Why I Love the Valley

This weekend was Amazing. 

It reminded me of all the reasons I love living in the Shenandoah Valley. 

First, it started with carving pumpkins. Andy & I carved our first pumpkins as a 

married couple and first pumpkins at our own house!

Andy cut the holes in the top and scraped all the guts out 

because he knows I *HATE* that part (eww). 

And then I got to do the fun part, carving!

I think Andy does this because he doesn't trust me with the knife.

Okay, I know I'm biased, but isn't he adorable?!

Yes, I interrupted him for a self portrait.

The dogs found out they love the taste of pumpkins. 

Parker even took a big bite out of one of the lids! 

Hard at work -- using a very small knife. It's much safer for me that way!

Finished product! I love them!

Second, Saturday morning (into Saturday afternoon) I spent three hours 

catching up with a good friend at one of my favorite places: Starbucks!

Katherine & I at her wedding almost 1 year ago!

Third, we spent Saturday night at the beautiful new home of Val & Andrew celebrating their engagement & new home! Val is the amazing & talented musician who sang at our wedding last month. Their property is amazing and I didn't want to leave... ever (just ask Andy). 

All of the details of the party were adorable (tin can lanterns, mason jars with polka dots, a wagon for the food table, the list goes on and on). I am so upset I forgot my camera! So the following photos are courtesy of Priscilla Halterman - thanks for taking such great photos! 

Val thanks for having us! We had a great time!!

Loved the signs (and chalkboard signs!) - I can only imagine their wedding!

Beautiful flowers and decorations.

Love this girl!

I finally got to meet her famous kitty Olivia.

Olivia is so talented. She's a musician too.

And last but certainly not least, Sunday morning laying in bed we debated what to do with our day. I suggested errands in Harrisonburg and then Andy suggested we be less productive and have a picnic at his grandfather's other farm. My husband is amazing. It was the perfect plan for a beautiful October Sunday. So we called my nephews and Andy's mom and planned our picnic. 

Dillon couldn't stop fishing to eat... :)

We did a lot of this... Cathy relaxing

I think this vine on the silo is just gorgeous!

Searching for gourds...

Jake's favorite find!

Dillon's favorite find!

The loot -- I now have a beautifully decorated porch!

Self portrait moment - no makeup + messy hair Sunday.

Cathy finding gourds!

Dillon fishing in one of the prettiest places in the Valley.

More self portraits..

We had a blast!

Jake & I, we both love taking pictures!

My handsome husband gets tired of the camera!

Thank you Shenandoah Valley for the best weekend. You make it impossible to ever leave. 

My exact quote to Andy while sitting down enjoying the beautiful scenery,

"This is why I can never leave the Valley."



P.S. - for those of you anxiously awaiting my feelings on the dyson vacuum we purchased (I know you were just checking back every day to see what I thought...hahaha). The results are in: it's a keeper. Even after my friend Nicole made fun of me for having a "status" vacuum, it is still a keeper. We loved it and it vacuums so much better than my old walmart vacuum (not that it would be hard to beat, it seriously smoked when we ran it).