Autumn

Saturday was one of the most perfect fall days. 

And Nate and I decided we were going to make the very most of it. 

Here is how we did just that:

Free Waffle Love for breakfast

A trip to the petting zoo at the pumpkin patch

       

                      

Pumpkin picking

Pumpkin carving

and

Caramel Apple Cider cookie baking

(Ron Swanson and a "boo"-tiful jack-o-lantern)

It was a day that, in looking back upon it, was the very definition of Autumn, 

 and Autumn has always been my favorite.

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

-Anne of Green Gables

Lately Around Here

A lot has been going on around here lately. A lot, and also not so much.  All of that "a lot" and "not so much" though has added up to a very wonderful, very happy life that I live.

And here are just a few things that make it so very happy and wonderful.

Bridal showers and flowers that live for THREE weeks....

Football games and Farkle... 

Crafts and Conference....

Wedding receptions, corn mazes, and yes-more football....

And all these things-they are making my life pretty wonderfully happy.

"Sisters I testify that the Lord has a plan for each of our lives. Nothing that happens is a shock or a surprise to Him. He is all-knowing and all-loving."

-Sister Reeves

These words were some of my favorite spoken at the General Relief Society broadcast this last Saturday night. Just think about this for a moment-----

"nothing that happens is shock or a surprise to Him."

How beautiful,

How happy,

How perfect,

to know that someone much wiser than I has a plan for my life, and for what I can become.

And I can't wait to learn more about that plan this weekend.

A House Divided

Yep it's true. I cheer for the blue. However those boys in red, and especially their awesome coach still have a special place in my heart.

They have my families whole heart though. Making our family a little bit divided.

This year though we proved that a house divided can still stand, and that makes me one happy girl.

Even if my boys in blue lost.

Glad I got to be with this lady

Dad doing the game ball give away with Elder Bednar

The Red, White and Blue....

Between Jamal's injury and BYU's devastating loss Nate and I had a lot to be sad about that night...

But actually we were still pretty happy, after all it's football season! 

Ho Hey

Now, I'm not trying to sound like a hipster, but I loved the Lumineers long before they were cool. I discovered them through a blog-and watched a few youtube clips of them. I purchased their album immediately, and it became the soundtrack to my 2011 Summer.

And a couple weeks back a dream came true and I got to see them live! There was something magical about being out on the shore of the Great Salt Lake, the fall breeze coming in, listening to some amazing musicians bear their souls through song.

Sadly-there was some crazy wind the night of the concert, and the Lumineers only made it through five songs before they got kicked off due to weather, and safety concerns. I was heartbroken to have it cut so short but for the time they did play they sounded absolutely wonderful. So even though it wasn't for very long-I'm sure glad I got to hear them perform.

It was seriously the most stunning view for a concert

 Nathanial Rateliff

 Dr. Dog

 So glad I got to go with my dear friend Allison

 The Lumineers

"I don't gamble but if I did I would bet on us. 

Like the dead Sea 

You told me I was like the Dead Sea 

You'll never sink when you are with me 

Oh like the Dead Sea

Whoa I'm like the dead sea

The finest words you ever said to me

Honey can't you see, 

I was born to be, be your Dead Sea."

Fall Favorites

Some of the very best parts of fall are back in full swing....

Football games....

Pumpkin bagels....

and

Rainy evenings full of fall reading...

I've been enjoying mine by wearing sweaters (my office is freezing!), escaping to Park City, and creating a fall bucket list. I hope yours has been as happy as mine so far!

PS. Look who I ran into at the game!

All I Want is a Bouquet of Newly Sharpened Pencils..

"Don't you just love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address."

Ever since I first heard this line I've had some crazy day dream fantasy about receiving a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils as grand gesture to usher in the season that I hold most dear and near to my heart. Call me Kathleen Kelly.

I just live for the fall. I come alive in the fall. I am most me in the fall.

And although it is technically still Summer in so many ways-the biggest that it is only August-it is fall in my heart.

I've watched You've Got Mail. I'm in an e-bay bidding war for a new Vera Bradley planner. I'm seeking out stationary and pencils. I'm eyeing my cardigans with eager anticipation. I'm craving pumpkin bagels. And today I started working my first ever grown up job-thus ending my summer, and summer as I've known it thus far in life.

So for me-it's Fall. And I must say that if one season had to come early this year-I'm sure glad it's this one.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a little Fall Bucket List to create. Enjoy the rest of your summer!