Valley of Fire.

We drove up to Valley of Fire state park on Memorial Day because the weather has been so mild this Spring (we've actually hit record lows this year - yesterday it was in the 70°s which is freezing for this time of year). We didn't stay long, just did a quick hike from Pastel Canyon to the Fire Wave (it's probably about a mile round trip) but we really enjoyed being outside. This fall I'd love to camp there and spend more time in the park with Daisy because she loved playing with all of the rocks and chasing the lizards.

Big Island, Hawaii.

We went to the Big Island in February for Valentine's week and it was so fun! Daisy loved being at the beach all day and we kept saying how amazing it'd be to live in Hawaii for a summer with our kids. I hate when I don't blog immediately after coming home (blogging while on vacation is almost impossible with a toddler) so these are just a bunch of our favorite pictures we took while we were there. Take me back! 

Things to See on the Big Island:Rainbow Falls in Hilo

Kona, Hawaii LDS Temple

Pololu Valley Lookout

(hike down to the Black Sand beach in Pololu if you have time) 

Puako Beach in Waimea

Pauoa Bay (pretty secluded beach, great snorkeling)

Snorkel at the Fairmont Orchid hotel

Pumpkin Patch.

A couple of weeks ago Daisy and I flew up to Salt Lake City with my mother-in-law to see her side of family for the weekend (Tate was in Florida for work). I love going to places in the Fall that actually look like Fall. The leaves were turning and the weather was crisp and we were in Heaven. We went to the Kuwahara Pumpkin Patch in Draper and it was seriously a dream!

weekend in seattle.

A couple of weeks ago we flew to Seattle for the weekend to see my family. I wanted to spend as much time as possible doing things outside (since it's still hot here in Vegas) and luckily it didn't rain once while we were there:

^^We drove to a pumpkin patch close to my parents home one morning just to take pictures, since it's technically not open to pumpkin picking yet. Look how giant those sunflowers are!^^

^^A classic tourist spot also close to our home is Snoqualmie Falls. For the past few years the trail down to the river/falls has been closed - so we jumped at the opportunity to take the hike down.^^

^^Always matching with Daisy.^^

^^Tate and I drove down to Seattle to go to the Aquarium and to explore. We went to Pikes Place (we usually go here every time we come visit) but it was so busy that we only took one picture...^^

^^Feeding the seagulls on the pier^^

^^At the Seattle Aquarium. Daisy is too too cute.^^

It was so fun seeing my family since we only make it up to Seattle about once or twice a year. I always forget how much I miss the green outside until we go up there to visit; it's obviously very different from the desert and I think I took it for granted growing up in Washington. 

daisy's carnival party.

We threw Daisy a carnival-themed party in July for her first birthday, and I've been meaning to blog about it for some time now. Here are some of the pictures we took of the party (somehow I forgot to take pictures during the 'carnival') -->

^^My people!^^

Photobooth: Canico Studios

Tissue Tassels: Tassellove

Felt Ball Garland: LoveBugLullabies

Popcorn Garland: My Minds Eye

Ferris Wheel Cupcake Stand: Home Goods

Let's be honest, Daisy won't remember her first birthday party but I'll remember how fun it was to decorate and see friends and family. We ate corn dogs, popcorn, animal crackers, cotton candy, and  way too many sweets but it was a fun day.

daisy's first birthday.

It's Daisy's birthday this week and I CAN'T BELIEVE she's o n e. I remember how wiggly she was inside of me and I knew she was going to be a wild one once she was out. And it's true - Daisy is always on the move. She's a happy girl and she's so nice to everyone she meets. She waves to everyone while we're out running errands and at restaurants and I love that she has such a big heart.

I did a little DIY photoshoot of her a couple of weeks ago and it'll be fun looking back on these photos when she's older. I should have started this earlier but below is a list of things that makes Daisy happy.

Things Daisy loves:-Her cat, Mochi

-"Barking" at dogs

-Swimming

-EATING (avocado, eggs, goldfish,

 honestly she loves all food)

-Clapping her hands

-Pointing to her nose

-Scrunching her face/nose

-Saying "uh-oh"

-Her BINKIES

-Reading books

(I love that the first toys that she

crawls for are her books)

los barriles, mexico.

^^Posted all of these photos on instagam^^

Last week we went to Mexico for the fourth of July week. Tate has been coming to Mexico since he was about 12 to fish, but us girls have joined in on the fun for the past two years. Going to Los Barriles was so much fun with Daisy! She loves swimming so when she wasn't napping we were right by the pool or ocean.

Los Barriles is about 45 minutes from Cabo and it's a small fishing town that really isn't catered towards tourists. There are very few gift shops and no crowds so I think it's a more authentic experience of Mexico (we stayed in Cabo for a few nights last Christmas and it was fun but it's a big/loud party city compared to this town). 

This week Daisy turns one and we're so excited! We're going to Newport Beach (Tate has a work conference) so Daisy and I will spend more time on the beach and spending some quality 'girl time' together.