AUBREY KINCH

Parenthood is something funny isn't it? Some days you're just struggling to soak up each and every precious moment with your littles and other days bedtime can't come soon enough. I think during summer, the struggle of the two is even more predominant and it's a balance of really spending the quality time with your kids as well as finding time for yourself to refresh and regroup so you can be your best self for you kids.

We're on the journey of trusting God with our family again and if He chooses to expand it further, we would be so blessed! It's been such a beautiful experience seeing Drake become Mr. Mom to Emery and to watch her as she's grown so much in her short 8 months already. We pray we can have that experience one more time before closing the "growing family" chapter and it just warms my heart knowing I can watch two babies eventually love on a new sibling of theirs.

It's the greatest gift God can bless one with, parenthood.

romper- American Eagle | jacket- Old Navy

DRAKE: tank- Loved by Hannah and Eli, shorts- Target | jordan's- Amazon

EMERY: romper- Villa & Londyn | headband- Elle Bowtique

PHOTO CREDIT

Leah Hope Photography

When packing for our move and being without a lot of our belongings for 6+ months, I didn't anticipate all the items I'd miss adding to Emery's baby book that I was making. It's really been bothering me I haven't been able to spend time working on it while she's developing and changing so I recently got hold of a Lucy Darling baby book and I'm so happy to be filling it in now!

There are so many little "firsts" you don't think of when working on a baby book and this one prompts you with all the perfect details. One of my favorite pages included is one that shares what cost was of things when baby was born, who was president...etc. What a fun thing to look back on!

When I did post it on instagram a couple weeks ago, I got so many questions on the pictures I'm using and where I had them printed... they're all from my instagram feed and I used Foxgram to get them done. I chose 3x3 inches with a simple white border and they're working great for my project with this baby book. Some fit in the boxes provided perfectly and others are too small so I recommend jotting down which pictures you may want bigger so when ordering you can specify but I went a little printing crazy and got 200+ at once. I'm thinking I'll do an overflow photo album with those of Emery's first year to gift her when she's a teen.

I'm so excited to share this lovely dress with you today from Fancy Free! You might recognize it from back here but I love it so much it needed it's own styled post and not simple "mom attire"- although it works so well for that too! It really was the pockets that sold me and I'm really trying to get out of my comfort zone with hats more so it was the perfect excuse to pair them together.

Make sure to swing by my instagram today for a giveaway with Fancy Free!

dress- Fancy Free | wrap- Kiki LaRue | hat- Windsor | sandals- Marshall's | extensions (color: 60/8P)- Hidden Crown 

P H O T O   C R E D I T

Brealyn Nenes Photography

Summer has officially kicked off in all states as school is out and I'm getting all sorts of creative getting the kids out for days to enjoy the weather before it's too brutally hot and with activities that don't cost a fortune! We don't have many fun places around our home in Surprise but Scottsdale has so much to offer so we recently went over there for an afternoon and it was a blast! 

I thought it would be nice to outline what we did because they're super kid friendly for both school age and stroller babies- so here is a little city guide for those who need a tip for outings!

S C O T T S D A L E   Q U A R  T E R

This area is so great for spending some time cooling off in the splash pad with the kids, shopping around at some cute places (my favorite to hit down there is Gap, H&M, Lululemon and Pottery Barn) and perfect for grabbing a bite to eat. Whether that means froyo or a full meal at Zen Burger, you are golden for an entire afternoon of entertainment. It's located right off Scottsdale Road and Butherus (north of Acoma) so it's easily accessible from Loop 101.

S P R I N K L E S   C U P C A K E S

We all know an outing is an excuse for a little treat with the kids to either keep them happy or to reward them for good behavior (the latter in our case) and there's no better place to stop in Scottsdale than Sprinkles Cupcakes. They recently added the Cupcake ATM and it was Drake's first time seeing it so he was in hog heaven. I also let Emery have her first bite of anything sweet when we grabbed this and she literally screamed when I took her hands off the cupcakes after man-handling it. It was priceless!

You can find this adorable bakery off 74th Street and Camelback right by Scottsdale Fashion Square. If you're not into the outdoor shopping at Scottsdale Quarter, Fashion Square is a great option that's air conditioned to stroll around in with the kids.

S C O T T S D A L E   C I V I C   C E N T E R

The perfect spot for a little laying on a blanket in the shade while the kids play! Grab a blanket, your favorite snack and some water to stay hydrated and you're set, my friend. The kiddos love being here to lounge around and watch the water fountains all throughout the park and it's the famous place of the LOVE sign. Naturally, you'll see a picture of that included! ;)

This little ticket can be located and entered at so many locations! It's lovely and large so you can search it on your GPS and you could be given a few ways to arrive. Make sure to take advantage of The Saguaro Hotel right next door for some fun, bright backgrounds for pictures too!

AUBREY: dress (similar)- American Eagle | hat- Target | sandals- Marshall's | sunnies- RayBan | watch- Kate Spade | bracelets- Loren Hope & Alex & Ani // DRAKE: tee- Indie Nook | shorts- Target | swimsuit- Old Navy // EMERY: top (on sale!)- Gap | head wrap- GuguBerry | sandals (on sale!)- Gap | diaper bag- JujuBe | stroller (Yezz- Blue Loop)- Quinny