The quietest of quiet Thanksgivings.

Everyone departed to another part of the country this year for Thanksgiving, except Mari and I so we decided to have our own little feast (which was mostly comprised of pie). 

We were also invited to a lovely Thanksgiving feast at some family friends house, which we partook. But mostly, it was a quiet, peaceful, and very enjoyable time spent at home! 

Sickly sickies.

Conveniently, we dress alike and share sicknesses. It's fun. 

Baby, it's cold outside.

I know I grew up in Montana, but Michigan is COLD. It was 9º the other day and I wanted to cry. Having lived in Oregon, then Hawaii, and then Arizona, I did not own a winter coat. I bought a jacket when the fall weather started to cool down, but nothing more than a jacket. I am FREEZING. I am loving the seasons and the beautiful snow but hot damn, I don't think my toes have ever been more cold in their life. That's not to say that I won't enjoy my time here while it lasts but goodness…it's cold. 

(Did I mention that yet)

Snap chat talents.

I am building my resumé and exploring new artistic leisure pursuits and I really feel like I am onto something, especially when it comes to exploiting children and smoking. (sarcasm).

Merrill Christmas in November!

My mom was able to spend 10 days here in Michigan so we did a little touristy exploring before she left.  First stop was Merrill, Michigan for an obligatory Merrill Family photo. It was unexpectedly windy, hence the hair photos! 

Our next stop was Frankenmuth, Michigan where Christmas is celebrated all year long. It was a lot of fun, very unique, and VERY festive. We had chicken dinner at the Bavarian Inn, which was delish. My boyfriend Rory was our waiter and I tried to woo him with my Bavarian witty ways, but it didn't work. It was fun while it lasted ;) 

And lastly, we went to Bronners, THEE Christmas store of ALL Christmas stores. It was incredible. There were 16 sections in total, every kind of Christmas toy, ornament, and decor item you could ever imagine. It was a lot of fun but also very overwhelming! Great experience over all! 

A dirty weekend of Golden Thirties.

Well, I turned 30! I am officially out of my 20's and feeling pretty good about that escape. My mom came to Michigan to visit me for the weekend and we headed north on Halloween (the day after my Bday) for a girls birthday weekend get-a-way. It was a very nice weekend and a good excuse to see the northern parts of Michigan before it freezes over! We stayed a night in Traverse City, a night in Petosky, crossed over the Mackinaw Bridge up into the Upper Peninsula, and then came back down the eastern side of the mitten. I am still surprised at how absolutely beautiful Michigan is, especially those northern parts of the state. It was a great Birthday and I feel really good about the next decade!

Additionally, I won the pumpkin decorating contest at Origami, so I feel pretty good about that! :) 

 Erika, the 30 year old witch. 

 Award winning pumpkin. 

Frenchies: The best little cafe in Traverse. 

Visiting Friends.

Bookstore in Glen Arbor, MI. 

Glen Lake, Glen Arbor, MI. 

Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan, Traverse City, MI. 

Charlevoix, MI.

 Mackinaw Island, MI. 

Petosky, MI. 

Connor and Amy wed.

I went to Phoenix for the weekend to attend the wedding of my best friend to his best friend, and I don't think I could be happier for them. I also got to see my little family and spend some quick time with them, see most of my TR family, and love on Pono at Last Change, which all made me abundantly happy. Two days in Arizona has never gone by so fast, felt so crazy, and been so fun!

A traversing we did go….

Jazz came to visit Mari from California (a friend from Hawaii who I also knew from the good ol' days) While they played most days that I worked, we did take a day trip to Traverse City in northern Michigan. It was really pretty up there, quite cold, but an overall really fun day. Jazz had a bucket list goal of jumping into one of the Great Lakes and she accomplished just that! We waited until just before we left for home so she could warm up in the car. It was such a fun trip and I can't wait to see what else Michigan has to offer!