Our Life in Pictures

Here is a picture update of what we have been up to lately!

Enjoying our sweet puppy (and watching football)

Homemade Pad Thai date with my Dad

Loving when this sweet girl curls up into a ball

Josh got involved in a 4 mile run to support Bullying Prevention through work

At the very end

Seriously... Can't resist taking a picture

Avery can't help but to stand on me at every opportunity

We put Avery into an outfit my parents bought for her when she was very young.  It is way too small, and she can't walk while wearing it.  Poor girl!

Josh and I won tickets in the Wicked lottery! Highlight of the month (maybe life?)!

Proudly wearing out buttons!

I made a pie after we went to the apple orchard.  Since we were already in the Stillwater area for the apples, we decided to check out a State Park in the area.  We now have an annual pass to the state parks if anyone wants to hit them up with us.  We are going to try camping next summer, yikes!

After chasing flies one day, Avery discovered that she liked to lay on top of the couch like a cat.  She doesn't lay like this much, but she still goes up there to look out the window.

We made some new shelves for the bathroom.  Our bathroom is TINY and has no vanity, so no storage.  This was our solution.  I am still working on "styling" the selves.  Josh suggested a reed diffuser... ha!

We did some dog-sitting.  This is about as close as they got to each other, just long enough to take a picture.  Avery LOVES Montana.  He is not quite as sure about her.  Although, the more time he spends around her, he seems to be getting used to her energy... or he just gave up.

Apple orchard!  Crossed "hay ride" off the bucket list.

Avery supporting her Uncle Chase.  As my mom and I like to say, Go 'Boys!

Avery starts puppy school tonight and we are going to the Cirque show tomorrow.  This weekend is Concordia's homecoming.  It will be the first time I am back and the first time Josh will get to see the new Business School.  Next weekend we are heading to Florida.  Big things coming up!

Friday Fun Time

TGIF!  I had a super busy day at work today (not!), so I got a little creative over my lunch time.  I saw a sign like this in Portland when I was there for work, but it said "he" instead of "she," so I didn't get it.  I decided to make my own.

I'm not even sure where I would/will put this, but I just couldn't resist.  I made it in the colors of our living room.  Maybe on one of the windows facing outside or above her toy basket....

Tough decisions after a really tough week (this time no sarcasm).

Fall Decor

Inspired by Pinterest, I made us a new wreath.  It has flowers attached with Velcro so we can change them out for the seasons.  It was very simple to make with hot glue.

I also made a fall bunting. It says Happy Fall with leaves in between.  I know its hard to see, but you get the idea.

We have been on a fall role here.  We made pumpkin pancakes for dinner and pumpkin bread is currently in the oven.  Big plans this weekend for the fall bucket list, stay tuned!

Grocery Shopping and Fall Bucket List

Ever since my mom's bad experience with SuperValu, I have been a little anti- Cub Foods.  To be honest, there wasn't much reason to be pro-Cub at the time any way.  However, they have really been bringing it lately!

We went last night and scored some major deals.  We did a little stocking up on chilli supplies (tomatoes and beans), got our regular groceries, and some treats.  Our bill came to $125.  After all the weekly ad store coupons (and one manufacturer coupon) we got our total down to $85. Not too shabby!  If you are looking for the basics and are willing to be flexible with what is on sale, I highly recommend checking Cub out.

We also made a final call on the Fall Bucket List
1. Have a bonfire (just got a fire bowl on craigslist, score!)
2. Carve a pumpkin (hoping to get a carving worthy pumpkin in our farm share)
3. Have a fall photoshoot (we are having a friend from grad school do this for us.  Ashley Christine photography, check her out!)
4. Go on a leaf walk (hopefully somewhere pretty, like Stillwater or Duluth)
5. Make caramel apples (one of my favorite things that I somehow miss making/having most years)
6. Go on a hay ride (I am obsessed with hay rides and haven't been on one in SO long)
7. Watch Hocus Pocus (I can't remember the last time I watched this movie. It's time to see it again)

We are hoping to get all of these things done and have already made a bit of progress on some of them since we decided on our list.

p.s. I did end up cutting my hair. I got about 6 inches cut off the back and about 4 or so off the front (it is slightly inverted).  I am also back to brunette.

