Happy Mother's Day

Leading up to this Mother's Day, I can't help but feel so grateful for my beautiful mom. I will be honest.. I was nervous moving back to Washington, because I was worried about being close to my family and how the dynamics would work. I never wanted Stafford to feel like he was put on the back burner. Our entire married life has been spent states away from family, and I felt like it helped strengthen our marriage and family so much to have to rely on each other right off the bat. But it was always nice to come home. My heart would ache in Minnesota. I just missed talking to my mom in person- Her back massages as she gives advice and a listening ear. She's like a best friend that will also clean your house and wipe your baby's bum over and over again. Since moving to Washington, we get to visit monthly at least and I have to say it has been awesome! I get to have my grown up talk time with my mom and my sisters like to babysit-- FREE babysitting is always welcome. And my dad basically takes McKinlee all day on Saturdays to work outside and get an ice cream cone. I have loved being close to family again.

We went down for a visit over Easter weekend. After putting the girls down on Saturday night, my mom and I got to work on putting together the baskets and making a maze with yarn all over the house just like she used to do for me when I was little. I stopped and thought how this was my dream... to grow up and do these things I loved so much for my own kids. It's because my mom was such a fun mom that I wanted to be a mom. She showed me the value in being home with us. Because of her I know what I'm doing now is important. I feel so lucky to be a mom and to be able to stay at home with my babies at this time in my life. 

Thank you mom for being my mom. I love you!
You can check out some other mother/daughter duos at Dia&Co.

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Mommy Style Monday: Day at the Park

With summer finally here, my girls and I have been enjoying the sunshine. It gets pretty hot and humid here in Minnesota, so I try and plan activities accordingly. We love the splash pad (for at least the first 10 minutes), but McKinlee would much rather be at the park. We try and get out 3 or 4 times a week to explore different parks. To make it easier on me, we pack McKinlee's backpack with our essentials instead of my huge diaper bag. I always keep diapers and wipes in the car and pack the backpack with snacks, water bottles, and some milk for Addie. We also keep sand toys in the back of our car so we're ready to party at any given moment. -That sounded really dorky when I read it back, but that's just the stage of life I'm in! I'm embracing it.

I tend to wear comfortable clothes at the park. Shorts are a must in this heat and flip flops (these are my favorite) or sandals are perfect for the sandy parks we like to play at. For McKinlee, I LOVE these shoes! I want to get them in every size for both girls. They're like sandals, but way easier for her to put on by herself. Seriously order some today. They will change your life (Plus they're 40% off today with code JUNE40). I also love the biker shorts from Target and Old Navy's Mix & Match Tee's.  

As always, I love doing these link ups with other bloggers to see their choices. You can check out the other ladies below to see how they get ready for the park with their littles.

Kiana at Glitter & Donuts

Madeline at CaseyLand
Jen at Jam Tart Boutique

Monica at It's All About
Samantha at The Samantha Show
Jessica at Mason Jars and Lemon Bars

If you're a blogger and would like to be apart of this series, go to Kiana or Madeline's blog to sign up for the next Mommy Style Monday post.

Have a great Bachelorette Monday!!

How We Wore It: Summer Skirt

Hi friends! 

This week I was able to collaborate with a few other bloggers to do a "How We Wore It" post. The inspiration was this cute look from Elevate Everyday.

I love the casual chambray top tied up with the pretty soft textured skirt. I immediately thought of a few pieces I had in my closet that I could use to imitate this look. I went with a plain white top with my go to jean jacket and a muted pink skirt.

Of course McKinlee had to get in on the action too. She seriously LOVED doing this. Not so much the actual holding still part, but the getting dressed up and the before and after part.

And then I told her to give us a no smile model face and this is what we got. She cracks me up! When we took these pictures, I packed a change of clothes so she could play on the playground afterward. When we went to the playground today, she grabbed her sparkly shoes for our "shoot." I had to explain to her that we weren't taking pictures today and that was a special one time thing.

Jean Jacket: Similar here Skirt: Similar here, here, and here | Shoes: Target last year, but similar here 

McKinlee- Dress: Old Navy  

We had a lot of fun getting outside and posing for daddy. It quickly turned to a flower picking session, and then a stick finding mission. -Busy busy toddler! Now if you want to see how the other girls wore this look check them out below and if you're interested in being a part of next month's "How We Wore It", go here. Thanks for reading!

Deidre at Deidre Emme

Emily at Emmy Jake
Brooke at Silver Lining
Suerra at Sierra's View
Justine at Little Dove
Kiana at Glitter & Donuts
Amber at amber nicole blogs
Tayler at The Morrell Tale
Patricia at haifisch
Emma at Ever Emma
Bekah at These Are The Days
Jenn at GiveThisGirlCoffee
Shelbie at R+S Brereton
Nellwyn at The Cardinal Press
Ruth at My Little Nest

Spring Dresses + Ice Cream

Is it Spring where you live? Because Minnesota is a little late to the party I think. We've been in the 30's for a while, but this week we should be seeing some sun shine and I cannot wait! Despite the clouds, we ventured out to get our free Ben & Jerry's cone today with some friends and wander through a couple shops. McKinlee managed to keep all the ice-cream on her face, hands and coat, so I feel like that's a win. Addie is in the social stage and loved crawling around the grass with her little friend. Play dates that include ice cream and shopping make my heart happy. No matter how much effort it is. -But really McKinlee is getting a lot more laid back and will sit in the stroller for a bit on our outings now which makes things SO much easier! Now that I have Addie to compare (I really don't like that word, but I don't know how else to say that), I can see how McKinlee is active and busy, whereas Addie is much more relaxed and independent. It's fun to see the differences and similarities between them even though they're being raised in the same home. 

