Fall Favorites

Fall is one of my favorite seasons! I love all the beautiful colors! I love being able to open all the windows all day to let in the clean crisp air without worrying about the house getting too hot or too cold. I love the smells that accompany the season change. I love seeing the farmers out in the fields (mostly just the ones with red tractors ;) heehee!) I love breaking out the new season's cozy sweaters and sweatshirts. I love eating soup or sipping on hot chocolate with marshmallows when I'm cold, and being warmed from the inside out. I love lighting candles around the house to give it that 'home sweet home' feeling. I love that Josie gets a ton of fur and looks like a mini golden bear. I love that almost anywhere you choose to eat, you now have the option to get pumpkin-whatever-you-feel-like: ice cream, muffin, pie, bread, cake, chai! mmm...I love getting my brand new pretty books for the school year and putting my into brain high gear for the semester (even though it can be stressful at times). I love anticipating the holidays when all the family comes together... I remember when I was little and we lived out on 8 to 10 acres in Truman, it was such a chore every fall to rake all those leaves (of course, we only had to do a couple acres), but it was so exciting at the same time, because we kids knew when we were done that we would have loads of leaves (piled high and wide behind the chicken house in addition to a pile under the crab apple tree) at our disposal to do whatever we wanted with. Of course, initially we did what every kid does: jump in them, bury each other in them, hide in them for a long time and then suddenly jump out and try to scare everyone...but we girls would then tote them around (much to mom and dad's dismay as we recovered the lawn with all the recently raked leaves) to make leaf "nests" and play stories....visiting each other's nests... Haha! Yeah, we were wierd girls - poor Jason....

I love fall!

Happy Birthday, Jason!

HAPPY 28th BIRTHDAY, JASON!On November 4th, Jason turned 28! Since none of us were going to be able to be there to help him & Julia & Kaden celebrate, Julia planned a party for him at our house a few weekends ago. Here he is with his chocolate cake and one candle. Heehee! He only got one this year - I guess that's what happens when you can't fit them all on the cake anymore ;) J/K, Jason :) I think this is the most recent pic I have of just Jason & I - we need to take another picture together cause this was over 1 1/2 yrs ago! This was taken when I still attended Northland college and everyone came up to surprise me for my 20th birthday!Jason being silly at Jenny & Jordan's wedding rehearsal.

This is a side of Jason that I love - he never fails to make me laugh! I always enjoy the times that we're all sitting around talking and then Jason and Jordan start feeding off each other being so funny...it's usually at the expense of one of us girls, but we still end up laughing till we cry anyway...or...crying till we laugh - haha! :)

Jason, words can't express how much I am so thankful for you! I feel so blessed to have a big brother - and not just any big brother - I have THE best brother in the whole wide world! I can't imagine if you weren't in my life...I love how you always make me feel special, you make me laugh, you let me come stay at your house whenever and for however long :), you guys finally gave me a nephew (heehee!), you make time for me: if I need to talk to you about something on my heart, you listen, help me think through things, and offer advice that I can trust. You push me to be a better person, and encourage me to keep on through the difficult times when I feel like quitting. I am thankful for your godly examply. I am thankful I have a brother who prays for me and loves me even when I'm not so loveable. You have always been the biggest and the best in my eyes and that is for all these reasons and MORE! I am so proud to be your little sister! I love you so much, Jas!

Gang's All Here!

A few weekends ago, the whole family came home! Mom and I look forward to the times when our big empty house can be full again! It's always wonderful to have everyone together!

This picture was actually taken Sunday morning, but I'm putting it first cause it's the only picture we have from the weekend with our whole family in it :)Jason, Jenny & Jordan.

Sunday afternoon we had a little celebration for the birthday kids with cake and presents.Julia wrapped Jenny's gift in such a cute gift bag, so we had to get a picture of her with it's pinkness. Of course, Jason and Jordan were making fun of us girls for being picture heads, so they had to get in on it = Jason's ugly face and Jordan's hand....silly boys...Saturday we had a party for all the birthday kids with some of our friends! Jenny is 25 this year and Jordan is 26! Getting old...

Jenny had her chocolate cake and Jordan had his apple crisp. They each had a candle to blow out for their wish, but Jason blew Jenny's out before she had a chance. Mom relit it for her, but then Jordan blew it out....poor Jenny....she's always been the object of their relentless teasing and picking....Here's the birthday boy and Julia. Jason got his own chocolate cake as well. (and a glass of milk, of course) ;) Jason turned 28 this year! Getting old (I have to say that cause I'm the youngest ;))...but he's still lookin' good if you ask me....The boy table at the party: Jordan, Adam, Jason, Justin & Taylor.The girl table at the part: me, Jenny, Tara, Jules & Julia (mom was there, too, but she had already gone upstairs at this point)My beautiful sisters - Miss you, girls!The 2 little puppies: Kaden & Macy (Kaden wasn't always so sure what to think about his hairy cousin...)

And a couple cute photos of Kaden - he is just the cutest little boy ever!