Long Overdue Update

We have had a fun last few weeks.  The Thursday before labor day, we got to go to the state fair.  Josh was able to get free tickets from work, so he met me at the Hamline Back to School Bash and then we went over to the fair.  Unfortunately, traffic was out of control, so it took him over 2 hours to drive home and then over to Hamline.  This cut into our fair time a bit, but that's ok.  Josh got his annual pronto pup and I had my dole whip.

Over labor day weekend, we made the drive to Lincoln, Nebraska for Chase's college football debut.  It was a very fun game!  It was also 100000000 degrees out, so we were very sweaty.

When we got back on Sunday, we experienced a 30 degree temperature drop.  This made me feel SO cold, so I decided to make chilli.  We used the veggies from our farm share to jazz it up.

I also decided to take advantage of the awesome Michael's coupon last week to get some crafting supplies.  I made us a new wreath and a "bunting" of sorts.  If we ever get a computer again, I will do a tutorial.  It was super easy.

YUCK ALERT: Another thing I never thought I would be into is dog poop.  Avery was sick right after the 4th of July with a parasite (I.e. explosive diarrhea).  Ever since this, I have been watching her poop like a hawk.  On Wednesday night after work, I noticed that she had diarrhea again, but I didn't think much of it.  On Thursday when I got home, she pooped 3 times in 10 minutes, all liquid.  When I went to explore, they all had blood at the end of them.  Josh got home a few minutes later, and we ran her to the vet.  This is honestly the worst experience we have ever had at our vet.  We called before we left, so they were expecting us and knew what was wrong with her.  Right behind the check in counter, there is a sign that says "sick or injured patients will be seen first."  Well, we waited for over 40 minutes, watching others come in and leave for basic checkups.  I was so mad.  Turns out she had an over growth of bacteria in her intestine (which can be caused by anything).  Who knew that could make a dog poop blood.  Here's to hoping these two illnesses mean she will be healthy the rest of her life.  She has her last round of shots this week and we are going to talk to the vet about getting her spayed.  She also has her first grooming appointment this week.  She is getting to be such a big girl!

After getting to see my grandparents on Thursday night, we took my parent's dog home with us because they were all going to Laramie to see my brother (he got to play this week, no fair!) On Friday night, we got to spend some time with friends and catch up.  I get to be a bridesmaid next summer for one of my oldest friends, so I'm pumped for that!

On Saturday morning, we set off for Marshall to visit Josh's family.  We hadn't seen them for about 6 months, so it was good to see our nephews and catch up.  Avery did SO well with the boys.  Josh and I were both thrilled, because you never know how a dog, let alone a puppy will react to kids.

Avery had her last puppy shot today and we scheduled her spaying appointment.  She is growing up so fast!

"Ranch dressing"

Ok y'all. New obsession.

Greek yogurt+ranch dressing powder+vinegar

I first tried this as a dressing for cucumber salad.  You know, that summertime joy of sliced cucumbers mixed with onions, peppers, and anything else you have on hand. Even Josh loved it!  That is high praise from this guy.

I even tried it on a romaine lettuce salad tonight. Delicious!  I can't really give a recipe, I just kind of play it by ear. You will not regret trying this, I promise.

Headed to NE this weekend to watch the bro play football.  Hopefully I don't melt...

Quick Sunday Project: Linen Closet

On Sunday, Josh was volunteering, so Avery and I were home alone for a few hours. A few weeks ago we picked up some bins on sale at Target. I knew I wanted them to do some reorganization, but I hadn't had any time yet.  Sunday was the perfect day.

I took everything out, got rid of old stuff, and sorted into more logical groupings. I used the new and existing bins to make everything neat and tidy.  I am still looking for a solution for the sheets and towels, so any suggestions are welcome.

It's nothing special, but hopefully it will work better.