Fall colors and family

This past weekend, Kyle and I took a quick trip up to NY to visit our friend Abbie in Buffalo and Kyle's parents in Syracuse. We could not have asked for better weather or a better weekend. On Thursday night, Kyle and I left for Buffalo. We had such a great time visiting with Abbie, eating Thai food and playing the Wii. It was just like we were in college again. Riley got along great with Abbie's kitten and I think if he was ever given a long term opportunity to befriend a cat, they could be great friends. Since I am allergic to cats, I couldn't hold her sweet kitten so I made Kyle do it for me. Kyle is sad for the cute kitty. It is interesting to me that although her poor baby kitten is going blind, her whiskers are growing really long to compensate for the disability. Isn't that neat?

While in Buffalo, Abbie took Kyle and I to see her church. The organ is HUGE and the building has great resonance. The stained glass windows were so pretty too. She also took us to see a famous (now uninhabited) insane assylum in the city. We went at night so it was a little creepy but the architecture was really neat.


After our short visit with Abbie, we continued north to Syracuse. The leaves were GORGEOUS and the colors were so beautiful. Within our first couple hours of arriving, Kyle requested that we visit Chittenango Falls. This has become one of the places we frequent each visit and it was fun to get some pictures there in autumn.


The next day, we took a short car ride to Skaneateles Lake. The town is very quaint and borders the 15 mile long lake. We ate yummy fish sandwiches at a local restaurant and decided it would be fun to take a drive all the way around the lake. I LOVE this lake! It is nestled in between very tall hills which Kyle's dad said were cut by glaciers. On one side of the lake, cliffs backed right up to the water. It was so beautiful! On the way home, we stopped at an apple orchard to pick up a few honey crisp apples.


In the evenings, we played our new Wii. Kyle's parents were becoming very good Wii bowlers (but sometimes the dogs got in the way). It was a great weekend had by all. Thanks, Momo and Dad!

Car trouble at the orchard

A couple of weeks ago, I decided it would be so fun to go to the local apple orchard/pumpkin farm to get some fresh honey crisp apples. I love going apple picking and the sixty degree day was just perfect. We got to the orchard and got our apples and went in the building to get cider and donuts and no sooner had we stepped into the building then the power went off. Altough the line was long and kids were starting to get cranky around us, we still got our cider and donuts and ate them happily while sitting on a hay bale.

We were quite happy with our quick trip to the orchard and when we got back to Kyle's car and tried to turn the ignition key, it just wouldn't start. Nothing. No lights, no sound, nothing. So, we called the AT&T roadside assistance and had them send someone (which I hoped would be a tow truck) to jump us. Instead, it was a family in a mini van and all would have gone well if the jump actually took. But it didn't. This took about 2 hours.

So now back on the phone (which had only 1 bar left of power) to try to explain the new need of a tow truck to roadside assistance. After my phone cut at least 3 operators off because of bad reception, I began to get nervous. Families were slowly leaving the apple farm and the fields became more and more desolate. Finally I got a hold of the tow truck company that AT&T had contacted and we were starting to gain some hope...and the sun was starting to set. Eventually, all of the visitors to the apple farm had left and we were the only ones still parked in the field until 6 deer appeard out of the woods to join us.



To both of our happiness, the tow truck man brought a battery that would work in our car and installed it there for us. We were thrilled! So, a 2 hour trip to the apple farm turned into a 7 hour trip to the orchard. It could always be worse...

New friends

This past summer, I was very lucky to find someone that lived out on the East side to carpool with to class at CSU everyday and again each week in the fall. Josh teaches middle school band in a neighboring town and the first time that he and his wife Courtney invited Kyle and I over for dinner, we knew that we would all become great friends. They have two children under the age of four so our dinners with them are quite entertaining. A few weeks ago, we celebrated both of their kids' September birthdays with delicious cake (seriously, it was the most stunning and delicious birthday cake I have ever seen/eaten). Kyle brought his camera and took some great pictures of Cammie (now 3) and Brogan (who just turned 1).

