Fall Bucket List

Fall is underway & I couldn't be more excited! I have always loved Fall and go a little nuts during this time of year. There is so much to do and I want to do it all. Making seasonal bucket lists is one of my favorite things to do. And now that Kona is able to help come up with ideas it's even more fun. We talked about all the fun things we did last year and we both got super excited for this year. He is already asking me every night before bed if tomorrow is Halloween. He get's it from his Mama! :) We are patiently waiting to go to the pumpkin patch, or two, or three and carve pumpkins. Since I was a little girl it's always been one of my favorite nights of the year!


Not only do I love Fall for the sweaters, booties, pumpkin everything, and traditions, but it does something to my soul. I feel re-energized and inspired by the crisp air, gorgeous colors and leaves falling all around. I savor the moments a little bit more and thank God for all we have. I love this season so much and hope to make it our favorite fall yet!
"Ah, September! You are the doorway to the season that awakens my soul"
-Peggy Toney Horton

Go apple picking.

Celebrate J.D. and Kai's birthday's. 

Decorate the house.

Fill the front porch with mums and pumpkins. 
Visit the farmer's market.
Make caramel apples.
Have a bonfire and make s'mores.  

Have a picnic in the park.

Plant bulbs.

Go on a nature scavenger hunt.

Paint pumpkins.

Drive through the country and enjoy the Fall colors.

Jump into a pile of leaves.

Make pumpkin butter.

Have fun bowling with pumpkins.

Make pumpkin spice lattes. 
Watch Hocus Pocus and Casper on repeat.

Road trip to watch our favorite college football team.

Make Halloween footprint art.

Make a festive breakfast.

Go on a hayride.

Donate to the food bank.
Have soup Sunday every Sunday.
Bake as many pumpkin treats as possible.

Visit a pumpkin patch, or two, or three.

Carve pumpkins.

Go Trick-or-Treating.

Count our blessings.

A few pics from last year!
I wasn't lying when I said I want to do it all. :) Hopefully we can check all these times off our list and make many, many memories along the way. I would love to hear what's on your bucket list!!
XOXO


To see all of our fall festivities make sure to follow us on Instagram!
Check out my Pinterest boards for more Fall fun!
Everything Fall & Halloween
Fall Birthday Parties
Fall Fashion
Pumpkin Spice

My Reverse Bucket List

While I was in college, and feeling like life was a little out of control, I sat down one sunny afternoon and wrote out my bucket list. I listed anything and everything I wanted to do in my life. I remember thinking at the time, that the stage of life I was in wasn't all that fun. 15+ credits in college, 40+ hour work week, internships and everything else that life holds was extremely stressful. I remember sitting at our kitchen table one too many times crying, wondering how I would do it all and feeling like I was drowning. I made a vow to myself that life would never be like that again. I would take time to stop and enjoy the simple things in life. I didn't want to ever feel like that again. I love to make lists and when it came to making a list for my life, I went a little crazy. I'm so glad I wrote down every thing I want to do. I feel inspired when I look at it, and it reaffirms that there is much more to life than dishes and laundry (which I feel far too often). Life is about adventure and not getting stuck in the everydayness of life. Today I'm linking up with Andrea over at Momfessionals to share my reverse bucket list. My hope is that this list inspires you to create a bucket list and celebrate the everyday events in life.

Graduate from college.

May 2010

I graduated with a degree in Human Services. 

Buy a house.

September 2009 & June 2014

I bought my first house in 2009 and J.D. and I bought our house in 2014.

Get married.

September 2011

6 years ago I married my best friend, and promised to walk hand in hand together through life. You can see all the details of our white chapel wedding here.

Have children.

June 2013 & October 2015

I could go on and on about these two nuggets, but I think 3 words sum it up beautifully.

Best.Decision.Ever

Visit every state.

This is ongoing, but so far I have visited.

Texas

New York

Michigan

Minnesota

Wisconsin

Kentucky

California

Washington

Hawaii

Wyoming

South Dakota

Montana

Idaho

Utah

I have drove through many more states, but I don't want to count those. I want to experience something the state is known for before I check it off my list!  

Buy a stranger dinner without them knowing.

2015

When Kona was a few months old J.D's parents took us out to dinner. While we were waiting for our food a World War II veteran came over to us and was in love with Kona. He was the sweetest man and really touched me with the admiration he showed for Kona and our new family. He gave us some great words of wisdom that I continue to carry close to my heart. After we were done eating we paid for their meal and never let him or his family know. I will never forget this gentleman and the impact he had on my life, even though I only spoke to him for a short period of time.

Make wine.

