in loving memory...

Life is a gift. It is so precious, so fragile, and needs to be cherished every second of the day! I know that I make the mistake of taking life for granted, which is wrong, because I know how abruptly it can end. Sometimes it takes losing someone I love, to reflect on myself and and realize that I can be better.

Yesterday my sweet Grandad passed away. It was definitely his time to return to God. I find such comfort in the fact that he lived a very long, happy, and successful life. My Grandad was 97 years old, and as wise as they come :) Grandma and Grandad JUST celebrated their 77th year of marriage. How special is that?! I am incredibly lucky to have known them in this life as long as I have, what a blessing! 

 Haha, they hate having their picture taken! Grandad told me he's had his picture taken more in the last 10 years than his whole life :)

I have such fond memories with Grandad. Anytime my family gets together we play as many lethal games of canasta as we can. Trust me, it's lethal when you play with us ;) Before I was old enough to play the game, I would snuggle with my Grandad in his recliner next to the fire place. Sometimes we'd talk, other times we'd eat Grandma's treats, but every time we'd just enjoy each others company. I appreciate the time Grandad spent with us, he made sure his grandchildren knew they were loved (this includes Eric! Grandad took him right in when we got married.). 

I am truly a better person for having my grandparents in my life. Grandad was an amazing man, anyone who knew him will miss him greatly! I will never forget the examples and love he has shown me through out my life. And I will continue to cherish my life, as well as loved ones! When it's my time to leave this Earth, I want to leave behind a legacy full of happiness and love! Oh... and lots of posterity ;)

hockey- I am definitely a fan!

Friday night we went to my first ever hockey game! Ok, that may not be true. I vaguely remember attending a special Olympics hockey game in middle school? Let's be real though, if there were little middle school hotties  around... I was not paying attention to the game haha. Anyway, hockey just didn't exist in the town I grew up in. It wasn't cold enough for ice, hence the reason I dread winter now :) But I've decided that winter might not be so bad this year if there are more hockey games in our future. I like this sport! I definitely need to learn more about the rules, and I need to learn the technical terms. Time out boxes and those stick things just aren't going to cut it :)
Let's talk about the violence this game brings out. I like it :) For example: I was studying the players on the ice intently, trying to figure out what the heck was going on.... when all the sudden helmets were thrown across the ice, gloves flew to the side, and clothes were being ripped off! Ok, ok, clothes weren't really ripped off but it would make the game a tad more exciting, dontcha think?? I kid, I kid! Anyway, Eric explained that 2 players had had enough of each other and they were going to fight! You should have seen my man, he was so overly excited about his haha. They punched each other as much as they could before they fell to the ice and the refs separated them. Then they had to sit in their time out boxes for a couple minutes ;) Oooh the adrenaline that is produced while watching (and playing) hockey... haha!
I think it would be so hot if Eric played hockey. I'd love to cheer him on! I don't think it'd be a good idea for him to play though, he'd want to beat the crap out of everybody (plus I value his face too much). I'll be just as happy to have him sitting next to me while cheering on the game!

 I can't not have a sports post without their crappy food! Yum!

Clearly, this place was packed. Ha! We need to get more people to come out to the games with us! Any takers?? :)

presenting my costume...

Dressing up for Halloween really isn't my thing. I don't feel like I'm very creative, and I'm not resourceful when it comes to putting together a costume. Plus, if I had it my way, I'd be a princess every year. Cheesy? Yes, but it's true :) haha. A couple years ago we went to a some Halloween parties and we dressed up as tacky tourists...

 It was silly but it worked!

 

That is totally a spider man fanny pack :)

Well this past week my brother and sister in law had a little Halloween party and I was stressing big time about dressing up. But then, I received some inspiration..... from my blog! Haha, I am so serious! Let me present...

Barbie Magic Hairstylist and my Ken ;)

 

We're not paying attention to the camera but you can see my easy peasy costume.

I know it's hard to tell from the pictures but I had really big, fluffy barbie hair (honestly, I never poof my hair like that) and very pink make up! Eric just got to wear his normal clothes (which he was happy about, that man is not easy to work with haha) and I gave him a big pink smooch on his cheek ;) Super easy, right?
I knew I pulled the costume off when my brother made fun of me throughout the night, ha! We had such a great time at the party! I wouldn't mind more Halloween's like this one :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Gardner Village with special friends :)

I can't believe it's already the end of October! I mean seriously, where did the month go? We are going to a little Halloween party Saturday night and I'm kind of excited to dress up :) I bet you guy's will never guess what I'm going to be... haha.
Anyway, earlier this week I got to meet some bloggy friends! Eric has told me that I'm not allowed (haha) to meet other blogger's by myself in case they're creepers; but luckily for me my sister in law met a couple of these girls so there was proof that they weren't... creepers :) We met at Gardner Village for lunch and shopping/browsing. Despite the chilly weather I had an amazing time with these girls!

 

 I was a little too excited about this witchy poo... I've obviously been married to a man for awhile now, if you know what I mean ;) haha

Gentri, Savannah, Megan, Melissa, Jessica, and Sarah... I'm so happy I got to meet you girls :)
Gardner Village is SO adorable, but I didn't even take one picture to prove it. So take a look at Gentri's blog to see more of these cute girls and Gardner Village!

5 things I've loved about fall

Let me just start this off by saying that if I didn't dread the winter that always follows too closely to fall, I'd love this season so much more :) But to look for the positive in everything, I thought I'd share my favorite things about this October.

 How can this not make you happy?? :) Crafting and decorating for the holidays are always fun!

 via

Hot chocolate and donuts are the best fall treat ever. Ok, let's face it. They're the best treat anytime of the year. But I love my treats decorated to the season ;)

This stuff is freakin' amazing! Need I say more?

Halloween/Fall festivities with our friends and their adorable kids have been a blast!

There's nothing better than enjoying the season with my man! No surprise there, right? :)