our daily obsessions

:: Inspiring Articles

2013-06-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

In your spare time, here are some awesome, inspiring articles to read . . .

Drops of Awesome
Not Just a Girl
How to Miss a Childhood

Enjoy!

:: Family Happenings

2013-06-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Within the past few weeks we've been insanely busy.

I went back to work. Boo. I miss my kiddos so much when I'm gone.

But . . . grateful that I do have a job.

We've made multiple trips to the pool.

And to the beach.

We celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary.

Trying to cross the items off of our summer bucket list.

The girls love going to the dollar movies at our local theater.

We're trying to leave the TV off from 9-5. It's been hard. Really hard!

But it's nice to see the girls using their imagination instead of staring at the TV.

Do you see their cruise ship they made?

They loved going to a local baseball game.

(and it might be because they ate hot dogs)

And they've almost completed swimming lessons.

And this is only the beginning. Yay for summer!

:: Summer 2013 - our bucket list

2013-06-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

This is the first summer we've done a summer bucket list

and the girls can't wait to cross off those fun things we have listed.

Here's what we put on our list:

*bbq with friends

*movie in the park

*fly a kite

*baseball game

*pedicures

*water balloon fight

*drive-in movie

*make a sandcastle

*go on a hike

*sell lemonade

*make ice cream

*go on a boat ride

*run through the sprinklers

*go to the library

*make a pie

*s'mores at the cabin

*lanterns at lake powell

*dollar movies

*visit grandparents

*make rootbeer

*livingroom sleepover

*learn how to swim

*picnic lunch

*feed the ducks

*paddleboats

*blowing bubbles

*make cookies

*visit a splash park

*hide-n-seek

*make banana pops

*go on a walk

*play at the park

*make a new friend

*have a tea party

*birthday project

*fireworks

*visit a museum

*trampoline picnic

*learn a new game

*whimsical

*pick blueberries

*write a story

*visit pets at petsmart

*go bowling

*watch a parade

*back to school fashion show

What did you put on yours?

:: and summer begins

2013-06-06T15:07:00.000-07:00

Little Ava recently graduated from preschool which means . . . summer has officially started!

We love going to our local theater once a week for their dollar movies.

We watched Ice Age 4 yesterday and the girls were in heaven.

(we obviously don't go to the theater often)

Go here to find your nearest theater and for dates.

Come back tomorrow to see our Summer 2013 bucket list!

:: Giveaway Results - mikarose

2013-05-31T09:54:00.003-07:00

And the winner of the Mikarose $50 giveaway is . . .

Michael Corrigan

Congrats, Michael (and his lucky wife).

Thank you to everyone who entered this giveaway!

:: Father's Day - past projects

2013-05-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Father's Day is quickly approaching.
Trying to decide what to make for the fathers in your life?

Here are some projects that we've done in the past:

Father's Day Mug

{make sure you read the updated instructions}

Father's Day "Pop"

And check out my Father's Day Board here on Pinterest.

:: Child Activities - marsh-picks

2013-05-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

One thing my girls love doing is creating with marshmallows and toothpicks.

I saw a friend do it with her kids on instagram and immediately wanted to try it.

We had toothpicks and marshmallows on hand,

so I gave them to the girls and let their imaginations run wild.

Well, Reese was just into eating them, but Ava was pretty creative.

Do you see her giraffe below?

We decided that we'd call it marsh-picks.

Don't forget about the Mikarose Dress Giveaway. Ends Friday!

:: Dress Review and Giveaway - mikarose

2013-05-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, it was my first time back to church since having Anson.

I remember that morning just standing in my closet with all my dresses in front of me.

I was trying to figure out what I could wear

that would be comfortable, stylish, and nursing friendly.

I seriously think I stood there for 10-15 minutes, just thinking.

I hope I'm not the only one that does this. . . . .

Well, that next week I was excited to learn that I'd be reviewing a dress from Mikarose.

A dress that would be perfect to wear for those nursing mamas like me.

Mikarose is a company that focuses on creating modest clothing.

