Happy days

This time of year always fills with joy, excitement and wonderment.  I love the fall and everything about it.  Cooler temperatures requiring warm slippers and fleece covers in the morning hours but sun shined days still provide all the warmth needed for the soul.  Pumpkin lattes, pumpkin breads and pumpkin pancakes.  Scarecrows and beautiful colored mums along with many visits to pumpkin farms and apple orchards requiring pit stops at the caramel covered apples and kettle corn stations. Giddy, I am.  And we have fully embraced it here in the Case home.




Autumn also inspires me to work on home projects and boy, that list is long!  So much to do sometimes creates a bit of anxiety on how I can do it all, which I already know I can't.  So I take a deep and do what I can, bit by bit, and remind myself to look at the big picture.  Yesterday I decided I was worrying too much about my to do list and took the day to spend with my boy.  After all, the precious one on one time with him won't always be abundant.  And you know what?  My heart became full and my worries became lessened...after all, this is what life is about.  Being together, creating memories and sharing our bond.  It was fabulous.

We spent some time in the morning walking around a little zoo in Wheaton.  It was fun to have him direct where we were to go, him being the solo pilot of the adventure. I think he was a little disappointed that we were able to see it all so quickly (it is very small) and asked to go to the bigger zoo (Brookfield Zoo).  Since that wasn't an option, I volunteered the idea of going to eat our sack lunches by the train station which of course was met with extreme excitement!

ha ha..we were so close, it was loud but he loved it all the more.

This boy loves his trains! 

This morning Makenna wanted to wear a new sweater that has hung in her closet. "mom..this is so cool, there aren't any sleeves!" :) Scott and I picked it up a few weeks ago when we saw it and knew it screamed MC's name..and I guess we were right!  She wanted a few pictures before school so I picked up my big camera and we stepped outside.  I have been using my iphone camera a lot lately, because it is pretty awesome, but this is a good reminder that how much love I have for my DSLR camera as well.  

Blowing kisses.

 Oh Makenna...you little drama of a girl is pretty cute behind momma's lens. Even though sometimes your spirit is demanding, I love you all the more and soak up your radiance.

 Life is an adventure and these two remind me what it's all about.   I am still all about the to do lists but this is a great reminder that many a days those things can wait!

a bit of Randoms

1. The windows are open with a steady breeze of fall entering our home. Ahhh...  I'll ignore that it might reach 90 degrees tomorrow and concentrate on that Fall has come, even if summer slips through on an occasional day.

2. With the weather changing, I have recommitted to running at least twice a week.  Meet my new running buddy.  She needs to take intermittent walk breaks too so it is a perfect match!

3. My weekend away was awesome! Love spending time creating and to do it with such an awesome group of women makes it even better.  (Thank you MaryKim and girls for such a fun time.)  I come home refreshed, all caught up on our family album and excitedly looking forward to planning the next visit.

4. Want to see cute?

 

5. And just as cute?

6. And somebody is so happy that he finally can push himself on this swing.  "All by myself mommy!"

His love.

Rylan loves his trains to an almost obsessive manner.  He plays with them morning, noon and night and these most prized possessions accompany him to wherever he goes. In his little hands, in his pockets, even secretly tucked into his school bag....and there's always a few that take homage in my purse.  If Rylan is there, there are some trains. So when I heard that Thomas the Tank Engine actually visits close to our town, we no doubt had to get on board for a few tickets.

The threatening rains of the day didn't stop us and we made the hour plus drive to the Railway Museum in Union, Illinois. 

 Rain coats-check. Rain boots-check. Train-always.

 We climbed many of the old trains before finding Thomas himself.  It was really cool to see how far we have come in technology and comfort. :)

 Hello Thomas..there you are.  We boarded the train for a short twenty minute ride and both kids were thrilled.  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

A fun magical day for Ry and for all of us. I love finding special opportunities for us to explore and I'm always grateful for the time we spend together.

This weekend my mom and I are headed to our favorite scrapbooking retreat, The Paper Dollhouse, where we are going to spend the days crafting away with friends. A special thank you to all of our family members who are taking care of our kids while I'm away and Scott travels. We are so thankful for you and the kids are SO VERY EXCITED to spend the days with each of you.  xo