Fall.

My favorite time of year.  I love everything about it.  We live in the most perfect place to experience this season.  Taking a drive up the canyon and looking at the leaves changing into pops of brilliant oranges, fire reds, and golden yellows is gorgeous.  There couldn't be a more majestic sight.  The days are getting a little shorter and the evenings seem a bit cooler.  Pretty soon we will be feeling that "crispy air" as a sure sign fall is knocking at our door.  For a girl, bundling up in sweaters, layering clothes and slipping into some comfy boots is the best.  
The first part of September always brings me a feeling of anticipation of baking warm goodies, smelling faint wafts of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice filling up my home.  Nesting and preparing my home for a cozy season, getting out some fall decor, picking fresh sunflowers and wildflowers from the yard to fill glass jars, these are all simple pleasures of mine.
Harvesting our home grown veggies, bottling beets and tomatoes.  Lining them up on the shelf so they can be enjoyed during the winter months ahead. Love it.
And just to share....if you could capture the scent of fall in a candle this one gets the award.  Mulled Cider. It's Perfect.
Not too strong, just enough for a faint spice in the background.  And of all places guess where I find this yummy glow? Walmart. Yes, Walmart.  I do not like buying cheap candles. They typically do not smell, or when they do you end up with a headache from smelling it all day.  So, to my surprise this is one of my top scents.  And at only $3.49 for a good size it's a delicious find!  So if you are in the mood for feeling some fall, pick this one up.
How can you not love this season?!
Happy Fall~so glad you are around the corner.

Teeny Tiny.

I could not resist making this teeny tiny brimmed beanie. I stumbled upon this darling pattern which was really simple, quick and easy! I did however add the band and button, it needed just a little something. Crocheting a beanie for my all my babies has been a tradition, so here is #3!

Bookclub.

This past year I have been involved in a Bookclub. My good friend Brooke extended me the invite to join hers and it has been fun!  I love to read, and I can appreciate a really good book.  This is something I have looked forward to every month, always anticipating the next great read!  I feel a bit accomplished I have read most of the books so far, it has been a good goal every month and I am so happy I could be a part of it.  It has been fun getting to know these ladies, and to have some good girl conversation every month.  
This month's book was titled Messenger. A fabulous book.  I did a huge post on this a while back because I loved it so much. If you want to read more about the book here is the link to the last post.
http://www.am-biance.blogspot.com/2011/07/best-read-ever.html
So it was my month to pick the book and host! It was a lot of fun...thanks for a great night gals!
Happy Reading....

Waiting.

Patiently Waiting. We are down to 6 weeks. 6 weeks!
I LOVE, love babies. They are the sweetest gift, so precious.  I do not want to wish away this pregnancy so quickly and I should be enjoying it more than I have.  This pregnancy has been well, let's say really different than my last 2.  No major health issues which I am SO thankful for, but has been by far the most challenging. I don't know what it is... Maybe feeling like I am going to burst into flames because of the heat, or chasing around a very happy, active 19 month old who likes to climb and get into everything while a very pregnant Mom tries to run after him. (Not a pretty sight)
A couple weeks ago, my contractions really started to kick in hard, and obviously earlier then expected .
Ouch. Is all I can say. So a trip to the hospital and some tests, yep. Pre-Term labor it is. I have been taking some medication to help with the contractions which they pretty much make me want to fall on my face some days. So tired!! And I do not do tired.  Among other things, the doc has advised me to "take it easy"...Ha...  Not in my vocab. Period.  I like to be busy, I like doing projects, cleaning like a maniac, exercising whenever I feel like it, or run around outside with my boys. "Taking it easy"  has been difficult for me. I know that may sound silly, but I guess that is just who I am. I have this inner argument with my body. My mind says go...my body says....Ahhh, I don't think so!  It let's me know for sure. After a day of  doing too much and feeling pressure as if  your water is going to break any second keeps me in check. Bleh. Like I said, I don't want to wish away this time or have our little guy come early,  but I am ready to meet my sweet new babe, to snuggle with him, and get my energy back!
 I am starting to get those excited, fluttery butterflies in my tummy, I went through the newborn clothes the other day, I had the biggest smile just imagining holding my baby boy!
Brady and our family have been incredible. Always helping out and offering to lend a hand.  I am so thankful for them. I do feel bad for Brady though, I am sure he has had enough of me (as you can tell) he has been such a great support, and helps with whatever he can. All his hard work this past year had earned him a fabulous trip for us at the end of August to Telluride, Colorado through Sysco. These trips are unreal, and not many get the chance to go. It made me so sad when I had to tell him that the doc told me I should not be traveling. I couldn't even finish my question to the doc before he was shaking his head  "No." I told Brady, "you just watch, nothing will happen if we stay home, but if  we go, my luck I would have the baby there"  And now that I said that, I probably will go full term :)
Anyway, there is always a lesson to be learned when things turn out a little differently then you expected them to be. Let's just say I have learned some simple lessons in the last month. But so grateful we have a healthy baby boy on the way very soon! Yay!

