fall decor.

Usually, at the first sign of cool weather (i.e. temperatures that fall below 80 degrees...we are in the south, y'all) I eagerly dig out a few cutesie fall decorations and cinnamon pumpkin candles and spritz up the house.  However, thanks to one big brown eyed boy, this year I was super late in pulling the box out of the attic.  But we did it!

Starting outside on the front porch...

This is our little jack-o-lantern, inspired by Lucas with his 2 bottom teeth. 

And the mantle:  (sorry for the terrible quality of picture)

up close details

A little sunflower and pumpkin decor in the dining room:

I really do love fall. I snapped this picture on the Tobacco Trail while my mom and I were on a walk yesterday.  Out with the green, in with the orange!

Happy Fall!

the fair!

It's that time of year... the North Carolina State Fair!  

 We have been to the fair every year since we've been married, and Brandon's parents have made it sort of a tradition to come up and go with us.  Last year was awesome because I ate my way through the fair being 5 months pregnant.  This year, we showed Lucas the ropes.  

candy apples and pig racing. my favorites.

something was funny! PaPa, MiMi, and Lucas

cutest little bumblebee

our little family in a big chair

ringing the big loud bell 

resting in the gardens 

my big boy with the BIG pumpkins

fascinated by the mini train

The weather was perfect.  The deep fried everything was perfect. The candied apples were perfect.  The company was perfect.  A good time was had by all.  Until next year, state fair!

asheville.

Asheville is, I think, one of the most beautiful places on earth.  Not only is it beautiful, but our family is there...and that makes it the greatest place.  We thankfully got to spend some time there during the fall this year when tons of tourists flock to the mountains to see the leaves.  We almost hit peak leaf weekend!  Thankfully, we took lots of pictures.  Here is the story of our trip according to photos: 

Me and my little man on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Nana and Lucas on the parkway

taking in the beautiful mountains. 

Lucas and MiMi!

splish splash in the bath! MiMi put the baby chair in the tub...genius.

swinging at Lake Julian with MiMi

watching ducks with PaPa

hanging out at MiMi and PaPa's house.
Lucas, can you look any older?  Sheesh.

Exploring with my mom.
Asheville. Fall. Gorgeous.

Lucas played silly games on the stairs with Poppy

Lucas LOVES Poppy's big truck!

Our little future pianist

Such a little rock star in the car

The following pictures are at the Arboretum in front of the most beautiful trees we saw all trip.  They just happened to be in their parking lot!

Peek-a-boo!

be still, my beating heart. what a beautiful boy.

Taylor gets hitched!

A dear friend of mine got married this weekend in Asheville.  She couldn't have picked a more beautiful weekend with more perfect weather.  Taylor and Jesse tied the knot on Saturday in an outdoor ceremony off of historic Charlotte Street overlooking a mountain spotted with orange, yellow, and red.  It was breath taking!  Then we took Asheville's historic trolleys downtown to the reception site.  I can't wait to see the photographer's pictures since I didn't take any myself (oops).

Taylor and I have been friends since the 7th grade.  We grew up together, remaining close friends through boyfriends and breakups, sleepovers and cheerleading trips, and high school and college graduation.  We were 2 of the 6 crazy girls who lived together our last 2 years of college, sharing a bathroom together downstairs in our big apartment.  She played a huge part in helping Brandon pull off our engagement.  We've been through a lot and grown up together along the way.  It was a great honor to stand beside her on her wedding day!  It was also fun to get the college girls all back together again, something that doesn't happen often enough since we are scattered all over the country now.  In care you're curious, Taylor lives in Charlotte, Jamie lives in Florida, Rebecca lives in Denver, Meredith lives in Arkansas, and Karin lives in Washington, D.C. Like I said, all over the country!

the 6 roommates from college plus Elizabeth, Taylor's
maid of honor and another sweet friend from high school.

the rehearsal dinner was at 12 bones. delish.

Karin, me, Reba, Meredith, and Jamie.
Wish we had gotten the bride in this picture!

Lucas and his Poppy on the trolley on the
way to the reception

quick snapshot from the reception

congrats Taylor and Jesse!!!

And just because I took a trip down memory lane, here are a few of the girls while we were in college:

Halloween junior year

Spring break, junior year

Graduates!

It was such a fun weekend.  We got to spend lots of time with family too and take in the gorgeous mountains in the most beautiful display of colors.  Pics to come of that soon :)

teeth.

The time has come that I wished not to rush.  TEETH.  To be more specific, 2 teeth.  In 4 days.  Yikes.

Remember this?

I think those little suckers were brewing here. 

For the most part, Lucas wasn't too bothered by his teeth coming in. (I just think the picture above of him crying is hilariously pitiful.)  He was a little cranky at times and got snotty and drooly, but then one popped through.  He would stick his tongue out repeatedly, I think to feel his tooth on the bottom of his tongue.  It was silly.  And if that wasn't enough, 4 days later, out pops another one.  Poor guy!  So now he has his 2 bottom teeth and the little booger refuses to let me get a picture of them.  He clamps his mouth shut like an iron gate if you try to sneak a look.

Before the teeth came through, he obviously would chew on anything...including my nose.

 And now, look!  He can eat baby mum mums without solely gumming them!

Yummmm food!  You should see the boy down some cheerios.

He kept sticking his tongue out and rubbing it across his bottom teeth.  Hilarious.

I did manage to sneak a photo during a laugh...See?!  2 teeth!

2 down, many more to go.  Whew!