mesa falls

driving through the mountains at sunset is possibly the best fix for a less than perfect day. so that's precisely what we did. 

isn't that last bit of light whispering in over the mountains delightful? mmm hmmm. sometimes living in Idaho is more than ok.

 i loved henry's fork almost as much as i love the name henry. which is saying something.

welcome back, autumn. i've been missing you. if you want to stay a while, i probably wouldn't be mad.

love, cara

family...isn't it about time?

yeah. about time that i did this post. first off, helllllloooooo valley! what a gorgeous place to come home too. not to mention that my sister is there. and she brought two babies. 

we could not get enough of this little darling! Zola Jane. what's not to love? ahh...isn't she precious? her little hand propping up her head when she sleeps and getting so milk drunk. i love these pure, sweet, innocent spirits that Heavenly Father trusts us with.

yep. he's holding her hand to help her up the stairs. yeep!

 and 'the cutest kids in the world' award goes to.....Taven and Elsie! they wanted to have a sleepover, but couldn't stop laughing. they are two opposites in so many ways. Taven is loud, active, and loves attention. don't try to cuddle him, he wants to be running! but Elsie is happy, content to sit and play, and quiet. she goes into nursery and comes out as their new favorite. they are so fun together!

and we went hiking. a family favorite. just a little side note...i look so much like my other sister in this picture. what is going on?! i am supposed to be way younger than her!

anyway.

there is no better way to feel renewed than getting out in nature as the seasons change. the crisp air somehow cleans out my soul. 

i will forever be grateful for parents that taught me that. they showed me that my Father in Heaven speaks to me in those simple, unencumbered moments in the woods. 

good looking people right there!

i could just write a love note to the valley. for letting me live there. for giving us God's beauty all around. for providing an escape from the world.

xoxo to my family. especially Ally and her adorable babes and hubby. 

ahh. welcome, autumn. it's starting off pretty darn fabulous.

a day for walking in the park. and also feeding the ducks.

i bought a summer dress. from anthropology. but good news! it was actually at downeast, making it like 75% off. good, right? and i feel all 50's housewife in it. so naturally, i wore it to the park. and fed ducks. but mostly just felt very blessed and grateful.

i still have this pretty picture i painted in my head of being young and sophisticated and living in the city...Boston or New York. and in that pretty picture, my weekends are filled with Broadway plays and trips to the park in heels and hipster maxi skirts and my canon. and i scout out the city with nothing to do but search for little hole-in-the-wall restaurants and scour vintage stores. thanks Natalie and Sydney for the inspiration. and maybe i will get there. after all, they did both live in Idaho at one point. but maybe not. either way, i am more than a little excited to see where life takes me.

because "not all those who wander are lost." (j.r.r. tolkien) and sometimes i like to wander.