Happy Halloween! Yesterday I did a dry run with "Bee" and her costume. She seemed pretty impressed with herself...even though I made the costume. ;)

that smile!

are we done yet mom?

Tonight we are going to hit up a few neighbors for candy and then head over to a party that our friends are throwing. We're going to be the people who leave a bowl of candy on the front porch with a sign that says "please take one." Like that ever happens. I'm pretty excited to watch B get a piece of the action this year and I hope she loves every minute of it!

And since I forgot that today was Halloween I will be showing off six ways to wear this sweater tomorrow! Here's a preview below...

sweater, chambray shirt (similar), cargo skinnies (similar), boots

Santa Rosa did not disappoint Blair. She had her fair share of great parks to visit. One of which had a real train, carousel, ducks, and pony's to ride. She even played on the 5 year old playground and slid down the slide all by herself! 

at one point I told B to "ride the cow" and a 5 year old promptly told me it was a "bull." Well excuuuuse me!

Uncle Pat recommended the snow cone. Until it fell out in the backseat of his car... oops.

Despite all the fun activities at the park B was in a pretty foul mood. She was working her way through a cold and wasn't as impressed with the facilities as we were.

once the train got moving she got over herself

cousin "Cole", Uncle Pat, and Oscar the Grouch

The girl literally went to a park everyday. Talk about spoiled. ;)

Tomorrow I am featuring all the ways to wear this sweater. If you haven't bought it yet with the 15% off code NAT15 what are you waiting for?! Or if that isn't your style they have many other options over at In Bloom Boutique!

It is hard for me to be cheerful as I write this post. My best friend's Dad passed away suddenly in his sleep yesterday. It's one of those things that you don't expect to happen and when it does you are at a loss for words. I know that I can't fill the void in her heart but I know that God can. At times like these I hold my loved ones a little bit closer and pray that you do too today. Rikki, I love you and am praying for you friend!

loving these two extra today!

How good it feels to be home again! I had a great time in Santa Rosa visiting my Mom's twin sister and my Uncle and cousins but I can say it was awesome being in my own bed again. If you remember from last week we survived the 9.5 hour car ride (thanks to 2 accidents on the 5). We also dominated the plane ride home (probably because it was only 1 hour). Prayers answered! I'm convinced miracles do happen. ;)

travel is 100% better with Lala!

I was a human pack mule...you can't even see my other bag!

who spies the dirty blankie?!

B loved watching the planes. cheap entertainment!

I think we will start having "airport Wednesdays" where we just go and sit in the parking lot watching the planes. ;)

Southwest, you can thank me later for the free advertising!

     Actually Southwest was SO great with B and check-in and security was a breeze. Almost easier than when I'm by myself! B rocked the flight thanks to her many "If you give a mouse a cookie" books, the ipad, snacks, and her window seat. I can now say I have conquered my fear of flying with baby toddler. 9.5 hour car rides...not so much.

PS Yay for Halloween this week!

I recently received a fabulous sweater in the mail from In Bloom Boutique and I wanted to share it with you! The owner, Kelly, is offering my readers (you!) 15% off your order using the code below. I'm absolutely in LOVE with this sweater and bonus... it's reversible! Since I'm in northern California right now the weather is perfect for it. I'm even contemplating on wearing it for my Christmas card pictures so don't be surprised if you see it again. 

There are SO many other cute ways I have planned to wear this sweater and once I'm home next week I'm going to showcase them all. Their online boutique had so many cute items to choose from and it was hard deciding but I'm thrilled with my selection. Run, don't walk to In Bloom Boutique! 

sweater: here

leggings: CAbi similar

tank: CAbi

boots: frye

Ten hours later and we survived. Barely. The verdict is that I complained 100% more than she did (according to my mom) and I actually have to agree. She only slept 45 minutes so the other nine hours we read books (over and over), ate squeezies, played with $1 toys that I bought at Target, and sang Itsy Bitsy Spider on autopilot.

lunch break!

glow sticks and a light up princess wand...winning

only she can pull off the open mouth look well

With that said I am SO glad to say we will be flying home on Sunday. But until then I will be loving the actual fall colors and weather up here this week. I've never been so Santa Rosa and so far I'm loving it...from what I can see at night. ;)

My latest health kick (if you could call it that) is not eating anything "fake." So soda, Crystal Lite, spray butter, etc are out the window. Of course the occasional Cheeto creeps in but on the whole I've been reaching for "full fat" items instead of "non fat." M is not amused by my choices because this means I have stopped buying Crystal meth Lite and he chugs that stuff like it's his job.

Fast forward to our small group Bible Study last night when a girl in our group brought over paleo chocolate chip cookies. Bomb dot com. These things were SO good and tasted just like their twin over at Nestle! I hustled over to Sprouts and bought these ingredients:

3 cups almond flour

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup raw honey

2 large eggs

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups enjoy life semi-sweet chocolate chips

Then I followed these instructions:

preheat oven to 375

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

In a small mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients. Set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the eggs, honey, and vanilla extract with a hand mixer or wire whisk.

Pour wet ingredients slowly into dry ingredients and beat with mixer or fork until combined.

Add the melted coconut oil and continue to blend until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. 

Drop tablespoon size balls of cookie dough onto prepared baking sheet.

Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes. 

*I actually baked at 350. They were getting a bit crispy at 375!

She found this recipe at paleoplan.com but I had trouble locating it there.

While they aren't the prettiest cookies they sure are darn tasty! And I don't fell so bad eating one a few. Today my Aunt, my Mom, and Blair and I are driving up to Santa Rosa in Northern California. God be with us as we travel for 8 hours in the car with that toddler... You will know how it went based on if I blog Thursday or not. ;)

Last weekend we attended a one year old's birthday party and it was SO well done! The hostess bought a printable off of etsy and incorporated it across the board. I loved the little "monster" theme for her son, Maxwell. If I ever have a boy we might be copying this!

hand sewn plush monsters for favors

homemade play scented play dough for favors

monster candy bars for favors

a chalkboard sign of his likes/stats

even their garden had a wooden monster that kids could pose with!

B especially loved the ball pit (totally copying this idea)

such a beautiful day for a party

maybe I loved the ball pit too...

how rad is this?! a bounce house for toddlers. definitely investing in this for birthday #2

too much fun!

peek-a-boo

monster cake pops

the BEST frosting. must get that recipe!

they even had coloring pages in the fort that matched the theme!

yes it's october and we are still in summer dresses. :/

 This party was seriously thought out and well done. Every little detail was addressed and it makes me excited to plan Blair's birthday. First thing is first though...gotta get through the holiday season!

First of all congratulations to Peyton who won the Two of a Kind giveaway! Thanks to everyone who entered!

I had a seriously busy weekend but we did manage to squeeze in some pumpkin patch time which made me very happy! We went to a place nearby called Live Oak with my brother and sis-in-law. It was an explosion of fall with beautiful trees, a "pick your own" pumpkin patch, hay bales, fall treats, and corn mazes. I could have spent the whole day there but B said it was time to go home. She's no fun.

future parents in training (someday!)

apparently M and B had a moment i wasn't included in

B was REALLY unsure about Frank!

every party needs a pooper. can you tell who is the pooper in this pic?

her first pony ride...she LOVED it!

my lil pumpkin

We picked out some great pumpkins I'll have to showcase later this week. I was a bit disappointed in the weather. Of course it was 85 so I couldn't wear my boots, leggings, and sweater (go-to fall attire!). Maybe by Christmas time? Here's to hoping!

Blair's outfit: baby gap
my top: CAbi spring line