tee  |  jeans  |  necklace  ||  harper headband  ||  kids clothes  || bedding  |  tree  |  mirror

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If you’ve been around here for a while, you know that I have a really close relationship with my family. And when we first moved away for Joe’s school, I wasn’t sure I would survive without living by them! Honestly I was the hardest thing for me – and I really struggled that first year away. I couldn’t imagine doing holidays or birthdays without them there. Little did I know that as much as we missed both families, it would be the push we needed for us to make our own family traditions between Joe + I and the little people. Also I had know idea the we would make some incredible friends that have become like family!

Now that we are back in Utah, I can’t even tell you have much we have loved living by family again! The kids might love it even more than I do, if that’s possible! They get so excited for the unexpected morning visits from my sisters before they head to work – or after school visits, and especially love how much their cheering section has grown at games! haha!

One thing that has been an adjustment for all of us is realizing they have a life with responsibilities and other friends here too. And we can’t just play 24/7. We are so used to our time together being on vacations where everything is 100% family time. So it has been a little different to remember how to do everyday life! We all have busy schedules, but we are trying to get together for regular Sunday dinners. Plus we’re loving that both sets of grandparents are the perfect distance for a quick weekend getaway!

I feel so blessed to be back in Utah again — but I do have to say, if you ever get the chance to move away (even for a short time) do it!!! Honestly, it was the best thing for Joe and I and our relationship. Now I’d love to hear where you all are from + if your currently by family or on your own and what you love about it. Really I wanna know + love connecting more with you all!!

xx – kails

photos: corissa langheinrich

tee  |  jeans + here  |  tennies  |  watch  |  lipstick  ||  hunters tank top  |  bow  |  shorts

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Somehow time has just flown by, and Hunter is already old enough to be in the stage of life where it is time for braces! (I know…I can barely talk about it) My cousin is the orthodontist for Beckstrom Orthodontics in St. George so we headed down and got Hunter all set up!

I always dreaded putting my kids through the torture of wearing braces, but am totally feeling like she is lucking out, because she gets to do Invisalign instead and miss out on all of the embarrassing photos! ha! You can hardly tell she is wearing them, and she says they aren’t too uncomfortable either. I love them for the simplicity and how easy they are to use. All we have to remember is to switch out the tray once a week , and we don’t have to go in for monthly appointments, which you know I love!

A lot of orthodontists are moving more in this direction because it is easier to customize to your needs, and like in Hunter’s case, we can break it up in to two stages, one now and one when all her adult teeth come in.

As soon as we are done with Hunter,  JOE is next in line! (his trays are actually waiting for him in St. George – he just now has to find some time to get down there). The man has had braces TWICE and took them off himself because he hated them so much, and refuses to do them again. Brian has convinced him these were made for him and will be a quick fix!!

If you are in Utah, I highly recommend Beckstrom Ortho,  and it really isn’t just because he is my cousin! (But honestly they are amazing!! Really you can ask anyone) With mom brain going strong over here, I need things to be as simple and easy to keep organized as possible so I love that they have such a nice system down! Through their 24/7 patient system, you can do just about everything when it comes to scheduling and payments online, + they send text reminders of everything to your phone too! I love when companies are up to date on all the technology.

So if you have any questions at all leave them below and I will answer everything that I can. And if I can’t I’ll ask Brian and let you all know asap.

xx kails

• website – Beckstrom Orthodontics
• instagram – @beckstromorthodontics
• facebook – Beckstrom Orthodontics 

top  |  jeans  |  denim jacket  |  wedges (old) – similar  |  clutch – similar  |  bracelets  |  sunnies

joe t-shirt + here  |  jeans  |  shoes

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So Joe and I used to be really good about going out on a regular date night. In California we went out about every other week. But since moving to Utah we have totally gotten out of the habit. We are trying hard to get back into a routine.

We usually just end up going to dinner. I honestly just enjoy the uninterrupted conversation! So since our dates are pretty casual I always reach for go to are my black jeans and a loose blouse. Or I’ll keep it simple with a dress + booties.

