Hello hello friends! I hope you all enjoyed the weekend! Extended for some people. I’m so happy to have my kids home from school Monday and a short school week ahead! I’ve been doing a lot of organizing around here (love a productive weekend!) and one thing I worked on today was cleaning up my picture folders on my computer. (You can see how I organize my pictures here. That post is 4 years old and I still do it the same way! If the system isn’t broke, don’t fix it.) :) I thought I’d share some random pics I came across of what we’ve been up to lately before we dive into more organizing together! Because if I don’t share it on the blog it’s like it didn’t happen, right? And we can’t have that. ;)
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My sister and her family came to visit in the Fall and we took all the kids to Disneyland. This was the whole crew minus my husband because he took this pic. Frozen lemonade! That’s why we’re all smiles at this point in the game.
I snapped this pic of the computer screen with my phone after this ride.. too funny! My girls are finally old enough to go on “the big kid” rides and Ad was so excited to try Space Mountain. Hard to tell from this pic (she looks terrified!) but she loved it. My sister and I were both nervous for her and held her hands the whole way. That ride is scary! Love that I’m wearing my Zen Again shirt.. ha.. fitting right? :) Don’t ask me what the people behind us were doing..
After years of Disneyland being all about the princesses with my girls it was finally time to switch gears and do a little Jedi training. :)
Darth Vader finally met his match. My son’s response after.. “I was terrified mom! Can I do it agin!?”
Of course ever since he has been obsessed with his light sabers and pleads me to fight with him all. day. long.
Most nights while I’m making dinner I finally cave and a match ensues. The force runs deep within me and I can’t resist. Besides, I figure the chicken can cook itself. It will most likely taste better than if I cooked it anyway. ;)
Good thing I love this little Jedi so much.
And his silly sisters. Crazy hair day!
We had so many boxes being delivered in December (I seriously did almost all of my Christmas shopping on-line this year!) so my kids got creative and put them to good use.
Lots of homemade doll houses are occupying the playroom at the moment. I especially love the window box and flowers in this one. :)
Every year I host a party in December for all of the Young Women in our church (girls 12-18). The girls are all so much fun and I look forward to it every year! We usually do some sort of service activity and then have our annual crazy sock exchange. The girls are making cards in this picture.
El and some of her cute friends.
This was a pic I came across from last year’s party when we made baby blankets for a local woman’s shelter. They turned out so cute!
Last year’s group photo. A lot of the girls wear their pajamas because.. well.. they know they are coming to my house. ;)
And this years group pic. Love these girls! A full house is always a happy house.
We spent a week in Utah after Christmas visiting family. My sister, sister-in-law and I are all three glued at the hip as much as possible when we’re all in town together. (My sweater is scrunched up in this pic but it’s so cute! I got it for Christmas and it has quickly become a favorite. This one is similar and darling too for half the price.)
Christmas round 2!
We even bought cheesy HUGE matching men’s plaid flannel shirts this trip to wear together. Because we’re nerdy like that. And because then we felt like we could eat whatever we wanted with room to spare. And because they were on sale for $6. Bring on mom’s homemade Christmas Cinnamon roll!
This is how we keep the boys entertained at my moms. It’s acorn picking time!
Remember all of the real acorns I displayed around my house this past Fall?
Grandpa pays them all a penny per acorn they pick up. The boys are kept busy for hours (not only picking them up but counting them after), my dad gets his yard cleaned up and I score some free home decor. My dad and I continually pat ourselves on the back for coming up with this one. ;)
Cousins make the best buds.
Poor Uncle Austin doesn’t get much of a break when we all come to town. El said the other day “sometimes grown-ups are hard to talk to but when I’m with Uncle Austin I’m free to just laugh and be my goofy self!” I reminded her that my brother never grew up. He’s a kid himself which is why he’s such a big hit with the kids. (Not sure if my brother ever reads my blog.. but if he does I’ll get a text or call about that one so this should be fun. He can’t get too mad at me though because he knows it’s true.) ;)
I always love getting my husband away from the office and all to myself for a week! Date night! My sister bought me this cute turtleneck for Christmas. Stripes! How did she know? :) (The stripes sold out but it’s still available in solid colors and it’s on sale! It’s a wool/cashmere blend and such a good fit. I really love it. I would dry clean it though so not one to buy if you don’t like to hassle with dry cleaning your clothes!)
