It's that time again!

I used to say I was strictly a 'summer person.' Winter was too cold, fall meant school was starting and spring was just wet and rainy....and I was still in school. Summer meant freedom, late nights and even later mornings. The possibilities for fun were endless, all you needed to worry about was your part-time job, and how far away the first day of school was.

 Now, as an adult in the 'real world',  I will hands down say the fall season is my absolute favorite. I remember those back-to-school blues I would have as a student, but I was forgetting that delicious feeling of  excitement walking into school with your summer tan and new clothes, looking for that crush from the year before (that would be you, Chris).  

The summer heat? No, thanks; give me sweatshirt weather every day for the rest of my life, and I'm set. Not to mention the smells of fall! Last year, I bought a TON of Bath and Body Works soaps in all my favorite smells: apple, cinnamon, cinnamon apple, pumpkin, cinnamon pumpkin, apple pumpkin, spice, cinnamon spice, apple spice, pumpkin spice (you get the picture). Fun fact: I NEVER changed these scents all year. If you washed your hands at my house in June...they smelled of Pumkin Spice.  

In honor of my favorite season, here's what I love about fall: 

1. The changing leaves:

See the leaves on the ground? 

Can't you just FEEL crisp, brisk air?

This tree is in my neighbor's yard, but I love the colors it proudly shows us each year.

2. Fall Festivals:

This is Chris and his family at Apple Butter Makin' Days (and yes, it's spelling makin' not making'), in Mt. Vernon. It's an annual tradition we go, and my mother-in-law would disown us if we didn't, but I wouldn't DREAM of missing it...one of the delicacies you can buy is  frozen chocolate covered cheesecake- I go into a diabetic coma each fall from this treat.  

3. Birthday-palooza:

Fall is filled with birthdays of family members from my Grandpa (in early September), and Grandmere (in late september), to my love of my life, Chris, my brother Christian and my mother-in-law, Kelly:

Christian, on his 6th birthday, the dimples kill me.

My Grandmere's birthday last year. We hosted our own "Cocktails and Canvases" party. 

4. Of course, I can't bring up Fall without bringing up the sport that overtakes my every Sunday, and Monday, and Thursday (and that's just the NFL), FOOTBALL:

Chiiieeefffsss!

5. The return of sweater weather. It's not quite "jacket weather" but you would be better off to wear some sleeves, or your favorite hoodie.

It also doesn't hurt if you're really really really ridiculously good looking.

6. Halloween! Which means costumes! Can you tell I'm excited! By my exclamations!? I love every kind of costume: from little babies dressed as lions or mermaids, to a store bought power ranger suit. I even appreciate the girls who dress up by NOT dressing up, or make Alice in Wonderland look absolutely scandalous. No, really! I do! If  a girl can squeeze into those outfits AND brave the October chill, more power to her. I, however, opt for a different option:

The Hamburglar from old school McDonalds. 

7. I can now appreciate the Back to School feeling...even if it makes taking my squishy face baby brother to college (it's REALLY easy to appreciate back to school when you are NOT going back to school):

I miss you, Roo!

8.  Fall decorations make me happy. 

My friend, Amber, and I decorated this pumpkin for her front porch, last Friday. We spray painted the pumpkin black, once it dried, we put lace over it and spray painted gold.....turned out pretty darn awesome if you ask me!!

9.  I can't mention fall without talking about MY favorite thing: 

 ....and that is pie. 

This was my first attempt, homemade crust and all, but now that it's fall I can 'practice' making one every weekend in the name of perfection....right?! Yes? Good answer.

So even though this is officially over:

and this, unfortunately, is right around the corner:

We still have fall!

I gotta go guys, I'm running low on soap.

When in Rome

We went to the Kansas City Art Fair last weekend. The entire plaza shuts down, and the streets are filled with food from AMAZING restaurants, art from some creative (or crazy) minds, and people from all walks of life. Although, at one point, a balloon popped loudly, and you heard the collective gasp of the crowd. It even scared me. I immediately grabbed Chris' arm and yelled a curse word. Then I immediately went to find  bathroom, but those two things aren't related (lie). 

It  was SO CROWDED, in a good way, but it took forever to find a place to park and actually make our way into the art fair (herding cats!). But once we were finally on our way, we could feel the excitement and fun just waiting for us:

We did make time to stop and capture some memories:

But when Christian saw this amazing piece of artwork:

(It's supposed to be a better shot of Kermit puppeteering Jim Henson's head, but I was being jostled a bit by the crowd. Still, you get the idea! )

He had to sit and calm himself down!