So if you know Joe you know he lives in basic tees. We hardly ever stray from them. He recently picked up a few more from Nordstrom along with a new pair of jeans. Joe had no  nice sneakers, so I made him pick some out! So on that note, I’m sharing a few more of our favorite casual date night looks below!!

Also last week I asked you guys to share your best date night ideas on instagram and you all came through with flying colors!!! So I don’t know about you, but Joe and I sometimes get in a rut for date nights and can’t get out of it. Anyone else struggle coming up with new ideas for date night? So I gathered all the best and sharing 9 GREAT date night ideas below!! Enjoy!!

xx kails

. .  SHOP WOMEN’S  . .

. .  SHOP MENS  . .

. 9 GREAT DATE NIGHT IDEAS .

1. Kid at heart: Do something the inner kid in you would love! Head to an arcade, go mini golfing, play laser tag or go bowling. These are usually the dates we love the most because we can’t stop laughing the whole time so live it up! It is a great way to just forget about being an adult for a little while!
2. Restaurant roulette: Try something new besides your go to restaurants. Or even better take your tried and true favorites to a new setting by getting takeout and going to the park or the drive in!
3. Learn something new together: Whether it’s a sport you haven’t quite perfected, a dance style you’ve been wanting to try, or even a cooking class, learning something new together is so much fun!
4. Real estate hopping: So this one sounds like my dream. Go to different open houses or parade of homes to snag ideas for your own dream home.
5. Bring on the romance: Get all dressed up and head into the city for a fancy dinner for two, get a couples massage, go on a walk, pack a picnic in the mountains, or head to a bed & breakfast.
6. Recreate your first date: Plan your date as close to your original first date as you can! Have fun reminiscing about how you each remember it, what you were nervous about, or funny details they might not know!
7. Be adventurous: Do something that will get your hearts racing. Go tubing down a snowy mountain or a river, zip lining through the trees, or ride roller coasters at an amusement park. Every time we do something a little out of our comfort zone we end up having the best time both laughing at ourselves.
8. Dream big: Make a live list together! My friend Kelly gave me this idea and I absolutely love it. Sit down together and make a list of things you want to accomplish together. It can include simple things like a concert you want to go to together, or restaurant you want to try, as well as bigger goals like places you want to travel someday. It’s so much fun to think about the future together and add new fun ideas!
9. Keep it simple: You know what works best for you. That one on one time is really what it’s all about, so if hitting the drive thru for a burger + shake and eating it together in your car is all you have time for before the next soccer practice or business meeting, do it!

in collaboration with Nordstrom

photos: corissa ann

stripe top |  jeans  |  mini crib  |  harper pjs  |  rug (similar)  |  tree  |  poufs (similar)

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I’ve been getting a lot of questions on how we are surviving in a 2- bedroom rental with all 7 of us while we finish our build. And though it’s definitely been chaotic and a little crazy, we are making it work. We feel so blessed to be able to build this new home in an area we love!

Luckily, our littles have been so flexible with everything. They are still at the ages where they are loving having a big sleepover every night. We have Hunter, Hudson, and Hayden sharing a big bed, with Houston in his crib in the same room. The 2nd bedroom has been Joe + I with Harper sleeping in the Nuna Sena. The Nuna Sena alone has been such a lifesaver in this transition. Harper sleeps like a dream in it no matter where we are. And as a bonus it doesn’t take up very much space.

We have had practice sleeping in cozy quarters traveling as a family, but I think the trickiest has probably been sharing one closet between all of us! Ha! To save on space we only brought summer clothes (which we are going to need to switch out pretty quick!), and the basic essentials. The kids all have their favorite toys/things to do, but that is about it!

It hasn’t been the easiest thing to do, and we are ready to get back to what we are more used to, but we know it will be worth the wait in the end! If you have any more questions about anything…the build, our crazy sleeping, you name it – I’m an open book. haha. Hope you all are having a great day!!

xx kails

houston pants (similar)  |  top

photos by corissa