My heart is full. FULL you all. Let me explain... A few months back, I was invited to speak at the Pinners Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sharing my passion for throwing parties & entertaining, was on the agenda, and I couldn't WAIT to get to the mountains.First Night in Camp First day in town, we spent cruising around soaking in all that Salt Lake had to offer. Shopping ladies... TONS of shopping in Salt Lake. I propped my computer open, and was along for the ride, working & scouting out where I was headed the next day, for a little retail...

Organization, Parenting

The Smart Way to Pack for Baby or Toddler

Ever since creating the baby & toddler packing list for you {ahem, years ago...}, I've wanted to fill you in on the SMARTEST way that I know how to pack my little guys.I'm certain that this one little life-changing tip, will CHANGE the way you pack for your baby or toddler.The SMART Way to Pack a Baby or Toddler: 1. Start by sorting the clothes that you plan to take with you. I do this by pulling articles of clothing out in categories. For instance: I start with onesies & shirts. I pull them out of the closet, and place them in a...

Travel

Airbnb: Our New Way of Traveling

Oh goodness we love to travel. Although, back in 1999 when my husband and I started dating, I had barely left the state of Missouri. Now... you can't keep me home. Well, I guess that's a lie. I do love being a home body, but you can always bet that I'm at least planning our next trip.Within the last year, we've found a new way to travel & after a few test-runs, I feel safe recommending it to all of my fellow travel lovers out there.Airbnb Our very sleek & modern Airbnb this time was beyond perfect for what we needed...So what...

Travel

Top Honeymoon Resorts

It's no secret that my husband and I like to travel. {In the last year or so, we've visited Mexico, Colorado, Florida, Utah, Mexico, Mexico, and Mexico. (Yeah, we kind of like Mexico.) :)From time to time, someone will ask me if I have any recommendations on honeymoon destinations. And although I do love to travel, and have some romantic destinations under my belt, I reached out to a travel agent friend of mine, to ask for her expertise.Laura with LM Travel Company, came to my rescue, and spilled the secret (and some photos of recent travelers) on her pick...

Parenting, Real Life, Travel

Missing Mom and Dad: Preparing your Child for when you Travel

My husband and I travel a lot. It may be for either business, or pleasure...and sometimes we have to leave our kids at home. I'd take them on every trip if I could, but as you probably know, sometimes there's not an option, and they have to stay home. We are blessed to have family that will stay with them, and care for them while we are gone, and we have wonderful caregivers that help us out too. But although we have fabulous people to stay with them, our kiddos still miss us.Preparing Your Child when you Travel & They Miss You We know...

Real Life, Travel

“Hola,” Relaxation…

Hola, Buenos Dias!{Hello! Good Day!} Yes, I just returned from a little slice O' Heaven...Riviera Maya, Mexico!I was nice enough to take my husband with me on this one, {Ok ok... if it weren't for him, I probably wouldn't be able to go} and we had a BEEEE-YOU-TIFUL romantic weekend getaway, and I had to share it with you. No... not sharing the romantic part, so no worries Mom... I won't be showing any pictures you'd be ashamed of. ;) El Dorado Casitas Royale ResortFor the past few years, we have snuck away to Mexico with some of our friends, for...

Parenting, Real Life

Febrile Seizures, What all Parents Should Know

Disclaimer: I am NOT a health/medical professional. I am simply telling the story of what we experienced as parents, with our little boy that day. Scariest day of my life. Still. Three years later, still the scariest day of my life. As a mom, as a human.It was Thanksgiving, 2012. My 17 month old toddler was safely strapped in to his carseat, in the back of our Yukon, as we were traveling down unfamiliar highways, on our way to Alabama for a first time Thanksgiving celebration at my sister's house. The tv was playing his favorite Thomas the Train movie, and I would...

Family + Friends, Real Life, Travel

Our Boca Grande, Florida Vacation

I kept it kinda quiet, but my stud muffin of a husband and I, hit the road {or air, rather}, last week, and went to Boca Grande Florida on vacation, for a friends wedding! It was ABSOLUTELY beautiful there, and I wanted to share it with you, in case you're planning a destination wedding, searching for a honeymoon destination, or just looking for your next hot new vacation spot. Sometimes it's a little easier to pick a place, when you "know," someone who has been there.Boca Grande, Florida We unfortunately left the kiddos at home on this trip, because we were...

Real Life, Travel

Hubby and I Getaway-Avon Colorado

Whelp, you know I love to travel. Thank goodness the hubs does too, or I'd be traveling by myself. This was the second time we had been to Avon Colorado, and both times were outstanding!We visited once when it was warmer {you know, sitting outside having dinner on the patio}, and this time when you better have your heavy coat handy or you'll lose a limb due to frost bite. Ok ok... not that cold, but cold.I HATE skiing. Yeah, we were going to a HUGE ski area, but I hate skiing. Why do I hate it? Because I...

Birthday, Holiday, Real Life, Travel

Surprise 30th Birthday for my Husband

Surprise 30th Birthday Ideas for Him: A trip full of little surprises, and secret missions for my husband's 30th birthday! A celebration we will NEVER forget!If you're looking for gift ideas for your husband's 30th birthday, you'll want to see THIS post! Or, if you're thinking of planning a surprise trip along with other fun secret surprises, keep reading below! You may find it hard to believe that I kept all of this a secret for a year. Click Here for Gift Ideas for HimSurprise 30th Birthday Trip for Him We LOVE to travel. Even though we recently visited Avon Colorado, we have...