thankfulness

We had such a wonderful thanksgiving celebration with Ryan's family. Spending time together is always something to be extremely grateful for, not to mention the amazing feast we got to share. Kristen got up early and made us all pumpkin/banana muffins, accompanied by fresh VitaMix orange juice. Some favorites were the herb-stuffed turkey breast and the rye-seeded sourdough and herb stuffing. I have to say our whole menu really did come together beautifully, thanks to every single person rolling up their sleeves & pitching in.


Some things we're especially thankful for this year:

• Enjoying the ordinary moments in life with each other
• A house we can actually unpack in
• Not just one, but TWO amazing wonderful, supportive families

or play?

AND if that alone wasn't rad enough, on Monday, Captain TJ took us sailing for our very first time. Let's just say this-- I could get used to that kind of an afternoon. Cruising along with only sounds of water lapping against the boat, chatting with friends, eating yummy food, loving on adorable baby Sailor, eeking over the dolphin trailing alongside us, & soaking up the 70 degree weather in November. I loved absolutely everything about Florida except the humidity. You'll understand better when you see my hair in these pictures. 

business?

Ryan booked a wedding in Florida and instead of using the travel funds for a solo flight, we decided to put it towards gas so both of us could go. We stayed at sweet Jared's parent's house in St. Pete for the wedding and then got a bonus day in Clearwater with our dear friends TJ & Sheena. While our entire Saturday was consumed with wedding festivities, we were able to fill our Sunday with kayaking on the ocean, "sexy man" sushi, and almost partying in downtown Tampa. Almost because by the time Jared drove us there, Ryan was sound asleep in the front seat and I was not far behind. Party poopers, we know.

fellow west coasters

Right when we started to actually get to know and hang out with our two amazingly wonderful friends, Mo & Jordan, they decided to move back home to California. While I could not be happier that they get to share their new baby with their for-reals family, we are selfishly sad that we won't be able to enjoy their company on a regular basis anymore.

Ryan took some maternity pictures for them and I'm so impressed with how they turned out. Besides the fact that Mo & Jordan are such a good-looking couple, I think my husband is so incredibly talented... and yet somehow he keeps getting EVEN better.

it's a halloween kind of a weekend

I'm certainly not the biggest Halloween enthusiast, but there is something undeniably fun about dressing up. A few years ago, I even convinced my dear friends to dress up as the cast of Gilligan's Island in a day's notice. Unfortunately, the only group picture we got was from someone with a disposable camera. But I have to say, Sarah makes a smokin hot "Ginger", Jared apparently IS "Skipper", and the candid photo of Ryan and I really warms my heart. 

This year, we had really good intentions of dressing up for a Halloween party. Instead, we decided to save our idea for costumes for next year and have a low-key night with our friends Mo & Jordan. It was a good decision on our part.

the season of autumn

After we saw the forecast for this week, we thought that we ought to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible over the weekend since fall is swiftly transitioning into winter.

So that's what we did. We rode our bikes pretty much everywhere we went, we walked at the lake, and we even picked out a few pumpkins to decorate our little home. This weekend, I'm going to convince Ryan it's a good idea to stud them... I'll let you know how that goes.
 

here's to wishing

For fall break last year, my WHOLE immediate family got to be together in Nashville. Even though the quantity of times like those is not nearly enough to meet my standards, I can honestly say that living far away from them has made me appreciate the quality of moments like that.

I wish I was rich enough to buy them all tickets out here so we could celebrate Jessica's birthday together again with some scrabble/picnic/wine/frizbee at Arrington Vineyards and surprise birthday serenades at Italian dinners. 

But instead, I'll just cherish the memories we have from last year and look forward to making more when I see them at Christmas time this year.

We also are wishing the happiest birthday to my not-so-baby-anymore sister Jessica Cherise. I kind of like her a LOT.