Love him. :)
One of our favorite things about spending time in our home town is getting to go out and catch up with old friends. Not that my friends are old.. just that they have been our friends for a LONG time. :)
My friend’s sweet little boy made me want another baby! For about 10 minutes anyway. Well.. maybe for 20. ;)
So fun catching up with everyone! We saw more friends that aren’t pictured and ran out of time before we could get together with a few more we wanted to see. Happy there’s always next time!
My mom’s sweet friends (who are like family) offered to babysit all of our kids so my dad could take us all out to dinner the last night we were together. Such a treat! We talked and ate and laughed together for hours. Our favorite Christmas present.
It’s always hard leaving a fun trip like that with family because I miss them all so much and wish we lived closer together. But then we come back to San Diego and it always feels so good to be home! I snapped this pic our first day back and shared it on Instagram. Cloudy outside. The whole family spending time together. Ad asked for a volleyball net for Christmas (she is on her school’s volleyball team) and Santa delivered so Kenny set it up and the two of them practiced her serve. El and Kole were jumping on the trampoline and I walked around the yard picking lemons off of our lemon trees. They have been growing like crazy lately! We didn’t have to be anywhere. Everyone was getting along and enjoying each other. I couldn’t help but think about how grateful I am for my husband and kids. It was one of those low key family days I will always remember.
This past week we have had SO much rain and I’ve loved every minute of it! Last year it felt like winter just skipped us completely and while I know that sounds nice to some people, I missed it! I’ve loved running around in the rain, wearing sweaters and scarves and turning on my car seat warmer. It’s the little things. :)
Back in the routine of after school chores! Unloading the silverware is always Kole’s job. He takes his work pretty seriously. :)
A pic from last week spending time in his first grade classroom. Wearing my new favorite sweater again. And my rain boots! Woot woot! I asked my girls what I can do this year to be a better mom and they both said “stop spoiling Kole!” Ha ha.. I can’t help it. This little guy has had me wrapped around his little finger from day one. Not that his sisters have it too rough. ;)
One more pic from last week. Grocery shopping with all three! Always a party. And I have no idea why that frozen pizza is in our cart because we NEVER eat frozen pizza.
More than twice a week.
Life lately. Randomness at its best!
And always a good thing.
:)
Oh how I LOVE your posts with random news! This was one of your very best! I’m glad you got to spend time back home with your parents and siblings – there’s nothing like family!! Your children are always so adorable, and I love seeing all the photos. It just makes my day!! Thank you for sharing your life with me!
You are the sweetest Jane! Thank you! It makes me so happy you like these family posts! Your sweet comment put a huge grin on my face today. :) xo
Thanks for the fun peek into your life, Erin. Looks like a happy life filled with fun and family. So happy for you that you are able to get together with your family regularly. I know how hard it can be living in different states. I’m thrilled you are finally getting some rain, too. Hopefully not too much all at once, like up in Northern CA. Keep savoring those little moments. Have a great day off with your kiddos! :)
Oh my word Jeanne.. they have been getting SO much n Northern CA! Kind of scary. Just right for us! It makes me so happy to see my grass so green again! We needed the rain for sure. Thanks cutie! I hope you got the day off today! xo
Hi Erin Loved all your random pics from the holidays, wanted to let you know I am loving the Canoe Planner I won on your blog. I got the same one you have. Funny you showed a photo of the rain in San Diego, I moved my daughter there last month she is a reporter and weekend weather anchor at KGTV
her name is Jennifer so yes I know you all have had lots of rain. Happy New Year to your and your family.
Oh I’m so happy to hear you are loving your planner! I’m loving mine too! Such a great one. And yes.. SO much rain! Your daughter has had lots to report for sure! Tell her our weather is usually a lot more boring.. ha! 70 degrees and sunny skies over and over and over. ;) I hope she is enjoying it here! Happy New Year to you and thanks for your sweet comment! xo
Yes she is loving it. I Plan on making lots of visits!!!
