Our sweet Harper girl is officially TWO years old!! I am having all the feels about it, but most of all feeling so lucky to have her. Right after I delivered Houston, (like within a few hours or so), who we thought was our last, I had a major feeling that I wasn’t done yet, and we still had a baby girl waiting for us. I’m so glad we listened and tried for one more.
She is as sweet as they come, constantly has us laughing, and has the littlest bit of sass to keep us on our toes. We couldn’t have asked for a better finale to our family, and just wish she would stop growing up so fast!! It has been a while since I updated you on all things Miss Harper, so today I’m sharing some of her current favorites, as well as a peek into her birthday party!
Harper at age 2 is :
OBSESSED with “Baby Shark”. We sing it all day long, and she loves dancing to it. She loves to add shark to everyones name, and can’t get enough of it. Which is why we went with her party theme, which you’ll see below.
Is TALKING a ton and loves to copy what any of us are saying. She can say our names in the cutest little voice and I could listen to her all day.
Is starting to get into the independent stage and wants to do everything herself. She will not let you help her put her shoes on and refuses to wear a coat.
LOVES baby dolls and takes hers with her everywhere! She loves to carry it in her little solly wrap, tuck it in for naps, and feed it. My mom got her a little doll swing for her birthday, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so happy. If you saw her open it on my stories, you saw that look in her eye. It was so so sweet and she hasn’t put it down since!
LOVES pretend play. Her favorites are cutting up food and cooking it in her play kitchen, and being the best little mommy to her baby doll.
Wants to do everything Houston is doing. This includes trying to potty train with him (hoping for a 2 for 1!), and following him around. They are the cutest little pair when they aren’t fighting.
She is our little chub and wearing size 2-3. Houston is basically the same size as her, and just now going up a size in pants. They get mistaken for twins pretty often!
For her party I decided to keep things pretty simple. I really wanted to focus on our Harper girl, so we just had family over. Like I said above she LOVES “Baby Shark” so we went with that. She was so excited over the little details, especially her jammies!
We spent the day at Top Golf where watching her is basically the best thing ever. She has to do it herself and has us all dying! We ordered pizza because going out with babies did not sound like something she or any of us would love. It made for the perfect care free relaxed night celebrating our girl.
For the cake I of course went with one of my favorite recipes from my girl Courtney. She is the queen of cakes and has the best tips! The cake topper I originally ordered of course didn’t come in time, so I raided the playroom closet and found this toy shark and went with it! I think once we added the sprinkles and balloon it turned out pretty cute! The best part was she was our only kid that had no idea what to do when it came time to blow out the candles. It was so funny! She just looked at us all like we were crazy!
If I could I would bottle her up and keep her this age forever. She is the sweetest little side kick and exactly what our family was missing. We love you Harper girl!
Raise your hand if you have an irrational fear of the dentist?! If you would’ve asked me that a few months ago, I would’ve been the first to shoot my hand up. You guys the dentist TERRIFIED me! So much so that I just put off going, and even dealt with some uncomfortable bite issues, because I did not want to go! My girlfriend had the same crazy fear, and told me she promised that if I went to Dr. Ellis over at the Smile Studio, all my thoughts of the dentist would be completely changed. I can’t even begin to tell you how right she was!! It has been such an amazing experience and I’m so happy I put on my big girl pants and gave him a shot because I am in LOVE with the results!
A little over a month ago, I shared some of my favorite things about Dr. Ellis’s office in this blog post. With so many of you sharing that dental anxiety I had, he answered some of your most asked questions to help calm your nerves and know whats best for your situation! Today I’m finally going to take you in to see a little more detail on what it is that I had done, both for function and cosmetics, and answer some of your questions!
… FUNCTION …
First up, lets talk function. Growing up, I never went to an orthodontist. I didn’t have crooked teeth or anything, so in my mind (and probably my parents) there was no need for anything more than a dentist. How I wish I would’ve known what I know now! I could’ve just had an expander and solved the problem, which is probably why I’m so picky about my kids orthodontist and dentist now!
So since we’ve established how much I dreaded the dentist, I didn’t want to go in unless I had to. I found out about Dr. Ellis’s SMILE VIRTUAL CONSULT and thought I’d give it a try. Basically all I had to do was take a selfie of my smile, and send it in to him, along with my concerns. Once Dr. Ellis receives it, he records a virtual consult video for you.
