It's time for another update. Words first, pictures later.

Where does the time go, anyway? I don't know.

Ryan sent me this link awhile back, and it helps to explain the phenomenon we all experience as we get older-- that of time going seemingly faster each and every year.

I can remember "summer vacation" feeling like an eternity when I was a kid. Now, the summer months run by me in what feels like the space of a week.

Check it out by clicking here...

Crazy, isn't it! I'm no math extraordinaire, but the percentages in this theory make sense.

Anyway, that's my way of making an excuse as to why I haven't updated in several months ;)

This Summer
It has been lovely, but to be repetitive, it just flew by. I can't believe it's almost October, to be honest (tomorrow!) As I wrote about in my last post, Madison in the Summer is a lot of fun. While Fall time announces the inevitable brutal WI winter ahead, I am actually looking forward to being here for the first time to experience Madison in the Fall. I hear it's beautiful. I guess I've also seen it, too... but that was just for a weekend last year. Now I get to live here and see the trees change into millions of colors and make some time on the weekends to get out and enjoy it.

Back to the summer... it was a fun mix of family & friends visiting Madison, Ryan & I heading back to Central IL for family events, a trip with his family to the Creation Museum / Ark Encounter, and several weekends back here just relaxing and hanging with friends. The great thing about living around here is that I feel like every time we go out, there is always a new place to try for dinner! In fact, I started a running list because I keep hearing about new places! As a girl who loves adventure, experiencing new places, and of course-- eating-- this has been great! It's also nice to find our local favorites, as well as places we can take family & friends when they come visit. We also purchased a new vehicle! This meant I had to say good-bye to my beloved beetle... more sentiments will be included with the pictures.

What's Ahead
I'm also not looking forward to early snow and freezing cold temps, but we have a couple trips planned for this Fall/Winter. We are really going to have fun out West at the end of this year!

For starters, several months ago we planned a trip for end of October to head out to Arizona. I have so many fun childhood memories there over the years of visiting my family and staying in the cabin up North in Oak Creek Canyon. I also have planned a couple of fun girls trips in the past so know all the best places to eat, shop, hike, and be entertained! So I thought it would be fun to take Ryan out that way. We'll stay with my aunt & uncle and also enjoy the cabin for a few days. I can't wait!

We also talked about planning an anniversary trip, and after settling on California (and then San Diego area), we were recommended a place to stay right on the beach. However, the only available dates left were right after Christmas through the beginning of the year, SO... I think that will be a lot of fun! I have heard really great things about the SD area. Very beautiful, lots to do, and lovely temps that time of year. I mean, I don't think we'll be beaching it every day, but mid-60s and sunshine will be a welcome break to what we'll be used to come December!

I'm also excited about other fun activities coming up in October / November, but I'll hopefully blog about those after they happen with some pictures. I don't want to spoil all the fun yet!

How About Some Pictures?
Onto the visual part of the post... I'll commentate as I share...

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

   

 

  

Aunt Connie and Uncle Joe (my Arizonian aunt & uncle) were here for a visit... while I was in Central IL, I got to dine with them one evening outdoors at One World.
 

  

 

 

 

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

And it's P Fest time! I can't believe it! I came down to Central IL a couple days early for some photo shoots and to have some fun at the festival till Ryan could join us. Started my trip off having lunch with my mom and sisters. 

 

 

Are you a cookie person or a pumpkin pie person? 

The magic of the P Fest... 

Dad and his girls! 

 

 

 

 

 

Skyping with our new little niece, Mirielle and Gretchen all the way in India! She's such a sweetie!


Back the next weekend for some time with the Knepp family. This included the annual Fall cookout and campfire pies-- something new to me. They are absolutely delicious! Pizza ingredients inside of buttered bread and toasted till melted... I could eat this every night. 

 

 

 

 

 

Last week was my first trip to the Trader Joe's in Madison... and my first real trip there as an adult. Why didn't anyone tell me how magical this place is? I may now need to go every week.



Iced nitro coffee and lemon scones-- just a glimpse of some of the delectable things I eat on afternoons when I need to be productive, but working from home just isn't doing it. Somehow the caffeine and kick of sugar and change of scenery seems to help!

I'm not making any promises this time of when I will be back... because that never seems to work! So instead, I'll wish you a great day, week, and hope to see you soon!

T