September is Over???

Where did September go?!? Where did I go? I fell off the blog-o-sphere apparently, sorry non-existent followers, you must have been so devastated. No? September was an amazing month full of unbelievable stress, and to equal the stress came a lot of blessings.  Happy moments, I know I say this a lot, I think it's because I need constant reminding, but there is ALWAYS a positive to be found.  I have been struggling a lot lately, I think I have exhaled harshly out of pure frustration at least 10,000 times in the last week.  Even writing this post I find myself breathing deeply and trying to focus on all that has gone right this month as opposed to all that has gone wrong.
My only other post for this month was all about the beauty of September in Utah, well this post probably won't be much different! In the last few weeks I have been able to do some pretty amazing things! Annnd, I have pictures, everyone knows that makes posts much more enjoyable!
The first of many happies this month was the birth of Mary Olivia Brandley, she is the daughter of Becca and Louis, Phill's older brother and sister-in-law.  She came into the world on September 22, on the first day of fall! I was so blessed to be able to be in Logan already for my cousin Lauren's wedding, I was able to go see Mary the day she was born. She is beautiful, I am, one of those crazy girls who "Ooo's" and "Awe's" at babies, what can I say? I was in awe at the beautiful spirit that Mary had, it was such a gift to be with Becca and Louis to watch their love for her.  I fully intend on being her real Aunt one day, but I already claim her, and her big sister Avery as mine!

On Friday, my friend Shanda and I took a hike up beautiful Logan Canyon, to the Wind Caves! This was a new hike for both of us, and I wish I would have known how narrow the trail was, because I wouldn't have taken Indy. She kept falling of the trail, ha. It sounds hilarious when I say it now, but it was intense! But the end result was awesome, mixed in with the Autumn leaves it was a beautiful day for a hike!

Beautiful view out of the back of the Cave! For a person terrified, and I mean pathetically terrified of heights the back of the cave is where it was at for me I didn't venture very far in. haha. It is what it is!

 such an amazing year for leaves! Last year we got totally screwed, there was no fall, it went from summer to winter. Lame. So i am so thankful that this year we have the real deal!

This is me as promised, standing cowardly at the back of the cave... i just know if i would have stepped one foot closer to the edge i was gonna fall off.  It's totally rational don't worry about it.

Shanda is much more brave than i am, she had the brilliant idea to walk across the arch and take a picture. So walk she did, all calm and cool and awesome.  Observe:

 

And then there is me... oh yes i most certainly did crawl, and only made it half way. haha. Such a pansy. Shanda thought it was hilarious i crawled, ergo the photo of my humiliating assent.  BUT I did do it...so *self high-five!*

The last day of September entailed on of my all time favorite traditions. Chili Dinner in Ogden Canyon. We have been doing it for 20+ years, we honestly don't know how long it's been going on, but we do it without fail and i love it! (these photos are not so great, i forgot my real camera. fail.)

Indy and dad got all tangled up!

 I love my family! Hope you all had an amazing September too!

Happy October!

September Bonus

I have been a bit of a blogging failure lately, but life has handed me a bucket or two of lemons over the past couple of months, and I'll be honest i got a little tired of making lemonade...But, September is my all time favorite month! It always has been, and i honestly don't know why, because there are no major events that make September particularly special.  Lately though, I've been dealt a few sweet cards, that have brought me so much peace.  If you know me, you'll know i am passionate about nature. I am always looking at the mountain, or sky. Since September started it's been a nature stalker's gold mine;) Observe:



 

Pretty Amazing right!?! I love Utah, i love it even more so in the Fall! September has been pretty sweet so far, the perks didn't stop at the scenery!

On Saturday my Aunt Natalie was puppy sitting seven 3 week old Schnauzer puppies, so we went to visit. Aren't they adorable! let's be honest puppies are just the greatest! who can be upset when you're surrounded by a bunch of puppies! Later that Saturday i was able to go up to Pickleville playhouse with some of Phill's siblings and see the Hanging of Juanito Bandito. Not going to lie it was the funniest thing i have ever seen. (sorry no pictures.)
Sunday we were visited by 3 of my favorite crazies:

These cuties are getting so big! I can't believe Ethan is getting baptized in a couple of weeks, Derrick is in first grade, and Lia is starting pre-school! They definitely have a way of making my day!

Phill only has 3 months left, I've heard the last three months are the hardest, and so far no one has lied to me...it's been crazy hard, but we're getting there. So chin up!

Final perk that has been a part of September is i changed my hair for fall! As vain or superficial as it may sound, i LOVE getting my hair done. haha. it's a little ridiculous. I went darker for fall, and it's a welcome change:)

There you have it, 2 weeks of my crazy beautiful life!