You guys, it was incredible. I’m not talking quick little five second video. He went through in detail what he saw with my smile, addressed my concerns, gave me a cost range, and the plan he would recommend. He showed me comparisons and was able to give me an idea of what my final result would look like. I was SO IMPRESSED. That entire consult that would’ve taken me a 45 minute drive, minimum 30 minute appointment, and then 45 minute drive home, I was able to do from the comfort of my bed! FREE OF CHARGE!! If you are considering his amazing office, but don’t live in Utah County, I still HIGHLY recommend starting off with the smile consult. You may end up needing only a couple of appointments making it totally worth the drive.
So let me tell you a little about my consult. When it comes to my bite, it was uneven. When I would bite down, my teeth on the top and bottom didn’t match up in the back. But like I said, I wanted to avoid the dentist, especially MAJOR JAW SURGERY, so I just dealt with the issue. When I told Dr. Ellis this was something I wanted to fix, I was shocked to find out it could be fixed with somethings as simple as adding veneers. By getting veneers, I was able to broaden or widen my smile, to get the adjustment my bite needed to match up. It has been SUCH a difference!
… COSMETIC …
Another thing I worked with Dr. Ellis on was my gum line. I’ve never liked how much my gums covered my teeth, especially on the front left side. My teeth looked smaller and I just wasn’t happy with it. I had the procedure done when I was 21 to fix them, and unfortunately that wasn’t a success. I felt like I have waited so long to just have my gums be even throughout my mouth and I couldn’t be happier with the results I have now. Dr. Ellis used a painless laser to raise my gums on the left side to match my gum height on my right side.
In addition to the gums, I also had some veneers put in the front. My two front teeth have been chipped and needed repair (but remember I avoided the dentist at all costs) for a while. I love the clean, even, broad look it gives my smile. It just seems bigger and brighter now, without losing the natural look.
Last but not least was whitening to finish things up. Since I didn’t veneer all my teeth, whitening my other teeth was necessary to tie everything together. Whitening was what we got the most questions on, and Dr. Ellis answered them for you over here. There are many types of whitening procedures that he offers in his office. I chose the “in-office whitening”. It takes about two hours in the office, but gives you about a two week boost of whitening. Compared to the normal take home trays.
I’m so happy with the help of Dr. Ellis, I was able to overcome my dental fear! Dr. Ellis really is the best at what he does! If you follow him on Instagram, you can see some of the amazing smile transformations that he has created over the years. What I did is not necessarily for everyone, but I wanted to share, because I wish I would’ve known sooner! I love the results and HIGHLY recommend him and his team for any dental needs if you are in Utah. Many of his patients travel from out of state for his services as well, which shows you how great he is! Not only are they professional and so educated in their trade, but they are all so sweet. You will leave feeling like part of their family!
January 2019 is in full swing and you know what that means? It is time for setting goals. I’ve never been a huge fan of making long lists of goals, just because its a new year. However, I do love to sit down with Joe and kind of re-assess our year, and what we can do to be more intentional. You won’t find us over here making the huge lofty unreachable goals, because I feel like that adds more stress and negativity in the long run. I honestly end up making the same “goals” or “intentions” for the year repeatedly, so this year I wanted to share with you the 3 I am focusing on, in hopes that it can help inspire you to simplify your own goals and truly feel better about what you can accomplish this year!
I don’t know about you, but the dreaded “workout x amount of days” commitment always seems to be a part of my new years goals. I made a similar goal last year and was so proud to finally be able to say I was able to make a commitment to myself to workout daily and start eating better and it is here to stay!
This year I wanted to broaden the typical “lose weight” or “no sugar goal”. I want to focus in on something that was helping me mentally too. Full body self care. I want to continue to workout and be mindful of what I eat to feel stronger and healthier. Go to bed earlier so I feel ready for the day.
But I also want to remember it is okay to take time for me. As moms, I think we have a lot of guilt in doing anything that isn’t directly for our kids. But having tried to work on this lately, I can tell you how much this does directly benefit them. It clears my head, increases my energy, and number one increases my patience with them. I know that it puts me in a better place mentally, and helps me to be a better mom.
Just like with the fitness goal, being a more patient and present mom is always at the top of my goals list. Although it is repeated year after year, I don’t look at is as a failure or something I’m not accomplishing. Every year, or even few months, this is one of my goals I feel like I have to reassess. Our schedules change, we add in more sports or more homework, and with age the little peoples needs change. To me it is something I have to think about and even plan out on a daily basis how I can be more patient and more present. I want to get the most out of our time together and know they are getting the best of me.
Last but not least is also one of my goals I have on repeat. BE ON TIME! As a mom of 5 kids, I think people kind of give you a free pass when it comes to being on time. They don’t think its possible. I know it is and that I can be better at it. It is definitely not easy, but I want to instill in my kids the importance of being punctual. Honestly I’m just so tired of the word HURRY. I feel like when we are running late, we carry a negative cloud with us due to the stress. So this year I’m focusing on no excuses. We have been rocking it at school and they are never late for that, so 9 am church is my next uphill battle!
