{A Cabin in the Woods}

Last weekend we went on a short vacation to my home state of Michigan. We drove three hours with Hannah and Lawson to a little swedish cabin near the lake and right in the middle of the woods. Lawson's parents were there and they welcomed us into their home for three full days of good food and wood fires. I have never stayed in a house with more character; really, this place is the cutest thing. 

Here's what we spent our time doing:

fires on the beach, chinese lanterns, playground playing, mansion viewing, painting and carving pumpkins (for free at an art gallery!), Tapas restaurant, the game of Dixit, crafting, eating eating eating, drinking hot cider, visiting new shops, Oinks ice cream, sleeping in, and reading scripture with the Bunch family.

What a lovely weekend of fellowship and relaxation. Oh, pure Michigan, we love you.  

{Fall Family Weekend}

Last weekend Jordan and I made a trip to Michigan to hang out with my family. It was just what we needed: relaxing and watching tv (the entire 2nd season of Friday Night Lights), sleeping in until noon, doing fall things, and catching up with the people we love and miss. 

We devoted our Friday to our Michigan family tradition of Cranes and carving pumpkins. Cranes is an amazing restaurant/apple orchard that we go to every year. They sell yummy homemade pies, homemade applesauce, and they have killer spiced cider. We got a couple bags of apples, one for munching, the other baking, and of course we stayed to enjoy a meal together as a family. 

The next activity, pumpkin choosing and carving, was a little more serious for me. This year I wanted to carve something that was representative of my personality, so naturally I carved a kitty cat pumpky ;-) meow. 

Our night ended with the classic Halloween film, Carrie. One that my parents and I will always love, but Jordan and Leah did not enjoy. It was pretty entertaining to listen to my Dad's commentary throughout the movie though. 

What beautiful pumpkins they are right?

I had a great weekend in Michigan, and I am so excited to have ANOTHER one starting tomorrow. Hello cabin by lake Michigan, here we come!

{Weekend Away}

listening to: Chopin – Fantasie Impromptu #4 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 66

reading: The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards

reading (with husband): Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas

sipping: Seattles Best Level 3 brew

smelling: Autumn Festival Yankee Candle 

touching: fluffy white Down pillow

feeling: happy.

It has been a quiet and relaxing evening at the Race Street house. We had a great weekend trip to Chicago with Mark and Lauren to celebrate the marriage of our friends, Steph and Alex Mrakovich. The wedding was tasteful, the Bride was stunning, and the groom never looked happier. I think Jordan and I were so excited to get out of Marion for a few days and enjoy time with family and friends in a new setting. We shopped, ate a homemade meal, went on a hay ride, danced until we sweat through our clothes, and created numerous inside jokes with our brother and sis. Let me just say that road tripping through the middle of the night is one of the more entertaining and hilarious things I have participated in.

And now it's time for a new week. Fall break will be here before we know it.