I love posts like these! Keep them coming!
Thank you so much Kim! That made my day. :) xo
Aww what a lovely post. I love the life lately things!
Holy, you have a lot of young women. We have 4 .. total in my ward lol
Ok.. I’m gonna go start cleaning. ..Mondays are so good and so bad. How can things get out of control in 3 days lol
Oh my word Heidi.. I thought our group was small! Only 4!? Cozy group for sure. :) And I hear you! My house is always a mess after the weekend. It’s just life with kids isn’t it!? Good luck putting it all back together today. ;) Thanks cutie! xo
Love these kinds of posts from you…my favorite by far! You have the seeetest family!
Kim you are so kind to say that! Thank you! I’m so happy you like these types of posts. :) xo
Looks like fun times and I love the acorn idea. Always nice to get together with family. They really are everything. Here’s to days with no plans. They are far and few between but I love when they come along.
Have a great week Erin. xo
Amen to that Cathy! I hope you are having a good start to your week! And yes.. the acorn idea is a keeper for sure. :) xo
I really enjoy these types of posts Erin :-)
Thank you Aria! I’m so glad you do! :) xo
Looks like a lot of fun lately!!!! I always love your family posts. Quick question, do y’all have any problems with critters or snakes getting under your trampoline??? I really want to have an in-ground trampoline, but I’ve always been a little leery of the potential problem with varmints and what not living underneath. Would love your insight on this! Have a great short week!!!
Thank you Michelle! We haven’t had any problems, but we have a fence around our yard with mesh below the fence specifically designed to keep animals out! So they can’t get in the yard. I’m not sure if that would be an issue without the fence or not. I’m hoping to get a post done on our in-ground trampoline soon! We love ours! :) xo
Looks like you’ve been having lots of fun! Getting to have an adults only dinner during the holidays sounds like a great treat!
It really was Kristen! So rare for all of us to be alone without the kids. Thank you! xo
I just love posts like these! So nice to see how others do their everyday life. Great to see how the kids are growing up, especially Kole! Holy cow, he’s so grown up all of a sudden. Thanks for sharing with your readers– long time readers like me love catching up:)
So sweet of you Audrey! Thank you. :) I love seeing how people do every day life too! And I know.. Kole is getting so big! He seriously needs to stop growing.. wish I could do something about that. I hope your week is off to a good start! xo
Fun post!
I’ve been loving the rain, too! and they say more is coming this week (starts Wednesday, I think…and a prediction of five straight days of rain?!! Can you believe it? Can that be true?) Can’t wait. I get to wear my Hunter boots on rainy days. Last year those things had dust on them! One thing I don’t like about rainy days is that we don’t have a “mud room” so with ten kids…that’s twenty muddy footprints on my floors!! I have towels set up all over by the front entryway on rainy days. “Wipe your feet!” LOL
I can’t believe it Katrina! My Hunters are on and the umbrella is soaked! What a rainy morning! I absolutely LOVE it! But yeah.. 10 kids with muddy footprints.. not so fun. Hang in there! :) Thanks cutie! So fun to hear from you. xo
How is the crazy sock exchange done? We are getting tired of the White elephant exchange for our extended family xmas party and that sounds intriguing.
Hi Becky! Everyone brings a pair of socks wrapped (cozy/crazy/Christmas themed.. whatever pair they want). The first person picks a bag and open it and then she can choose to keep the socks or get another bag. The next person picks a sack and can keep the socks OR trade with someone else. It becomes funny because so many people get excited about their socks and then someone else steals them when it’s their turn! Did that make sense? Ha! It’s hard to explain but pretty simple. :)
Love seeing everyday life! It is obvious that your family is close and your kids are so happy. Well done mom! Keep it up…I think you have the “great mom” thing in the bag already. xxoo
You spoil me Pamela! Thank you! Always a work in progress over here but thank you so much for saying that. :) xo
Such a great post! Quick question- do you have details or is there a link about how to make the fleece baby blankets you donated? So cute and a great idea! Thank you!