As you can see, these are pretty simple goals that I continually make year after year. I know they can help me to be a better mom, a better wife, and a better person. I’d love to hear some of your goals you are most excited about!
Welcome to 2019!! Wow, that feels so crazy to say! Haha! As much as I hate to see time fly, I love the feeling of a fresh start that January brings! Also everything is just new and ready for you! Before we jump in to all the good, new, exciting, and fun things we have for this space in 2019, I wanted to do a quick “Instagram Roundup” Review of the few months. I’ve had so many questions asking for links and just haven’t been able to get around to them during the holiday season, so I’m making it up to you now!! Below you can find a roundup of all my most asked about outfits on Instagram and links to everything!
Last, we’d love to know what kind of content you’d love to see in 2019!! So leave all your suggestions in the comments or on Instagram!! Also hope you had an amazing weekend!!
You guys!!! How are we already done with 2018?! I cannot believe another year has flown by! I started this blog over 4 years ago and just can’t believe how much we’ve been through together! Honestly I had no idea what to expect. To go from owning a couple of different baby lines, to deciding to step away and do something all on my own was so hard for me. The response has been more than I could’ve ever dreamed of. I love the community we have created. I can honestly say I think of you all as a big group of girlfriends!
Probably my most favorite thing about this space is the sense of community. It is not just me here sharing all my thoughts and doing all the talking. I love knowing that I can put these things out there, and you are always there with advice + opinions. We are all in this together and I love knowing we can build each other up in this space! So thank you so much. Thank you for your friendship + your feedback. I hope you had the happiest holiday season! I can’t wait to see what this next year brings for us here in this space, but before we jump in to that, I wanted to take a look back into our top 10 best most loved and talked about posts in 2018!
I don’t know about you, but life is in a crazy stage for us. It feels like it is a constant go go go. I started to notice that certain habits I’ve gotten into can really make or break my day when it comes to my productivity. I know I am always looking for tips to make my day run a little easier or a little smoother, so in this post I share the 3 things that have really helped me be the most productive in my day!
With the bigger kids back in school and in a routine, I really try to take more time to focus on getting healthier, both through eating better and working out. If you’ve been around here for a while, you probably saw me repeatedly say over the summer that I really wanted to get on a workout schedule, but getting back in to the groove can be hard!! I seemed to have all the excuses, but once I started, now I can’t get enough. We can all kind of get stuck in that funk. So in this post I share 6 things that are keeping me motivated to work out!
Our Master Bedroom has actually became a place where we spend a lot of time as family too. Sometimes it is to tackle the laundry together. Sometimes it’s for a movie snuggle on the bed. In this post we took you inside the Master Suite to show you how it all came together!
If you are anything like me, and love all things clean lines and organization, then you are going to LOVE this peek inside my pantry. I share all the details + give you 5 Organizing Tips from a professional organizer!
As parents, one of our top concerns + focuses is if each of our people is getting enough one on one time. Having that strong bond individually with each of them is so important to us, so we started what we call our Kid Dates. In this post I share some easy tips to and ideas for dating your kids!
When it comes to having 5 little people, keeping things clean + organized can be a challenge. For Joe + I, we wanted chores to be more than just pitching in to keep the house clean. We wanted it to be a way to teach our little people more about responsibility at the same time. Also in this post I show how we made it work for our family and the system we are LOVING.
I always get so many questions on my daily beauty routine. Whether its skincare or makeup related. So I finally put it allll in one place in this post.
Just like the beauty routine above, I’m constantly getting asked about my day to day hair products or how I curl my hair. This post gives you a run through from wash to style!
If you’ve been around here for very long, you are probably well aware that I live for a good basic outfit, or as I like to call it, momiform. I have 5 little people, so I need an outfit that checks three boxes. Something comfortable, easy to move in, and looks put together! In this post I share my favorite easy mom outfits so you are sure to find something you love!
So being able to transition your wardrobe from season to season is a game changer. So this post shares some of my best tips for making it quick and easy!
I hope you enjoyed this little wrap up of our best of 2018! We can’t wait to share this upcoming year with you!
I hope you all have the best week with the ones you love most! This time of year always has me thinking about how incredibly grateful for I am for what I have been blessed with. My family and the opportunity to create such incredible memories together is the best present I could’ve ever asked for. But right at the top of the list as well is you guys. I am so grateful for your love and support in this community! I can’t wait to share another year of new exciting things to come with you here! Thank you again for being her + all your support!! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
You guys! I can’t believe we are already coming to the end of 2018! It feels like it was the fastest year of my life!! With the New Year being so close to the rush and fun of the Christmas Holiday, I like to think ahead about our plans, so I’m not stressing over what to wear at the last minute! Whether you are headed to a fun fancy party, getting together with friends, or staying cozy at home with your little people, I’ve got you covered!
