On the mind...

Its Fall and I love it! {other then my awful allergies} I love Fall and everything about it. Pumpkin might just be one of my favorite things in the world... pumpkin smells, pumpkin food, pumpkin latte, and even pumpkins themselves. I have started decortating for Fall but seriously have been so busy I don't think I have been home other then to sleep. I sure hope thats going to change soon because I am ready for some lazy days around my home.

So whats been going on lately......

* Well I have had some serious baby fever. I sometimes wonder if thats all in my head or if it means I am ready to have one. hmmm...   It might just be that I love reading and looking at all you cute little Mamas stories and pictures. I have always been a baby lover and I just keep thinking I want a baby NOW. But I think I wil hang on and wait another year or so. It also doesn't really help that Brandon always has baby fever. I think he was ready years ago... lol! He is 28 and I am 26... I think he is afraid of being super old before we have them. hehe... don't worry B I won't make you wait much longer.
Oh and my older sister Lindsey who has never really had baby fever before has it bad now... but not for her, for me. haha! She even has an album on pinterest name "Aunt Lindsey". I love it though because she is super creative and I know she will be a great Aunt.

*Also, I have really really thought about what I am suppose to do lately. What career path should I pursue? Should I go back to school? Should I teach? Should I pursue law school which is want I always wanted in colllege? But as I get older I think more about than just a big career, a big house, nice cars, etc. I think about being with my kids as much as possible, having freedom in my job, and less stress in my life. I have prayed and prayed about it and just still can't seem to know for sure. I think it will come to me in time but sometimes I feel like time is flying by and I am just waiting. (and I know that won't get me anywhere)

*Brandon and I recently purchased 3 acres of land to build a house on one day. The land was owned by his grandpa and has beautiful views and a pond on it. Well B is ready to build, he wants to build a garage appartment right now and then sell our house and live in the garage apartment while we build. But I am kind of torn... do I stay in my home now (that I love) and have a baby in this house. or do I start building? Also... this would be our forever home so no moving since its by family. What if one day I wanted to move away? I don't think that will happen because I am a huge family person and always want to be by family but just what if.. what if an opportunity arises one day and we move... hmm a lot to think about huh.

I've just had a lot on my mind lately... nothing bad though. Thanks for listening  ( ;

Well on a lighter note... I think I am going to go dark with my hair again. I have been dark before and keep going back to blonde. But I need a hair change BAD. So dark it is...i think. If I don't like it I can easily go back to blonde. So this is to be continued....

A couple weekends ago Brandon and I went to St. Louise for a short get away. We had a great weekend. We flew there friday night and flew home late sunday night. We went to a Cardinals game on saturday and a Rams game on sunday. We shopped and ate at several awesome places and went to the zoo. We plan to go back a couple more times this year, its a nice getaway that's not too far away.

Kenzie the baby elephant with her Mama and Grandma. She is 3 months old, weighs 350lbs.

Precious

                     The St. Louis Zoo was amazing. and FREE. Best zoo I have ever been too.

Well I am starting a little chapter in my blog... all about my sisters. They are such a HUGE part of my life so I figured I would tell you all about them. Each sister will get one post... probably starting with the youngest. So check back soon so meet my sisters ( :

Have a great week!! Thanks for reading ( :

amazing Alaska

Its been forever since I've blogged and there is so much to write about. Right now, I am sitting at home with gauze in my mouth from getting my wisdom teeth taken out yesterday so I figured this is a perfect time to blog! Like I said, there is so much I could write about since my last post but I wanted to keep this mostly about our newest found favorite vacation spot, ALASKA. Back in July, during our record temperatures over 100 degrees for like a million days in a row, we got the chance to go to Alaska. First of all, it is a must see for every single person. 

If you like hiking and being outdoors like we do, then you might want to come home and pack your bags to move there. If you are not much of a hiker or outdoorsmen, you will still love it. The weather in their summer is amazing, sitting out on the porch wrapped up in a blanket in the morning hours just gazing at the scenery. 

Things we loved. weather.daylight.moutains.ocean.glaciers.tropical flowers everywhere.waterfalls.hiking.wildlife(bears). great seafood.the bake shop (unlimited refills of homemade soup).the clean smell in the air.wearing hoodies in the summer.the locals.rafting.bon fires.the amazing rocks.exploring.fishing.the tiny pine cones.the views. and so so so much more.

We went with Brandons family and celebrated his Granny and Papa's 50th wedding anniversary. We did so much while we were there but also had down town to play games, sit in the hot tub, of just sit outside with a cup of coffee. I just can't say enough good things about Alaska.

(we're already planning on going back in two years)

Here are some pictures... this will help prove how amazing it is.

 We were on our way to the house from the airport and saw an awesome little place to explore and take a few pics ( :

This is our living room in our cabin. The house was amazing!

 Tropical Flowers. I felt like I was on a tropical island

At the Bake Shop, our favorite little bakery. Homemade soup and bread.

 I was really obbsessed with finding rocks. my bags were quite a bit heavier on the way home ( :

B and I had some time to explore the house until the rest of the family got there so we did...

 Animal skins were everywhere in the house.

 Rudolph!!! ( :

Brown bear cubs at a wildlife conservation center.. these guys were rescued. They looked so sweet.

A picture with all the Bison

Virgin Creek.

We found this close to our cabin and hiked it four different times. I think it was one of my favorite spots of the whole trip. 

On our balcony 

Whittier, Ak    -where our glacier cruise was-

 This guy was so cute and chubby. Sea lions were all over these rocks.

View from our Glacier Cruise

 Surprise Glacier

AMAZING seafood in Whittier, Ak

Looking down on Whittier, Ak

Some more hiking....

Two different times a mama bear and her cub came up on our back porch. It was incredible!

 This is Mama growling at us... eek

We hiked 10 miles up a mountain to this lake tucked between two mountains. Rabbit Lake.

We were so high up, clouds all around us. Most peaceful place on earth.

About to venture out on our rafting tour!!

 Breathtaking.

 I know I know... our outfits were super goofy but kept us warm on that freezing water.

Bon fire after getting home from rafting. Some of the best times are just hanging out with family at home around a bon fire or on the porch.

Brandon and his brother Dustin made everyone walking sticks. Wood from Alaska and carved our names in them. They are great guys!

At the Bake Shop with the family

(the soup that day was clam chowder and I usually do not like that kind but it was amazing here)

At Crow Creek Mine

 Antiques everywhere, I loved it.

Brandon searching for gold!!!

Me searching for gold...

No luck with searching for gold so I got bored and put the gold pan on my head. LOL!

 View from the mine

Portage Glacier, it was huge!

The guy was rescued when something happened to his wing. Eagles were everywhere.

Kodiak Bear... these bears are the biggest.

Polar Bear . He was in such a playful mood, we watched him forever.

In the earthquake of 1964 the ground at this park sunk this much. They left some of the groud the way it was after the earthquake and it was amazing to see. 

Well that is just a tiny piece of our trip to Alaska!! I think I took around 500 pictures and could have taken more.

We stayed about 45 minutes south of Anchorage in a small town called Girdwood. Next time we go we might stay in Girdwood again or venture out to another part of Alaska. But I will definitely stay in the smaller towns around the big cities. We went into Anchorage a couple days to shop and although the shopping is great I was not real impressed. It just felt like any other big city. I loved being in the mountains, walking distance from waterfalls, hiking trails, and wildlife around us.

Hope you all enjoy! Have a wonderful week!