Clothing that can be worn while pregnant, nursing, and after.
And these dresses are made for everyone.
They come in size 0 - 2XL.

Below, I'm pictured wearing the Avery dress.

The button down front makes it easy to nurse while you're not in the comfort of your own home.
And this fabric was a little stretchy, which is always nice after you've just had a baby.
Go here to see those dresses that would be perfect during your pregnancy or while nursing.

And if you're not pregnant or nursing, here are some other dresses I love: Irene, Isabel, and Jackie

And Mikarose is offering one of my readers $50 credit to their shop! Yay!

Enter below.
{open to US and Canada residents; giveaway ends on 5/31}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

:: Embrace the Camera - 05.23.13

2013-05-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Anson was given a name and a blessing by Tommy.

It was such a beautiful blessing.

We blessed him in Vegas and were joined by many family and friends

who took part in this special day.

Anson is one special little boy.

:: Food - old fashioned apricot cobbler

2013-05-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

This is one dessert that we ate almost every Sunday evening growing up
or maybe it just seemed like it.
We would pick the apricots, then we'd usually watch my mother bottle them, and I think
almost all seven of us (yep, I'm one of seven!) learned how to make it.
Whenever we go to my parent's home, we try to sneak a few bottled apricots so that we can make this.
Looks like I need to learn how to bottle them myself!

Apricot Cobbler

1/2 c. butter or margarine

1 1/2 c. milk

2 c. flour

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 T. baking powder

1 quart of bottled apricots

1. Melt butter in 9x13 inch pan.

2. Add milk to pan.

3. Stir in with fork or whisk, flour, sugar, and baking powder.

4. Empty apricots including liquid over top of batter. Do not stir. If needed place apricot chunks in places without.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

This is really tasty with vanilla ice cream. Yum.

:: 35 before 35 - #26

2013-05-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

A few months ago (right before I had the baby),

I was able to cross another off of my "35 before 35" list.

I completed #26.

To have a girls weekend with my sisters.

We aren't all together very often, so this was special.

We were celebrating my sister's 40th birthday and we surprised her

with a getaway to a beach house at Newport Beach.

We all had so much fun!

And luckily, my mother and sister-in-law, Heather were able to meet up with us.

The weekend was filled with pedicures, temple going, eating out . . . a lot,

a surprise birthday party, and a fun gondola ride.

So grateful for these women in my life and for this time that I was able to spend with them.

AND . . . so grateful I didn't go into labor.

That could've been interesting.

:: Family Happenings - locks of love donation

2013-05-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Last month we decided to cut little miss Ava's hair.
We have NEVER cut it (besides trimming her bangs).
It just grew into natural layers.
She wasn't exactly fond of us brushing her hair . . . and she would make it known.
So this is the reason why.

We had it cut, she loved it, and we loved it.
I decided to document it by making a very CHEESY video of it.
{that you can see below}
She even decided to donate her hair to Locks of Love.

:: Be Crafty Workshop

2013-05-15T15:08:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to be going to this "Be Crafty Workshop" on Saturday!

Care to join me?

If so, go here to sign up!

:: To Every Mother

2013-05-10T15:29:00.002-07:00

I hope that all of you mothers, aunts, sisters, grandmothers, etc have a wonderful Mother's Day!
And that you get breakfast in bed, handmade cards, and kisses from your loved ones.

I have been so blessed to have a wonderful mother, a gracious mother-in-law and amazing grandmothers.
And to be a mother myself. It truly is a dream come true.
So grateful to be a mother.
Happy Mother's Day!

:: Parties - gender reveal

2013-05-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

Last week my sister and her family found out what their third child would be.

And it's a boy!!!

The ultrasound technician had texted me that morning and I started making the "gender reveal" cake.

We live about 45 minutes from each other, so we met in the middle and had dinner at a park.

It was a fun way to involve their children and they were so excited.

And so were the other people at the park!

(which might have to do with us sharing the cake with them)

We'll definitely have to do this with our next one.

