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We got our pictures back from our photographer for our 2019 family session which means it's time to pick our Christmas cards! I always have the hardest time deciding and one year I even picked a few and then everyone got a different card in the mail. That was actually really fun and cool seeing different ones at friends and family houses during the holiday season.

This time, I have 9 favorites and am sitting on it about a week before I finally pick. If this was your card, which would you pick to send? The back we normally add a whole block of a yearly update but Minted has templates to add even more pictures, a cute pattern to match or something to tailor for you and your desires. We use them every year and love the variety they provide.

I'll be back later in the week to share our family pictures in a photo dump and some tips for shooting family photos. In the meantime, here is a post from last year with some tips that may be helpful as you plan your next session!

Happy Wednesday, friends.

xx

Friday we went up north for the afternoon and did the pumpkin patch. Would you believe me if I told you we've never done this before? This is actually our first year doing this and while it always seems so daunting in my mind - we had a great time! It was the kids and I with some friends so daddy missed out while he was working this time but I know it will be part of our annual Fall Festivities each year to come. We have our Fall Bucket List from this post printed and we can finally check this off the list! Woohoo!!

We also celebrated Drake's 14th birthday this weekend and that just makes me feel so old. We will have an 18 year old in 4 years and that seems so close to now. He is such a special boy and someone I hold so dear to my heart. I couldn't be more proud of this son of mine.

Today we're making these pumpkin bars while my nephew is here playing and we did cinnamon rolls yesterday for Drake's birthday request. Check them out for some fun baking for your home!! Hope you all had a great weekend, too!

sweatshirt - The Ever Co | leggings - Lululemon Align (I wear size 8 in these) | sneaks - Nordstrom | hat - Nordstrom | sunglasses - Amazon

This is not a drill! It's that time and most people already have all the fall goodies out on their porches, decked in their homes and planning all the fun Halloween and Fall activities. Us Arizona people though... not quite. I can't seem to get in that head space until it's cooled down so give me another month and I'll catch up! But because lots of other friends around the country are digging into the festive and cozy vibes Fall brings, here's a fun bucket list we curated for making the most of this season!

Now cheers to all things Fall, Festive, Fun and Cozy! I'll be joining in on these things with you very soon!

xx,

Aubrey

We love this recipe! It was given to us when we had Emery and it's on heavy rotation when we're meal planning and cooking so when we have friends or family who need served and loved on with a meal, it's a go-to for us. Give it a try with a margarita on the side and I promise you'll love it!

INGREDIENTS —

2 boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 packet dry ranch seasoning

1tsp cayenne pepper

1tsp garlic salt

1/4c olive oil

1 cup mild salsa verde

1/2c ranch dressing

5-7 tortillas (I buy the frozen, uncooked pack from Costco)

1 pack Mexican style shredded cheese

DIRECTIONS —

Shred chicken in crock pot with 1/4 c olive oil, 1 packet dry ranch seasoning, garlic salt, and cayenne pepper to taste. I do on low for 6 hours.

Mix salsa verde and ranch dressing together in a bowl. Cook tortillas (if you have the frozen uncooked ones, as well).

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large casserole dish, spread salsa/ranch mixture across bottom of dish. Lay out all tortillas on counter to add inside ingredients. Spread salsa/ranch mixture to laid out tortillas, add a pinch of cheese, and a handful of cooked, shredded chicken. Roll up all tortillas and line the casserole dish. Once filled, pour salsa/ranch mixture over the top and sprinkle with cheese.

Cook for 30 minutes. Serve with sour cream, avocado and garnish with cilantro (optional on all the fixings).

ENJOY!

Have you been to in an indoor fun park before? I haven't ever taken the girls although they've been with family while Andrew and I have been out of town - this was our first time and we had a blast at Uptown Jungle! It's been so hot in Phoenix the last couple days so this was the perfect escape for 2 hours and wore the girls out. That's a complete parenting win.

