on the farm.

Happy Friday everyone!

This week my family and I went to a place called Schnepf Farms, 

it's an awesome ranch that has a pumpkin patch, corn maze, pig races, all the food you could imagine, rides, shops and a petting zoo-

just to name a few of the attractions.

It's a super popular AZ place to visit, and was on our Fall Bucket List. 

We hit up all the rides with the kiddos-

well not all of us. 

I opted to take pics, just to play it safe since I have a bun in the oven. 

I did however go on a little race course with Zak, Kai and my mother-in-law and we were dying laughing because the boys had to peddle us up and down hills and we were going nowhere.

Hahahah.

The staff members kept having to help push us around the course, and I couldn't breath we were laughing so hard.

 

^^ please notice Zak's face. Hahaha. ^^

We watched the cutest little piggies race, and Kennedy was chosen to be a "pig leader."

Her little guy didn't win, but she still had a blast cheering him on from the sidelines.

We made a little stop at the petting zoo-

I love love love looking at all the animals.

I can't wait to bring baby back next year and show him all the critters.

And last but not least, we picked some pumpkins!

It was a good day.

:)

Funny story behind my outfit. 

I showed up with a little fall dress, leggings and boots-

and as soon as we walked into the place I started freaking out and getting SO HOT.

I blame pregnancy because there were plenty of other people wearing jeans and sweaters.

Well before we even sat down at the first attraction, 

Zak and I were making our way back out to the car because I remembered I had some gym clothes in the trunk and HAD TO CHANGE.

So, I looked like I just went running.

And didn't give two craps about it.

When you're preggo and hot-

cute outfits don't matter lol.

Anywho!

Just wanted to throw that declaimer out there.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo

pumpkin bread, farmers markets and family.

Hi everyone!

Hope your week is going well.

The last 5 days have been such good ones for me.

My mom's been really sick and we've been going through quite a trial for about the last 6 months-

and finally things are going in the right direction.

My mom's been staying with us for a little and it's been amazing.

She's doing much better, and I feel like I have my mom back, which is the best feeling in the world.

She's been through so much, and just to be able to hangout with her and laugh and do stuff that we used to do all the time, has been the biggest blessing.

I often get asked what I'm doing career wise right now, and this is what I've been doing-

taking care of my family.

I think this is exactly where the Lord wants me to be right now, and I'm so thankful that I have this time to help my mom.

I do have lots of exciting projects that I'm working on, and a plan as to what I want to do with my career-

but right now my focus is family.

And I couldn't be happier helping my loved ones.

And spending quality time with them as well.

Since the weather has cooled down we went to our neighborhood farmers market this past weekend for some breakfast. 

It was really yummy and nice to just sit and the shade and feel the cool air for once!

While we were hanging out a guy randomly started playing a Creedence Clearwater song {my mom's favorite band}, and it was just like another little sign, that this is exactly where we're supposed to be right now.

I also busted out my baking pans and whipped up some pumpkin bread!

It's a family recipe that's to die for!

And a favorite to make around the holidays.

I love how our home smells after baking-

it's pumpkin heaven!

And yesterday my mom and I went and handed out some loaves to homeless people in our area.

It's absolutely heartbreaking to see people in need living on the streets, so we try and do as much as we can for them, like giving them homemade warm bread for the holidays.

Afterwards we came home and made four more loaves, and now it's our goal to keep baking and passing them out each week.

Oh and PS that's two things crossed off our Fall Bucket List!

Woot woot.

Having the pups around during all this craziness has been really nice as well.

They love each other so much, and play all. the. time.

Which is good for Romie, since the vet told us he has to lose some weight!

:(

Oh and one last random thing I'm going to add to this kind of random post-

Zak and I went on a little mini date friday night to one of my all time favorite places-

Pita Jungle.

Their hummus is out of this world.

It was really nice to get out of the house, just him and I and hangout for a little bit.

I love him more than he'll ever know-

he's such a patient, kind, understanding and vital part of our family.

We joke all the time, but he's really our psychiatrist.

And the rock of the family.

Thanks babe for all you do!

Oh and through all this crazy stuff he's still been KILLING it at school!

He makes me so stinkin proud.

Oh and PS-

I can't thank our family and friends enough for all the sweet words, prayers, kindness, understanding and help during this time.

It truly means the world to not only me, but my mom as well. 

Have a lovely day!

xoxo

i swallowed a pumpkin.

AKA this is a bumpdate post.

And warning: bare belly classy bathroom selfies are present in this post. 

Over the like last 3/4 weeks I've gained 10 lbs-

and I feel like each week the scale just keeps creeping up more and more ha!

I'm now 23 weeks and up 17 big ones.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love love love my bump!

And the fact that I'm showing more and more makes me really happy.

It's so much fun wearing clothes that show it off and getting little "awe you're pregnant!" comments from strangers.

He's our little pumpkin and we love him so freaking much.

Our bodies are so amazing and I still can't believe I have a little babe inside my belly.

He's kicking a lot lately, which has been a really cool thing to experience.

And Zak has been able to feel him as well, which is so sweet:)

As far as symptoms go-

I've had more back pain, which makes me have the ultimate preggo waddle when I walk lol, I get hot like super super fast, I also get tired a little easier {but nothing like first trimester} it's more like around 8:00 I'm donzo.