FEELING EXTRA FANCY :
As mom’s, opportunities to go full glam are few and far between! If you are headed out to a fun party to ring in the new year, I say go all out!! How often do you get to pull out that sparkly dress to rock?
KEEP IT CLASSIC :
In my opinion, you can never go wrong with a classic lace dress. I also love the timeless sophisticated look it gives. And the best part is its something you can wear all year round. This look would be perfect for a fancier date night dinner for the new year.
This is my go to look for getting together with friends or if a laid back date night is part of your plan to celebrate the new year. I love pairing a cute fitted jean with nice cozy sweater. It is a step up from my usual joggers or leggings, but I’m still comfortable which is a must in my book!
GO WITH COZY :
Also if you are like me and are ringing in the new year with your husband and your favorite little people, keep it cozy! I love grabbing my favorite joggers, comfy long sleeve, and slippers and just relaxing!
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Hopefully this helps get you feeling prepped for whatever festivities are helping you ring in the new year, so you can focus on the people and the memories! Happy Holidays!
T-minus one week until Christmas Eve and I can’t even stand it!! The excitement level in our house is out of control, and I’m not gonna lie, it’s not just the little people! When it comes to Christmas shopping, I always try to be really on top of it and can usually wrap things up with all the Black Friday Sales. But every year, stocking stuffers seem to creep up on me. I don’t know why but I always seem to leave them to the last minute. Since I’m sure I’m not alone, I’ve rounded up some of the best stocking stuffers out there for everyone in your family, and BONUS they are almost all on sale + ship free!
… STOCKING STUFFERS FOR BABY + TODDLER …
Freshly Picked Moccs : You know I love ALL things Freshly Picked, so some of their moccs always find their way into my babes stockings! They are amazing quality and the cutest colors/styles.
Playdoh: You can’t go wrong with Playdoh! I love that it can keep my kids entertained for hours and helps them use their imaginations.
Goldfish Crackers : The babies are constant snackers, so one of their favorite treats is always a must in their stocking!
Hot Wheels Cars : Houston is 100% at that age where he is obsessed with alllll the little cars. I love that these sets of 5 are inexpensive and he will die over them.
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… STOCKING STUFFERS FOR GIRLS …
Scrunchies: Can I just say how much I love that these are all the rage again? It is taking me right back to my childhood. I love these velvet ones and the amazing color options!
LipSmackers : Another flashback to my childhood! I used to collect these and had so many different flavors. Haha. I know Hayden would die over having them too!
Sports Bra : Yes you read that right. Haha. For some unknown reason, Hayden is dying to have a sports bra. So you better believe that when I found this one for only $4, it is definitely going in her stocking. Haha! I love getting necessities like that or undies + socks for stockings.
LOL Dolls : If you know Hayden, then I’m sure you knew these would make an appearance here! Like most little girls out there, she can’t get enough of them and they are the perfect size for a stocking.
Bath Bombs : Just like my babies, Hayden loves to spend time in the bath. They can’t get enough of the fun these bath bombs and, and they smell so good too!
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… STOCKING STUFFERS FOR BOYS …
Magic Card Trick Set: When I saw this it had Hudson written all over it. He loves things that really challenge his mind. Plus what little boy doesn’t love tricking people?!
Socks : Kind of a boring one, but I always try to put some necessities in their stockings too. And we love this brand of socks in our house!
Nerf Guns : These little nerf guns are the perfect size for stocking stuffers. I’ll probably even put one in Joe + Houston’s too so they can all play!
Boxing Reflex Ball : This one is allll Joe’s idea, but he is so excited about it. It is a little contraption that teaches hand eye coordination and is amazing for athletes. I’m not going to lie it does look kind of cool…and crazy hard!
Batting Glove : It wouldn’t be a holiday for Hudson without something baseball related. I love getting just a new ball or a batting glove to add as one of his stocking stuffers.
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… STOCKING STUFFERS FOR TWEENS + TEENS …
Lip Gloss : I’ve shared here before, but Hunter is 100% at the stage where she is dying to wear makeup. I’m not ready to go all in, but I’m ok with starting slow with some lip gloss! I love all things MAC and this set comes in a few different color options!
Beanie : It is no secret my girls and I have a love for beanies! We are always freezing, plus they make a great assist to not having to fully do your hair when you just don’t have time! They are for sure my favorite winter accessory, and you can’t beat $6!