Despite our lack of Spring weather, I thought I would share what I plan on the girls wearing all season long...  DRESSES! At the end of last summer, we discovered the magic of play dresses and I plan on putting that knowledge to use this year. It's so easy for her to put on and she only needs to choose out one piece of clothing! If your littles are anything like mine they are busy bodies and they tend to go through at least 2 outfits a day. These are a great solution to the piles of laundry that creates! We are big fans of Old Navy dresses because they're good quality, but you can also find a great sale. The ones below are all under $10! Most of them are on sale right now too, so go stock up quick!

And here are a few that could be worn to church or other events and they are in the $10-$20 range.

I hope Spring finds you where ever you are. Thanks for reading!

Friday Favorites

This week dragged on.. and on and on, so I am extremely happy to say happy Friday! I decided to round up a few of my favorite things lately.

I've been getting into the Spring cleaning mode, and while attempting to clean out every closet Billy Currington has been getting me through it all. Our first summer here, Billy performed at a festival and we decided to skip buying tickets and stand in the back and listen (student life makes us get creative right?). We regretted that decision so much! Stafford and I LOVE Billy, and his music reminds me of summer. Maybe because we fell in love with him while living in Fresno for an internship over a summer forever ago.


Speaking of summer, if you keep up with the blog on Facebook, you know I recently bought my first romper/jumpsuit, and I'm in love. Mine is currently sold out, but I also love this chambray one. I also linked a jersey skirt I just bought. It is quite comfortable and I'm excited to wear it to church and out and about.

We stopped by the mall yesterday for a little walk and of course had to stop at Baby Gap to look at their clearance racks. I couldn't help but gawk at all the cute dresses they have out for spring. And   those shoes from Old Navy?? Are you kidding me? I avoid laces at all costs for McKinlee, and these babies would go with everything.

I hope your Friday is going well and you're able to get out of the house, with or without your children ;)

Three Month Favorites

Happy Baby Wrap | Breastfeeding/Carseat Cover | Rock 'n Play Sleeper | Footless Pajamas | Aveeno Lotion 

I just have to share our favorite products that have gotten us through these past 3 months. I honestly don't know how I had McKinlee without a baby carrier of any sort. This baby wrap has been amazing for us! Addie has been in it since we got home from the hospital and she LOVES it. She will calm right down after walking in it for a few minutes. Sometimes babies just need to be held and a wrap makes it much easier for us mama's. I also love this brand. Not too stretchy to where it feels like she's fall out, and perfectly breathable and thin. Stafford got it for me for Christmas during their sale last Black Friday, so be on the look out!
One of my absolute must haves this time around is without a doubt my Covered Goods breastfeeding and carseat cover. This thing has changed the breastfeeding game for me. With M I was a little nervous about breastfeeding in general, so forget about breastfeeding in public where things could slip out and my cover would never seem to cover everything. This baby has shut down all of my fears. It gives you complete coverage all the way around your back, so even when your shirt is pulled up, your love handles are not just hanging out there (we all have them- specially after pregnancy). I usually pull my opposite arm out of the top so I can eat, read to M, etc while breastfeeding. If that alone doesn't sell you, it double as a carseat cover. I had a flap one with McKinlee and in the Rexburg wind that cover didn't stand a chance, but my Covered Goods just wraps around the whole carseat leaving a space for the handle. Perfect for peeking at your little and showing her off, but keeping wandering hands from touching her face. Truly this cover has been a life saver and is worth every penny (but of course I waited to find a discount code which she does occasionally) and I've been wanting to buy a second so I could leave one in the car and one in my diaper bag.

So there are our current favorites. I can't wait to get into the toy stage and see her interact with her surroundings a little more. Is there anything you would add to this list? Products I should definitely know about? Let me know.

Mama & Mini Style

I am no fashion blogger, but it is fun to learn how to do new things and this wish list board was something I've been wanting to learn! Not perfect, but I hope to keep learning.

Mini: Tights / Stripe Beanie / Ankle Boots / Chambray Zipper Dress

Mama: V-Neck / demi panel skinny jeans / Parka

Pregnancy is not necessarily the time to dress up fabulously all the time. Heels should be occasional, and comfort is a priority. This pregnancy I think I can embrace that a little more. When I was pregnant with McKinlee, I was still in school and working. Now that I'm a stay at home mom, I don't like to wear pi's all day, but I do look for comfort in normal clothes. I've decided to jump on the maternity jeans train. This will save my jeans for after baby comes and it will make getting dressed so much easier ha! I've also been looking for a cute comfy tee and these look so cozy. For M, I found this adorable dress and boots. How cute are they?? I still love dressing her up and I can't wait to have two girlies to match! Yes, I will be that mom.