Apple Picking!

Yesterday, we began a new Fall family tradition of apple picking! We will definitely continue to do it every year now, because it was such a great experience for all of us. We have gone to Oak Glen many, many times (Brian's parents own the turquoise/Native American jewelry store there), but we had never tried the apple picking before. This was opening weekend for apple picking, so I was determined to go this year before everything was over picked.

We went to Riley's Apple Farm because I had heard great reviews, and it lived up to those reviews for sure! Everyone there was super nice and helpful, and there were apple trees as far as the eye could see. We ended up picking about 6 pounds of Macintosh apples, but the best part was watching Baylee frolic around with her little apple basket (a Target "One Spot" find!!) and having a blast picking up the tiniest apples she could find off the ground. :) The whole day was photo op central, so I was loving taking pics of my girl.  

Besides apple picking, Riley's has so much to do for the kids. There is a huge two-story play barn with a rocking horse and full play kitchen inside, which was hard to pull Baylee away from. There is a General Store where you can buy all kinds of goodies, and you can even press your own gallon of cider! For the older kids, they have an area where you can shoot arrows or throw tomahawks into hay bails. (Brian wants to try those activities next year for sure...Baylee has a while. ;) ) I highly recommend visiting Riley's if you are looking for somewhere to go apple picking this year.

 

 After we were done picking apples, we went to the village to have lunch and walk around the shops. Baylee got a balloon lady bug, and got to ride the train and the ponies. She was one happy little miss! We were tempted by the "mile high" apple pie, but decided to try something new and had apple pecan pie a la mode for dessert. Then, we worked off some of that sugar dancing and playing with hula hoops. It was such a fun day, and made me feel like Autumn is really here...until we came home to the 90 degree desert of course. ;) 

 

Until next time! XoXoXo 

 

 

Fishing With Daddy!

Yesterday was Brian's birthday, and we had so much fun celebrating with him! My family is known for making birthdays a big deal (like birth-month status lol), but my laid-back guy requested none of that this year. All he wanted to do was go fishing with his girls. :)

So, after breakfast, we piled in the Jeep and headed to the lake. I always forget that we have a pretty, man-made lake up here in the desert only about 20 minutes away. There is even a playground and a duck pond, so I will for sure be bringing Baylee back often.

 It was the sweetest thing ever to see how interested and curious Baylee was about everything Brian was doing while he was fishing. She kept asking him, "What doing now, Daddy?" and he showed her all the ropes. I think it's safe to say she already loves fishing! (Which is great cuz it's sooo not my thing! ;) Have fun you two!) We didn't catch anything, but it was a nice relaxing afternoon, and I loved seeing how happy Brian was to be in his element. Gotta love my outdoorsy guy!

 

After fishing, we came home and made a steak dinner, and I baked Brian a cake...which was kind of a disaster but tasted amazing! That's what really matters right? Baylee sang the entire "Birthday Song" to her Daddy and helped him blow out the candles. They both were all smiles the whole time. There's no doubt about it; she's a Daddy's Girl for sure!

 

We ended the night with a sunset walk, and it was pure perfection. I'm so blessed to have a hubby who's biggest birthday wish is the company of his family. It's so humbling. :) Happy birthday, my wonderful stud-muffin...and many, many more!

 

 

Until next time! XoXoXo

 

 

Love List!

It's Fri-yay! And the best part is that today is the last Friday in August, which means that Fall is almost here! I am seriously pining for sweater weather, jeans, and PSLs! All of my favorite companies releasing their Fall lines has been feeding my craving even more, so I couldn't help but include all the Fall things in this love list!

 Loved By Hannah and Eli released their buffalo plaid pieces, and I am in love! I must have this Mama Bear Hoodie for the fall and winter, and I am loving these Baby Bear Tees (unisex!) for the littles!

Baylee just became a brand rep for Nell's Bow Co and her Fall line is just. So. Good! I am obsessed with the mustard, eggplant, & black and tan. We got our order in yesterday, and I have all the heart eyes for everything, right down to her pretty packaging. You can order the bows with an alligator clip or on a nylon headband for tiny babes. (Which means twinning if you have a big girl and a little one!) Make sure you check out all of her gorgeous, and well-made bows... I promise you won't be disappointed!

I am totally digging sweet, simple dresses paired with a cardigan and tights for Fall mini style this year. June & January (my forever fav!) has their Fall line (including new swing dresses) coming out September 16th, and Alice + Ames released theirs this morning (and are already sold out of some styles!), and the new options are just stunning! If those companies are a little out of your price range, however, I just stumbled on a company called primary.com that sells perfect solid pieces for both girls and boys. I'm loving all the color options for their short sleeved dress and you can even get cardigans to mix and match!  