Gel Nail Polish : Hunter LOVES having her nails done. Our favorite gel polish and the top coat are on sale right now so I’m snagging some of those for sure!
Face Wash: Along with all the fun stuff of tween/teen life, also comes the wild skin. I was actually so excited to get Hunter started on my favorites from Tula, starting with the face wash. If you are quick, I think you can still order in time for Christmas on their website with code KAILEE for 20% off! If shipping won’t make it, you can also get Tula products here!
Hair ColorShampoo : My girls are both SO obsessed with this stuff. Something about having pink hair is the best! Haha! I will say it is pretty fun and something I would’ve loved as a kid too.
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… STOCKING STUFFERS FOR WOMEN …
Jewelry : I would not be mad if “santa” snuck some of my favorite jewelry in my stocking! I love simple high quality pieces like this ring or bracelet.
Slippers: You can’t go wrong with some comfy slippers. These are my very favorites and could be folded up to fit just perfect in your stocking!
Tula : Just like for Hunter, I would not be mad if my whole stocking was Tula goodness. From the cleanser, to the toner, to the moisturizer, you can’t go wrong! If you shop quick you can use my code (KAILEE) for 20% off on their website, or shop without the code here for quicker shipping.
Workout Clothes : Who says clothes are too big for a stocking? I love the idea of rolling up a cute pair of leggings + a sports bra or tank for a girls stocking stuffers!
Lip Scrub : This lip scrub is one of my go to girlfriend gifts because I can’t get enough of it! It would make the perfect stocking stuffer addition too!
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… STOCKING STUFFERS FOR MEN …
Amazon Fire Stick : This little gadget is SO convenient if you stream most of your shows. Whether you use Amazon Prime, Hulu, or Netflix, you can access all of them through this so it is a game changer. I love that you can swap it out to different tv’s and even take it with you when you travel!
Hydro Flask: These water bottles are a family favorite and the perfect gift for your guy. They keep your drinks icy cold for hours!
Portable Charger: This is 100% the gift that keeps on giving. I have it in the men’s idea, but it is the one gift that I think just about everyone out there would love. It can charge your phone I think 6 times before needing a recharge, so it has saved us so many times!
Bluetooth Ear Phones : These headphones are such great quality at an amazing price!! If you don’t believe me, check out the 5000+ reviews!! I love that they will be so used and make a great stocking stuffer!
Wallet : Also one of my favorite stocking stuffers for Joe is a new wallet with gift cards to his favorite restaurants or the movies. Such a simple way to amp up a gift card so it feels a little more special.
I hope some of these ideas help solve your stocking stuffer needs! For more awesome ideas, you can check out our gift guides!!
The holiday season is of course one of my very favorites! It is full of so many fun traditions and special family time, I just can’t get enough!! This year, we started what we plan to make a new tradition of taking a little winter staycation up at Montage Deer Valley. I shared all of the fun family things we did over on Instagram, and couldn’t believe all the questions we got! With how much we loved it and can’t wait to go back, I had to share all of our favorite things with you and answer all your questions! Believe me, you are gonna want to schedule your family trip asap once you hear all that they have for families!
If you have heard about The Montage at Deer Valley, you know how dreamy it is. Imagine your dream cozy resort tucked away in the perfect winter scene, and that is Montage. We had never been there and I always thought “oh that looks so dreamy for joe + I”…but never thought it was family friendly. I’m here to tell you I was so wrong! I’m not sure we have ever stayed somewhere so accommodating to families!
From the second we pulled up, I was blown away. Joe had to join us the next day, so you can imagine how crazy I looked with 5 littles + all our luggage in tow. From the sweet guy that helped us with our bags, to the check in desk, to the hotel concierge, every single person was so accommodating and friendly. We have stayed places before where they act like we are such a hassle and this was the complete opposite. They instantly got down on my kids level and treated them like the most important people in the world. If you are a parent, you know how that instantly puts your mind at ease. It can completely change the outlook of your trip.
The resort itself is incredible. It has 5 on site restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, a bowling alley (yes you read that right), and the coziest rooms. The rooms themselves were one of my favorite things, because they were so flexible to meet your families needs. Having 5 little people, it is hard for us to squeeze into one room, but we never really feel comfortable having the kids in a whole different room. We didn’t have to worry about that at all! Our room had a King Bed + pull out bed and then connected to our room through a door you could leave open or closed, was a second room that had to beds for the kids. It was PERFECT! I love that they give you the option to expand the rooms and join them together to meet the needs for your family size.
You guys, I feel like I could write an entire post just on all the family friendly activities Montage has to offer. My kids were seriously in heaven and have been begging to go back! We could’ve stayed for another week and never had to leave the resort because there was that much to do! I’ve outlined our very favorites below!
