A Look Back and Plan Forward

Ten Things I Need to do this Autumn;

1. drink a pumpkin spiced latte from Starbucks and DD's
2. visit Klackel Orchards- apple picking on steroids
3. pick and carve a pumpkin for the little boy
4. dress up H and take him around the neighborhood for Halloween (talk to Jon about his costume, he believes it will be epic...)
5. host a sweet Halloween dinner
6. bake an apple pie (I do not like pumpkin pie...that texture...)
7. go on a family bike trip (perhaps the Tour de Donut, where you must consume a donut for every mile you ride)
8. family photos in a pile of leaves :)
9. make my favorite butternut squash soup
10. buy a good fall coat!

H with his pops one year ago

at Klackle last fall 

at Robinette's last fall

Remembering

Remembering September, 11th is difficult. I did not know anyone in those towers or planes, nor did I think I'd end up moving to New York in a few short years. I didn't know I'd try teaching 7th graders American history and have to explain to them what 9/11 means. The same way I had to make the Holocaust seem like a real event to them. Time passes and things you think will never be forgotten are.

The reflecting waterfalls they created over the tower footprints are really lovely. When I came and when I left the rubble was gone but the huge plywood boards bandaged over the site in an unfinished, ugly way. It looks so calm there now. Such a busy place to be so calm.

It's crazy how much someone can fit into 10 years. College, graduate school, marriage, baby, moving.

So much you can do with 10 years.

A Grand Haven Wedding

This past weekend's (5 day-off Labor Day Fest!) highlight was going to see two of my friends get married in Grand Haven. Jon was is the wedding so I got to follow him up in time for the Friday evening wedding. I went past my turn, over a bridge and back with 10 minutes to spare. Whew.

No I didn't forget my dress, it's strapless.

After all the times I went to GH growing up, I do not remember it looking so precious. I need to get back there soon. The reception was in a restaurant with a lovely view.

 Jessica getting some sweet shots of Mandy and Aaron out on the deck.

 Post-wedding, pre-reception drinks across the street.

 Two blurry groomsmen helped their bf Keith get to the altar. 

How does one not get a picture of the bride and groom? Well, I left my camera at my table too much and to my surprise I found picture gifts like these :)

  Precious moments.

A Recap of August

 My sister is getting hitched! I joined the bride-to-be for a whirlwind bachelorette party to remember. I flew to LA on Friday, played around in Santa Monica and flew away Sunday night.

 Sisters. A whole life time of stories, what more can I say? 

Except what happens in LA stays in LA.

 H has been able to see his grandparents probably every week this past month. 

Full of burley rides, trips to Frosty Treat and sleepovers.

 No long winter hours for Jon (yet) = more family play time

Little boy H. 

Unread Classics

I just finished my first classic book of the year (in September....took awhile) and I must say, I loved it. I finally read Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. Years ago I saw this movie with my sister Kellie at Studio 28. Loved it. The elegant old house, the rich ladies wandering around with little do to and much to talk about. Well, I took forever to get into the book. One of those stop and starts and shelve-aways for a later date. Finally to be finished today. I was most happy to find that all the bits I found to be silly in the movie were not present in the original.

I'm glad Fanny Price won in the end. Although marrying her cousin is still a little weird.

Now I am search of my second unread classic book.