Fun Fall Festivities

I guess we are a little behind on updating the blog! No big news from Little Rock, but we have had a pretty fun fall season! Ella loved helping Mike hand out candy on Halloween. Mike's parents came down for a visit and we threw our first big party. We were able to make it home for a quick Thanksgiving trip, followed by some tradition filled Christmas Decorating. There are a lot of pictures this time. Enjoy!

Fall Mantle!

My handyman!

Old faucet...

...new faucet.

Hahaha! Ella and Ellie playing.

Ella jumped through the window to get a squirrel.

 Tyler Texas Half Marathon

Ready to run!

Finished in a rose garden. :)

Halloween

So helpful...

Party time!

Runway beer pong table. 

Margarita Jello shots!

Tacoma for Thanksgiving. The kids were so good with Ella!

Mike was Jack's "crane".

Olivia loves Uncle Brian!

Decorating for Christmas back in Little Rock.

I make her do this every year.
She loves it.

Summertime Summertime Sum Sum Summertime!

Whew! We have been busy the last few months! In mid-July we took a week long trip up to Montana. I completed my first half marathon with my Mom (yay!) Running in a cool, dry climate on a flat course feels so amazing! It really makes me hate running in the hot humid summer here in Arkansas. (Actually this summer hasn't been to bad compared to the last two we've been here for. A lot less hot, but still as humid.) After the race in Missoula we all headed back to Great Falls for some adventures in Big Sky Country. We went to Virginia City, an old west gold mining town with  a lot of old fashioned shops and historical buildings. From Virginia City my parents headed off on their own road trip vacation and we headed back to Great Falls. On the way we stopped at the Museum of the Rockies to see the Dinosaur exhibit! Back in Great Falls we spent some good pinochle playing time with the family, went to a baseball game, and floated the river! The pup loved being out at the ranch, but she wasn't too sure about those horses...

Here at home we have been pretty busy. Mike started J school at the end of July. The 130J is the newer model of the same plane he was flying before. The Super Herk. :) He is enjoying getting to play in a shiny new toy, but that night schedule is starting to take it's toll. I have been working a few more hours this month and working in the mornings means we have opposite schedules, but the night schedule will only last for a few months.

We finally got blinds for our skylight! Now we can turn the ceiling fan on during the day without getting that strobe light effect! Other than that we have just been fitting in some summery activities! Barbecuing, some volleyball at the park, getting up early to run before it gets hot. With Fall just around the corner I have been working on fall decoration and I can't wait to put them up!

Enjoy the pictures!

Ella's not too sure about the goats either.

Staying close to Papa.

Here we go!

4:30 am When we had to get on the bus to go to the start line.

Free beer!

Feeding the goats.

Riding the horses.

Sophie's helping out.

Virginia City!

Sometimes Ella makes the best audience.

New skylight blinds!

Date night!

Breakfast?

Mishmash of Summer Activities!

We have been making the most of this summer, doing all sorts of different things! Vince was able to make a quick weekend trip out to visit. Things have been so slow at work that I have had more time off than usual. I have spent a lot of time trying out new recipes and planning some day trips. :) Mike had to work on his birthday so we went out to a nice dinner that night. We got to spend the fourth hiking together and later joined some friends at a BBQ. And we went to Hot Springs on my birthday. There are a lot of pictures! Enjoy!

Havin' some beers on the patio. Check out our new citronella candles!

Found these great lamps for $27.50 (saw the exact same pair at another antique shop for $75!)

And turned them into candle stick holders!

Yay!

Yum! Homemade pretzels. One of my new recipes!

We finally used the fondue pot that we got for our wedding!
It only took us two years!

Yes. I did make a fort for the dog...

And she loved it.

Mike's birthday dinner!

Hiking at Petit Jean.

Ella had a blast. I think it was the best day of her life!

Waterfall!

Old house that burned down. The brick frame is still standing.

Wreath I made for the fourth.

Angel food cake, cool whip, strawberries, and blueberries. Yum!

Birthday dress!

Mini golf!

Had to match the dress....

Pirates in the trees!

Hahaha! Ducks.