Summer Bucket List {How I did}

Welcome to the first day of FALL, friends! Although its still sitting mid 80's in Ohio and the leaves seem anything but crisp, I'll take it because it being the 22nd means we've got to be one day closer to real Fall weather!

I wanted to take a look back at my original post where I made a long list of Summery items I wanted to tackle and see how I did. Summer 2016 was a fun one, at that!

Run 80 miles by my birthday. Well that came and went, and I won't even tell you how many miles I did (or didn't) run. #embarrassing

Make a s'more or three. I did this one! We were at a wedding and they had a massive s'more bar, and it was wonderful. You know I indulged in a couple.

Make a photo book. I did this one, too! Although it was for a gift, and not for me personally, it still counts. It took a lot of time, and I'm excited to start working on my own more once weddings slow down this Winter. Woo!

Go hiking/canoeing/something adventurous. Yes! We spent more time outdoors this summer than any married summer so far. We went canoeing, we hiked to a waterfall in TN, we took long walks, we played a lot of volleyball. I'd definitely call that a success!

Hit up the zoo/aquarium. This was a no-go sadly. The aquarium is EXPENSIVE, and we didn't go to the zoo. Bummer!

Play Frisbee Golf. Not only did we play, we played like 4 or 5 times! We have a course far back in our neighborhood, and we even bought 2 new discs to play with! I'm definitely no pro, but I'm a LOT better than I was the first time we played.

Go to a Red's game. Sadly we didn't make this one happen. In all fairness, they kinda sucked this year, BUT still tickets are pretty cheap we could probably make a game this Fall happen and then I could totally count this as a win, right?

Read a couple books. I read one book, and almost finished another...so while it wasn't a "couple", I'm counting it as a win.

Get some chairs for our patio. Caleb and I actually decided to delete this goal from the list because we realized our patio is kind of tiny, and it wouldn't be very appealing eating dinner right next to our outdoor trash cans. ;) we'll save this goal until we buy a house - hopefully next year!

Play corn-hole. We celebrated Father's Day outside all afternoon that day and played multiple rounds of corn-hole! I'm actually not half bad at it, I've found.

Try a new restaurant with Caleb. CHECK! We hit up a place called "The Original Pancake House" and I had the most amazing pecan french toast in the world. Caleb had some strange egg dish, but we both were so thrilled with the whole experience. We can't wait to go back!

I'd say I did pretty darn well on this Summer Bucket List! Accomplishing 8 out of 11 things is definitely a win! We really had such a great summer, and I feel like we spent a lot more time in the sunshine than in years past! I didn't maintain a good tan, but what else is new? I miss those summer vacations in high school where my only worry was perfecting my tan, ha!

Now, its time for a Fall Bucket List!

My Summer bucket list

I'm making more of an effort to spend less time behind my screens this summer, and more time outside! I know we're a few weeks into summer already but I wanted to officially make a fun little list of things to work towards while we've still got the sunshine this time of year!

{Run 80 miles by my birthday} This is a big goal for me since I haven't been consistently running this year much, so I'm hoping this will really take me back to my regular running days! August 9th, you are going to come very quickly, I can already tell.

{Make a s'more - or three} no explanation needed, right?

{Make a dang photo book} pretty sure this has been on EVERY goal post I've written since we've been married... we shall see!!

{Go hiking/canoeing/do something adventurous} we live near some pretty cool trails and hiking spots and such, so I'd like to make this happen somehow!

{Hit up the zoo or aquarium} I love how many attractions our city has to offer, and although its kind of expensive, I think its always worth it!

{Play Frisbee golf} we have a pretty fun course by our neighborhood, so we need to make time on a weekend or evening to get outside and make it happen!

{Go to a Red's game} its been too long since we've been!!!

{Read a couple books} I love reading and once mid-July hits, I will have a lot more time on my hands!

{Get a couple chairs for our patio} I think since we know this isn't our 'forever' home either, we haven't made it very homey...but summer evenings are meant to be spent outside so I'd like to get a few chairs for Caleb and I to read outside together, or just chat about our days!

{Play corn-hole} we don't have a set, but I'm determined someway...somehow.

{Try a new restaurant with Caleb} for date night! Woo woo!

I'm trying to keep my summer list realistic. I'm hoping to accomplish all of these things by the end of August. Which reminds me about that 25 before 25 list. There's another post idea ;) its crazy how much has changed since I made that list and how my goals changed as well. I'm not even disappointed that it won't all get done, as life changes, our circumstances change, and so do our goals, and that's alright!