This place was seriously like it was straight out of a movie. Imagine swimming in the warmest water, surrounded by the most freezing cold snow covered mountain. It was so dreamy and the kids could not get enough. We spent pretty much every spare second we had here because it was just so fun. Montage has an Indoor Pool as well, but we loved the atmosphere and fun of swimming in the snow so much we didn’t even make it in there! And don’t even get me started on those matching mini robes!! Could they be any cuter?! The kids were obsessed and wanted to wear them the whole time, but they were so great to have to keep warm in to and from the pool.
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PAINTBOX :
If you plan on heading up as a family, this is something you are going to die over!! Paintbox is an on site kids area for anyone age 5-12. I hate to even say “daycare” because the set up is as far from daycare style as you can get, but that is the basic idea. Your kids get to do crafts, play Just Dance, go sledding, have snowball fights, watch movies…everything they could dream of.
Let’s say you and your husband or big kids want to go out skiing. You can drop your kids off at Paintbox all day while you are out. And believe me, they won’t miss you for a second! I came to pick my kids up 3 different times and they didn’t want to leave yet. Hunter who is 12, was a little hesitant it was going to be too babyish, but she loved it so much too! It was one of their very favorite things we did.
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SKIING :
Being in the beautiful Utah Mountains, skiing is for sure something you’ll want to take advantage of up at Montage. The views and area are breathtaking. Instead of having to wait in lines for gear once you get to the resort, you are able to get all your gear on site. And then take the resort shuttle straight to the lift. The 3 big kids went out for their first ski lesson with Joe and loved it! Everyone that helped them is so friendly and really made it so fun all their nerves to learn were instantly gone.
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BOWLING :
As I mentioned above, Montage has a bowling alley ON SITE. We were so stoked and it made for the funnest night! It is connected to one of the restaurants so it was perfect to be able to eat and keep the little people entertained at the same time. While we definitely need some practice, we had a lot of laughs and so so much fun.
MONTAGE MERITS :
If your kids are competitive or motivated by prizes like mine, you will love the Montage Merits program. Kind of like scouting with Merit badges, your kids can earn badges for completing different things around the resort and surrounding area. Things like bowling a strike, skiing a certain run, tubing, or riding the alpine slide all earn them one of the fun animal themed badges.
Along with the animal friendly theme, they have an on site “ambassador” named Monty that my people DIED over. He was the cutest dog and so so good with kids. They thought it was the best to give him a high five and shake his hand. Pretty sure the babies wanted to bring him home!
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… DINING …
One of our favorite things about Montage was that they have so many on site KID FRIENDLY dining options. I feel like most hotel restaurants are on the fancier end, and definitely don’t cater their menus to kids. The Montage dining options are completely the opposite. We ate every meal at the resort and loved them all! It was so nice to never have to load up the babies and drive into Park City. We loved being able to feel like we really got away.
As you probably noticed on Instagram, second maybe only to the pool, the kids favorite thing was the marshmallow roasting! Every evening between 4:30-5:30 they have guest marshmallow roasting around their fire pits. When I say marshmallow roasting, I’m not talking about your basic bag of marshmallows. I’m saying like 10 different kids of HOMEMADE amazing marshmallows to choose from. The kids LOVED this and I think they would’ve done this for dinner every night if we let them! It was connected to a little hot chocolate bar with all the toppings you could imagine. It really makes things feel so much more cozy and festive for the holidays
Whether you are local to Utah and can make this a staycation, or have to travel and make it a full on vacation, the Montage Deer Valley gets our whole families vote! It’s location and atmosphere truly gives you the ability to step back from all the hustle and really enjoy what is most important this time of year. The family time we got to soak in and all the fun memories will be something we cherish forever.
When it comes to my closet, I really try to keep it simple. I try to stick to pieces that fit two major categories. Timeless and Versatile. When your pieces fit those two categories, they can stretch a simple wardrobe into a variety of outfits. So today I wanted to share with you the one pair of boots you need in your closet, Hunter Boots, and the 3 reasons why they are my favorite. Believe me, you are gonna want them at the top of your Christmas List!
REASON #1 : TIMELESS
First up, and a super important quality to me, they are timeless. I have had mine for years and they never go out of style. They have such a classic look, that they will be your go to year after year. Whether you go with the classic tall or the short option, you will be able to wear them for years to come. My personal favorites are the classic black. I think they really add to the timeless look and can be such a staple piece in your closet.