Courtney is a very talented baker and she now has her own cake business (see the link on the side of the blog). Every week over the summer and now into the fall, we have made it a point to get together for dinner with Josh and Courtney. They both are very talented chefs and we have tried everything from baby back ribs on the grill, grilled pesto chicken sandwiches, homemade lasagna, burgers and chili. They have inspired Kyle and I with their cooking greatness and we usually bring sides or salad.

Pontooning puppy

Our dog Riley LOVED the pontoon this summer at Devil's Lake. I think he looks a bit like a lake mascot, don't you?

He loved looking out the front as the boat moved across the lake and letting his ears blow in the wind. He is precious.

Visiting Abbie in Buffalo

I miss my friend Abbie so much! Kyle and I were very happy that when we moved to Cleveland we had one Hope friend that came here with us. Abbie just moved to Buffalo, NY where she has taken a job as the music director and organist at a cathedral. During my brief one night stay, Abbie and I packed in as much activity as possible. We ate a a Thai restaurant (and then ended up in the middle of a 5K run), she helped me with my analysis of Brahms and Debussy, and we even went to Canada for an hour to see Niagara Falls. I had never seen the Falls or been to Canada so it was very exciting for me. I love Abbie and I am so happy that she lives so close to us.


The misty Falls

Here we are in Canada at the Falls!

Here is Abbie's organ...just the console. It sounds so majestic!

This is her new kitten Baby Maude. If I wasn't allergic to cats, this would be the one for me.

This is Abbie in front of her cathedral.

Dog Park

My neighbor Heather has always been so kind to watch Riley for us when we go out of town and cannot take him. A few Saturdays ago, she suggested that we take our dogs to the park. Riley and his best friend Jack (yorkie-poo) had the best time. It was adorable! He needed a bath when he got home but it was well worth it.

Summertime at Devil's Lake

This summer has seemed to pass by incredibly fast and with all of the classes and switching schools, my photo updates on the blog have suffered. These are some assorted snippets of summer with the Cox family at Devil's Lake. We love the lake and it has been so fun to have a central place to get together and relax. Enjoy!

Church Statue Mishap

One day more...

Its true...music analysis has been taking over my life. Everyday in July, I have spent countless hours staring at little notes on many pages trying to come to some sort of conclusion why geniuses such as Bach, Beethoven, Debussy and Brahms may have written each piece the way they did. This class has been a humbling experience for me because with each passing day, I realize that there is so much more about music that I don't know and what I think I know isn't really what these composers were really thinking when they penned these pieces long ago. Also, I realize that I need to work on my piano skills because trying to pound out even a few bars of these pieces has been kicking my butt.

On the positive note, I have made some great new friends in this class and I think this is because through trials, we get a little closer. We have laughed, some have cried, and tomorrow will be my triumphant end with my final presentation on Brahms's Intermezzo in E-flat. Its a beautiful piece but I must say that I won't be sad to say goodbye to it. So to all of you music majors who are thinking that you'll never take another theory class again, don't be fooled! Save your book and your notes because those will prove to be invaluable. Farewell theory class. Until we inevitably meet again...

Brahms

I am taking an advanced theory class this summer at CSU and we each have to do an in depth analysis and presentation on one major piece per week. My selection this week is Opus 118, No. 2 (andante teneramente) by Brahms. I studied this piece a little at Hope and I know you may be thinking "Why in the world would Sarah tell us about this?" I don't regularly pay for music (I am a library advocate, myself) but this piece is GORGEOUS! Even if you think solo piano repertoire is not for you, I guarantee this one will bring tears to your eyes. Just today taught myself how to use itunes and I downloaded this piece for 99 cents. It is WELL worth every penny! Let me know what you think after you listen. I heart Brahms.

V Necks

No one rocks the V Neck more than Kyle's brother Chris. I would say that Chris has enjoyed this syle of shirt for the last 2 years and wears them low or high V with no apologies. He has many V necks of all colors and yesterday while visiting us in Cleveland, Chris was able to expand his collection. After meeting our cousins Kate and Michael for lunch at Cheesecake Factory, Chris and I ventured over to Coventry (the hip and trendy area of the city) to the American Apparel store. We met up with his youth pastor Jon and his wife Sarah who were driving Chris back to NY and who ironically were wearing matching V necks like Chris. This made me laugh a lot so I thought you needed to see this picture for yourself. Can you tell that they love V necks? I sure can and I am excited to wear my new one too. Come back soon, Chris! We love you and your great sense of style!

