Columbus [Donut] Day

Blake planned a fun trip down to Richmond, VA to celebrate Columbus Day. 

Hooray for government holidays!

 It started raining as we pulled away and I was in heaven wrapped up in a blanket with gas station hot choc driving in the country. Add a little Conference on the radio and it was perfect. 

First stop was DIXIE DONUTS.

H.E.A.V.E.N

It was such as adorable little donut shop with the coolest flavors 

(like french toast, peach cobbler, pumpkin cream cheese!)

And sprinkles galore!

Somehow we got talked into buying a dozen....weird.

Blake loved the Salted Carmel and I loved the pumpkin glazed. 

And the raspberry. And the peach. And the chocolate. And the sprinkles.... :)

Then we grabbed lunch in the adorable town. 

It reminded me of Stars Hollow 

We shopped around the little town and found an amazing store- Need Supply

Hipster central

The sweater I loved was $260....so it was a quick look around but still a fun store

We stayed the night in Short Pump, VA and it is the hidden gem of Virginia let me tell ya. 

Our hotel was attached to the mall (genius!) with a J Crew neeeext door and 

Blake took me out for a  steak dinner. Score!

I got to read my kindle in bed and then eat donuts again for breakfast. 

Preeetty solid Columbus Day for the Behnkes. 

Treat swap partyyy

While the boys were away at the Priesthood Session of Conference, I held a little treat swap party for some girls in our new married (still weird) ward. It was so fun to meet new friends and have an excuse to bake something pumpkin-y

My contribution involved pumpkin cheesecakes with an oreo crust, carmel and a pumpkin kiss to top it all off!

Sydney had the brilliant idea to paint some platters with chalkboard 

paint so we could decorate the platters. Craft queen in the house!

All the girls made suuuch yummy treats and it made for a beautiful spread

Thanks for such a great night ladies!

And a happy Columbus Day to you!

Adventure Day!

With the humidity finally gone and the beautiful fall weather, an adventure day was a must last weekend.

Blake planned a great hike around Great Falls, VA. It wasn't a strenuous mountain hike like Utah 

has to offer but rather a nature walk of sorts. But we wore workout clothes to make it feel more

 intense so it all worked out in the end.

The best part of hiking is when you run into the same couple every turn you take. 

There is basically one path and nature is hard to come by in DC so it was pretty crowded. 

"Hi good morning".....

"Oh hi again".... 

"Hahah hiiiii".....

"OK SERIOUSLY STOP FOLLOWING US"

Blake gave me the clue "horses" for what part II of the adventure held in store.

After driving to a random town in Maryland, we stopped off at Glen Echo Park.

It's a preserved amusement park from the 1940s and it is basically 

Stars Hallow meets Singing in the Rain.

aka Heaven.

They hold random creepy puppet show for kids and community music lessons.

Best part? Working carousel from 1921. 

One of the oldest in the U S of A.

For the win!

Blake and I were the first people in line and the oldest :)

It was the perfect fall afternoon and was promptly topped off with some 

bubble gum icecream in Georgetown.

Guess we really are still kids.

her september happy list

finally getting a hang of this whole 'career' thing

Blake's deeeelicious homemade pizza. Best thing ever

the humidity leaving DC. Hooray!

discovering the beauty of steel cut oats. Goodbye oatmeal.

surprise adorable grey striped rug as a late wedding gift.

watching Friends reruns in between crisp clean white sheets

sporting dark nail polish

making new couple friends in our ward.

my favorite shows returning. Hellllo Greys, Revenge, Good Wife and Park and Rec

my bro in law getting an iPhone so we can FaceTime baby Anne! Yay! 

new red birthday purse. What a beaut, thanks Momma.

adventure day with Blake (more to come)

a fun surprise birthday dinner with my close pals. 

[not to mention the Nutella Calzone that was a must have]

Target loafers. Enough said. 

turning 25! and feeling so loved! thanks everyone!