"Did you guy's see it?! Did you?! DID YOU?!"

Well, his excitement was either spotting the Kermit picture, or watching this guy eating fire:

I'm still not sure if I'm freaked out or impressed by this bejeweled Octopus:

I just decided: Freaked out. It's the doll eyes.

I wish I could show you a picture of the delicious food we ate, but I was too busy....eating.

If you haven't been to the Kansas City Art Fair, I highly recommend you make the trip. 

And even though this guy didn't come with us, because he's in college now and college kids don't hang out with their sister on a Saturday afternoon at a perfectly good art fair, we still had a blast.

                      

ANDREW! Why do you reject my love!?

But not everyone who was left at home was happy, especially this Boxer:

"But! But! But! Why would you leave me?! Whyyy? You know how I feel about art!"

When we returned home Sunday I apologized to Layla for not bringing her with us. 

I promised she could attend next year, but only if she wore this: 

....and let me carry her around like this:

Unfortunately, she declined.

That really happened...

Yup, that's me...fishing my iphone out of the toilet.

Rest in Peace, phone. You were a loyal and noble friend to me, and will be missed. 

360

I made cheesy rice for dinner tonight. I am not really sure how much 1 serving is, but I do know I eat the rice I put on my plate..... and then take more bites straight from the sauce pan every time I walk by it until I decide to put it away.  That being said, I feel very full and am currently laying on the couch in stretchy pants. I've been laying here for awhile, on Chris' lap, and wanted to share my 360 degree view with you....

Hello, Christian. You are straight ahead of me and slightly amused at the television show.

Can you guess who is to my right?

Betty! 

You look very comfortable sitting on your perch! Right after I took this she left me for Chris' lap, obviously she doesn't like her picture taken when she hasn't fully brushed her fur.....

I have to REALLY turn my head to see this handsome view:

 

And to round out the 360 view:

Yes, that is a budweiser sign being displayed on our fireplace. 

Chris insisted it has to stay there during his birthday month.

 Chris asked what I was doing; and when I told him I was taking pictures of a 360 degree view, 

he said, ''Here, take a picture of this!":

and he plugged my nose.

THEY SAY IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!

Birthdays are a BIG deal in our family.  My dad is REALLY into celebrating birthdays, and my mom always does a fantastic job of making it a grand event, complete with decorations, balloons, and an amazing cake of some kind (Ice cream cake for this girl). Naturally, with this as my example, I can't help but LOVE birthdays. Last Saturday, this little chipmunk face turned 29 years old:

I love that this little face turned into this handsome man:

We decided to get small group together and celebrate his day of birth with our favorite pastime.....

BOWLING! What else is there!? 

Before we left we took some pictures to get us in the party mood.

All of our kindred spirits were there, and we took the opportunity capture the memories:

 My dad gave his 'son-in-law and one of his best friends' a very sweet toast that we all heartily agreed with. The next day, I was kicking myself for not remembering to sing "For he's a jolly good fellow" at the top of my lungs like they do in old movies!

He was so focused when he made his wish, he even closed his eyes. 

 And let the bowling fun begin!!

 Mack you look like you're saying: "NO! Don't take a  picture! At least wait until it's a strike!" 

Hey you nailed that one pin! 

Christian was not pleased with his bowling at that moment.

However, I have perfect form:

You'd think having perfect form would ensure strike after strike....I can assure you, it does not. 

One of my all time faves, Gretchen, I think my mom said: "Girls! Turn and smile!" which is why this photo has that awkward feel to it. We were actually having an in-depth conversation that solved at least 3 of the world's problems before this candid shot, you're welcome.

Love this girl. She might be one of the sweetest, prettiest, nicest people on the planet. Hi, Amber!

Can you see the butterfly tattoo on my hand? It FINALLY came off today, maybe because I showered?

And these two....

best friends for life. 

We had to include the sibling shot (minus Andrew who is away at college *tear)

Chris and his pretty sister, Amanda:

They don't look like they could be related at all!! Just kidding, they totally do. 

Even in her candid: "I'm sorry! Were you talking to me?" pose, Gretchen looks faboosh. 

The conversations were flowing, 

As well as the good times:

Hi girls! Love the shirt, Whit!

Finally, I was able to herd all the cats into place for a picture with the birthday boy:

Girls too:

Are you wondering if Chris had a great time? 

I think that can be answered by this picture:

The birthday King has surveyed the land, and is quite pleased with his birthday celebration.