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.

In June we spent 8 days away from our babies, 7 of which were cruising through Alaska and Canada on a vacation we were gifted from Young Living. Yep, a whole week gifted to us from a company we work for and have a business with and I'm still in shock sharing that's our reality right now.

I became a member with YL in 2017 but never thought I'd pursue the business but January 2018 I said "why not share something we love and use everyday?" and BOOM, our baby was born. Something that's given us crazy freedom both financially and with our time and it's quite literally a pinch me experience everyday when I think back about our journey through it all. In just 7 months we had the income for the opportunity having Andrew not working. In 11 months, we hit the rank of Platinum which has brought us such fire for things we're passionate about through giving back and how we're tangibly able to do that now with our income there.

We aren't stopping and will be pursuing this for a lifetime now. We're blessed, empowered, supported and making big changes with our household alongside so many other people who choose us to be their leaders and point person every single day.

We've now been doing the business 18 months but in our first 11 months in, we've won 4 all expenses paid vacations for both myself and Andrew and are on track for a 5th happening in January 2020. We are grateful. Like words can't even describe our gratitude for Young Living and what's it's done for our home.

Seattle is where our ship docked from so we flew in Thursday evening, was put up in the Sheraton by our dear friend along with champagne and chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us and we were able to head out for dinner, explore downtown a bit and seriously loved how beautiful our view was from the hotel alongside the accommodations we had while there. I haven't been to Seattle since I was really young so seeing it with a new lens was so beautiful and refreshing. I loved all the peonies and the market, I ate seafood (which I normally don't like) and had some yummy coffee right by the OG Starbucks.

Young Living went all out and made tons of custom touches throughout the ship with logos, branding, celebrating 25 years in business and all restaurants and bars were stocked with NingXia Red and Vitality oils! It was honestly the coolest thing seeing how intentional the company was to make this cruise and trip memorable and special for all the people in attendance.

I'll be honest and say I've not really been one to have friends who are girls so when I chose to do this business I didn't think I would mesh a ton with everyone else and just do it on my own terms. The one thing I didn't expect was actually meeting some of my dearest friends doing this. I went on the cruise with a business builder of mine, one who started at the same time I did, Dani, and we connected immediately! Among many others I was able to meet IG friends in real life on the ship and I've talked to them over and over since. The sisterhood and community I've been blessed by will never be lost on me. It's one of the best parts and having said YES to this business!

Not to mention, we were invited to an exclusive dinner with Young Living co-founder Mary Young. Blown away is what comes to mind, just to start. Hearing her heart and passion behind the company, why they started, how oils have helped their family and others - the testimonies are unreal! I left a 4 hour meal with tears being so impressed and honored to be working for a company like Young Living.

marissa | emily | dani

I can't fully put into words how my heart has been impacted by this company and this trip. At the most needed time to reset, get away, breathe a little deeper and find peace and the presence of Jesus, we were blessed to have this opportunity. It's a vacation Andrew and I both will never forget and it's all because we said yes to an opportunity. I cry happy tears often thinking through the depth of that and what it means for our family.

I opened up a little Q&A box on Instagram about the cruise so I wanted to make sure to have a hub all about it for reference - here you go, friends!

Must see spots of the trip?

Juneau, AK there is an excursion to do a helicopter ride to the top of a glacier and while we didn't do that, I wish we had! It was a pretty penny and because we were unsure if we'd be seasick, we didn't want to spend it and then not use it. If we could go back, I'd add that! Dawes Glacier was also the most gorgeous day cruising through. I was seriously shocked and so impressed by it's magnitude and because we won this trip, we were invited to a private viewing party of the glacier at the front of the boat and had the best seats to enjoy it.

Will you do an Alaskan cruise again?

I don't think a cruise would be our ideal vacation in the future so I would say no. Why? Cruises are for active vacationers - in my opinion. There is always something to do on the ship, games, events, shows.. etc and while that's a lot of fun, Andrew and I are relaxing vacationer so a beach is more our pick.

Cruise line?

Royal Caribbean, ship Ovation of the Seas

Did you do specific excursions or just visit the ports on your own?

We didn't do any excursions! In Skagway there was a train ride people raved about and was on the more inexpensive side of the budget and I would've loved to do the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC but I woke up with really intense menstrual cramps that day and didn't want do to anything. TMI - but truly.

Are the waters generally more rocky in Alaska?

We talked to a couple of the crew members about this because one night on the ship we felt it was rocky and they laughed at us saying it was nothing. Ha! Apparently the European cruises have insanely rocky waters and they shared some stories they felt they were going to die sooo they all confirmed, Alaska is not a rocky cruise. You also stay really close to the shoreline so you typically are always seeing land around you with the exception of a couple days cruise at sea.

What excursions did you do?

Nothing - see above! We're lazy vacationers but if we could go back, I'd do the helicopter to the glacier.

What was your favorite part?

No kids. Just kidding! We really enjoyed the wildlife and seeing how incredible the waters are in Alaska! I couldn't believe how green and lush the land was and bright blue the water was. We saw whales, sea lions, Dawes Glacier - so much beauty in what God created and I'm so grateful we experienced that first hand. We also had a balcony off our room so I would grab a blanket and bury on the balcony just watching and soaking in the cool air - hands down, favorite.

Good idea bringing the kids or opt for just you and your spouse?

I air on the side of a vacation with kids is not vacation, it's a trip so with that mindset (I may be alone here) Andrew and I always opt for no kids when we have the ability. Since this was a gift from Young Living for him and I, we would've had to pay for the kids and for that, it would've been out of our price range for a typical family vacation.

What amenities are on the ship?

There is so much and this all depends on the cruise line and specific ship you are on. Ours included 3 pools, a gym, spa, all the shows, games, casino, meals (we did a drink package, too!), plus you could do shopping they had on one of the decks with designers watches, purses, jackets - the works. Every time we left the room we would come back to it nice and tidy, swag from Young Living to enjoy and a plate of fruit for snacking on. Our guy was named Joel and was seriously so kind!