Thank you Jennifer! I don’t! So sorry! If we ever do it again I’ll take pics and post about it! xo
I LOVE these posts, Erin! Love them so much.
I asked my Connor what I should do this year to be a better mother and he said…………….. RELAX more :)
Thank you so much Marcia! It makes my day that you liked this post so much! And I love that your sweet boy said that. My kids could probably say that about me too! Connor is wise beyond his years. :) xo
Yay!! My favorite kind of post! Love seeing cute, random pics of the kids! I had to think twice and remind myself that El is in YW with you now (and almost an official teen!) I am sure all those girls adore you, I just know you are so fantastic in your calling. Love that the girls both want you to stop spoiling Kole! Ha! Sorry girls, since he’s not just the baby but the only boy, not gonna happen! Such cute pics of him, especially love him battling Darth Vader, that takes me back to our trip with you guys, Pierson loved that so much, it was like the highlight of his life at that age! Love it!
I had to laugh at the shopping cart pic, I noticed that pizza right away and thought, I’ll have to tease her, then went on to read and was laughing. Hey, we all have our ways to survive mother hood! Loved seeing all the fun pics! SO happy we got to see you guys! And can’t wait to get our trip figured out, DL is calling my name! 😘
P.S. tell the girls I adore the window box with the flowers! I’m very impressed! Oh and I love the acorn idea! I need to come over and get Jens in on the action next time so I can get some to decorate my house! So cute for you and so fun for the boys!
I will tell them! And Jens is welcome to join the acorn picking next year! It’s quite a party. ;) xo
Thanks cutie! So fun hearing from you! I’m so glad you liked this post! I can’t see Disney pics without thinking of you guys either! That was the best trip and we are due for round two! And yes. Surviving motherhood and all life throws our way one frozen pizza at a time… ha ha! ;) Love you! xo
Real life love this post!!! Do your kids have chore charts?? If so how do you display them?
Thank you Amanda! They do, but they are lists my kids check off so I don’t hang them. If you type “chore charts” in the search bar of my blog they should pop up! xo
Such happiness, joy and gratitude and always brings a smile! Happy New Year! xo
Thank you sweet Becky! Same to you! xo
I love this post! It’s fun to see regular day to day life. And I like seeing your kitchen with the normal extra stuff on the counter tops. Your new cream sweater is super cute! And one of my favorite things ever is kids turning boxes into cool things like houses! Thanks for sharing!
Such a sweet comment Courtney! Thank you! I’m so happy you liked this post! I love the box houses too. :) xo
Hello Erin…love this post!! Sometimes a random post full of ‘whatever’ is my favorite to read! And by the way…if you’re ever missing winter, this Chicago girl is happy to trade places with you for awhile! Ha! :)
Thank you Laurie! I’m so glad you liked this post! I’d love to trade places with you! Maybe a little house switch for a week or two like in the movie “Holiday”.. ha! My kids would love to build a snowman. ;) xo
Such a fun post to read Erin! So great to see how your whole family together and how you cherish your time not only with your own little family but your extended family, and friends, as well. Love the little random shots of the kids doing normal things. Your pictures are so clear too! I must read how you organize your pictures now, and maybe I can get mine somewhat organized as well.
Thank you Debbie! It was a fun trip this year for sure. I’m so glad you liked this post. :) I hope my picture organization post was helpful! I keep it pretty simple. :) xo
I loved this post Erin! (Just like everyone else). You have such a lovely family, so fun getting to see what you’ve all been up to lately. Also, I am so impressed by that homemade doll house! So creative.
Thank you so much Julia! You are a sweetheart. I’m so glad you liked this post! I love that doll house too. The window boxes are everything. ;) xo
Haha what a fun post! Thanks for sharing. :)
Thanks Jamie! :) xo
Can you tell me, what is your outside paint color called?
Hi Becky! If you type “favorite paint” in the search bar of my blog a post with all of my colors will pop up! :) xo