california road trip

This summer my brother and his family were relocated from Fort Campbell, KY to Fort Irwin, CA. Before they left they made the decision to sell one of their vehicles and become a one car family. During this time my Grandpa Bob passed away. He left us with a lot of love, wonderful memories and some heart ache, but he also left his car...you don't need those in heaven...so, Alex and I volunteered to drive his car to Jim in California so they could again be a two car family.

We set out bright and early with Amarillo as our destination for the day. After 12 hours and the first of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy on audio book, we made it. It was a good drive and thankfully uneventful (the words of my Grandpa when he traveled). Amarillo was not the most notable town, but we did eat at The Texas Roadhouse (because when in Texas, do as the Texans do).

The next morning we got up and back on the road with Flagstaff, AZ as our destination. We stayed at an Airbnb and had a great time. We stayed for three nights and got to explore the area. The first night we ate at a local pizza place and then drove around to see downtown Flagstaff. The next morning we woke up bright and early (thanks time change) and drove north to see the Grand Canyon.

life lately

After returning from our road trip we had a crazy week trying to get caught up at work and home. Crazy includes: having to unexpectedly change our health insurance company, dealing with an over flowing toilet and dish washer, catching up on laundry and responding to all of the unanswered emails from a nine day vacation. Also on Friday night we took our high school students to a haunted corn maze in Godfrey and that same night drove home to my parents! Phew! BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!!! After arriving in Salem late Friday night, we woke up Saturday morning ready to celebrate Atley's first birthday and then went to the Little Egypt Parade (a Salem tradition) to collect some candy.

Atley's party was great. She was a happy camper and can definitely eat cake....a girl after my own heart. The parade was cooler than it usually is, so we didn't stay the whole time. After the parade we finally kicked our feet up and relaxed with hot chocolate. Sunday was low key- Alex watched football with my dad and I napped. We had a great weekend and are looking forward to this week being less eventful...Moose is happy to be home from his two week vacation and we're all starting to settle back into a routine.

september in pictures

This September was busy! We had something going on every day, either work related or personal and nine of those days (not included in these pictures because it's a post of it's own) we went on a road trip to California! But, we had a great month. So, with no further ado, September in pictures...

Each dot represents an obligation/meeting/appointment...yikes! 

over Labor Day weekend we drove up to visit my sister and her family. 

Nora happily chose to ride with us!

Nora made a crown in Sunday school and Alex got to wear it. 

Moose was worn out when we got home from Mt. Z

My first PSL of the season!

Fall showed up and demanded I make peanut butter cookies

First pomegranates of the season...a lot of first's for fall

We went with our high school students to an EHS football game 

and one of my favorite future Tigers was there!

We finally got to tell the world about Baby W!

September was a great month and we're looking forward to fall getting into full swing!

recap: twenty five by twenty six

Last September I set out to accomplish twenty five goals before I turned twenty six. I am proud to say that I accomplished most of my goals! Below is my list and while some of them were blog worthy, others went under the radar.

1. Start a daily journal 

2. Cook more often 

3. Run another half marathon     

4. Learn to knit or crochet

5. Go to Arkansas        

6. Volunteer somewhere 

7. Practice & become a better faux-tographer 

8. Go to Kentucky 

9. Host a dinner party           

10. Celebrate Friendsgiving 

11. Go to Oregon 

12. Try sushi 

13. Plant a lemon tree

14. Learn to hula hoop 

15. Play sand volleyball 

16. Learn to golf or at least play putt putt golf

17. Plant a real garden

18. Read 1 book per month (at least!) 

19. Eat at a new restaurant  

20. Go to Indiana   

21. Finish our basement! 

22. Ride on a tandem bicycle 

23. Write and mail more letters  

24. Redecorate a room in our house  

25. Go to Tennessee 

I still want to learn to knit/crochet, have a lemon tree and plant a real garden. But, I think I was having a weak moment when I said I'd like to learn to play golf...I'll stick with sports I know and am good at. I learned a lot this year and am proud that I accomplished (most of) my goals. 

I always have a list of things I'd like to accomplish and challenging myself publicly kept me more accountable. I haven't written a list for twenty six by twenty seven, but something tells me that this year will bring a lot of new changes, challenges and adventures without a list.