Life Update

Okay, so, it's been forever since I posted anything here, so I thought I'd do a bit of a "life update" of sorts, which is essentially a photo dump from my iPhone of what we've been doing the past few (many!) months. I have house updates too, but those are just going to have to wait because this is already way too long.

We went on lots of walks/runs at Windsor Castle Park

We had another foster dog, Holly! She was a sweetie, and we were very attached to her, but she ended up needing to go back to the shelter after she had some aggression issues with a friend's dog. Heartbreaking. She was our first foster dog that we didn't find a home for :( 

Looking cute.

We dressed up as Hermione Granger and a Master Shipbuilder for Halloween.

I decorated the mantel and other areas for fall when Matt's parents came to visit for a weekend to celebrate Abby and Ken's birthdays.

I continued to hang out with my youth group girls. Here, we were making bracelets for Operation Christmas Child. 

We ran a 4 mile "Wild Hog" race with Abby here in Smithfield. I was slower than I wanted to be, but faster than I thought I'd end up being, so that was a good thing! It was also fun to run it together with Abby. 

The house looked beautiful this fall.

We went (spur of the moment) to a local Bacon and Bourbon Festival. We had a GREAT time and totally want to go again next year. Matt discovered he really likes bourbon this year! They also had live music and local craft beers. We saw lots of friends and had a great time. 

We got invited again to the Achievable Dream banquet through Smithfield. I continue to love this charity and it is always fun to get dressed up and attend a nice dinner/auction. This year we bought a yard trimmer, a couple gift cards, and a holiday decoration. 

My parents also got invited!

We went to a few more weddings this summer and saw friends there. Very fun. 

Another wedding. 

I attempted to get back into painting by painting a few gifts for friends' kids. It's a slow and steady start but I am slowly getting back into it. I've taken up watercolor and have discovered I really like doing ink and watercolor paintings the best. 

Another gift. 

A gift that I ended up deciding to keep for myself :) 

We went on a beach vacation with both families this summer to Emerald Isle, and even made matching t-shirts! We had a good time together and loved the time off work. 

Abby got a puppy, Oakley, who is now 11 months and MASSIVE compared to this photo. This was the first time I met him, when I spent the night in Cville for work with Abby and had a "girls night" together. 

My office when I first moved in in February. I was so excited!!!

My new "office" finally started to have some personality over the last month or so!

For my birthday, Matt bought me a Martin guitar from a friend who was looking to sell his. It is my baby and I love playing it, even though I am not very good. 

As is becoming our yearly tradition, we had foster kittens this year in the spring. Matt's parents ended up adopting 2, so it has been fun to watch them grow! They're huge now! 

Foster baby.

Matt pretended he didn't like the kittens, but he loved them! :) 

Proof--he put that kitten there!