December 2011

For my bridal shower a few girls went in and got me a wine making kit. I made my first batch of wine that December and bottled it on New Year's Eve. We had some friends over that evening for appetizers, wine and to watch the ball drop. It was so much fun and one of my favorite New Year's.

See a Broadway play. 

August 2017

Sandy and I saw The Lion King during our trip to New York. You can read all about my thoughts on the Broadway play here.

Learn to knit.

2009

One of my coworkers at my last job was an amazing quilter and knitter. The pieces that she would make were beautiful. I asked her one day if she would teach me how to knit and out of the goodness of her heart she taught 3 of us during her lunch break. Now we weren't the best knitters, but I had the best time learning and spending time with these ladies. I have knitted hats, scarves and baby booties. I did get pretty good at making baby booties and made them for all of my pregnant friends.  

Host Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Many, many times.

I LOVE hosing Thanksgiving and Christmas. Planning, prepping, decorating, and spending time with family gets me so excited. It truly is the best time of the year!

Volunteer at Hospice.
September 2009
While I was in college I volunteered for Hospice. I would sit with patients in the hospice house or nursing home, who didn't have any family close by to be with them during their final days. I urge everybody to volunteer for Hospice. Your life will be enriched in ways you can't imagine. 

Try vegetarianism for 30 days.

 2012

Before I got pregnant with Kona, I decided I would try vegetarianism for 30 days. I had done a lot of research and read several books about being vegetarian and wanted to try it for myself. I went into it with an open mind, but didn't know how much I would love it. The 30 days was surprisingly easy for me (I figured it would be difficult since I had grown up eating meat) and while I don't fully have this lifestyle anymore (it's a little difficult with kids) I still try to eat as many vegetarian meals as I can, and cook them for my family. Maybe after my kids have gown, I will adopt this lifestyle once again.

Buy a stranger a drink.

August 2017

While in New York Sandy and I went a stood on the plaza for the Today Show. The sweetest couple standing next to us announced their pregnancy with a sign they were holding. It was really cute and their excitement radiated off of them. I felt so lucky to be standing next to them as they shared their big news. After the show was over several of us headed over to Starbucks and they were in line right behind me. I wanted to do something for them to say congratulations and a coffee did just the trick!  

Truly experience a sunrise.

November 2015

When I wrote this one down on my bucket list I had this vision of sitting on a beach or mountain top, in silence, watching the sky go from black to gorgeous swirling colors. But the truth is, the sunrises I truly experienced were while sitting on my couch nursing Kai. Even though I was extremely sleep deprived (Kai never slept) I secretly looked forward to these mornings. Watching the sun rise over the trees, while sitting on my couch in silence, and nursing Kai are some of the best morning's of my life.

Truly experience a sunset.

Seeing a sunset through Kona's eyes and having him tell me, "Wow, that is beautiful" is the best sunset I've ever seen.

Go to a pro baseball game.

August 2017

Sandy and I also went to a Yankees game during our trip to New York. We had a blast and I loved my first experience at a pro game.

Write a blog.

February 2017

When I put this on my bucket list way back in the day I had no idea what I would write about. I was reading a few blogs at the time and loved that it was their journal and a way to express themselves. Fast forward several years, and I'm incredibly happy I took the plunge and started this dream of mine. I can't thank you all enough for reading, commenting and making me feel comfortable to share some personal and heart felt posts. I love to blog and I hope you love it here too. 

You can read more about why I finally started a blog and my hope for this space here.

I would love to hear what you have on your bucket list! What all have you checked off?

XOXO

To see more of our everyday events make sure to follow us on Instagram. 



Our White Chapel Wedding

6 years ago I said "I do" and married the man I have always dreamed about. He's my best friend, and the person I love walking, hand in hand, through life with.

Here is how our special day unfolded.

The dress and shoes.

The flowers

Getting ready.

The girls.

The guys.

The sweetest flower girls you ever did see.

The sweetest ring bearer who was not so excited.

The ceremony.

My Dad giving his little girl away.

Praying.

The tears.

The vows.

The "I do's"

The kiss.

Our ride.

The pictures.

The patio for cocktail hour.

Mad Libs during cocktail hour.

 

The favors.

Signing the quilt squares that were turned into a quilt.

The tables.

Dinner.

The toasts.

Our first dance.

Father-Daughter dance.

Mother-Son dance.

Cutting the cake.

Grooms cake, mints & hand stamped napkins.

 The ice cream bar.

The bouquet toss.

The garter toss.

My Dad playing with the band.

It's time to party.

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in

my heart) i am never without it (anywhere

i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing, my darling)

                                  i fear

no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want

no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

E.E. Cummings 

XOXO

Check us out on Instagram for a closer look at our everyday events!

Pictures were taken by the super talented Jennifer Kahm.

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Please do not pin images of the kids. Thank you!