Oh and my sleep pattern is funky!

I go to bed at said time, wake up at 11, convince myself to fall back asleep then wake up around 4, convince myself again to go back to sleep and then I'm up around 7. 

Babe is the size of a bunch of grapes lol- 

the app I use cracks me up sometimes with the fruit they come up with for baby's size, and he's just a little less than 1 pound.

I continue to drink water like crazy and I lather up with all kinds of coco butter in the morning and night!

No particular cravings-

I mean, I could eat Subway for every meal, but I was like that before so I don't know if that counts?

My favorite meal is a 6 inch wheat sub, no meat, a little shredded cheese, toasted, lots of spinach, onions, oil, vinegar and salt and pepper!

Best. Sandwich. Ever.

Add a cup of their broccoli cheddar soup and I'm in heaven. 

So maybe this is a craving?

Lol. I don't know. 

I always thought cravings were like crazy odd stuff like chocolate covered pickles or something?!

Anywho.

I'm still working out 5 times a week- and I think it's totally helping my body adjust to all the crazy changes so I'm hoping to continue up until his due date-

haha fingers crossed!

Have an awesome day!!

xoxo

fall bucket list.

Happy Fall everyone!

It's finally starting to cool down here,

and when I say cool down I mean in the 80's..

but hopefully soon enough we'll have chilly mornings and crisp nights that call for a coat and scarf. 

I stumbled across these photos we took last year in Omaha and they made my heart yearn for the seasons.

THOSE COLORS!

Breathtaking I say. 

But with fall here and the weather slowly but surely starting to change, I wanted to post our Fall 2015 bucket list!

We made one last year {you can check it out here}

and boy let me tell you it was so much fun adventuring around trying to fit all of our festivities into the holiday season. 

We certainly had to do it again!

And with all the stuff that's been going on behind the scenes, I think it's more important than ever to soak up the holiday season. 

So without further adieu here's our Fall 2015 Bucket List:

- GO TO A FOOTBALL GAME

- ATTEND A SPOOK-TACULAR HALLOWEEN BASH

- BAKE PUMPKIN BREAD

- PICK PUMPKINS FROM A REAL PUMPKIN PATCH

- GET LOST IN A CORN MAZE

- FIND SOME TERROR-IFIC COSTUMES
- WALK AROUND A FARMERS MARKET

- DECORATE OUR APARTMENT FOR EACH HOLIDAY

- HAVE A PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST

- GO ON A FALL NATURE HIKE

- CRUNCH IN THE LEAVES

- DONATE TO A FOOD BANK

- TAKE SOME FUN FAMILY PHOTOS

- WATCH A FRIGHT-FULLY DELIGHTFUL FILM 

- MAKE A THANKFUL TREE

- COOK A TURKEY

- WATCH THE MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

We hit almost all of these last year-

check out some of our photos below!

 And I'm hoping we're able to do a majority again this fall!

I think when making a bucket list, you also have to keep in mind how realistic things are for you and your family, because sometimes doing lots can fun, but it can also be exhausting-

so I kinda like to keep ours short and sweet.

Here are some goals we reached last year!

- We made it to a Huskers Game!

It was honestly one of the best days we've ever had.

Check it out here. 

ULN football is everything in Nebraska and it was so much fun getting all bundled up to watch the big game!

Something I'll never forget.

- We also went to a Halloween party (dressed up as the best dancing duo around), hosted our own Murder Mystery Party, and decorated like crazy-

which was a hoot!

You can check out both posts here and here. 

- And you know I totally whipped up some pumpkin bread- 

it's a family recipe that's to die for- especially around Halloween! 

Get it?!

- Last year we picked pumpkins from a real patch, got lost in a corn maze, watched a classic scary movie and started our pumpkin carving contest tradition.

Here's that post- 

It was my favorite Halloween ever.

^^ I thought my cat was pretty dang good, until Zak pulled off Mary Poppins..!

-We crunched in many leaves, went on lots of nature walks and toured the gorgeous historic neighborhoods before snowfall. 

- And had a "Friendsgiving" which was a blast and oh so yummy.

Check that post out right here!

Awe I miss our Omaha family :(

Such a good group of people right there. 

The biggest blessing to Zak and I. 

- And we took some pretty fun fall photos I'll keep forever!

However we did miss some stuff-

Like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade- I worked so I wasn't able to catch it, but I'm destined this year!

We still had a wonderful Thanksgiving- check it out here-

but I wanna try my hand at making a turkey this fall, 

and maybe a homemade pie-

 wish me luck!

Haha.

And I made it to a toy drive, but not a food drive so I want to make sure that's a big priority this year.

It's the season of giving, and with a little one on the way I want to make sure lots of our holiday traditions revolve around giving to others in need.

Anywho, sorry for the blast from the past-

just wanted to show yah our list from last year!

It. Was. So. Much. Fun. 

Makes me sure miss Omaha. 

But the holidays should still be fun here- even if it's 95 degrees out ;)

Are you planning on making a festive bucket list?!

If so, what are you putting on yours!

Would love to see what other traditions are out there!

Have a beautiful rest of your day!

xoxo