Book Reviews

Recent Reads – July 2019

I have been on a reading kick and I LOVE IT!

I often get asked, “How do you find time to read in this stage of life with three littles at home?” The truth is… I usually give up my precious sleep. I know this might sound crazy to some of you, but for me it is almost therapeutic. I love nothing more than wrapping my kiddos in their beds and kissing them goodnight and then jumping into my bed to dive into a good read! There is something soothingly sweet about it! After a long day of giving everything I have to my 3 girls, it is almost like I am finally giving myself what I need and investing in myself. The concept sounds crazy to my husband (and for all that can relate, maybe yours too!?)… “You’re sacrificing your sleep for a book?” Yes. Yes I am. And I love it. No matter how many times I try, it just doesn’t add up to him. Staying up late and trading in zzz’s for page flips is all about getting some quiet & much needed ME time. In this season of life, I have to take it where I can get it, and right now, its 9pm until some time later than I’m willing to admit. = )

That being said, here are a few great books that I have read over the last few months!

Here they are, my 6 Recent Reads

July 4, 2019 by Jenna

Our Month in 9 Squares

Our Month In 9 Squares – June 2019

Dear June 2019,

June has been a perfect 1st full month of summer. The girls enjoyed a week of vacation bible school and a week of dance camp and adored both! I am so grateful for fun activities to keep them energized and happy and I love the opportunity to watch them grow in new endeavors.

We were able to sneak away to the mountains for Father’s Day weekend and soak up family time, outdoor adventures and cooler weather… And of course celebrate our favorite daddy!

With the girl’s sports and extra activities on hold for the summer months we have been able to catch up with friends on more double-dates and share in more creative date nights just the two of us. It has been so much fun! This month we snuck in pedicures and Top Golf, and we have enjoyed trying new local restaurants!

Meanwhile, Kensie took her first steps this month and hasn’t stopped walking since. She is a go-getter and wants to get her hands on everything. She is also starting to copy our words and tones and her favorite activity is giving kisses, which we all line up for!

With the month of July ahead, we are excited to celebrate the 4th, check out some fireworks and soak up the last bit of summer break before school starts. The back-to-school countdown is on.

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – June 2019 ::

June 30, 2019 by Jenna

Our Month in 9 Squares

Our Month In 9 Squares – May 2019

Dear May 2019,

Not gonna lie, I LOVED this month! May, you surprised us with being extra awesome! Mother’s Day, Memorial Day Weekend, swim season starting up, end of the school year and all the parties and festivities that go along with it and surprising fabulous AZ weather made this month fabulous!

But, the best part of the month had to be our kid-free Cinco De Mayo weekend getaway in Santa Fe! Delicious food, great company, many margaritas and the traditions of a quaint town made our little trip so memorable! We were so grateful to sneak away, just the two of us!

The hardest part of our month, a teething 13 month old, but hey if that is the worst of it, we can deal with that!

June, you bring our first month of summer break and lots of water fun!

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – May 2019 ::

May 31, 2019 by Jenna

Our Month in 9 Squares

Our Month In 9 Squares – April 2019

Dear April 2019,

April, oh April, you are my favorite month and you know why! You are filled with beautiful weather, my babies first birthday, and oh yeah… My 34th birthday this year. We had so much fun closing up spring soccer and taking a break from the busy spring sports season. BUT, most importantly April brought gratitude. We are so thankful for Easter – He has risen indeed!

May, I can already tell that you are going to fly by! Looking forward to the end of school and the beginning of summer break. NOT looking forward to the scorching heat around the corner, but oh well, bring on the summer!

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – April 2019 ::

May 1, 2019 by Jenna

Thanks to the help of Instagram #hastags ... I was able to keep a month-by-month milestone keepsake for Kensie, which can be found at #KensiesStickerPhotos.