Pergola.

Ever since I have been a homeowner I have dreamed...yes, dreamed of having a pergola.  I always have wanted an additional structure with a simple architecture that adds to the yard.  A little oasis for me.  Our home is east/west facing, and our backyard in the summer just bakes! We couldn't  really enjoy having dinner out on the patio without roasting to death. Believe me, we have tried many times. So this little pergola provides just enough shade to keep it cool, yet it still filters the beautiful sunshine through. Every time I look out my kitchen window I cannot help but smile.  Brady and I wanted one last year for our 10 year anniversary but, whoa. It was out of our price range.  We were lucky enough to have a good friend that just started a pergola business on the side, build one for us. We debated back and forth for a while and finally decided to go for it. And I am so happy we did. Happy 11th Anniversary to us! It is something we will enjoy forever, we spend a lot of time outside in the yard, my boys in particular. Now we have a shady place to linger, and I think it is pretty dreamy....

Vacation.

Virginia Beach, V.A.

We just returned home from a wonderful family vacation.  It was fun and filled with images of my boys splashing in the salty waves and running with sand between their toes. They really turned into beach bums. When I saw the ocean I realized how much I had missed it. So beautiful and the sound of the waves crashing onto shore is so tranquil.

We also took a day to visit Brady's Aunt and Uncle. Yes, this is their home. Right on the water,  it was beautiful but HOT!! Really, the hottest I have ever been but worth it. The boys spent the day jet skiing in the ocean. They had a ball.

Brady headed up to D.C. for a day with some of the family. Although I wished so bad I could have gone, I stayed behind to take the boys to the beach. He had a good time, it is so pretty there.

A visit to the naval museum. Nauticus was incredible. Brayden even got to walk on the USS Wisconsin. This ship is huge. It was used in battle in the first Gulf War.

We also drove down to Hatteras, N.C. Stunning. Charming houses, sandy white beaches, and I even found a darling antique shop. Couldn't resist picking up a couple of items. I will post about those later. The boys took a day and did a deep sea fishing outing. A great catch, we later cooked and ate fresh fish until we all had our fill. Yum.

Such a charming lighthouse...

Brayden saw this on the way there and we promised to stop on the way back and let him go Grave Digger crazy!  Monster truck heaven for 2 little boys.  It actually was neat to see all the big trucks being worked on and loaded into these giant semi's for touring around the country. There was a small petting zoo which Greyson loved as well.

The roads are lined with these yummy markets. Make your mouth water. We also hit a couple of thrift stores. These are things that give me simple joy.

We had a wonderful time together. I still have so many more pictures and could go on forever on what we did and saw. But, the boys were amazing.  They traveled well and were so very good. Thanks to our family for a wonderful, memorable time together. As you can see our boys were all tuckered out by the last day. We came home from Busch Gardens amusement park , laid them on the bed, and this is what they ended up looking like. Just snuggling together, melt my heart. 

What a great trip!

Le Bain.

Just a little bathroom update.

I really like the paint, it feels so fresh.