Fall Stuff!

Fall is my favorite time of the year.  Always has been, and this year has been beautiful!

Oddly, I don't have all my fall decorations out.  I haven't drank lots of cider.  And I haven't

made a single pumpkin treat, but it's been full of good things and great weather.

I wanted to put up a few of the things that have occupied us this month...

~We took the kids to the Apple Orchard.  Late in the season, and not a particularly nice

day, but we went.  Most of the apples were picked over, but we came for a certain type

that they had an abundance of, so we lucked out! Just FYI, Harelson's make the BEST crisps!

A few days later, I completed a 10K run I'd been working towards and looking forward to.

The MN Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MOCA) foundation sponsored a run called Unleash The She!

A great cause, a great run, great weather... I was a happy girl!  The only bummer was I missed my

goal by 1 stinkin minute!!!  Dang it!  Ran 6.2miles in 51:01... still a pretty good pace for me, and a personal record!
I finished 40 out of 348 women!  Great day!

blurry, but I was wavin' to the girls

I am NOT a pretty runner, oh well. 

In other news.... Ryan got a new toy  (actually, I kinda like it too)

This is what a fish tank looks like when it gets dumped off a dresser onto the carpet

Surprisingly... all fish and the snail are alive and kicking.  Or swimming, or whatever.

Even a few minutes of flopping on the carpet couldn't kill them. 

Our porch view is stunning!!  

Walks/ bike rides with the girls should happen more than they do... I enjoy them so so much!

I love my babies!!!

Oh... Ryan and I went on a trip.  Kinda a big deal ;) ... More on that in another post

We love fall.  

Some others

This has been a busy month for my camera!

And I love it!!

I've had lots of photo sessions and have really REALLY enjoyed them!

Here are some samples of two sessions I did that were exceptionally fun...

probably because they are also friends of mine! :)

What a great time!!

I'll share more when I get a bit more organized!!  

Lila's Seventh Celebration

The Sunday before her birthday, we had a small gathering of family at our house

to celebrate Lila's day with us!  She loves having everyone over, even though we

keep things very small!  A balloon, some streamers, and cake, along with family

together makes her feel very special!

It was fun seeing her open her gifts and watch her talk to her guests.  At 7 years

old, she seems so much older and wiser than she did, even just last year.

Gift cards are exciting now!

These not only were gluten-free... they were also delicious!  And Homemade!!!

On Tuesday, her actual birthday, she attended school, then came home and we took the girls

to their tumbling/gymnastics class.  When class was over, the girls did a quick change and

we took them out to dinner to Bonfire (Lila's request)! We wrapped up her special day by

singing her Happy Birthday and snuggling her into bed!

She is growing more wonderful by the day and we are so excited to watch

her turn into the amazing young lady we know her to be!  Lila, we love you so much!

Suddenly 7!

Seven!  

Wow! I don't think I'll ever stop believing how fast time passes

when you think about your children!  Some days you think, 

"this is never going to end... " and then you blink, and you have 

this beautiful, young lady in front of you.  First grade, tall, and so 

intelligent... It takes me by surprise!

We celebrated a bit on Sunday with family, and then again yesterday

just the 4 of us... but for now, I wanted to share a few pictures I took 

of Lila.  Somedays I look at her, and my heart aches because she's so

pretty.  Am I biased?  I may be a little bit... but for all her silliness, and

that crazy, gap-tooth smile... I can't help think she's one of the most beautiful

little girls I've ever seen!

Lila, You are such a source of happiness to me and Daddy!

Elaina loves you and looks up to you so much, even when she is being

a total punk.  You are full of creative energy, smiles and giggles, and

I love the emotional passion in you, (even though it's not always well

controlled).  We love you more and more with every passing year

and I'm so proud of the little lady you are turning into!!!

Hooray for 7!!!