McDougal Orchard apple picking!

Mark and I went apple picking this weekend at McDougal Orchards. 

When we first got there, we had their famous apple cider donuts and apple cider. They were DELICIOUS.

Then, we walked to the orchards. It was a spectacular view. There were rows of trees surrounded by beautiful fall leaves.

Fall is my favorite time of year in Maine.

My father-in-law asked me to take a picture of the apple orchards that depicted what we saw in a unique way. Mark and I walked all around trying to figure out what to take a picture of. I loved this one. I love the fall leaves in the background. I love that there is a dead leaf to the right of the pictures- clearly shows that we went toward the end of the season. To me, this picture captured what we saw. However, this next picture is the one I chose:

When people go apple picking, you eat one while you pick. You taste the apples to see if they are as delicious as they look. And, when you pick one that is rotting, you just put it on the ground. This picture to me is apple picking. 

I love being married and spending time with my husband. I am already looking forward to eating some more of those apple cider donuts...

Family fun

My parents came and visited us in Portland about a month ago. We had a BLAST! It was great to just hang out with them. We met them in Boston and tried to go to a Red Sox game. It was severely rain delayed, so we left and explored Boston instead. It was fun to see Fenway park, though!

My parents also celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary. We went to david's restaurant in downtown Portland. It was delicious. Fun to celebrate with the parentals!

Thanks for coming! We loved hanging out with you!

Chicago

 I got to visit one of my best friends, Hillary Holmes, in Chicago a few weeks ago. It was a BLAST! 

We had so much fun! Here is a picture of the city from the John Hancock tower. It was absolutely breathtaking. I loved it. I wish that i lived in this building on the 94th floor. I wouldn't mind waking up to this every day.

Here is a view of the city out of a different window. Didn't God do good? I love sunsets.

 The view from one more window... I was enthralled.

I also went over by the planetarium and saw the skyline lit up at night. AMAZING. 

Incredible.

I loved Chicago and I am already looking forward to going back!

Here is the gang in Chicago... both of our parents came too! We got to go on a bike ride around the city. It was so fun- I highly recommend this to all future Chicago tourists!

Here is my beautiful friend. I love you Hill and I had a great time hanging out with you! Thanks for opening up your home to me. Good luck on your marathon in a few weeks- I am praying for you.

We took an architecture tour by boat. It was fun to ride through the city of Chicago and hear about all of the building and when/why they were constructed. 

This was the view on my flight home. Breathtaking, right? I have this thing for sunsets... I love them! 

Did I make you want to see Chicago? I hope so... and I hope to go back!

Chicago preview

I visited Chicago!

I absolutely loved the skyline... more to come!