Hudson, WI

Arianna, Drew and I went over to Hudson for the afternoon on one of the last gorgeous fall days of the year. It was fun to feel like a tourist and explore the area a little. Arianna and Drew are great travel buddies!

We drove around the neighborhoods by the cute old downtown area and found the octagon house,

went for a walk by the river,


and explored a state park.






Willow Falls was beautiful! It was so nice to get some fresh air and exercise. We could have stayed there all day if I didn't have to get to Minneapolis to go to my class.
Be a tourist where you live! It's fun!!

The Fall in Saint Paul

Autumn is a gorgeous time of year around here.







There are some unique homes around where we live. I love to take walks and look at the architecture.


We went to visit Drew's Grandma and family in Spooner, WI for the day. Wonderful people!

Fall also brings Halloween! I got in the spirit this year!

Drew and I dressed up (I am a super hero and Drew is a man that is hard to find). We went to the roller derby. It rules! Those women are strong and awesome!


After the derby, we found some gnomes.


Good times!

Apple Orchard

I love the apple orchard! How could ya not? Most years we have gone to a popular one in Stillwater, but this year we tried a new place. It's a small farm owned by a young, environmentally conscious couple. It's all about the apples at this place. We got to pick our own apples - something I have never done.






When we got home with all of our organic, freshly picked apples, Drew made a pie! It was the best pie I'll ever have! Drew, you are the cutest ever!


A week or so later, he tried his hand at a blueberry pie! Yum!

Summertime Fun! (Part 2)

We met up with my Aunt Lorraine and Uncle Jeff to attend the Garlic Festival in Hutchinson. It was a great time!


They had a kite making tent. There were only children making the kites... except for me! It was so much fun to make and fly that kite! Seriously, if you get the opportunity to fly a kite, do it! Make it happen. It is so fun. I think I do a little reliving my childhood sometimes, but ya know, having goofy fun is the best.


After we left the festival, we went to Lorraine and Jeff's farm to see all their giant farming toys.

We visited the barn animals too. I just love these kitties...I want to take them all home with me! The cat that we had when I was growing up was from this barn. We named her Hutch after the town of Hutchinson. (We didn't know she was a girl cat when we named her that. I kept that tradition alive when I named my girl kitten Newman. We were pretty sure she was a boy because she just seemed like one. ;) Oh well!)

They have the coolest chickens with awesome hairdos!


Another must visit festival: the Minnesota State Fair!

Why are we so goofy?



MN wine tasting!