SHOP MY FAVORITE CLASSIC HUNTER BOOTS
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REASON #2 : VERSATILE
Next is how versatile they are. When you think Hunter Boots, a lot of people think rain boots and that you can/should only wear them in the rain. SO NOT THE CASE!! I love my boots for the rain, but they are so good for the snow too and you’ll find me pulling them out almost all year round. In addition to being seasonally versatile, I love that they are versatile from outfit to outfit. You can dress them up with a nicer sweater and skinny jeans….or dress them down with some leggings for a quick on the go look.And if you really want to make more of a pop with your boots, these new leopard boots are so so cute and they come in the shorter style too.
SHOP MY FAVORITE STATEMENT HUNTER BOOTS
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REASON #3 : HIGH QUALITY
Last but definitely not least, I’ve gotta talk about the quality. If you are anything like me, you see the price and it kind of gives you a little sticker shock, so you hesitate. I am here to tell you they are so worth the splurge. The quality is out of this world. I wore my first pair for years and then passed them down to Hunter and they are still in like new condition. If you are like me and hate having to buy new shoes for your kids all the dang time, these are great boots to hand down from kid to kid. The yellow pair you see Houston in has gone through 1 maybe 2 other of my bigger kids and still, like new!
SHOP MY FAVORITE KIDS HUNTER BOOTS
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Like I said in the beginning, I really like my closet to be simple and streamlined, so I crave pieces that will transition easy from day to night and outfit to outfit. These boots have been my go to for years. I know with the incredible quality, they will be with me for years to come as well.
December is in full swing as is allll the crazy that comes with it! I love the holiday season so so much, but man it brings a lot of things with it! I feel like all the little people have extra programs and events on top of our usual crazy, plus trying to squeeze in the holiday fun and we are pretty much a mad house! With all the crazy, you are sure to need some great last minute gift ideas, and really anything is possible with my best friend AMAZON PRIME!
I love that at the last minute I can think of one more thing that will make a gift perfect, and it is 2 day shipping away from me! Since I know I’m not the only one that will need some more last minute gift ideas, especially ones that are affordable and quick, I’ve rounded up a few ideas for everyone on your list!
I love coming up with fun ideas for my closest girlfriends! These ideas are things just about every girl would love, free shipping, and affordable! Win win win! Be sure to check out my Women’s Gift Guide for more ideas too!
Tanning Lotion: What girl doesn’t like to look tan through these frigid winter months? Sometimes a little tanning lotion is the only thing to help you feel more alive. I love that this one is so user friendly, the color is really natural, and you can’t be the price! It would be cute to pair with some flip flops as an unexpected twist for Christmas!
Planner/Notebook: I don’t about you, but I am a total list maker. I love making lists, and honestly if it isn’t written down in front of me it probably isn’t going to get done! I love the idea of gifting your favorite cute notebook or planner, along with your favorite pens.
Lip Scrub: This one is a tiny bit more pricey to gift to a crowd, but would be perfect for your closest girlfriends. Unlike other lip scrubs, you don’t have to wipe it off after use. It is the perfect soft pink tint to it, and it makes your lips feel amazing! I cannot get enough of it and love gifting it!
Moisturizer: It is no secret that I’m obsessed with all things Tula, but with how it makes your skin feel, there really isn’t anything better! I shared this over on my Women’s Gift Guide but it is too good for your to miss. One of my favorite things to snag for gifts is the hydrating day/night cream because it is amazing for any skin type out there and something you are guaranteed to LOVE. (use code KAILEE for 20% off too!)
Book: You can never go wrong with your favorite motivating momboss or “you got this” kind of book. My favorites lately are this one, this one, and this one. Love that they give you such a new perspective on challenges that come your way and how to tackle them.
We can’t forget the men in your life! Whether it is something last minute for your hubby or dad…or that best friend your husband forgot to grab a gift for, we’ve got you covered with some awesome last minute gift ideas! You can check out my Men’s Gift Guide for even more creative ideas too!
Bluetooth Headphones: I don’t think there is a human out there that wouldn’t want some bluetooth headphones! I always like to have a spare pair in the car and at home so I’m never frantic looking for them when I need them. I love this pair because they are SUPER affordable making the perfect gift!
Portable Charger: If there is a gift out there that everyone can use, it is this charger. It has been such a game changer for us, that we have multiple in the house and the car. It can charge your phone like 5-6 times without needing to be charged itself, and has gotten us out of many a jam already.
Bluetooth Speaker: Right up there with the headphones, this speaker is definitely a crowd pleaser. It is water resistant so it’s great to use indoors, outdoors, or even boating. The sound quality is amazing and you can’t be that price!
Wallet + Gift Card: I shared this over on my Men’s Gift Guide, but one of my favorite fail proof last minute gift ideas, is to get a wallet and fill it with gift cards to their favorite restaurants or places to shop. Then you can turn the gift into an experience and go out to eat or shopping with them too!