I didn't really know what to expect but when we got there, we signed in, got some grip socks, placed our bags in a cubby and went straight for the trampolines. We had a trampoline at our old house so Emery knows the drill but Hollyn hasn't ever been on one so being a whole new experience, I was laughing so hard at how she "jumps". You have to watch the video! Since she was a little hesitant about the trampolines we spent a lot of time in the Toddler area which was much more her jam.

I'm not really a helicopter parent when it comes to stuff like this and I loved walking through and experiencing it all with them. Hanging, climbing, sliding, jumping - they keep asking to go back already. Can we also talk about how Emery was SO BRAVE and climbed the wall?! She is freaking fearless and it makes me so proud! She did two walls and was so pumped about it. I was so proud of her!

Since their birthdays are so close together and we do their party as one big event, I already told Andrew I think we should have it here. Our home has been feeling a little too tight for bigger gatherings and Uptown Jungle would be perfect to host a group of kiddos with a big range in ages. Again, parenting win!

Now that we've been and the girls won't stop talking about it, I saw they have specific days and times for discounted playing (even a special Homeschool slot!!) and I'm marking it in my calendar to take the girls the next few weeks while it's still too hot for parks outside in Arizona. Perfect way to spend some time running and getting all the wiggles out!

Thank you for hosting us, Uptown Jungle Peoria!

metal beds - walmart | bedding - beddy's | art - minted | pillows (in store only)- at home | dolls - cuddle and kind | shelves + storage bins (old) - crate and kids | wood signage - kinch design co. | wall decals - urban walls | curtains (in grey) - anthropologie

We did it! We switched the girlies over to a shared bedroom about 2 months ago and while it was a long drawn out decision to finally do it, I'm happy we did! In our current home we have the bedroom space for everyone to have their own but not a set out office space and while it worked good for us in the master, I wanted a room for Andrew and I both to be able to hide away and get things checked off our to-do list. That alone was my motivating factor and in my head I was worried about the girls adjusting but there was nothing to worry about.

All went well, the girls first started with Hollyn in her crib and Emmy in her twin but about 2 weeks in, we switched sis to her twin bed so they both were good to go. Best decision! Hollyn is so lax and chill and Emery is very OCD and first born so there were a few snags of Hollyn talking at bedtime and Emery yelling at her "Go to sleep!! Mom!! Hollyn isn't going to sleep" - but minor snags! ;)

We updated the decor when they moved into this room which was originally Hollyn's room. I love the dresser as it was my in-laws first dresser when they got married. Plus the storage and shelving is so cute and functional, it made sense to do this room which more neutral elements.

I was so excited to add a statement wall and picked the Eden decals from Urban Walls. I am so in love with the warm, dusty mauve and orange tones right now so this was speaking my language!! I just had to make it happen. We did one order and they're all separate pieces so I was able to get creative and move things around to display exactly how I wanted. Two hours later and I was freaking obsessed. Literally beaming with how stunning it turned out - and so easy to apply!

We're about 5 weeks post getting this room all together and styled and they are constantly playing in here, reading books, playing dress up and using their cute dollhouse. Plus Emery invites anyone who comes over to look her the pretty flowers on the wall so that's a win - worth the time it took to strategize how I wanted them placed.

Do you have your little ones sharing a space? Do you love it? Regret it?

We had the best time a couple weeks ago in Rocky Point, Mexico. Andrew and I had gotten back from Alaska the week before, celebrated his dad's life that weekend and then hit the road and drove to our nearest beach 3.5 hours away from us in Arizona. We always have the best time down there and normally try doing a weekend away, just us, but needed some good, solid family time with our cuties.

I can't quite explain the shift for me this trip but it was peaceful and intentional and just so relaxing and fun. We all enjoyed each other so much, made memories I think our kids will look back on for years to come and it was a great way to really escape a for a few days after emotions were high as we've been adjusting to Andrew's dad going home to Jesus.

I'm grateful. We get only a handful of summers with our kids and I'm wanting to make sure they look back and love them all.