This year has gone by incredibly fast. I mean, I swear two days ago, it was mid July and I was still keeping my newly discovered pregnancy a secret from most everyone besides my family. I was still able to fit into my favorite pair of jeans! (though luckily I have found the most comfy jeans ever, from target, for my pregnant belly)

Anyways, I know I’m a little early with the Christmas planning, but it was a goal of mine to be completely done Christmas shopping at least 2 weeks before Christmas. And since my family has some crazy schedules, I have one family celebration as early as the first weekend in December. Therefore, I have to have some warpping done by then.

However, don’t worry.  I plan to thoroughly enjoy a delightful Thanksgiving dinner this week.  I just very much enjoy decorating for Christmas.  I hate that it’s only really acceptable to put Christmas stuff up after Thanksgiving.  Maybe Thanksgiving should be earlier like the Canadians’!  Just a thought :)

This is one last pic, of my “baby” kitty, Rayleigh.  He has a slight obsession for tape, and he’s just so adorable, it’s hard to tell that sweet face to get off the table.

PS. I usually suck at wrapping presents, and these are probably the best ones I’ve ever done!

Well he is still growing.  So much so that I feel him just about all the time, and sometimes not in the greatest of spots, including right under my ribs.  Somewhat uncomfortable.  But it’s a great feeling to know he’s still doing well in there, moving all the time. 

Can’t believe how fast time is moving. Only 15 more weeks until we are expecting him to come out and with the holidays just around the corner, I’m sure those will be a fast 15 weeks.  And we still have lots to do.  I was completely motivated to ready the nursery about 10 weeks ago, but we kept pushing it off since we had time and figured we’d spread out the costs of buying things.  Well, the decorating has pretty much stopped ever since.  I’m sure by Christmas though, I’ll be full of motivation once again. 

And just to give you an update on the growth of my belly, here’s a little slideshow to watch the changes.  Just drag the slider bar at the bottom to the right. (PS. Won’t be veiwable from within Google Reader)
 

Just had to share a few family photos from a couple weeks ago, when I was visiting my brother and sister in law. I’m so excited for my little baby E to meet his cousin, Hayden. He’s such a cutie. And honestly, if my little boy ends up smiling and making me laugh as much as Hayden does, I will have a very sore face.

Here he is, playing with his mommy:

And his Halloween pumpkin!

Hugs from daddy:

And something about this one, I just love:

Can’t wait to do a whole series of these types of “everyday photos” with my own son soon.

Well I’ve had the rest of our vacation photos up for awhile, but I am horrible about blogging about them. 

To skip straight to all the photos, click here.  Or listen to my babblings below.

November has been way to nice to us up here in Minnesota this year.  Though day 1 of our vacation was a little cold and cloudy, it was still perfect weather for hiking.  And day 2 got even better, almost too warm with all the sunshine!  So we headed south from Grand Marais and hit up Cascade River and Temperance River State Parks.  Very lovely. 

Ok, I’m done typing for today.  So I’ll just post a few of my favorite pictures from day 2.

Earlier I mentioned a small plan we had going to get away from our daily routines.  Well, we accomplished it swimmingly.  Tons of laughs, lots of songs in the car, and beautiful views.  Also, Sven and Olie’s, Old Chicago, Betty’s Pies, and the continental breakfast at the Hampton Inn.  I love spending time with my best friend.

Day 1: We woke up dark and early to drive north, through the Cities, up 35, to the North Shore.  We visited 4 State Parks that first day.  Cloudy skies, unseasonably warm temperatures for November, and Showy Mountain Ash berries!  I loved it all.  And despite having horrible back pain Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, all the hiking actually helped.  Who would have guessed?!

Here are just a few pictures from our first day.  (the rest are here)  Visiting Jay Cooke, Tettegouche, Split Rock, and Gooseberry Falls.

And I have to share with you my favorite picture from the trip, of course.  He’s my husband, my best friend, and the only person I could probably stand to be with for 6 days straight, never leaving each other’s sides, and never get angry with.  Seriously, I never grew up thinking I could find someone like this.  I don’t know what I’d do without him.

Here he is:

Stay tuned for pictures from the rest of our vacation. Soon!

A few weeks ago, my uncle asked me if I would take some photos of his family.  My answer? Absolutely!  And it was a wonderful day.  Seems like every post I mention the colors, but seriously, these colors couldn’t be any better and I’m going to continue to say it until next fall. 

I love having an excuse to photograph beautiful people in beautiful fall colors on a beautiful day!