Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Winter has arrived. Ok, maybe winter isn't officially here yet, but the snow has certainly come and made it's appearance. In fact, this is pretty much how it has looked out our front window for the past few days:


And you know what? I don't mind one bit! Because even though it's cold and snowy out there, this is what it looks like inside my home:

Cozy. Starbucks. Togetherness.

With Thanksgiving just days away and the snow making it's debut, I'm reminded that my favorite season is ending. Autumn - such an appropriately beautiful word for an equally beautiful time of year. The changing colors, the cold evenings, the festive pumpkins, the candles, the football games, the crisp Washington apples, the time spent with family...these are the things that make Fall so special. I enjoyed these past few months so much that I really didn't get a chance to reflect on all of our autumn adventures on here, in the place where I store so many of life's meaningful moments. For my sake, let's take a look back, shall we?

In October, my siblings and I got together for our annual sibling date. No parents, just brothers and sisters, spouses and kiddos. It's become a tradition to visit Greenbluff (our beloved farming community) and enjoy the corn mazes, pumpkin cannon, and tasty pumpkin doughnuts. And we do it together...as a family.

Eating yummy pumpkin doughnuts

There was lots of frolicking through the corn maze...and the adults got involved too!

The day was capped off with a VERY special treat...an adult-only dinner date at Twigs (the best martini bar in the world). There was lots of good conversation and no interruption from kiddos...it was a rare treat!


Also in October, I drove 7 hours across the state to return to the town where I attended middle school and high school, waaaayyyy up in northwestern Washington just minutes from the Canadian border. That little rural town had a huge impact on my life and provided me with friendships that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. It had been over two years since my last visit, and it felt so good to be back! Most of my high school friends can often be found gallivanting around the world on any given day, but I was lucky enough to come over when a few of them were around (you know, resting from their worldly adventures).

Hillary, Lauren, and myself at the Carter's annual cider pressing event

I even got to press a few apples!

We pretty much had fun everywhere we went :)

I know that these girls will always have my back

Mt. Baker...stunning, isn't it? I don't know where this mountain was during the 6 years I lived there, because I don't ever remember it being this beautiful!!

Pumpkin patch fun

I also got to see some special ladies that mean the world to me. We cheered together in high school and have been friends ever since. Oh the experiences we have had together!!

Amanda, Mandie, and myself

This might be a more accurate representation of what we're like when we're together :)

It was a perfect Fall getaway and a wonderful reminder of how many extraordinary people I have in my life. As I get older, I become more and more aware of how important friendships are and how challenging it is to find (and keep!) good friends. If you have good ones in your life, invest in them! It's worth it.

If you couldn't tell, October was a full month. And it just kept getting fuller! Two weeks prior to Halloween, Bryant and I went to the infamous Haunted Palouse with our friends from China. It was scary and yet comical at the same time.

Bryant, myself, and Shasha with a few of the creatures that roamed the streets (and scared me multiple times)

And then there was Halloween. My sister has a Halloween party at her house every year and this time, we made it a costume party! We had so much fun that I think dressing up will become an annual requirement!

Hmmm...is there a theme here? My brother-in-law was a priest, my sister was a nun, and my grandparents were members of the choir :)

Apparently I didn't get the religious memo, so I came as a bumble bee :)

The siblings (my brother was a tourist)

Any guesses as to who is standing next to me? Please don't judge...we know the costume isn't PC. But props for creativity, right?

My mom in her wedding dress surrounded by her grandbabies. That's right, I said her wedding dress!! 35 years later and she still looks good in it...way to go, Mama!

This picture just makes me laugh

I think it is safe to say that our family knows how to enjoy Halloween. What's not to love when pumpkin chili, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, orange punch, costumes, candy, and family are involved?

Earlier that day, before the party, my mom and I tried on our wedding dresses together. What a special memory to be standing next to my mom, both of us wearing the most important white dress of our lives! It was the first time I had tried my gown on since my wedding day almost two years ago and I definitely got emotional. Even Bryant got teary when he saw me in it again :)

Ok, that's it folks! That was my whirlwind Autumn recap! If you are reading this, I am pleased to tell you that you made it to the end...woot woot!! If you were sitting next to me right now, I would give you a gold star for perseverance :)

So as the snow falls and the Christmas season draws nearer, I am content with saying goodbye to my favorite season. Fall was rich with memories, and I have no doubt that more will be made as we round the corner towards winter.