Here's to a fun, adventurous, sunny summer! What's on your summer bucket list? Please let me know! I'd love to have more ideas!

My Fall bucket list...that I WILL complete!

I (along with the rest of blogland) am so happy its October. Although Caleb and I have a pretty jam packed schedule the next 3 weekends, we're ready for them. In the midst of all the craziness that this month brings, I'm excited to create (and hopefully achieve) all the things on my Fall bucket list.

Oh, you mean no one has ever made a Fall bucket list? *insert sarcasm* I know, but I feel like if I'm not intentional with this list, none of it will happen. SO, in true blogger fashion, I'm writing a post on it.

Drink fresh apple cider.

So I've never had a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. I KNOW, what the what!?? ;) I just love the taste of warm apple cider so much I can't stray away from it! When I was young my family and I would always go to this cute farm called "Rousters Apple Farm", and they have since shut down...so I'm determined to find a spot in Cincy where I can get myself some!!

Have a silly, ridiculous, selfie filled Fall photo shoot.

I don't even care if Caleb and I have to take a dang tripod out in the street that we find with a ton of leaves, we need to get out and use our cameras more for personal use. I think BECAUSE I shoot weddings, sometimes I forget to document my own life with my DSLR. I stick w/ my phone, etc...which in some cases is fine, but I want to get better about it. There are SO many beautiful trees already changing in our complex, leaves falling, etc. We just gotta make it happen!

Cropped photo from our engagement shoot (2012)

Carve pumpkins.

Caleb and I have NEVER done this together. We talk about it every year, yet just never go out and buy them. So we decided that we would...even if its on Halloween!

Celebrate Caleb's golden birthday.

He will be 26 on the 26th, guys! I'm so excited and can't wait to celebrate with him!

Make s'mores.

Like, around a REAL fire. No microwave stuff (although, that's an acceptable option when you're desperate). I miss bonfires...and thankfully my church is putting on a Fall hangout at a local campground and we are so excited for all the chili/s'mores we can eat!!

Play in the leaves.

Yeah, I'm 4 years old. But its literally the best thing ever. Just throw a few in the air, you'll see.

Shoot an entirely rustic, Fall themed wedding.

I know this is already planned, but I am so out of my mind excited for this day. I get to shoot a wedding back in our college town of Mount Vernon next Friday and its a ton of friends from school. Not only will it be so fun to see a bunch of old friends, but to also get to shoot their big day? I'm pumped! They are having a burger bar, s'mores, mini-movies playing, and I'm hopeful there are huge piles of leaves around for them to play in ;)

Take more walks.

That's one of our favorite things to do...but I'm determined to soak up this last full month of extra daylight. I am going to miss it so much come November...so I want to make the absolute most out of these late nights!!

Bake a REAL apple pie (possibly with my mom/grandma)!

I've never done this...and I think it would be so much fun. I'm talkin from SCRATCH, y'all ;) any of you ever done this? If so, please share the recipe!!

Any fun ideas I left off my list?!! Please add to it below...I REALLY want to make the most of this Fall!!! :) what's on your list??

(Linking up with one of my favorites, Shanna!!)

Things I think I can't do.

My weekend was awesome. Perfect mix of productive (hit the gym Friday, Saturday & Sunday! Woo woo!) and lazy (Disney movie nights with my man)....so you could say I loved it. Nothing really "recap worthy", sorry bout it ;)

Becky wrote a really awesome post post recently! It was essentially a list of things she didn't think she could do in her lifetime, yet hopes to prove herself wrong one day, by doing them. I couldn't get over what a cool idea that was, so I'm "borrowing" it from her :) so here goes!

Things I think I can't do, but hope to at least try...

Run a marathon.

