Loving Fall

This past weekend was BEAUTIFUL. I am talking perfect temperature, crisp air, and gorgeous fall colors. I am pretty sure fall foliage is at it's peak right now, which makes me VERY thankful to be able to live in a place where "fall" exists. There is just something about pumpkin flavors, spiced scented candles, gold and rust colored leaves, and sweater weather that just gets me all giddy inside. I really hope we get more time to get outside as a family and enjoy it, because as we all know, those colors and mild temperatures won't be lasting for much longer!

Noah and I went down to Maryland the other day to spend time with my dear in laws. Dan has had to travel a bunch for work lately, so I have really been trying to keep us busy---because we all know, boredom makes feelings sadness/missing your special someone that much more intense. Anyway, we had a wonderful time with them. We went to the cutest little restaurant called SoupR Natural, which features only fresh and natural foods. They grow their own veggies right outside the restaurant and use local eggs, meats, and ice creams from farms just a few miles away. The food was SO good and I am pretty sure I told my mother-in-law like 10 times how much I loved the place and wished it was closer to our area. It was super cute....and get this, they even made their own soda! I had never had soda like this, syrup mixed with club soda, so it was fun to try something new. If you are ever around the Monkton/Hunt Valley area of Maryland, you have to check out this place. It's truly a gem. 

Yesterday we decided it would be fun to all bundle up and take Noah on his first hike. It was chilly enough for him to wear his little "bear suit" for the first time and believe me when I say, he was very popular on the hiking trail! When you look at the pictures below, you will see why :)

Hiking always is really enjoyable and relaxing for me. It gives me time to "re-group", escape from the business of our life for awhile, and spend quality time talking and bonding with my two favorite people. It was really fun taking Noah hiking at his age. Dan and I talked about how hikes will change a bit as Noah gets older and what those changes may look like--we even saw examples of this in other families on the trails: "Ugh. Dad, I'm tired...can you pick me up?"...."Son, slow down, don't run too fast, and watch where you step!" It was fun to think about these different and unique stages and how much we will enjoy each of them, while also taking the time to embrace and fully live in the moment in THIS stage. We sure did love our time hiking with the cuddly, little 6 month old "bear" attached to Dan's chest. For this year, Noah was an awesome "onlooker", who took it all in, gasped at the blowing wind in his face, kicked his legs nonstop, enjoyed the fall air, and constantly looked down at the colorful leaves. He even started laughing when I would run far ahead, turn around, and then run towards him! He was smiling the entire time.

And so. were. we. 

If you can, go out and ENJOY the beauty of this season.
God is an amazing artist and that is quite apparent right now.