.life in iphone pics.

This is what I have been up to lately in life...according to my iphone..that is!

.corn art at Minnesota State Fair. 

.Hanson at Minnesota State Fair. 

.Zac Hanson (what a hunk) and I.

.my best friend got married.

.family movie night.

.morning walks.

.swing patrol.

.birthday girl.

.beautiful skyline.

.daddy's girl.

.sister time.

.stone arch bridge.

.fall is in the air.

.Maggie and Lily story time.

.Maggie and Lily at nap time.

.date night with Atlas Genius.

.8 yr. old lady.

Maggie, our english-bulldog, turned 8 this month!!! This is our second birthday with her and of course we spoiled her again this year! We both have fallen head over heels in love with this little doggie and feel blessed to have her in our lives.

Maggie spent the day laying in bed with me, since I was sick and didn't go into work. She was one lucky dog, because sleeping in the bed in one of her favorite things to do!

Once Dave got home, the celebrations began. I cooked Maggie a special supper of summer sausage (last year she had chicken) and it was served while we sang "Happy Birthday". For dessert Maggie got a special birthday dog treat with frosting and sprinkles to boot! She devoured her food within seconds! And of course all of this was done while sporting a birthday princess hat!

.she always eats her treats in the living room...and is always messy. 

And what is a birthday without family birthday pictures...nothing! So here are our annual birthday pictures! Maggie, we are soooo happy to have you in our family! We couldn't have rescued a better dog that fills our hearts the way we do and we look forward to spending all the rest of your years with you!  

Here is to our old lady who moans when we try to wake her, farts in her sleep, drools, snores loudly, and couldn't care what is happening in the world.  We love ya and can't wait to continue to spoil you rotten!!

Octopi, oh my!

Dave and I took a date night to the Sea Life Aquarium in Mall of America last month and I got to hang out near the cutest octopi and rays! I seriously sat down on the floor and watched the octopi for minutes upon minutes....and it was amazing.

.the first time around.

During the first inauguration of President Obama, Dave and I had just moved to Virginia 6 months prior. We considered going to the inauguration and see history being made, we highly considered it. Then I remembered that I HATE crowds.....A LOT! Crowds make me feel anxious and not like humanity much, so we figured for my sanity we probably shouldn't go. Instead we went on a spontaneous trip before I started school and work again. We threw some clothes and food into the car and drove towards "the hills".  We had no idea where we would end up....and that was the best part of it all!!

We ended up going to the Blue Ridge Mountains and spending time doing a little hiking and taking in the views. We found ourselves a hotel room and then continued our journey through the Shenandoah the next day. It was a great, unplanned trip that I reflect back on now while watching our president being inaugurated for the second time. 

.apple picking.

Last week Dave and I had a wonderful day off together (wwwhoooooootttt!!!!). We slept in a little, went apple picking, hung out, and then joined friends for an amazing concert...hellooo great day!!!

I have only been apple picking once or twice as a kid at our neighbors few apple trees. We would have to climb up on ladders and use apple picking tools to get the apples from the top of the trees. This was what I was expecting when we went to Emma Krumbees and I was WAAAYYYY off, but it was still fun!!!

We went picking at Emma Krumbees in Belle Plaine, MN which is about 40 min. south of Minneapolis.  I have wanted to go apple picking here for Y.E.A.R.S., every time I have ridden or driven past it since the orchard opened up I was hoping to go one fall. Emma Krumbees not only has an orchard, it has an amazing restaurant...which is kind of famous in southern MN. They cook home cooked meals like pot roast, meat loaf, live and onions that taste delicious and affordable (they also cook other items too). We got to Emma Krumbees in time for breakfast, so we ate up and got strength for our apple picking.

                    

Apple picking was way easier then I expected. We filled our 10lb bag in about 10 min... and then used the rest of the hour or so taking silly pictures! We were lucky because we found a few trees that had lots and lots of apples for the taking and we didn't have to search and search.  It was fun trying to find the best apple on the tree and race Dave on who was the best apple picker. 

So how do we do plan on using the 11 lbs of apples we picked? Welll...this is what we have made with it: 

2 rounds of homemade applesausce

apple chips

doggie treats for Maggie

easy apple pie (ish)

It has been lots of fun looking up apple recipes and creating them in the kitchen! I'm not much of a cook so making delicious, easy recipes was right up my alley! I hope everyone gets to go apple picking or make some delicious apple recipes this fall! There is no better way celebrate the crispiness of fall!