punkins

Or that's what all the little kiddos at the patch called them :)

Well, it's that time of year. Pumpkin carving time! Aren't the fall leaves beautiful??



Happy soon to be Halloween!

Katie's wedding

The day of Katie's wedding was beautiful! We tried to capture the fall leaves, but they aren't quite as bright here as they were in real life. Anyway, it was good to be with friends and celebrate Katie and Matt's marriage!


The reception was at these really cool botanic gardens. It was a beautiful place for a reception!

Michigan

This past weekend we headed up to southern Michigan to celebrate Katie's wedding! I'll be sure to post a blog about that as well, but for our first day there Ryan and I headed to the beach and the sand dunes. It was a gorgeous day, a little windy and chilly, but the sun felt so good. I was thankful for our current unemployed status to be able to go up early and enjoy the area.

We stayed at an inn nearby which sat right on the beach.

(Ryan's album cover for his new band.)

Right about this point we both had a craving for a carmel apple cider and happened to drive past this adorable local coffee shop which was advertising them outside. They were delicious and a perfect little snack before climbing up the huge sand dunes!

(the beach at sunset)

And finally, the reason for the party! Ms Katie Ringenberg! It was so good to see these girls, since it really doesn't happen that often. We live all over the place now and life just gets busy. I really enjoyed hearing how everyone is doing, and finding out that Jennifer is having a little girl!! So exciting!

Apple Picking

Fall = apples.

(we went to Stuckeys in Westfield)

Nashville

On our way back from Catalyst we travelled through Nashville to see Kent and Melinda. It was great to see them, are we are always encouraged so much by their friendship. On Saturday we stopped on the German festival in town and I had a delicious Reuben...and I've been on a kick ever since :)

Thanks guys, we had a blast!

Catalyst

A few weeks ago Ryan and I went to a leadership training conference called Catalyst. We had a blast hearing from folks like Francis Chan, Andy Stanley, and Beth Moore. If you get a chance, I would definitely look up some of the talks. They all focused on how to lead a ministry in the midst of all sorts of tensions. One of my favorite talks was by Gabe Lyons. More info here:

http://www.timschraeder.com/2010/10/08/gabe-lyons-catalyst-2010/

frisbee golf

Our new unemployed hobby.

Reds game!

Oh my goodness I am so far behind! A few weeks ago Ryan and I made it down to Cincinnati for a Reds game, and it happened to be the night they won the division! We had been watching for a few days to see if that day would be the day they would win it, and they did! Jay Bruce won the game with a walkoff home run in the bottom of the 9th. About as exciting as it gets, and the stadium went nuts. We walked back to Fountain Square with the streets full of people running and screaming. Very exciting!

Miss Molly in Fountain Square before the game

the stadium was packed.

and they won! fireworks and all to celebrate!

coffee.

Our new favorite coffee shop to go and get work done. Calvin Fletchers in Fountain Square.


Monday morning cups of coffee (or chai) and Crusade doctrine training :)

Katie's shower

Katie R is getting married! Her bridesmaids threw her a shower this past Sunday, and it was a ton of fun, thanks girls for throwing it! I am so happy for Katie and Matt and their wedding here in a few weeks :)

the day we rode the Monon

On my first day off of work, I talked Ryan into riding the entirety of the Monon Trail. Turns out we rode about 30+ miles which is pretty cool. But it was a great ride, and something I've wanted to do since we moved here to Indy.

Our trusty bikes!

We stopped for burgers about half way through

And we finished!

Holy cow what a ride! Great first day of unemployment, tomorrow the real work begins :)

Garvin wedding

Angela and Hoy were married this weekend! The ceremony and reception were both outside, and it was a beautiful day.

Congrats guys!!

the canal

We have had some beautiful evenings lately! I'm sure those of you in other parts of the country have as well, but here is my tribute to the nice Indiana fall evenings. Last week I took a long walk around the canal right before sunset to just walk, pray, think, and get out of the house for a little bit. I happened to grab my camera, and snap a few pics of things that just stood out to me that evening. Nothing spectacular, just simple beauty, thanks for taking a look :)

I love this old church, we used to live right across from it, and I loved that it was part of our view every day.

Water hitting metal at the north end of the canal

The sun reflecting off the fountain

purple flowers.

I thought these looked pretty neat with the sunlight

There were lots of vegetables at the urban garden

And this sunflower is fading, a sure sign that fall has come.

Purdue v. Ball State

We headed up to West Lafayette on Saturday for the football game! Ryan's brothers go Purdue and Ball St, so it was fun to go see the rival schools.

It was pretty good game, Purdue won! It is always great to be back up in West Lafayette, and we always try to stop by some of our favorite food and coffee places. We met up with Brad Martz, and his beautiful girlfriend at Vienna (hello vanilla latte! yum!). Afterwards we stopped by Kara and Ryan's house to see their new puppy. So adorable. We had dinner at Von's Dough Shop, the calzones are just as delicious. Although, Ryan and I were quickly reminded how we gained weight so easily in college... And lastly, every trip to Lafayette should end with a bonfire and hot cider at the Speichers.

Some things never change :)

wedding time

Amy and Michael's wedding!