The Millers:: Part 2, Waterfalls and Palmyra

Ithaca is known for the beautiful waterfalls. There are hundreds of them throughout the city and they are absolutely gorge-ous. 

We went to the Farmer's Market as well. It's a great place to get fresh, local produce, as well as some great eats. 

Palmyra is about 1 1/2 hours from us. It is small town, and the buildings are so cute.

We visited the place where the Book of Mormon was published. We also took a tour of the Joseph Smith grounds and the Sacred Grove.

It was HORRIBLY hot. 

The Millers Visit:: Part 1

One of my best friends, Nicole, from Utah came to visit the beginning of September with her daughtert Brynnlee.

Our first trip was to the Syracuse Zoo. It is small, and it wears the kids out so the moms can go shopping in the fantastically GIGANTIC mall afterwards.

We love to take visitors around Cornell. There aren't beautiful, old campuses like these on the west coast. It almost feels enchanted. It is so beautiful... and it doesn't hurt that it is the #1 look-a-like school to Hogwarts. 

Really. It is ranked #1.

Berry Picking at Grisamore Farms

Playing catch up...

A few weeks ago-- Or over a month ago, call it what you will...

We went berry picking.

This has to be one of my favorite things to do in the late summer in New York.

It is much cheaper than the grocery store and who doesn't love to eat fruit right off the bush?

I think Amelia ate half her weight in blueberries. And then the other half in raspberries. 

I wish I could say I made jam or something out these, but that would be false.

We ate them. 

All within 2 days. 

Didn't even bat an eye.

Back to School

We got back into New York on Sunday.

 I will never drive that far with a 1 year old... 

Ever. Again. 

We would leave at 5 am, and Amelia would do great for about 5 hours and then she was done. We would stop and eat and play at a park. Then she would sleep for about an hour and then it was over. We had to stop for the day. We added on 2 extra days because of this, but there was just no way around it.

It feels good to be back. It is 100% different than last time.

 I know people, I am not crying myself to sleep because I miss family. 

I know to expect.

I am not a new mom with a tiny newborn that I have no idea what to do with.

I have realized Ithaca isn't scary.

I go outside.

 Last year went so slow and so fast all at once. Possible? I guess so. I know this year is going to pass by so quickly that I will soon be recalling these days as memories.

We are still unpacking our apartment. We stored most of our stuff (everything except furniture and kitchenware) in the attic, and we had a sublet for our apartment all summer.

Our house smells like Indian food. 

Amelia is going 90 miles an hour. Everything I put away is just pulled out of place and put somewhere new. When we left, she couldn't walk but I didn't think it would make that big of a difference for baby proofing. I thought she was pretty mobile and curious as a crawler. 

I. WAS. WRONG.

She is getting into everything! She RUNS everywhere opening all the doors, cupboards, fridge, boxes, and it's getting a little overwhelming while trying to put this house together. 

Anthony has started is last year at Cornell. This is monumental. Our entire relationship, we have always been in school. 

Working around this schedule, and preparing for this test. 

We will be done with school! 

(Until he gets an Executive MBA. And I go to cosmetology school... Okay, just let me have my happy thoughts for a minute!) 

He is taking a whopping 26 credits this year (for F.U.N.). That is a lot at any school, let alone at Cornell. I will be alone this semester. Feel free to call me anytime. 

Our last year in Ithaca. I am ready to enjoy every minute. (Or at least endure the winter with a smile.) 

Hope you all had a good day back to school.. or a good day at your new jobs if you just graduated. Or a good day. 

Our first week in Ithaca

Today

Weekend Adventures

This was our last weekend to do whatever we wanted in Denver. 

I can't believe it has gone by so quickly! I am anxious to get back to New York, and get back into our groove. It is going to be a lot different than last year. Amelia and I have been spoiled here in Denver, and I am afraid we will get bored in Ithaca. I guess it is time to try out the ol' Science Center. 

Anyways... This weekend we tried to do things we have been wanting to do.

We ate at Rio Grande. 

We are REALLY going to miss Mexican food.

We played at the Soda Lakes. We drove past this place a lot as we went to the Outlet Mall or to some friends' houses and thought it looked so fun. I looked like the sand was really soft from the freeway.

It wasn't. 

It was super rocky, and we only last about an hour and half, but it was still fun. 

I am a complete and utter SUCKER for carnivals and fairs. 

My family has a tradition of going to Summerfest in Orem, UT every year. We can walk to it from my grandma's, so it has become a staple for my summers.

Greenwood Village had a fair this weekend and you can bet your bottom dollar I dragged my family there!

Everything was Free.

Food. 

Rides.

Crafts.

Games.

FREE.

I guess that is what happens when you live in a wealthy community.. and they get stuck with us who don't pay taxes... oh well.

Amelia wasn't too fond of the carousel, but loved the train ride. I obviously had to ride the train with her, and it was TINY. 

And we had some fun and relaxing time at home.

My mom gets here on Thursday and I am so excited to show her around. 

I will leave with her back to Utah on Sunday, and then Anthony will come the following Saturday after he finishes his last week of work.

His internship is going very well. He is flying to New Jersey to present the product he developed to a hospital there to hopefully have them buy it. It seems crazy to me that he doing "real business" in the "real world" already. He's pretty legit. haha. 

Jessica and Justin's Wedding

My friend Jessica got married this past weekend. I have to say it was the mot beautiful wedding I have been to and I am so grateful we were in Denver this summer to be apart of it. She got married in the beautiful Rocky Mountains and her ceremony was overlooking a beautiful view.
We have been celebrating her this whole month. She had such a fun Bachelorette Party and Bridal Shower. We have had Spa Days, Girls Nights, and we went dancing all night downtown. I haven't been dancing since before I was 21, so it didn't really count before, but it was a blast.

We had to drive 3 hours to get to the mountain, and then we almost missed the ceremony because we didn't know we had to ride the lift up the mountain. I thought it was just the coolest. Riding a lift to the top of the mountain for a beautiful view of the mountains. It was perfect.

All of her bridesmaids. I am so glad I could be there with my friends. 

The beautiful couple. And THE Vera Wang. 

That is what I called her dress all night.

I had never seen somebody actually wear one. haha.

The View.

I love them both so much, and their little boy, Koen, and I am so glad that we just happened to be here for the summer.

We leave in 10 days! WOMP.

I love it here, and I hope we get a few offers from fellowships here. I mean if a better one comes along, we will take it, but I seriously love this area. So much.