17 MONTHS!

 We are enjoying every minute with her! Time is flying too fast.

The COLLEGE life.

We missed our Olivia so much last weekend. 

Homecoming never disappoints. I wish I could see all of these people more often! 

Looking forward to next year!

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Best school ever. ARIZONA

We love this team! 5-1!! Find them here. CATS!!

 Yes, Alex has a thirty pack. We are headed to a tailgate and we can't show up empty handed!

Balance.

I find parents who project their parenting styles on to others very irritating. Browsing a baby board I came across a working mother struggling with her weekend shifts because she was not able to spend time with her husband and kids. A father of two responded to her saying that her kids would one day resent her for working and that he did not understand how women go to work so they could buy themselves "lavish" unnecessary items.

Ignorance. Sexist. A few other words come to mind.

Every family makes their decision based on what is best for them (working mom, stay at home dad, ect) and struggles to find balance monthly, weekly, daily.

I never have enough time. I do laundry less than I want. I clean less than I want. I do my hair less than I want. I happily trade in ME time for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse & Cheerios. So if you see me at Albertson's or Target and I look less than put together give me a break because not only am I a FULL TIME MOM, I also work full time. So despite my trending messy ponytail on my days off - today (at least) I feel a little balanced.

DUCKS!

3 Toddlers (16 mo, 17 mo & 21 mo). 

Understandably concerned about little hands, faces & feet tumbling into the pond!

PUMPKINS!

 We ventured out to Valley Center's Bates Nut Farm to pick out some pumpkins with some good friends.

 Couldn't pass up the opportunity to go on a hay ride!

 Dylan finding Olivia the perfect pumpkin (sassy pants threw it.. of course!)

 Searching for a BIG pumpkin that she can lift.

 We ended up finding even bigger pumpkins.

A few things that have happened.

Last beach day for the season 

(September 26th!) 

It was hot. Nineties. 

You probably can't tell but she is COVERED in sand from head to toe.

Family.

Sneak peek.

Photography courtesy of Kristen Glaze.

Find her here. KGlaze.

Thursdays.

Two of my good friends recently found out they are pregnant. Expected due dates: May 19th & May 20th! Olivia was born on May 13th (one week early) - thinking about all the birthday party conflicts in the future ;) is it wrong that I put my foot down since Olivia was born first? KIDDING! Besides we do have friends with a daughter born the same day as Olivia (one year earlier) so I guess if they end up back on the west coast she would have first dibs.

16 months old has been so much fun. New favorite word is SAMMIE. Favorite new way to eat with a bowl & a spoon. Favorite shoes are black mary janes. Mickey & Minnie Mouse are still her favorites.

I hope October found everyone well! I know we are super busy and great! I feel as if this month is going to fly by (well truth.. every month seems to be flying by!) This week I have been so sleep deprived (early 5am wake up by guess who!) that last night I crawled into my bed at 8pm. Yes. Heavenly. Let's play catch up??

Last week we celebrated Jeffrey's 1st birthday. Olivia and Jeffrey are so cute together, slowly learning how to play with each other and share (including a few tears by both).

I made a pact with myself not to do my hair this whole weekend (see me.. see my messy bun!) It is seriously hard in a town full of beautiful women to leave the house this way. Maybe I won't leave? Ha. Must go to Target. (You can all probably tell by this insane post that I am sleep deprived).

I just found an amazing looking recipe for Oatmeal Almond Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies. I'm doubling the recipe so I can try my hand a freezing cookie dough (sounds easy enough - anything to make meals during the week simplier I say!). Recipe & link (how to for freezing below. Loving her blog.

Stolen from www.goodlifeeats.com

Ingredients:

1 3/4 stick (14 tablespoons) unsalted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup almond butter
1 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup ground almonds
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal (not quick cook)
8 ounces semi-sweet or dark chocolate chunks or chips

Directions:

Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Beat butter until creamy.

Add sugars beating until fluffy, approximately 3 minutes. Scrap the bowl as necessary.

Beat in almond butter until incorporated. Beat in vanilla and then eggs, one at a time.

Gently stir in the dry ingredients (I switched to the paddle on my kitchen aid mixer).

Add ground almonds and oatmeal and stir until just incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chunks.

Roll cookies into 2 Tbs sized balls. Place on baking sheets and bake cookies for 10-12 minutes.

Edges should be slightly browned and the cookies puffed. Cool on sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a cookie cooling rack.

Double & FREEZE