Chicago and back

I had a great time in Chicago last week! I went to the CAEL conference, and it was a great mix of networking, learning new ideas, and getting time to explore the city!  The conference was at the InterContinental Hotel, and I'm not too proud to say that I took pictures! :) 

Large room all to myself

Loved the modern look of the bathroom

On the second day of the conference

 We went downtown on the second night of the conference.  It was fun having a chance to shop on Michigan Avenue!

I made two really great friends, Amanda and Sally (not pictured)! Amanda is from Ottawa, KS, and Sally is from Syracuse, New York! 

Sadly, C&B was already closed :(

Kevin gave me beautiful flowers when I got home!

I had a great time, and it was even worth all the numerous emails I'm catching up on at work!  Next trip: Jamaica in 10 days!

Double Congrats!

My friend, Alisha (one of the grad girls) had her twins on Friday! They are gorgeous and so cute! Their names were kept secret from us, and I love the ones they chose: Jonah Matthew and Avah Marie.  Avah was 6 pounds 4 ounces, and Jonah was 5 pounds 10 ounces. 

First family photo!

Avah Marie

Jonah Matthew

Cuddling together

Alisha and the babies! All three are so pretty!

Sweet, sweet babies!

Congratulations to the Hanshaw family of FOUR!  Love you all!

Pumpkin Carving

Britt and Ben came over last night, and we all carved pumpkins (and one watermelon)!  

Ben's Companion Cube (from Portal video game)

Britt's Martha Stewart Pumpkin

Beautiful pattern

After a night full of pumpkin carving!

My Australian Shepherd pumpkin - with the help of Ben's Dremmel and an awesome BH&G template

I'm so proud of it!

Kevin and I did an angry bird and pig (the pig is done with a watermelon) - we love them!

Kevin's Turret from Portal video game - Kevin is so precise!

Looks good, even without the candle!

I love it!

B is for Beckett...and Blessing

Sarah and I left Friday morning to visit the Gramkow Family: Mandy, Ben, Ellie and Beckett.  It was wonderful to be able to help out however we could.  I left feeling renewed after seeing their faith throughout their day-to-day interactions with Beckett.

Sarah and I on our way to Fort Worth

Mr. Beckett himself - he's up to three pounds!

Sarah and Ellie playing in the waiting room at Harris Methodist

Sweet baby Beckett

Going the distance

In the next month and a half, I will be breaking out the luggage several times:

October 21-23: Driving to Fort Worth, TX with Sarah to visit Mandy, Ben, Ellie, and Beckett! We can't wait to help out however we can!

November 8-11: My first solo business trip to Chicago for the CAEL conference!  I fly out on Tuesday morning and return on Friday evening.  I'm excited in the biggest, nerdiest way for this conference! Tinto and Sanford and Schlossberg, OH MY! :)

November 25-December 2: Yep, it's Jamaica time! Oh my goodness, I can not wait!

Weekend at the Lake

Kevin and I invited Britt and Ben to the Council Grove lake this past weekend.  They brought their sailboat, and we spent a good part of Saturday on the lake!

Practice run

View from my parents' house

When we left CG to head back to Wichita, there was a gorgeous rainbow!