childhood unplugged // escaping the heat

we ventured down the coast yesterday to escape the heat and enjoy some ocean breeze. the kids were stoked, might have been because new sand toys. we don't live that far from the beach and this is going to sound crazy, but we've maybe been to the beach 4-5 times since the kids were born. YIKES! trying to make a point to venture out more. i think they are ready to go back now actually, so we will be planning another trip soon!

boho wonderland // styled shoot

Ever since I attended that lovely photography work shop a few months back, I have been dying to put together some fun styled shoots. They are always a great way to keep things current and fresh, plus gives you more creative freedom.

I invited the girls from the workshop to join in too, because the more the merrier! Decided on a 'Boho' look for this one and I have to say I am so in love with how it all came together. My girlfriend Jesse from Lovelychic Weddings did the hair and makeup plus made these amazing crowns for us. And after stressing about outfits for a few weeks, I found these amazing dresses at of course... Target! Snagged the hat and jewelry from Target as well. And this location, I mean come one!! My girl Nikki of Nikki Marie Photography said we have to go here, and I am so glad we did! San Simeon and it's views are just breath taking!!

I am so thrilled with how it turned out and I can't wait for our next one, which is already in the planning process!! You can see the rest of the photos at my new photography website >>> Antlers + Roses Photo <<<

aquarium

Yesterday was such a whirlwind and all together amazing day. We have been trying to plan a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for over a year now, the day finally came. We told the kids about 2 weeks about that the trip was on, but of course 2 weeks to them felt like an eternity. Every day they would wake up and ask "How many more days!?" When out and about they would inform friends and even strangers how many more days until our trip to the Aquarium. On day "4 more days" my mom and I had to decided to go the day before we were originally planning due to possible rain. But we decided to not tell the kids. So yesterday when they woke up- "How many more days!?" "You still have one!" Got them all loaded into the car to go pick GiGi up because "her car wasn't working so we are going to drive her". Then we hit the road- this was our long road trip with them and they were such troopers.

beach | day

So I made a 'Summer List', You can see it here. And I am making a point to start checking things off of it. The other day they kids and I escaped the heat for some cool breeze and ocean air. 

 

It was the perfect escape! And the kids had a blast. We rarely make the 45 min drive- like I only think we've been twice in the past 4 years, eeks! They were asking the entire drive "are we there yet?"- typical right. The squeals that came from the back seat as ocean became visible was not only ear piercing, but equally heart bursting! I love when they can't contain their excitement. 

 

 

 We dipped our toes in the cold water (literally only our toes, those waves are quite intimidating to little ones) and rolled in the warm sand- well my son did, must be a boy thing. And it wouldn't be a successful beach trip with out sand castle building. 

 

 

 

 

We left with sun-kissed cheeks, salty hair, and a handful of memories. I made a mental note that we need to go more often! 

• Beach Trip: CHECK!

{Thankful Thursday} Home Sweet Home

I am so thankful for my Home.

I am not talking about my house, although I am thankful for that too.

I am talking about where I live!

California...the Central Coast...Home

I when most people hear California, they tend to cringe!

Yes with crazy laws and elevated living prices, it can be a downer. 

But if you look past all that, we are pretty luck and fortunate to live in such 

a GORGEOUS place!

Minutes from the Coast (well 45 for me at least)

Beautiful Landscapes

And so much more! 

I would say that this place really isn't all that bad...

                                                                                     Source: google.com via jaxbeard on Pinterest

Adventures of a Newly 26 Year Old

So it's official... 4 more years until the BIG 3-0!
YIKES!
Let's not get ahead of ourselves though... I still would like to enjoy my 20's.
This weekend my mom, who is the most AWESOME GiGI, took the kids for the weekend so the Hubs and I could spend some time together. I can not thank her enough. This was our first weekend alone, no kids, in...uh...hmmm... 3 years.
We needed it!
Lucky for us, we live on the beautiful Central Coast of California, so we didn't have to venture far.
We traveled up the coast to San Simeon and enjoyed so yummy food on the beach. We actually had normal conversations, and laughed our butts off!
We definitely need to do this more often.

Instagram Photos

Thank you to everyone who made this weekend special!! I was blessed with so many wonderful wishes and AMAZING gifts!!!

                                                                                                              

Linking up to

Rags to Stiches

Also congrats to 

Angie Pope!

She is the Lucky winner of the 

It's My Birthday Giveaway!!

{Weekend iPhone Photo Rewind}

Hope you all had a FABULOUS weekend!! 

We had some gorgeous weather here in California, warm but nice!

Had a busy FUN Saturday and Sunday!

Spent Saturday cleaning and organizing (not super fun, but was glad to get it done).

Did my Grandmas hair Sunday morning, she was happy to see the kiddos.

Then we were off to my Mom's place, I took pictures for her of my other Grandma's gorgeous gardens. A little quiet time to myself while I captured the blooming flowers and busy little bees.

 

We also had a little BBQ with my Hubby's parents. Elk Burgers from an Elk the Hubs Uncle shot up in Oregon. 

Surprisingly, it was pretty AMAZING, no gamey taste at all. 

The kids had fun jumping all over Grandma and Grandpa, and also got to play in their new sandbox!

(I also got a new bubble gun from Michael's, it was 80% off, spent $.75 on it!! 

And got them these cute litte rakes and bug catches, they were like $.80 a piece!)

