Beatrice sandwich! And some of the very best pizza we have ever eaten behind us 🍕@pizzeriabianco
These two are obsessed with “Fancy Like” and mostly obsessed with watching @walkerhayes dance to Fancy Like with his family 😎😎 It’s currently their top pick for the bedtime song🎶 and here’s a snippet of what went down last night! #fancylike
“Mama— take a picture of this face…” he says. And I’m grabbing my camera and trying to contain my laughter as I think to myself, “I’m just the absolute luckiest to know this kid.” 💛 Everyone needs a mister Conrad in their life.
When you convince (bribe?) the entire family to take a family photo with the real camera 📸 ps- spot the camera remote😂
Sometimes I raise my voice. Sometimes I beg. Sometimes I make ultimatums. Sometimes I hate bedtime to the freaking goodnight moon and back.
But then they’ll grab my chin and cheeks and lean in close to tell me they love me. And they’ll thank Heavenly Father for “no witches and no robbers” during their bedtime prayers. And insist on giving each other 17 silly hugs before the lights go out because “I’m gonna miss her so much when I sleep.”
I’ll take the 48 minutes of squatting between their beds for back scratches and the unexpected trip to the potty 12 minutes after the last potty trip if it means they keep this bond forever. Witnessing their complete love and sisterhood changes me. Even when I say I hate bedtime with my three-year-olds, I’m such a sucker for this stage of life with them.
A few photos from life lately over here - enjoying family time and life in Arizona. Thanks for being here while I’ve kind of been away for a little while… haven’t been doing well physically (some health issues) but that doesn’t mean I haven’t stopped taking one too many photos☺️
The game of “Who Can Stand on Mama’s Back and Wiggle Their Feet Around Without Falling Off!” …which is really just code for “mama would like a back massage” but they think it’s crazy fun and my back knots are screaming happy so everyone wins. #momhacks
One wall and pipe at a time, the home renovation is coming together. 💛 #renovation #homedecor #wallpaper (wallpaper is @riflepaperco🌸)
Just over here holding all my (not-so-little) babies close and stepping away from pretty much everything else. Trying to cuss less and write more. Often feel on the cusp of big breakthroughs I want from my life (yay!) while simultaneously giving too much power to my anxiety (ugh). Clinging to my evening prayers and favorite yoga class and busting out the Christmas music a season early. My footing might be terribly wobbly at the moment and who wants to hear the girl on the verge of nervous tears dish out any kind of life advice, but for anyone else in a similar rut (I’m so sorry) – might I suggest the biggest serving of strawberry shortcake as a remedy. Plus standing outside during a warm rain (Arizona, you healer with a perfectly timed monsoon season, how’d you know?)… and maybe put the phone down more. Or whatever version of these three things might float your boat. I’m sure chocolate soufflé with a dose of sunshine instead of shortcake and rain could also do the trick. The phone one I’m sticking by though. Sending you lots of love.
Bringing our summer along with us forever by way of new freckles scattered across most of our faces! ✨ …you can see B’s first sprinkle of itty bitty dots across her little nose and cheeks in the 2nd pic and even with all the lathering of sunscreen and my blessed daily nagging about sun hats, I’m nothing but proud in this moment!🥳 #summer #motherhood #magic
We are slowly making our way back to Arizona this week (my kids school year begins August 2nd😱) and we’ve never been more out of routine (definitely missing black out curtains right about now) BUT we’ve clocked in so many striking sunsets and got to hold and hug so many loved ones, it’s been everything.
I meant to share earlier this week that Amazon is running a promo on my book right now through the end of the month (until 7/31)— use the code 3YELLOW for $3 off your book purchase!
If you’ve been considering purchasing, it’d mean so much to have you do so! Thank you for supporting me and my book and I hope you find it worth your while and time.
For those of you who have already purchased and read— if there was a takeaway or something that resonated with you as you read, would you consider sharing in the comments below for new potential readers to see?
Thank you again for your support! This has been such a vulnerable and thrilling and challenging and exciting and scary endeavor and I’ve really appreciated the support. 💛
Just trying to keep up with these three on the mountain and ignore how sore my butt is from my saddle😅
On a boat! With a lot of laughs! And a few tears. Plus a whole lotta sunscreen and a couple of epic tube flips 🚤
Our summer adventures are getting a little jumbled when it comes to me sharing anything in chronological order (a part of my brain is freaking out right now but another part of my brain is feeling a little bit more free.) Sparklers are our family’s happy place so we continued our 4th of July celebrating tonight with a few on the deck. Of all the summer activities so far, a box of sparklers a few days post holiday was Samson’s favorite. He hugged me so tightly at bedtime as he told me for maybe the 18th time how much fun he had tonight. Somehow I forget anything else I loved this summer… his enthusiasm for an evening of sparklers brought sparklers to the top of my favorite summer activities list, too. 🧨
The BEST time learning all about bees 🐝 with the bee expert herself @mckayjo in Salt Lake City. We haven’t stopped talking about all the impressive things those hard working bees do each day and somehow honey has made its way into more of our meals this week 😋 Thank you for having us, @mckayjo!
Sounds like the perfect weekend!
Also a question…How do you do your hair? I read your Q&A; page and read that you make 2 pigtails and you twist them up, but I can never recreate this effortlessly chic look you manage to pull off. If you have time, please do tell!