You can't have a Fall love list without the mention of pumpkin. Bath & Body Works is promising pumpkin everything to be released September 1st, and I seriously can't wait. My poor husband is going to be so sick of our house smelling like pumpkin pie 24/7! (Sorry I'm not sorry ;) ) I also just found out Califia Farms (available at Target) is releasing a pumpkin spice latte cold brew this year. I think I've died and gone to heaven! I've already been prepping my pinterest for the season of baking, and this applesauce pumpkin bread is first on the list! Not gunna lie, it might debut next weekend! :)

And, though it's not Fall related, no post is complete without the mention of my little bestie. I am dying over her recent obsession with "check-ups". Doc seriously has nothing on this girl. Her stethoscope is always nearby ready to give a poor, unsuspecting stuffed animal (or you know...the cocker spaniel) a check up at any given time. Med school, here we come! ;)

 

Until next time! XoXoXo

 

Doing Disney With A Toddler

Two years ago today, I took my little 5-week-old newborn to meet Minnie Mouse for the first time. Baylee was born in to a Disney-loving family, so she is already a Disneyland and Disney movie pro at only 2 years old. (I mean I can name a Disney princess and she will immediately sing whatever song that princess sings. She's that good!) After frequenting the Disney Resort, I have a few tips and tricks that can help when tackling the parks with a toddler. (If you want my tips on doing Disney with a baby, that post is here!)

1. Pack snacks. Lots and lots of snacks. It's hard to get Baylee to focus on eating a real meal at Disneyland with all the distractions, so I make sure we have snacks for waiting in lines or for while I'm pushing her around in the stroller. I take granola bars, goldfish crackers, applesauce packets, and go-gurts. Sometimes, if we are going to be there all day, I even pack a full lunch for Baylee in a cooler just to save money by not having to buy her a toddler meal when I eat.  

2. Bring a full change of clothes (or two) and a change of shoes. With so many ways to get wet or dirty, and so many messy treats, it's almost guaranteed that your toddler will need an outfit change at some point. And walking around in wet shoes is no fun, so I always bring an extra pair just in case. 

3. Download the Disneyland App and choose rides accordingly. I've learned that Baylee's wait-time limit for rides is about 20 minutes before she gets over it and starts turning in to Wild Child. I always look at wait times on my app and choose the rides that have the shortest waits. 

4. Find a good, small stroller. We just got this stroller and I love it for Disney. It is way more maneuverable in large crowds than our older, bigger stroller, and still has an undercarriage and drink holders.

5. Bring a towel or blanket. One that you don't mind getting dirty. This is the easiest way to "mark your territory" for a parade, and it gives you something to sit on. When we are waiting for parades, I always make sure I have something for Baylee to eat or do, or I will have whoever is with me take her on rides while I wait at our spot. 

6. Use the baby center for potty training. We haven't quite reached this point yet, but I am so happy that it's available when we do. The baby centers in both parks have toddler sized potties for potty trainers or littles who just don't feel comfortable sitting on a big potty yet. There are even sinks that are shorter for them, so they can practice washing their own hands.

7. Find health(ier) eats. There aren't many choices for true health food at Disney, but there are definitely places with better options for toddlers. The toddler meals always come with sliced apples, baby carrots, or applesauce instead of fries or chips. We love the frozen apple juice in Fantasyland as an alternative to any of the other frozen treats. There are also stands in pretty much every land that sell fresh fruit and other healthy goodies. However, if it's just a cheat day for the whole fam (we all have those!), I highly recommend going crazy and just getting the churros and ice cream. ;)

8. Don't forget the shows! A lot of times, guests get so caught up with riding rides and meeting characters that they miss out on one of the most fun things to do in Disney, which is to watch one or two of their amazing shows! For toddlers, I highly recommend the Disney Junior Live show (Baylee's fav!), Mickey and the Magical Map, and the shows at the Royal Theatre (They alternate "Tangled" and "Beauty and the Beast"). These shows are a perfect way to catch a glimpse of your kiddos favorite Disney characters and to sing along with all their favorite songs, while mom and dad get to sit and rest their achy feet for a bit. It really is win-win!

9. Follow "Magic Kingdom Mamas" on Instagram. They are at the parks all the time and have a lot of tips and tricks for those of us with littles, as well as scoop on what is new-and-coming. Warning though...their feed may leave you with daily cravings for pineapple whip, churros, and Mickey-shaped treats!

