Autumn chills and gray skies

Maybe it's these rainy days, but I'm having a hard time keeping it together this week. Plans with friends have been falling through and every time I get on some form of social media I am reminded of home with pictures of the Wasatch mountains in Salt Lake City and they call to me. I miss home *so very much* and I can't wait until I can return. Even when gray clouds seem to follow me, Cora brings in the sunshine to warm my heart. We are always together and we never seem to tire of it. For naps, she falls asleep to the gentle touch of us holding and tickling hands. And as we bird watch together in the mornings she plays with my hair at the nape of my neck. She is pulling herself up on coffee tables and laps, it's so amazing to see her develop and learn her strength. Along with independence she also exhibits her complete dependence at times. I don't think I will be leaving her in nursery during church or bible study Wednesday mornings any longer. Her time of contentment gets shorter and shorter and I usually end up having to run up there to console her frantic tears. It's fine, she will just play near me during bible study until she is a little older.

Well thanksgiving is next week and we are looking forward to time to share a big yummy meal with friends. Hooray! Speaking of, I need to roast that sugar pumpkin we picked for homemade pumpkin pie. Mmm, it so much better when the pumpkin doesn't come from a can. (but its okay if it does too!) ... but its the best when its not :) Anyway, getting excited for the festivities and holidays this year especially since its the first for our little mouse! We have a little wooden nativity set for coco given to her from her godparents that I've been dying to put out. It's so sweet! I'll definitely be posting pics of that when the time comes. 

We love having a wood burning stove. Its hypnotic light spreads cozy all throughout the house and the smell of the fire outside is simply delightful. I'm happy to raise Cora up with the happiness of a real fire in the home. Something special we had growing up too. and I think she really likes it!

First little pony! (Had to throw this one in there) :)

{Home}

Well I guess we all get a little homesick from time to time. Mine never seems to go away ;) but that's alright I guess. Every new day is filled with more beauty and wonder than I can take in most the time so I really shouldn't be complaining. (but thanks for letting me) I think now I'll bake a big fat chocolate cake for dessert tonight. a quiet evening on a chilly gray night, with a warm fire, a hot drink and cake after supper sounds like a plan to me! :) 

First Halloween

So she may not even get a taste of candy til she's two but we're still going to dress her up and roam the streets of South City with friends, knocking on doors screaming "Trick or treat!". So thats what we did. It was thee *perfect* night to trick or treating. Winds blew yellow leaves all around, rain sprinkled the entire time, and the street lights gave off this eery green-yellow glow over all the kiddos and their parents. Jennie was a cheese to go with our little mouse, it was so cute!!

Coco got loads of chocolately goodness in her little bag and of course shared it all with us when we got home. We'll have to pay her back one day. :) We had a blast and we cant wait 'til next year to do it again!

That TAIL! :)

Hickory Dickory Dock ;)

Happy Halloween!!

{Home} is where the heart is

So Coco and I are FINALLY in Salt Lake City, UT visiting my family and in-laws. Ugh, it's been SO wonderful being back home seeing my dear sisters and my mum and pop and my sweet sweet in-laws and other friends! and of course everyone has fallen in love with Cora if they weren't already ;)

we went to a friends house today to pick up some eggs from her chickens. (Raw egg yolks from pastured chickens (only) are one of the best first foods for babies.) and then we went up big cottonwood canyon near our house to see the changing leaves. Cora really enjoyed the fresh air and the silver lake. It was absolutely beautiful out. oh and afterwards, we discovered coco loves to dance to disco. random but super cute!! :)

Happy Autumn!!

A Country Getaway

Every year, we have a tradition of spending a long weekend in the beautiful countryside with our good friends (and Cora's godparents) at a B&B on a working farm. This weekend is also the "Pecan Festival" for the town, which we really enjoy. It was a special little vaca because it was the first time getting to take the wee little one, and she loved it!

The countryside was, as always, so relaxing. It was warm with cool breezes (as you can see from the photo above) and the milky way and all the millions of stars were *breathtaking*. Jonathan got to herd the cattle with Matt (a friend and farmer of the estate) which was fun. We dined out, and ate plenty of sweets at Katilynn's (Matt's daughter and owner of the deli and ice cream shop) and simply enjoyed all the quaint festivities of the small town.

Of course we took advantage of the photo op in front of the worlds largest pecan just for kicks and giggles. Oh and we may have entered Cora into the cutest baby contest. (What?!?) The real surprise is that she didn't win!! How is THAT possible? We think the judges were biased against big city babies cause she was clearly the cutest baby in town :)

Our other friends we visit while we are there are the Harpers and they set up a face painting booth at the festival (along with selling apples, raw honey, and organic popcorn with brewers yeast) We always love getting to play with their 7 children, they are so incredibly sweet.

We are already looking forward to next year when Cora is a bit older and able to run around in the fields and play more interactively with the other children. However we had such a relaxing time and were so blessed by all our friendships and company there. so until next year, we are back to the sirens and the busy streets, the big city we love and that we call home. Thanks for reading!