Taking It All In

Sometimes you just need to take some time to look at all the beauty around you. I did that last week when I went for a run. Well, at least I started to go for a run. The fall colors on the trees were so beautiful that I ran back to my house, got the camera, and decided to go for a walk instead. Sam and I just moved into a new neighborhood and this is really my first fall season to be in Fort Wayne so I wanted to take advantage of all the new beautiful scenery around us.

As I told y'all before, the Fall is my favorite season, and I would say Fort Wayne has the most beautiful Fall I have ever seen! The leaves turn slowly and depending on the type of tree, the leaves sometimes stay on the trees for a month after turning colors. It really makes you appreciate the different seasons. Well, that is, until the leaves all fall off the trees because then you know winter is coming soon. And the winter here is frickin' cold! I also like the dramatic color scheme - evergreens are always green, then there are yellow, orange, and red maples, and Crabapple trees, and so many more...

Part of our neighborhood is on a golf course. Our house is not, but it's really close. As you can see, walkers are not welcomed on the course. Golfers Only!

This tree below is my very favorite tree in the neighborhood - a Red Maple. Sam and I are going to plant some in our yard next spring! The one here belongs to our new neighbors from Chicago. They moved in the day before Halloween and have 4 precious little girls. The youngest two are twins! So adorbale!

It doesn't really do the whole scene justice, but I love this picture! The cutest creek and bridges run through the golfcourse. And in the mornings it is so quiet here...perfect time to go for a jog.

The three pictures below are also on the golf course.

This one was taken at our house. I LOVE Crabapple trees and we have four of them! Aren't they so "Wintery Whimsical"?! They remind me of my Delta Besties, especially Collin, because we love going to Bonefish Grill! They have the most amazing food and seasonal cocktails and this one reminds me of the "White Christmas" martini!

I love the Fall! Keep coming back because in a few weeks you will be seeing pictures of more snow than I care to post!

Sweet Tea and Celebrations

...are two of my very favorite things about going back to see everyone in Arkansas! Whether it's a wedding, birthday party, Razorback game, or just being with the people who bring out my southern accent (and my southern attitude), we always have a reason to celebrate down there! Now don't get me wrong, I love Fort Wayne, but there are things about the south that I miss. Things that you just can't get anywhere else. Like ordering sweet tea when you go out to eat! Here is a recap of my fabulous weekend back home.

Friday Night Slumber Party
Elli wasn't feeling very well on Friday. Personally, I think she just needed a little lovin' from Aunt Jeni. We played with my jewelry and apparently even two year olds feel better when they get new jewelry! I realize this is a terrible picture of me, but I woke up at 4:30am so gimme a break, ok!

Hunter, Aspen, and Elli spent the night with me Friday night and we had a blast! Of course I woke up really early Friday morning and I did not take that into account when planning our slumber party, but the reward of having my adorable nieces and nephew for the night far outweighed any negative thoughts of sleeplessness/insomnia/I'm literally staying awake on a glass of sweet tea and a double-tall-non-fat-white-chocolate-mocha, with whip cream, of course!

Hunter was such a great sport about our slumber party. Usually he gets me all to himself on Pogey Bait night, but I had him and the girls this time. He is really good at entertaining those girls. They adore him!

The kids got a special treat for dinner (McDonald's happy meals). Aspen and Elli's happy meals came with a My Little Pony toy and Aspen insisted on "riding her horsey"! She couldn't understand why the darn thing just kept falling over!

Saturday: A Birthday Party & A Wedding

Aspen and Elli's birthday party was Saturday. Elli turned two years old on October 6th and Aspen will be three on November 19th. They are only 11 months apart!

Make A Wish!

Elli, Aspen, Bella Cate, & Lana. Elli clapped for everyone when we sang Happy Birthday to her and Aspen. I wish I would have videoed it because she was so adorable!

Pawpa, Dad, & Meme (my Dad with his parents)

Me & Pawpa (my Mom's dad)

Spencer & Brittany...cute little lovebirds

My Mom with her three grandchildren. She couldn't be happier!

Ryan & Me. We should have taken this picture standing up. I swear he gets taller everytime I see him! I think he is at 6'2" now! Also, TODAY IS HIS BIRTHDAY! Stay tuned for my Person of the Week post!

Brandlyn & Chris in their new kitchen...my favorite part of the house!

Lana & Jim Eggleston (below) Lana is Chris' twin sister, and I swear we were meant to be related. I just love her and Jim, and their little girl, Bella Cate, is just as sweet! Lana and Jim are expecting baby #2 next year!

Bella Cate & Aspen playing with the new toys.

Elli demolished the Happy Birthday crown and made a headband out of it. Creative!

Now, this picture makes me laugh! You know how I always have a hair tie on my wrist (even when I forget to take it off at inappropriate times like when I am a bridesmaid)? Well, the other two sisters have apparently made this same faux pax. Obviously, as the eldest sister whom we look up to, this must be Brandlyn's fault.

The Wedding

Saturday afternoon I attended Lauren and Lee's wedding in Heber Springs. They had a beautiful outdoor fall wedding at Lee's mother's house and the reception was at the Red Apple Inn. It was beautiful! I should have taken more pictures, but I was so busy talking and catching up with all my friends.

Our small group with the beautiful bride! Left to right: Kendall, me, Shelly, Lauren, Whitney, Joanna, & Jessica

Ken & Jen...I was so happy to see her!

Me and Dustin Jones. One of my favorite people from NLR.

Me & Joanna. I just love this girl! She puts a smile on my face everytime I see her.

Jessica and I were each other's date because my hubby and her boyfriend couldn't come. She rode home with me from the Red Apple Inn and we had a great time catching up! Definitely one of the highlights of my weekend!

The getaway golf cart was very creative! For those who may not be familiar with Heber Springs, AR, the Red Apple Inn is on a golfcourse.

Blogger Facelift

I am working on a new template and background for our blog. I want to give it a fresh new look, but I am not quite finished yet. Gotta few kinks to work out like finding the blog title...where did it go? Not sure! I am lovin' the pink and brown theme though. What do you think?

Happy Fall

Fall is my very favorite season! I love seeing the change of seasons when the leaves turn to beautiful bright colors. I also love seeing my wardrobe change from wearing summer clothes to breaking out my scarves, sweaters, and coats! And of course college football season! The fall just makes me happy all around and, for the first time ever, I got to decorate my very own house! I've posted pictures of most of our fall decor.

I didn't know how hard it was to see the pumpkin (below) until I took a picture. I need to do something about it...maybe add a few other things around it??

Some pictures taken in the kitchen.

I'm still not sure what I want to do with this pumpkin or my pig cutting board, but I love 'em both so I had to at least take a picture.

Sam & Jeni as scarecrows; how do you like the apple on the haystack? Call me 'Teach'!

Pam, one of my girlfriends' mothers, got me these cute ceramic pumpkins as a house-warming gift. Love them!

I love having fresh flowers in the fall (ok, really anytime is great for fresh flowers). I have a boquet of daisies, lillies, and cat-tails in the kitchen and a bouquet of mums in the front entry way.

Here is the mantle in two pictures...left side, then right side.

I cannot believe the stores have their Christmas decor out already. I mean don't get me wrong, Hobby Lobby, I love your store, but at least let me enjoy the fall through Halloween. I will not decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving, but that doesn't mean I can't shop for a few things!