on the bright side

September and October is crazy time in my family. I'm one of 20 cousins and my dad was one of 7 kids, so there are tons of birthdays and anniversaries all year long, but somehow we get overloaded with them in both September and October. For example this week we had/have birthdays on the 20, 22, 23, 25, and 27. It's NUTS. I'd like to have a major shout out to my Momma who is turning a very young 52 years old today! She is an amazing woman, incredibly inspiring and I hope that I got her strength. I have seen her perservere through things that would have knocked anyone down. Not only did she get through it, she did it with style! Go Mom!! Happy Birthday!!

When I'm feeling down and like I'm not really up for anything I remind myself of the things that make me happy. I'm a lucky girl. I have a fabulous set of family and friends, I have an amazing boyfriend, I get to wake up each day and do something I love, and I have two of the most adorable yorkies on the planet. With this thought in mind, I decided to join up with Erin over at Living in Yellow for her Friday link up, Capturing Joy. I'm also linking up with {av} at Long Distance Loving for Friday Fancies. I was just going to do Capturing Joy but the Friday Fancies theme, the cozy side of fall, happens to be one of my favorite things. So it fit in well with my joy. Plus, I picked a VERY purple outfit which is one of my "happy colors." I can't wear purple without a big grin on my face, it just has that effect on me. So without further ado -

I love this outfit. Like I said, I love purple, but love  it most when paired with grey. And now onto...

Hot air balloon that flew over our heads at the park before the race
started. It was pretty cool. 

Immediately after his race. His legs were killing him, so he hopped up
on this ledge and sat for a minute before walking down to get some
snack-a-licious goodies.

Amazing card I got on Monday, totally cheered me up.

My new haircut, take 2. I got it retrimmed, definitely a benefit of your
aunt being your hairdresser. 

Date night with Mike after the race. We saw Contagion. I loved it but it
was kind of hard to watch and it made me want to never leave the
house ever ever again.

Not sure if you can see what is going on here. But Cooper grabbed a paper plate off the counter and used it as a pillow
under the dining room table. weirdo dog.