:: Mother's Day

2013-05-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

This was given to me by Ava a few years ago for Mother's Day.

And I still have it on our fridge. Love her tiny hands.

It's been pinned quite a few times on pinterest so I thought I'd post it again,

if you need something to do last minute.

This year we're just giving Shutterfly cards from Anson's newborn sibling photoshoot

and potted flowers to their grandmothers.

What will you be giving to your mother's/grandmothers?

:: Embrace the Camera 05.02.13

2013-05-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

We're embracing the camera today on Photo Booth again.

The girls love playing with this camera on the mac.

Anson is now 7 weeks and cracking smiles every once in awhile.

Reese has become my dancing, singing, defiant child.

Ava is my big helper that likes to whine at times.

Loving these children of mine.

:: What makes me feel powerful.

2013-04-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I laced up my running shoes.

I'm back and I'm loving it.

This morning I ran 3.5 miles and hope to be running around 6 miles soon.

Running has become such a great outlet for me.

A huge stress reliever.

It helps me feel powerful.

And who doesn't want to feel powerful.

Not sure if I'll ever do a Tough Mudder or Ragnar again,

but my new goal is to run a 1/2 marathon by the end of this year.

What makes you feel powerful?

:: What I'm Loving - baby edition

2013-04-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

Although this is my third child,

I keep on coming across baby items that I end up loving!

Here are just a few . . .

For my first two babies, I used a different bottle. But they ended up leaking ALL. THE. TIME!

So I found these on clearance at Target, the end of last year hoping that they'd do.

And we love them!

I'd seen these swaddle blankets and decided to try them out.

They're large and lightweight. Perfect to swaddle your little one in.

And these pacifiers I've used since baby #1.

Love them.

All of these items can be found at Target and/or Amazon.com

What baby items do you love?

:: Family Happenings - portrait of a 5 year old

2013-04-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Ava recently turned 5 years old.

Here she is in her birthday dress being her cute, little ole' self.

I can't believe she's this old AND that she start kindergarten in August.

At times I wish I could make time stand still.

:: 35 before 35 - #4

2013-04-17T14:20:00.002-07:00

Well, I've been pretty bad about posting the completions of my 35 before 35,

let alone bad at posting . . . period . . . on this little ole' blog of mine.

But my lack of posting might have to do with

completing #4 on my list . . . to have another baby.

On March 15th I gave birth to this sweet little boy.

9lbs 3ozs of preciousness.

And we love him to pieces.

Although it wasn't the perfect pregnancy this time around

and ended up being very stressful until I actually delivered him

(due to findings on the ultrasound),

I feel so blessed to be able to have children and to have had healthy children so far.

It's definitely something I don't take for granted.

These pictures I took (on my couch!) when he was 5 days old.

He is such a sweet little baby.

And I finally have a child with hair!

:: Blogs - google reader to bloglovin'

2013-04-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

Not sure what you use, but for the past few years

I've been using Google Reader to check out the blogs that I follow.

But starting July 1st, they're closing it down which means we need to find a new site to use.

I've heard good things about Bloglovin' and so I decided to switch now.

And thanks to Gimme Some Oven and their tutorial,

I was able to switch all of my blogs I follow without any issues.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

:: Pretties - lisa leonard designs sale

2013-04-05T09:50:00.001-07:00

I love the jewelry from Lisa Leonard Designs.

And today and tomorrow you can take an additional 25% off all sale items!

Go here to check it out.

But hurry, they'll go quick!

*only on sale items

:: Embrace the Camera 04.04.13

2013-04-04T12:43:00.001-07:00

We decided to take some photos today.

Anson is 3 weeks old tomorrow.

Reese found a sharpie. Is it that obvious?

And Ava now has short hair.

Me? Well, I'm still trying to get used to having three kiddos.

But life is good.

Happy Thursday from the Smiths!

:: Free - April desktop calendar

2013-04-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

I found this month's free desktop calendar from Brooke Witt Art & Design.

I love it! It's so springy.

You can find it here.