Tastes of Fall

So my best friend showed up a few weeks ago.  You might know her, her name is Autumn.  She's pretty darn cool.  I love her visiting and am always so sad when she leaves us.  While she is hanging out with us we make the best of it!

Before Miss Piper, hanging with Autumn included lots of just sitting around with adult beverages and begging and pleading my husband to go to the farms and pumpkin patches with me.  Only to go there and watch other families laugh and make memories with their precious kiddos and feel a tang of jealousy every once in a while.  Now, it was my turn!  Dude, Autumn and I have been kicking bootay this year.

 That's a whole thing filled with corn kernels.  Hello awesomeness.  Nice to meet you sensory learning activity.

 Runnin' thru the corn maze.

 Yup, she caught a corn kernel coming down the shoot.  Nice fine motor skills there, kid!

 As Piper says, "Vroom" and "Beep Beep!"

 I spy with my little eye...a Dada and Piper!

 Mommy, Piper and Auntie Christy.  In Piper words "Auntie Christy" becomes "Thchithyyy".  Loves it.

 Jeremy, where did you go!?

 Uncle Matt, Piper and Auntie.

While driving she kept waving to all the people we passed.  She also kept saying, "Come on!  Come on!" and couldn't understand why in the world they weren't on the ride, too!

Nicely played, Autumn.  A weekend to remember!

*I would also like to add that I have been noticing all the pictures I take, my child is either refusing to smile or looking away.  I seriously hope she doesn't hate the camera like her father does.  Fingers crossed it's just a phase.  I swear, she really is a happy camper!:)

FaLlin' InTo FaLl

We are now in my most favorite season in the entire year.  October and November are my favorite months in the year.  I am like a kid in a candy store right now.

Halloween.  Crisp mornings.  Turning the AC off and letting a breeze blow through the windows.  Cinnamon apple candles.  Caramel apples.  Evening strolls.  Pumpkin patches.  Roasting marshmallows.  Carving pumpkins.  Roasting pumpkin seeds.  Trips to Flag to watch the leaves change.  Sweater, boots and leg warmers.  Pie.  Candied nuts.  The colors yellow, brown and orange everywhere you turn.  Sweet blissful Autumn.

This year I decided to regularly call this beautiful season Autumn because it's just that kind of year.  The word Fall needs to be fancied up this time around.  It needs to be given the credit it deserves by being called a beautiful name.

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This picture is totally random but I love it too much to not share.  It's even framed in Piper's room.  These are a few of my students from a few years back, Jack and Jordyn.  We have become such good friends and Piper has known her all her life.  Ever since she was 3 months, she has always lOvEd Jack. She adores him and wants to do everything he does.  This picture just wraps it all up for me.  Her leaning on him for support, her hand on his shoulder while he teaches her how to drive the race car game.  Looks like Miss Piper has found her first boyfriend;)  And we approve!!!

The Bigger the Better!

As my cousins and I get older things are bound to happen.  Boyfriends, engagements, weddings, babies and a whole lot in between.  It is so interesting being the older of the cousins.  There is such a big age difference and my youngest cousin, Mary, who is now in middle school {cue gasp}.  With all the cousins, starting at me pushin' 30 to the youngest in middle school there's a lot of differences with where we are in our lives.  

I have already gotten married and had a baby, my sister has gotten married, cousins are now in college, graduating high school and generally growing up.  

Sometimes it's hard because, being the oldest, I don't feel like the "cool" cousin I sometimes felt I was-crap, I can't talk the talk anymore, it's just so "cray", hahahaha.  I feel ridiculous even writing that.  And my cousins probably have no idea or can relate to having a career and balancing a personal/family life while raising a child.  

I will say, that with all those differences there is a lot of similarities, too.  The first one I want to bring up is so corny, but honestly, it's the truth.  I feel that we will do anything for each other when all is said and done.  We all love each other.  When we finally get together, which is hard nowadays with everyones crazy lives, you can just sense the love through the laughter and silly glances...we can all have conversations with each other by just exchanging glances by the way:)  

Another thing is that we are comfortable with each other.  We have known each other our whole lives and it shows.  We are comfortable enough to snuggle on the couch while watching movies, share food off plates, say whatever comes to mind even if the possibility of offending someone may arise and comfortable with our appearances with each other.  Sweat pants to family functions?  Uh, duh!!

As we cousins grow up, naturally, our family is growing.  Bringing spouses and babies into the picture.  Friggin' babies people!  It is still surreal that we aren't little kiddies sitting outside eating popcorn and ice cream at grandma and grandpas house while grandpa smokes his cigar and the guys grill.  Now, it's the second wave of cousins.  Piper was the first and Mr. Brayden will be the next.  Now, let me tell you, my cousins-we are all girls.  So, to have a young MAN join the cousin group is the most amazing thing ever!  We can't wait for his arrival and to love on him like crazy.  Poor guy is going to be surrounded by older lady cousins that will be fighting for his attention all the time:)

I can't wait to see the next generation of cousins grow up together and go on vacations together like we did growing up.  Make memories and even when they are separated for decent amounts of time, come together like they were never apart.  Support each other and have a good time together.  Lots o love!

 Cousins with the Grama.  Also known as, the coolest damn lady you could ever meet.:)