Oh how I'd love to eat that cupcake!
http://www.thestorkandthebeanstalk.com
The cupcakes look delicious! I might have to hop into the kitchen and whip up a batch right now…
Sounds like a fun weekend! Eleanor and Kingsley are just too adorable!
http://missmelandmissheather.blogspot.com/
That outfit is so beautiful! First time reader, happy to be a follower now!
peace&love;, Jill
Favor the Brave
What a wonderfully adorable weekend!
looks like a fun weekend! I would love to get the recipe for the cupcakes, since they are still not known very well in Europe!
Och! nice weekend:)
beautiful photos!
M.
You are the cutest bike rider ever! Love love all the color in your outfit! Adding your blog to my favs, I just need to check it everyday. :)
http://www.sincerelyarizona.blogspot.com/
I love that bike! I don't know how you manage to ride it with heels but you look fabulous doing it!
xoxo,
Julianne
For those concerned about the lack of helmet, I'd like to speak up and say that most of the streets on Capitol Hill have very little traffic, and cars can't really gain much speed what with all the stop signs and pedestrians. There are also bike lanes all over the place. I know this doesn't prevent accidents entirely, but it's a much safer environment for biking than in the suburbs.
I do wear a helmet– I'm usually biking during rush hour, when it's semi-dark still, down one of the busiest streets– but if you're biking for fun you have the luxury of going through quiet residential areas that don't get much traffic at all.
So Cute! Your blog is such an inspiration. Love it.
Stacy
http://www.youmeandnormajean.blogspot.com/
caroline,
there are a ton of cars in the photo posted… so your comment rings hollow. also, not every bike accident involves a car. minor bike accidents can happen from the random things like debris in the road, sewage grates, trolley tracks, another cyclist, etc. finally, not every bike accident is catastrophic, but even a minor fall could be damaging without the proper safety equipment.
I love how you paired your blazer with that dress and stockings. The colors are awesome!
Looks like one of those perfect weekends :)
This comment has been removed by the author.
oh my goodness. could your family be any more perfect? :) you are absolutely gorgeous! and you have such an amazing style :D
– tiana of l'esthetique
Right on Caroline! Naomi and Josh are adults who can make their own personal choices about their health and safety. I think the helmet/no smoking/anti-McDonalds/anti-making one's own decision brigade needs to back off.
just feel in love with your blog and your little family. Also, your glasses are perfection.
Amy
http://theblankpagesblog.blogspot.com/
I have those Sanitas! Mine are grey though, I wish I had red(ish) ones! Marshall's for the win!
It's been cold then hot then cold here too. Today in the morning it was 76 and now it's in the 40s. So confusing!
Awwwhh Kingsley
aww so adorable. im always afraid that the kid will get hurt if you stop too fast :P
oh kingsley… he is too cute.
Collections
A fun day out :)
adorable!
those cupcakes look delicious!
BARBIE-BOMBSHELL.BLOGSPOT.COM
Lovely Family
Alycia,
False. Naomi's "personal choice" directly affects Eleanor. It's selfish to not wear a helmet when others rely on you.
Loveley post! I loved riding with my parents when I was younger. It will be so much fun to teach her how to ride in a few years!
but… Please wear a helmet!
Both my parents are avid bike riders (for pleasure and sport). When I was 12 my dad flipped over the handle bars breaking his collar bone in 3 places. If he had not been wearing a helmet, he would have sustained serious brain damage or worse. Even if it is just a leasurly ride it could still save your life. No matter how careful you are, you cant account for others peoples actions!!
our bulldog is suuuch a snorer, too! love them.
teri
http://www.bockting.blogspot.com
Caroline- I'm an avid cyclist- both as a commuter and for fun- and no one I know thinks that a helmet is what protects you from death if you are hit by a dump truck, or some other catastrophe.
A helmet *does* protect you, however, in all of the places you mentioned- quiet suburban streets, bike lanes, low traffic areas- because if you hit a pot hole and fly over your handlebars and land on your head, you won't get a traumatic brain injury.
Alycia- I don't think that anyone has been rude on this thread, rather just expressing concern. There were pictures on here of E without a helmet which I commented on out of concern, and Naomi was very upset that I would think that her child didn't wear a helmet. I apologized for my comment because it seemed to be so upsetting to her, although I didn't mean any offense towards her parenting skills by mentioning it. But in the end, logic would say that if one believes a child needs a helmet, one must admit that an adult does, too. Skulls are skulls- they all need protecting. Brain injuries are devastating, and usually easily preventable. Hitting a pothole on a shady street and falling head first into a curb can be life changing.
Oh that dog….
-Meg
mysideispinker.blogspot.com
Hi ALL!
I just wanted to comment here and let you all know I actually ordered a helmet last week before this post went up. It's not here yet, but looking forward to wearing it this spring when i take my bike out more. thanks for all your concern and tips and suggestions. Duly noted.
have a great weekend!
xo
Naomi
That chicken curry looks amazing! Tell Josh to post the recipe!!
I love everything about this…what a lovely weekend!
Liesl :)
Cute baby seat for the bike. What brand is it? I'm dying to get my little one out and about on my bike.
The cupcakes look yummy! Can we get your receipe, pleeease? :)
Nice blog, by the way!