Harvest Hoop to the La!

Our annual Harvest Hoopla was over last weekend and it was another success!  Due to the apple shortage we went with pumpkin pies this year, WAY easier!  Why didnt we think of this sooner?!

The prep - Kim had no idea it was so easy, we'll all be getting pumpkin pies from her now!

 Use your knuckle! Oh duh!

Fill them full!

 Annnnnnd enjoy!

The highlight of the evening for me was playing a rousing game of kickball in the basement.  Nothing like kickball to learn life lessons! :)  

IKEA ahoy!

I've only been to IKEA once in my life, and I didnt own a house and it wasnt a scheduled event.  It did however produce a funnier memory for me in which one of my friends took one look at an over sized oven and exclaimed, 'You could hold like 10 casseroles in there!'  Church ladies everywhere cheered! :)

Recently I revisited IKEA, I had a list, I now have an IKEA family card, and I had looked online.  A quick stop for lunch in their deli proved that yes, the hype is true, the Sweds do have a knack for delicious meatballs, and then we were off!  So many ideas, so fun to look through.  My only trouble is, (aside from a limited cash flow), with all the stuff, I was overstimulated and literally got a little sick to my stomach!  Nothing that a little fresh air and a fro-yo for the road couldnt fix though!

 We also hit Trader Joe's and the Howell outlets where, (and if you know me you'll realize how truly devastating and day ruining this could have been), I didnt even try a darn thing on at Gap Outlet.  I dont know who they were trying to fool with their clearance prices. Not this kid, that's for sure.

We missed our fourth dearly, and it's a good thing we didnt take any men along, they would have hit the roof regarding the number of stops we made.  

It was fantastic.

mmm Mexican Food

Senor Sweets and I almost never go out to eat, in the time that we've been dating, I think we've gone out, (just the two) of us less than 5 times.  This is no complaint, he is a great cook, and I love to eat good food, occasionally stir a pot or cook some noodles; so it really works out well for us.

But the other night, we went out.  It was so good, I took pictures. :)

We love to do a la carte and share the love too

ooo he's cute! :)

It was the 10th of the month, we were in Kzoo, so let's for sure get Dairy Queen!
Seems reasonable to me.

Get it al pastor, just trust me.

Jr. High Called

Sometimes I'm not sure my 8th grade graduation will ever come!  And that's just fine with me, Jr. Highers are so great, I really love spending time with them.  I recently had a chance to go with a few of ours from church to their retreat at Lake Ann.  We had a fun time despite rain, hail, and chilly weather!

Time for chapel!

Scalps - Dear Random girl, I'm still sorry about pulling your hair.  Love, B

Me and Marybeth wearing pretty much everything we brought!

Paintball

 Archery Tag (really fun!)  channeled my inner Katniss on this one!

Here we all are!

Note to self next time: this is a Jr High retreat, not a Ladies retreat, pack appropriately!

I love My City

Where else is the weather perfect in September, you can visit an apple orchard and pumpkin patch and get cider and doughnuts straight from the farmer, who also happens to be your friend's dad?  And on the same day, go to a botanical garden, shop in your neighborhood produce store and buy specialty cheese from another friend's dad.  Watch a Big Ten football game, and top it all off with a trip to Art Prize?

Ahhh Grand Rapids, how I love thee :)

Moooooooving!

No, not  houses!
I work for a great company, but, honestly? I didnt work in a great location, it was basically a glorified pole barn.  But not anymore!  No, I didnt quit, we all got a MAJOR upgrade!

Monday we had a new building dedication -

Tuesday we packed up the old place -

Wednesday we moved in! -

Home Sweet Cube 

How conscientious are we?! this is our water bottle filling station -

The view from the top, like the grass roof?  see?  Conscientious!

I'm already feeling right at home, it's just so great!

September 22 was a Lovely Day

Kari's married!!!!!! 

My BOGO picked a lovely fall day, and we had a great time celebrating!

Rehearsal -

 Going to the Chapel, or LaGrave CRC -

 Getting Ready! -

Reception was at the Cheney Place -

Maid of Honor

Sweet P - the Man of Honor :)

 Congratulations K and J!