10. Go with the flow. If there's anything I've learned about doing Disney with a toddler, it's that I'm on her time, not my own. If you have to stop and rest for a bit, do it. Sometimes the greatest things can happen, or you can make the most precious memories when you sit on a bench and just let Disneyland happen around you. Take some time to take it all in, because before you know it that little one is going to be dragging you on California Screamin' for the 5th time in a row. :)

Two precious Disney years down, and many more to go with my little mouse! I am so blessed!

 

 

 

Things That Baylee Says...

 I swear these posts are nothing but my desperate mommy attempt to freeze time with my kiddo, who is growing so fast that I just know I'm going to blink and it will be her first day of Kindergarten. I love how smart and hilarious my girl is, but it makes me so sad that she's already growing out of the "saying things wrong" phase. She's already started to correct herself sometimes, and you can tell she's putting a lot more thought in to what she's about to say. It makes me so proud and so bummed at the same time!

That being said, though, there are many things that come out of her mouth that are said wrong, or just plain adorable/hilarious, and so worthy of an entire blog post to keep them forever. :)

My absolute fav. of her new sayings is "I misch you so musch!". Whenever we reunite after I've been gone, or just in the morning when she wakes up she tells me that she's missed me and I am a complete puddle.

She's started to shout different sayings that I know for a fact she's picked up from listening to me, Brian and my sisters. The best ones are "Oh my goodness!", "That's so so cool!" (or "This is so so good" if its food), and "Good job, Mommy!". 

She's also full of warnings and concern, "Careful, Mommy..." if I'm pouring a glass of water, or if I shout because I stubbed my toe or something she says, "Mama, you ok? Oh no! Got a boo boo?" Which she will then promptly pull out her doctor's kit and tell me "Time for a checkup" and say "Want a shot?" (I get one whether I want it or not.)

I feel so blessed to have such a loving girl. Her new thing is to tell me what she loves and then kiss and hug said object. "I lub puppy!", "I lub books!", "I lub fries!". She's also so polite and remembers to say "Bess you" when people sneeze, "Scuse me" when she burps, and "Tank you" when someone gives her something or does something nice for her. We are still working on "please", but she remembers half the time. :)

Her conscience is developing, and the looks she gives me when she knows she's done something wrong are killer. Just this morning she accidentally ripped a page in one of her books (Which shes gotten in trouble for doing on purpose before.) and she looked up at me and said "Shorry, Mommy...Shorry, I ripped da Elmo book." My heart totally melted as I told her that it was okay and that she wasn't in trouble. To which she responded, "I'm gunna make you some 'shood' (food)" and ran to her play kitchen as fast as she could. She said "Looooook, Mama!" and gave me "ice cream" with "tea" poured on it, and lots and lots of "finkles". :)

 

If you're a fellow lover of Baylee's shenanigans, make sure you follow her Insta @thatsbayleesworld

Until next time! XoXoXo

 

Viva Las Vegas!

So, we totally had one of those amazing weekends in Vegas where you're so busy and having so much fun that you forget to take pictures for the blog! Oops! :) But, luckily, I managed to scrape up enough from everyone's iPhones (thanks guys!) to do a post, so here we go!

I was so sad to leave Baylee for the whole weekend, but I knew it would be good for Brian and me, and she was in great hands with my grandparents. So, while she was having a blast all weekend running their roost, we got to have some adult time. There were 13 of us total that went, and it was for my middle sister's 21st birthday, so it was quite an adventure!

I never feel old until I hang out with twenty-somethings, and then I'm like "Holy crap I can't keep up with you guys!" We stayed at Harrah's and pre-partied in the hotel room on the first night, then had dinner at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill. (Which was fun but had terrible service and ridiculous prices for the amount of food that you get.) We really had no set plans that night, so we gambled for a bit and then walked around the strip.

The next day, we spent most of the afternoon out by the pool (some of us were gambling and shopping as well), and then that night we went to Margaritaville for dinner. I can't say enough good things about that place! We had great service, the food was amazing, and the atmosphere is so fun! I can't wait to go again! 

After dinne, we went to my favorite Vegas bars, Coyote Ugly and Nine Fine Irishmen inside the New York, New York and had an absolute blast complete with dancing on the bar at Coyote Ugly and doing a ridiculous amount of shots at Nine Fine! I'm pretty sure I had more alcohol this weekend than I have had in the past 3 years, and though it was rough at times, I managed to hold my own! I was pretty proud of myself. ;)

 It was a crazy weekend filled with selfies, very little sleep, dancing, great music, lots of laughter, and my husband becoming obsessed with craps. (At least he won!) I missed my girl terribly, but I'm so glad we got to have a kiddo-free weekend to just be us for a little while. :) And I'm so happy Nicole had a raging 21st birthday! It's all downhill from here, girl! ;) I kid, I kid.

 

 

 

 

Until next time! XoXoXo