Crunch Time

NOTE: (I know it is now nearly winter, but when I started this post, it was still fall)

My favorite time of the year. Autumn puts me in a mood where I want to create. Plus, you get to wear scarves.

The beauty of Autumn 2012 in Utah met, if not exceeded my expectations. If I could bottle it up and carry this season around in my pocket all the time, I would. I love all seasons, winter included, but something about fall just feels so precious and rare. It is is kind of like the excitement I get every time I see a vibrant rainbow, or hear/feel a boom of thunder that shakes the earth. It's unique and exciting, and Mother Nature is just doing her thing. If you don't enjoy it fast enough, it is gone in the blink of an eye, so you just have to soak it all in while it lasts. Fall is a season of reflection and appreciation, and one that I get excited for every year.

Despite the negativity of the entire 2012 Presidential Election, this fall was enjoyable. Below are some pictures Vance and I took in September, from a hike we enjoyed in Logan with our sister-in-law, Tereza. I was in colorful heaven, and collected at least 2 dozen leaves which I pressed and need to turn into bookmarks at some point.

Below are a few highlights of the months of September, October, and November:

Ladies night with the in-laws (Live session of Relief Sociey Broadcast  in SLC).

Vance and I just being silly. 

Walked into Gap and noticed the mannequin was my twinner.

Vance and I celebrated our 2nd Anniversary! Time flies when you're having fun with your best friend. This year we spent 2 nights at The Raddison Hotel in Salt Lake. We shopped at the Gateway, enjoyed a comedy show at Trolley Square, devoured an AMAZING dinner at Z'Tejas, and of course, went to a haunted house. Nothing says romance quite like getting chased by insane clowns and rabid zombies!

Can you tell Vance didn't know where the camera was? ;)

I got Vance a gift card to Dick's Sporting Goods (he's been eyeing all sorts of loot ever since the store near our house opened up, so I figured he could just find something he liked there.) Vance's gift to me was Snow White and the Huntsman on Blu-Ray. The movie didn't get very good ratings, but when we saw it in the theaters, I LOVED it. I watched the trailer months before it came out, and could hardly wait to watch it in theater. I thought the music, mood, and especially the graphics were masterfully done, and loved how dark and eery the tale was told. The entire film was total eye candy. I'm glad I own it now, and have a feeling it will be my "go-to" movie when I wanna snuggle on the couch on dreary days.

We had a fun Halloween. October is just about my favorite month, after all. I decorated our apartment, made lots of pumpkin bread, season 3 of The Walking Dead started back up, and we had some fun Halloween movie nights with our neighbors. A new personal favorite? ParaNorman. It is cute, hilarious, AND scary!

Halloween craft I made this year.

Batman and Catwoman at a family Halloween Party. Vance even won best costume at his work Halloween party, and his prize was movie tickets, which we used to see the new James Bond movie. Which, of course, was awesome!

Work Halloween Party at the The Pizza Pie Cafe. I was Minnie.

We voted! (and lost, but oh well....life goes on)

I ran a 5k! Yes, me :) 

The 5k was called The Provo Escape, and the object of the race was to outrun the fast zombies.

Vance survived!

However, Peggy and I were not so lucky...

V and I sporting our different shirts.

We enjoyed 2 sets of Thanksgiving feasts- one with my family, and one with his. As always, the food was amazing and the company was great. And don't worry, I fell into a food coma after both sets of meals, and the pie just about sent me over the edge. Love this time of year! There is so much to be grateful for, and November is a great time of year to count your blessings. I truly am so happy with life and love all the people in it.