I'm still on the fence about this one. I don't even know yet if I have a desire to run for 26.2 miles straight... 13 was crazy enough, and it was really hard to walk for the next week. But something about  pushing your body to its absolute limits, and accomplishing something at the same time, makes you so proud to have worked so hard...so, we'll see! ;)

Give up pop for a year!
I mean, this is straight crazy status. You have no idea how much I love my Mountain Dew. I truly have no issues giving up Coke, Pepsi, Dr Pepper, etc, as I truly don't drink much pop as it is, but when I'm at a get together where its available, just sitting out, already chilled...its hard to say no! We RARELY buy it for our home, and opt for Powerade or water instead...but giving up that sweet nectar that is Mountain Dew, for 365 days...ahhh! We shall see about this one ;)

Plan for an entire month's worth of dinners.
I know this seems silly, as conquering my first one up there is in a totally different category of goals, but hey, I truly am not gifted in the aspect of cooking, prepping, and/or planning meals. I really want to get better at this in its entirety. I can't tell you how many vegetables, etc, that we've thrown away due to them spoiling from not being used...which in my mind is like watching dollar bills get thrown in the trash. So it would be fun to plan each weeks grocery trips/what we're going to eat, a whole month before hand!

Run 60 miles in a month.
Maybe for a lot of you, this is 'no big deal', but for me? OUCH. My thighs hurt just thinking about it! On a GOOD month, I can get 35-40 miles in...so we'll see about this one!

What about you? What's that one something you've always wanted to do, but just don't know if you have it in you?? *spoiler alert; you DO have it in you! ;)

The thrill seekers ultimate bucket list.

I don't know about you guys, but I seriously love the thrill of a new adventure. I love doing something that terrifies me, because I know I'm about to have an amazing time and make an "I can't believe I did that" kind of memory.

I've got lots of "crazy" things I want to do with this life of mine...so I thought I'd make myself a bucket list of them all.

Yep, that's me!

Skydive. Check!

Swim with dolphins. Check!

Bungee jump.

Swim with sharks (with, or without the cage. I'm not picky!)

Go on a hot air balloon ride. Preferably with my hot date, but I don't know if he'd enjoy the heights!

Cliff diving.

Learn to surf, or at least try.

Edgewalk the CN Tower in Toronto.

Hang gliding. I can't imagine what it feels like to "fly" with the wind under you.

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. It's a dream of ours to make it to Australia, but this is one think I'd be doing solo...but still, looks so worth it.

Zipline over a huge mountain, like this one.

White water rafting.

Ride at a race track at high speeds with my love!

Great Barrier Reef Dive. (in Australia)

Hang out in zero gravity. I don't know that I think its worth the nearly $5,000/person to do it, but hey, if I had the chance, I'd do this in a heartbeat!

What about you guys? What's the ONE crazy thing you want to do in your life? It doesn't even have to be something that adrenaline filled...it could be starting your own business (another goal of mine), writing a book, or maybe even pursuing your biggest passion. HAPPY HUMP DAY!

Yeah, we're crazy!

Yay! Its Friday. Although, yesterday at the office felt a lot like Friday, too. Oh that's right...maybe because I have the day off today! Yeaaah!

Caleb and I are out of town celebrating a very fun couple whom we love DEARLY! His childhood friend, Alex is getting married this weekend and has asked Caleb to be a groomsmen. Alex was also in our wedding, as a groomsmen. Their friendship is nothing short of amazing, and Alex is one hilarious guy! His bride-to-be, Kelsey...is just as amazing. She is SO much fun and so so sweet, and is going to be the most beautiful bride! So, Alex & Kelsey, we're ecstatic to kick off this beautiful weekend with you both, and some great food. ;)

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Not at all awkward transition.

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So, my soulmate SIL and I have decided to be those crazy idiots who sign up for a half marathon.

You see, it all started this past May when we watched our men cross the finish line together in Cincy's annual Flying Pig Half Marathon. We both teared up as we watched them cross and vowed that one day, we would dress up like complete crazies, and hold hands in happy tears as we crossed the finish line...one day.
& no...Caleb and Jared didn't cross the finish line holding hands ;)

Well let me tell you...one day came awfully fast.

Two short days ago, I got an email from The Flying Pig saying that registration was now open (yes, almost 9 months in advance), and the price is crazy low if you register this early. I had the crazy idea to just click the "register" button, but realized I should probably chat this over with my husband, first. So, in the mean time...I emailed Erin. After some "could we REALLY do this?!" emails, we have decided to take the plunge.
We're excited, nervous, scared as crap...and rightly so. We can hardly run two miles straight as of today.

So, my question to all my runner friends are -- what are some good tips? We found a pretty good training program, and plan to first train for a typical 5K, then a 10K, and then the half marathon. Since we have over 30 weeks to train!

& my question to my non-runner friends, what the heck should we wear?! Tutu's? High socks? Crazy colors?! There are no limits!

Have a great weekend, friends!!