Holiday Spirit

Guess what?!? I am posting from our new computer! We got a new computer last weekend and could not be happier.  We even got a better deal on it than all the Black Friday sales.  And we didn't even have to shop on Thanksgiving.

Cherry Shortbread and Chocolate Covered Cherry cookies

We have been slowly working up to Christmas around here.  Gradual decorating, baking, shopping.  I can't believe that our Christmas party and Christmas with Josh's family is already almost here.  We are almost done getting everything we need.

Our major Black Friday deal!

We were so looking forward to our first long weekend at home in so long.  It has been pretty amazing so far.  On Wednesday, we stayed at home cleaning and making cookies.  Yesterday we spent the day at my aunt and uncle's house with family.  Avery had so much fun and she has been sleeping all day to make up for how tired she got playing non-stop.

Avery with Grandma and Grandpa

We did get up at 4am this morning to do some Black Friday shopping.  I have to say, it was one of my best experiences yet.  We started at the Home Depot by our house.  They let us inside to wait for the store to open and they gave us breakfast and hot cocoa (coffee for the coffee drinkers).  The customers and employees were so pleasant!  After getting everything we wanted there (even though the list wasn't long), we took off for Menards.  This time we had to wait outside in the cold for 40 minutes.  There were so many more people and they were not nearly as friendly.  I have never had good luck at Menards on Black Friday, but we got everything on our list (and a bit more).  Plus, we got this gem.  I have always been against these fake fireplaces, but we neededa space heater and this was cheaper or the same price and any we found.  A little ambiance?

Don't mind the laundry basket, or when I'm trying to roast mallows in the future...

Tomorrow, we will be going to Feed My Starving Children with our new church and then watching my brother's game.  Hopefully we will be able to get a little prep for our party in as well.  On Sunday, the Vikings play the Bears, so we will definitely be watching that game.

I am getting out of control exciting for the Christmas festivities!  Can't wait :)

Vacation and Surgery Recovery

Can't believe it has almost been a month again!  That month was mostly spent prepping for vacation, being on vacation, and recovering from vacation.

Before vacation, we had the chance to see the Cirque du Soleil show in town.  It was good, but not as acrobatic as the first show I saw.  Overall, a little disappointing, but still cool.  

We also had the chance to head north for Concordia's homecoming. It was nice to see friends and family.

When we got back, Avery had her first haircut.  We were a little nervous because my parents have had so many problems with Montana, and they have a similar look.  It turned out great though and we will definitely be special requesting the same person.

On the 19th of October, we took off for Tampa for the week.  We had a good time checking out the beaches and ocean and relaxing.  It was our first vacation since starting our "new" jobs.

For Halloween, we were the justice league (minus a few).  Josh was Superman, I was Bat Girl and Avery was Wonder Woman.

Today, Avery got spayed.  She made it through like a champ, but she is very out of it.  We will be taking it easy this weekend to help her recover.

Also, GOOD NEWS!  We should be getting our new computer soon, so hopefully I will get back to posting more!

Bucket List Progress

Here is the progress we have made on our bucket list so far:

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)

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.