This is probably the easiest category to be a little last minute, because there are always fun gifts that are sure to please your little people! I’ve shared a few for both babies + kids, but you can check out my Kids Gift Guide for tons more!
Baby Doll: If you follow along over on Instagram, you have seen how obsessed Harper is with her baby. I’ve had so many of you ask about it so here she is! It is the softest sweetest little doll. Harper loves that she can “feed” her with the bottle and seriously takes her everywhere!
Scooter: This scooter may just be the best gift we’ve ever given our little people. It is so easy to maneuver and the best for them to learn on. Houston loves it so much and Hayden still uses hers too.
Magnet Tiles: Ok I’m sure you have all heard of Magformers. My Kids (of allll ages) love them and could play with them for hours. I won’t lie, they are a little on the pricey end…until I found these! They are literally the exact same concept, and such a better price. They have over 1700 FIVE STAR reviews, so I think its safe to say they would be a win.
I hope these ideas help solve your last minute gift idea struggles. I’d love to hear some of your go to favorites to gift to add them to my list!
Our Holiday Bucket List + Gift Ideas from Kirkland’s
December is here so it has me in the best mood! I love the holiday season and all the extra family time we get celebrating together. The holiday season can be a super busy one too, so we like to sit down at the beginning of December and plan out our Holiday Bucket List. This list is full of our can’t miss favorite traditions and activities so we get them all in. We make sure each of our people get to add at least one item to the list so it is fun for everyone. I’m always looking for fun new ways to spend this special season so I thought I’d share some of our favorites with you, along with some fun ways you could gift these experiences to anyone on your list with our friends at Kirkland’s.
..COOKIE DECORATING..
Year after year, this is one thing that ALWAYS makes our list! We love being in the kitchen together, and the holidays make it even more exciting. The littles love decorating sugar cookies, and if I’m being honest…my whole kitchen. But seeing how proud they are with their creations makes it so worth it!
This year I found the cutest cookie decorating supplies at Kirkland’s that scream festive. From cookie cutters, serving platters, plates to deliver to friends, and even sets for Santa + his reindeer they have thought of everything! I think it would make the cutest set up for hosting your own cookie party with neighbor friends. Some of my favorite gifts you could give for a cookie decorating party or your favorite baker are :
:: This CUTE matching bowl + whisk! I think it would be so cute with some sprinkles and cookie cutters for a neighbor gift!
:: These matching little measuring bowls would be so cute for your favorite baker or for a bridal shower gift! Love that they are simple and match any style.
As simple as it is, the little people always have a countdown going for this tradition, because it officially means the holidays have begun! We love to turn the fun Christmas songs up loud, and dance around while we decorate! They were extra excited this year because they get to decorate their own tree in the basement! Kirkland’s has some really cute AND affordable options I loved for my little peoples tree this year. I think it would be so fun to gift cute ornaments to neighbor friends or newlyweds celebrating their first Christmas. Some of my favorites are :
:: They have so many felt garlands I love like this one. Such an easy way to decorate for kids and not worry about breaking ornaments.
:: The babies are obsessed with these and the fact that they light up. They may never stay on the tree, but they were a steal!
.. CHRISTMAS MOVIE NIGHT ..
This one is one of my personal favorites. I love snuggling up as a family in our matching Christmas jammies and watching Polar Express with mugs of hot chocolate. It is so cozy and simple but always a favorite. I think giving the gift of just slowing down and enjoying the time with your people is such a good one! Some fun ideas could be:
:: Getting a cozy blanket, your favorite Christmas movie, and some yummy treats together for a little gift basket.
:: Gifting all the necessities for a diy hot chocolate bar. These Santa + Snowman mugs would be so dang cute with hot chocolate, candy canes, and some marshmallows!
.. CHRISTMAS LIGHT DRIVE ..
Second maybe to just the cookie decorating is this Christmas Light Drive. Maybe it is because it involves matching jammies again?! I can’t get enough. We all hop in the van, and drive around our neighborhood looking for the best lights we can find. I’ve even heard of friends putting a fun spin on it and giving a prize or trophy to the house they pick as the best.
.. 12 BOOKS OF CHRISTMAS ..
We have done this tradition for the longest, so it is one of my very favorites! At the beginning of the month I wrap up 12 Christmas Books. Every night counting down to Christmas Eve, my people get to choose a book to open and snuggle up to read together. It has been a great tradition to help us take the time to slow down.
These are a few of our family holiday favorites and I love the idea of gifting them to our favorites this year. I’d love to hear yours so we can add some new traditions this year!
