obviously started crying because the words were so sweet and because I always wanted someone to write a song for me! Then he asked me to check if the water was hot {while I was doing that, he slipped the ring in his back pocket... I still had no idea}. Then he poured the water into a basin and asked if he could wash me feet. As he washed my feet, he said, "Jesus washed the disciples’ feet as an act of service to show them he wanted to serve them. It was a humbling job because back then their feet were dirty from walking around so much. Your feet obviously aren't dirty, but I want to this to show you that I want to serve you. The disciples told Jesus that they were not worthy to have their feet washed by him, and Jess, I don't feel worthy to be washing your feet. {then he got on one knee} I can't go another day without you, I want to spend the rest of my life with you... Jessica Faith Minnema, I'm begging you... will you marry me?"

I tackled him and we were crying and I said YES!!! And then I realized that I forgot to look at

the ring...the ring... WOW!!! He had it custom made and it’s amazing! Then he told me that he e-mailed both our families the day before to let them know that he was going to propose, but it was midnight on the east coast at this time and I was dying to shrae the news! So I called my best friend who lives in China, and my brother. Then at 2am east coast time, my mom called me and it was such a wonderful time to share the story and get excited with friends and family.

Obviously... this was the BEST {and most memorable} birthday I ever had!!!!!! And WE’RE GETTING MARRIED!!!!! I am so excited to spend the rest of my life serving the Lord with my best friend and most favorite person EVER!!!

2009-01-28T11:00:00.000-08:00

She said, "yes!"

La Jolla was perfect...

Dinner was...great?

Beautiful views...

Sparkle in my eye...sparkle from her finger...

We're going to be married!!!

Here will be the story of how Davey asked her to married him. Coming soon, in the next post, Jess will recount her version of the story (the long version, so pull up a chair). Stay tuned because there is much more info and updates on the way!