My weekend would not be complete with out a trip to Starbucks and Target. 

I ordered my new FAVORITE drink, Trenta Cool Lime Refresher with Lemonade. Kinda OBSESSED with it. And because I ordered a Refresher and I have a GOLD card, I got a FREE Strawberry Lemonade Refresher, it was YUMMY!!

Headed to Target to get my usually purchases; Almond Milk, Soda, Snackies...

Picked up some new makeup too!! My friend had suggested the Physicians Formula Bronzer, Vegas Strip. LOVE it!! I also got a Kabuki Brush by ELF. For $3, it's a very nice brush! And I also grabbed a few ELF eye shadows. You buy an empty palette, $1. Choose 4 different eye shadow shades, $1 ea. I have never used the line before, but for being so inexpensive, it held up great!

Fun Filled Weekend!

What a great weekend we had!! Laramie went and spent some time at GiGi's house. They went shopping and swimming for hours! And Laramie made a new little friend, my mom's puppy Reagan (Laramie was not happy to leave her.)

While Laramie was soaking up some sun with GiGi, Gunnar and I enjoyed some time together as well.

We had to do some grocery shopping and make a TARGET run (poor me right!) LOL I had to bribe him with a toy to make it through the entire shopping trip, but we made it out in one piece!

Made a much needed stop by STARBUCKS (tried their Lime Refresher for the first time...LOVE IT!) And I wouldn't be a true STARBUCKS addict if I didn't get 2, YES 2 drinks! Love my Black Tea Lemonade!! To avoid traffic and to let the little guy sleep I took a country back road home, and enjoyed the lovely scenery.  I also grabbed the kids these little JUICE bottles, they were too cute to say no to. Wood and Buzz are some top notch guys in our house right now!

While putting my mound of groceries away, I SKYPED with lil miss and listened to her silly jibberish (I completely missed it too much!) Although she couldn't sit still enough for me to see her entire cute face!

To top the weekend off, I took Laramie to her FIRST concert at the Mid State Fair! Well, I guess it would really be her second, I went and saw KISS when I was about 6 months pregnant with her (she liked that concert too).

Although The Fresh Beat Band almost didn't happen! I went to grab our tickets to put in my purse and I could not find them! I searched and searched and searched!! Ripped my house apart several times and even went through the trash! (That was a dirty job!) But could not find them ANY WHERE! I had almost given up on going, when I decided to call the Fair to see about getting them reprinted, sure enough the AWESOME lady on the phone said they would have them at Will Call for me!! 

THANK YOU SWEET BABY JESUS! 

( I am convinced I will find them at some point, in the most obvious place too)

 We made it to the concert!! She was screaming with EXCITEMENT when they came out on stage!! It was the cutest moment!!

After she had a complete meltdown after only being there for about 10 minutes, she calmed down enough and get her groove on!! She was running up and down the aisle, even stopping for this family and dancing for them!

 And we made it through the concert! She sang songs and danced her little heart out!

We attempted an Ice Cream cone, but that didn't go over well, so we switched to Kettle Corn. That was a complete HIT! 

(Of course the Fair wouldn't be complete with out a Cinnamon Roll, 

Corn Dog, Smoothies and Carbonated Yummyness!)

On our way home she didn't even make it 5 minutes, and she was OUT! 

The day was a SUCCESS!!!

To top it all off, I came home to a clean house courtesy of my AMAZING Hubs! 

Fun weekend indeed!!

{Thankful Thursday} Gorgeous California Sunset

So I thought it would be fun to start a "WEEKLY" post. Might add more in the future, but decided to start with {THANKFUL THURSDAY}. Every Thursday I will have a post dedicated to "Things" I am Thankful for. So here is the First of MANY....

{Gorgeous Sunsets}

So we have been having so CRAZY weather here on the Central Coast in California. We are mid-July, and we would normally be having 110 degree SUMMER days, we are having WINDY and somewhat Rainy days. Not complaining, the heat can sometimes be a little much. 

Last night, after I had put the little ones to bed, I poured myself a nice glass of wine (Middle Sister Bubble White Wine, it's AMAZING) and plopped down on the couch to catch up on my new Netflix addiction (White Collar, also AMAZING). Out of the corner of my eye, I caught this orange glow illuminating the sky. WOW! So of course, I grabbed my phone (of course so I could post on Instagram) and ran outside and snapped a few pictures and returned to some Neal Caffery Goodness! (I am not joking, White Collar is AMAZING). 

Within 5 minutes, this orange glow had turned into the most beautiful BLAZING PINK sunset. The sky was on FIRE! I decided to grab the CAMERA this time and I am so glad I did. 

Looking up at this {Gorgeous Sunset}, so serene with amazingly VIVID colors painted across the sky. 

I am so THANKFUL that I get to enjoy moments like this. To be able to walk out my front door and have the sky erase any stress or worries from the day was just breathtaking!

It's a Family Affair!

It's a beautiful Saturday here in Cali. Perfect day for a Family Reunion!!

My husbands family is coming together for their FIRST family reunion! Family traveling from all over, I believe a few from Canada and 1 from Germany! 

They are all gathering together at a cute little house, built in 1892, located in the downtown area of Paso Robles, California, known as Emily's House. 

I can't wait! I will be helping out with the kids activities and games today. Have a few fun things that I will share with you soon. 

Looking forward to this fun filled day!

Stay tuned for a follow up post!