CELEBRATE, Holidays

Kensie’s Monthly Sticker Photos : #KensiesStickerPhotos

Where has the time gone? How can my littlest baby girl already be a 1 year old? Thanks to the help of Instagram and #hastags … I was able to keep a month-by-month milestone keepsake for Kensie, which can be found at #KensiesStickerPhotos. It is so special to look back at all of my sweet messages to her and all of her adorable Monthly Sticker Photos, to see how much she has grown in her first twelve months of life.

Here are Kensie’s captured memories… Her Monthly Sticker Photos Continue Reading

April 20, 2019 by Jenna

Our Month in 9 Squares

Our Month In 9 Squares – March 2019

Dear March 2019,

Spring is in the air & we definitely had an extra SPRING in our step through spring-break! March brought on a month of adventures. From a trip to the mountains and throwing snowballs to a getaway in the Sedona red rocks. But, the true beauty of the month was being able to slow it down and sleep in without rushing off to school. Did I mention I love spring break??!! We spent most of the month focusing in on family, it was so refreshing. We also celebrated Payton’s 4th Birthday with an Elsa-themed Birthday party and we indulged on the most adorable cake ever!

April you are bringing another month of celebrations, so what are we waiting for… Let’s party!!!

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – March 2019 ::

March 31, 2019 by Jenna

Our Month in 9 Squares

Our Month In 9 Squares – February 2019

Dear February 2019,

You were one for the books! We made some of our most cherished memories this month and it was everything we had hoped for and more! We took our first Disneyland family vacation and it was truly a magical trip! Our girls will never forget all of the fun! It was also the best weather ever in AZ, so all I can say is thank you God for the rain and chilly weather. And we can’t forget Valentine’s Day, the holiday I never knew I loved until having daughters! We have way too much fun celebrating all things love in this family! February, although you are a short month, you rocked!

March, we have more fun planned and we are looking forward to it all!

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – February 2019 ::

February 28, 2019 by Jenna

All things Disneyland! My Disneyland family vacation recap, plus great tips and tricks to make your next Disney trip pure magic!

Family, LIFESTYLE, Travel

ALL THINGS DISNEY – OUR 1ST DISNEYLAND FAMILY VACATION + TIPS & TRICKS

Disneyland, Wow! Where do I begin? Everything about Disney is dreamy and we fell in love with the magic of it all.
We had been planning an all-out trip to Disney for years now and it did not disappoint! I wanted to share all of my favorite photos and ALL.THE.THINGS. we did, saw and ate because truth be told, we had the best time. And I also wanted to document it all for my forever memories, it was by far the best family trip to date.

We knew we wanted to visit Disneyland in February because LOVE is in the air at the park and this AZ girl loves cold weather! The weather was chilly and the crowds were smaller, both wins in my book! Continue Reading

February 23, 2019 by Jenna

Our Month in 9 Squares

Our Month In 9 Squares – January 2019

Dear January 2019,

Oh hey January! We kicked you off with a focus on laying low and 2019 goal planning. We spent most of our free time this month playing outside, riding bikes and we started family nights filled with board games and lots of UNO.
Soccer Saturday has started again so we are back to the soccer field and we are all loving it! Payton even scored her first goal ever! Kensie has two teeth and she is growing up too fast – slow down little love! I was able to sneak away for a family trip in Las Vegas, while Travis held down the fort. I was able to meet up with my little bro, first time seeing him in two years and we did it right, Vegas style!
February is going to be a great month, so for now… January!

:: Our Month in 9 Squares – January 2019 ::

January 31, 2019 by Jenna

CELEBRATE, Family, Holidays, LIFESTYLE

Hello 2019!

New Year’s Day is always an exciting day! It is a day that brings new adventures. It is a day that allows us to look forward to change. It is a day that opens the door to new goals and dreams. So as we ring in the new year, let’s give thanks for all of our blessings!

For my family, we say goodbye to a year full of wonderful memories & exciting changes, and we say hello to a new year that promises to be adventurous and joyous as we continue in our journey as a family of 5!