Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Another Perfect Day

It’s been awhile since both Casey and I have had a day off during the week to just get things done around the house.  It was wonderful to be home with my hubby, spending quality time other than the time we spend at night.  We spent the morning eating breakfast together, a new ritual we do every morning, with Casey enjoying his morning cup of coffee, that’s right he drinks coffee! We may need to get two coffee makers when Mr. Taylor makes his debut since we don’t agree on a flavor.  After that, Casey went to work for a little bit, and I stayed home sewing and decorating, two of my favorite pastimes.  Although I didn’t get any pictures of the Halloween decorations today, here are some of the fall decorations that we have welcoming guests on our front porch.

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I love the scarecrows, and it’s the first year we put up the corn stalks, a new favorite.  It is so festive to drive up and see all these decorations.  Now that the weather is getting somewhat cooler, it is beginning to actually feel like fall is coming.  It is crazy to think that this week last year, we had 2 1/2 inches of snow with an average temperature of 46 degrees!  This year, no snow in the forecast and an average temperature of 74!  Almost 30 degrees warmer!  What is going on?!  I can’t say that I am complaining, because I know what we have in store for us, but I am excited for the snow.  Maybe it is because as soon as the snow comes, I know that is just closer to when we will have our little one in our arms.  As many of you know, I love to sew now!  I am getting better with each project, and I love the way they turned out.  I have made 2 quilts for Taylor, and can’t wait to wrap him up in them!  They are so comfy and soft, and I feel accomplished that I actually made them.

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The other project we have been working on is the hallway up the stairs.  I have hated that hallway since we have moved in, never quite figuring out what to do with it.  I had the pictures that were on our tables at the wedding up the stairs, but I still didn’t really like it.  The color was boring, and I always find stairs hard to decorate over.  Well, we finally figured out what to do!  Casey chose this burnt orange color that looks great and brightens the hallway up.  We also ordered these canvas photos I have wanted since our wedding.  I was nervous to order them online, but when they came in the mail, I couldn’t have been more excited!  They turned out better than I could have imagined and will be ordering some newborn pictures when the time comes.  I am not sure if you can see them that well in the pictures, and the hallway isn’t quite finished being painted, but I couldn’t wait any longer to show how they look against the partially painted wall. 

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We also put a monogram up on the wall going down the stairs, which we will be putting baby pictures in!  Yes, it is an empty frame hanging up there now, but only for a little less than 3 months!  I can’t believe how fast time is flying, and I know the rest will go by even faster.  Less than 90 days.

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Until next time…enjoy fall, and everything else this season has to offer!  Can’t wait to see family in a month and a half!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Marathon Number 3

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A week ago, Casey ran his third marathon.  It was a beautiful Sunday morning, no rain or cold weather in sight.  It was the perfect setting.  Although he did not quite finish in the time that he had hoped, but he did run the first 18 miles at a 3:20 pace, which was a little better than last year,but that is where he hit “the wall.”  I am not quite sure what “the wall” is, but he and Pops assure me that there is one, and it is pretty hard to get over.  I must admit, I was sad when I saw him at mile 18 and he seemed a little disappointed, but at the same time I was so proud! How many people say they ran a marathon?  Then, how many people say they run a marathon every year?  There were still the usual characters running the race, a princess (fully decked out from a tiara to her princess dress), the barefoot runner, the body builders, and the dad pushing his disabled daughter in a running wheelchair.  Every time I go watch Casey run, I get the urge to start running more.  Well, this year, I decided I will definitely be running the Medtronic Twin Cities 10 mile.  I am so excited, and can’t wait to start training.  The course is so beautiful, hopefully I will be able to run the full marathon one day, but I will settle for the 10 mile, since I can’t start training until February.  It was great to be able to meet Casey on the course at 4 different stops with Pops, hopefully next year there will be some more people running the race, that means you Pops!  Until next time, hope you enjoy the photos of the most beautiful urban marathon in America!

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Mile 5, lookin’ good!

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Mile 26.2, can’t forget that 0.2, hurting a bit. :)

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All smiles afterwards.  Such a good sport.

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Monday, October 4, 2010

Oh How I Love Fall!

Since moving up to the northern tundra, one of my favorite things is the beauty of fall.  I love to decorate, I love the changing leaves, and I love that it is the start of the holiday season!  Keeping with our new fall ritual, we went to Banning State Park.  This year we had a wonderful visitor and were able to show him what our beautiful state offers. Here are some pictures of our hike.

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Until next time…