Chris has graduated!

A few weeks ago, Kyle and I went to New York to see Christopher graduate from high school. He will be attending Hope College this fall just like we did!

No trip to New York would be complete without visiting the water fall so I put those in too.
While we were to Syracuse, Chris treated Kyle, Marley and I to tea at a really cool tea house downtown. My coconut tea was really good and the place was definitely unique. We were so happy to get to go and although these pictures are a little late, they still capture the fun of the summer. Congratulations, Chris! We are very proud of you!

Tour for a Cure

A few friends of mine from Hope are doing a 4,000 mile cross country bike tour in order to raise money for the American Lung Association. They started in Oregon about 50 miles away from the coast and are currently in Great Falls, Montana. They are looking to have people sponsor each mile of their trip at $50 per mile. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to the American Lung Association for research purposes. If you know anyone who has been affected with lung disease including cancer, asthma, emphysema, etc., this is a great way to help out. I have a link to their blog on the side bar and I encourage you to learn more about their trip. They have just completed their first 1,000 miles! Keep up the great work Autumn and Jenny!

Much has happened

Within the past week, school has ended, I accepted a choral position in a new district, I have said a tough goodbye to my students and fellow teachers, Chris and Marley visited us in Cleveland, and I have traveled to Chicago to visit family and friends and I got to spend Father's Day with my dad. Its been great! So many exciting changes have come our way and its been so nice to share those with my family and friends that I have known for more than half my life. I have plenty of pictures to share, just not a way to download those here in Chicago. I will be traveling on I-90 for the next two days, first for a quick stop at home and then on to Syracuse for Chris's high school graduation. Hooray for being free to travel and visit...I couldn't be happier!

Thoughts on owning a home

Kyle and I are coming up on our one year anniversary as official home owners. We chose our house not only for its location but also because it was in "move in condition." Before we bought the house, we had the home inspector come and check it out and it passed with flying colors. We thought it wouldn't need much work or repairs. It was true that it needed maybe a new coat of paint in one room, but the rest seemed perfect.

Over the past year, we have replaced the fan and motor on the furnace. As I sit here writing this post, we currently have two plumbers, two trucks and a HUGE roto-rooter blowing raw sewage out of the basement. Kyle and I knew something bad was going on when we noticed one pipe in the basement with water coming up and out the pipe onto the floor. We thought it might have been extra water from the air conditioner since we turned it on for the first time this week. Unfortunately, we were very wrong. I was in the shower this moring with shampoo all over my hair when Kyle came running up the stairs telling me to turn off the water because sewage was coming out of the pipe into the basement. Luckily, we had the plumber here within the hour but this project is going to be much more costly than we anticipated. Oh the joys of home ownership. While eating sandwiches today while the roto-rooter was noisily growling the basement, I said to Kyle, "Happy Anniversary!"

Two years married!

This past Tuesday was our two year anniversary while Monday was my parents' 35th anniversary. As you can see from the post below, we celebrated last weekend at the Indy 500. On our actual anniversary, I had a choir and band concert that evening and didn't get home until 9:00. I am so thankful for Kyle and I love him more everyday.

Indy 500!

This past weekend, Kyle and I traveled back to Indianapolis to visit my family and attend the Indy 500. We had a GREAT time! We were seated at the first turn and our seats were amazing! We witnessed all of the accidents that took place and all in all, it was a very exciting race. If you have never seen Indy cars, the speed at which they race literally shakes you. All of us wore ear plugs because they are so loud. I sat by Sarah, Megan and Emily at the race and I loved how Sarah knew all of the women drivers (only 3 to be exact)and followed the race with such enthusiasm. I love them so much.

Before the race started, all of us checked out the displays and vendors in the middle of the track. I made Sarah and Megan get the classic picture in one of the race cars. I think Sarah looked a bit scared in the picture.



It was so much fun to visit with my parents and cousins. I remember it was only 3 summers ago that I lived with the Maars and when Kyle and I were driving into Indianapolis, it felt like home. Dean and Deb made us feel so welcome and we couldn't have asked for a better time.

Look how big the kids are getting!