We started our day off super early. Nyla was up around 5am and we weren’t leaving to Knotts till 9am so we had lots of time to play. Once 9am rolled around we were headed off to Knotts. Nyla was all dressed and ready in her Peanuts shirt. We started off of course in Camp Snoopy where all the kiddie rides were. Nyla’s first ride was the Camp Snoopy Bus. She just loves “the wheels on the bus go round and round” song and I kept singing her that song while we were waiting to get on. She was super excited to get in the bus. I was not sure what her reaction was going to be to this bus that goes up and around and drops down. I knew she would feel those butterflys. I know I did a little and it was a kiddie ride. Once we started going she did really good. She kept waving to grandma and grandpa, but once we came to the drop she did grab me tight and bury her face into my body and then once we were just moving around and up she would look for them and again and get all excited. Even from way up high she had no problem looking down and finding her grand parents.

Next we were off to this other ride that was simple. Just some little trucks that go around and they have steering wheels and honking horns that the kids love to honk. She laughed each time she heard the horns. She loved it and was just relaxed as we went around. There were a couple other rides we wanted to do but the lines were a little long for her to wait, and one of the rides I was super excited for her to go on was not there anymore. I was so bummed!

The carousel was next. I thought she would be totally fine cause she has gone on it before but she just didn’t want to sit on a horse so luckily we did find one seat to just sit down together.

It was lunch time so we just stayed in Camp Snoopy and had lunch at a little cafeteria. Nyla got a nice collectible snoopy lunch box where her food came in. That made her so happy. We just shared some chicken strips cause unfortunately America thinks fried foods and fatty foods is what we should feed kids. They always only have fried stuff, fatty burgers and hot dogs, grilled cheese that was smothered in butter and cheese. I just don’t get it. So I figured I would end up eating her food cause she doesn’t eat much and I got a bowl of strawberries in case she wanted some fruit cause she just loves fruit. She ended up snacking on some goldfish and teddy grahams. She was more interested in putting her snacks in her lunchbox.

Then we just browsed around the park. I haven’t been there in so long so it is fun to reminisce and see what new things they put in. Can’t believe they tore out the Dinosaur ride :( She would have loved it. I just love the western feel of Knotts Berry Farm, and all the craft shops are the best. I love they had a holiday stand with fun holiday wooden decorations for that nice antique Christmas feel. My favorite. I was so tempted to buy some stuff but I talked myself out of it. I kinda regret it now cause the prices were really good.

We then made our way to the Train. Nyla was ready and excited to get on. She loved looking out of the train cart. She didn’t really mind the bandits when they came into our cart. But of course my dad gets his typical “Hey it’s Rod Stewart” comments, haha. I think some one asked to take a picture of him. Its a regular thing whenever we are out. When we got off Nyla was actually trying to make her way back to get on.

Now Nyla was getting really groggy and tired. My No Naptime Nyla was starting to lose it yet just didn’t want to nap. There is just so much going on and so loud from all the roller coasters I guess I don’t blame her. We gave it another try and put her in the stroller with her bottle and it looked like she might nap so we headed over to Montezoomas Revenge. One of my favorites and my first upside down ride that I went on right when I was the height to go. I remember always going and my brother and dad would go on and I wanted to go so bad. I was always super brave and loved stuff like that. I was always too short. Once I could finally go I remember when we took off cause it just takes off super fast and I was still pretty little and it was my first super fast take off coaster too so my head flew forward and I couldn’t bring it back cause of the pressure so my dad had to pull it back and hold it. I loved it though, haha. Sorry kinda random but that ride always brings back such great memories. Me and my dad were both kinda nervous cause we haven’t been on a roller coaster in a while. It was sooo much fun. I could go on it over and over. We so wanted to go on Excelerator which takes off super fast too but way faster and Boomerang but the lines were long and Nyla was actually up when we got off Montezoomas. Oh well, at least we got one it. It was worth it. I know we will be back again. There were a bunch of cool new rides that I can’t wait to go on!

After that we tried to take Nyla on another ride but she was getting cranky to wait so we thought lets get a funnel cake before she gets super cranky. A total must to get at Knotts. Sooo good!! We found a nice shady log area that actually calmed Nyla down cause it was in the shade with trees all around and she could walk around. It was a super nice clear day, warm 80 degree sunshine. We enjoyed our funnel cake and Nyla enjoyed her fritos. I never knew she would like them. Not something I would normally give her but I thought it was better that some fried food with tons of sugar. So happy my girl isn’t crazy for sugary stuff. Just fruit mainly. We just hung out there for a little while cause Nyla was being good and hanging out and watching all the other kids around us. Then walked around more shops.

We had a long day. We were there from 10am till 4pm. I was shoked. I was expecting to be there only a couple hours. Nyla did so good especially with being up so early in the morning and not even getting a nap in. I haven’t had my phone all trip cause the charger is broken or the phone, not really sure, but I didn’t even know what time it was. I was bummed I didn’t get to plan something with Ronie and Charlie Rain. Time just flew by, not what I expected at all. We went and checked out our pictures we got taken. Then we were headed out to enjoy some of the outside the park shops. They have such great shops there. I just love their doll shop. I would always get a nice new Lee Middleton doll when we came. I love collecting dolls and can’t wait to start mine and Nyla’s collections. They had some great precious moment dolls I just wanted to get. We stopped at the ever famous pie shop for my mom to get her boysenberry pie. We didn’t  do the Chicken restaurant cause that place always has a crazy line like no other. We did stop by the Snoopy gift shops for some fun toys for Nyla. Luckily at this time she did finally fall asleep so we could shop in peace and take our time. They had some of the most amazing Christmas decoration shops. It was beautiful. Then we were headed over to my Babushka’s house for her to see Nyla. Nyla was a little cranky cause she didn’t get too long of a nap in so she was a little difficult but we weren’t there too long.

Back home and we finished the day off like any Saturday should be finished….. In In Out!!!

Tomorrow’s agenda: Breakfast at my house with Josh’s mom in the morning so she can enjoy Nyla, Jill’s Baby Shower at 3pm, My mom’s taking Nyla to my grandma’s to visit with some family while I am at the shower. Lucille’s Smokehouse Bbq for dinner with the family, score!! And I need to fit in Pinkberry!!

Me and Nyla decided to plan a little trip to Cali while the Husband was gone to the Oregon Coast with the guys for their new web company Fixel. I wasn’t looking forward to being all alone for 3 days so off to California we went. It was my friends baby shower that weekend as well so it ended up perfect. Nyla did good on the plane. I get so tired entertaining her the whole time and picking up after her that it is by far a comfortable flight. I was happy everyone around had it nice and quiet for the most part. The lady next to us even slept the whole time. We landed and Nyla was the happiest kid in the world. She was running and dancing all over like she normally does. The child is a jumping bean. My parents and Josh’s mom was their to greet us.

We got some quicky Chik Fil A cause I thought Nyla was way too tired for a restaurant. When we got home Nyla roamed all around the house for a good while. My mom had toys all over. Oh did I mention my parents house is the worst for little kids. Steps and elevation changes all over  and the hardest stone floor. No time for relaxing. Always gotta be next to Nyla. She ended up a couple hours past her bedtime, by that time she was ready for bed and now the next trial…. getting her down for bed in the pack in play. Luckily my brother isn’t home anymore so I was able to put her crib in his room. It is super loud at times so I was so worried about her sleeping. Every time I rocked her to sleep something made her pop right up. Finally we did get her down to sleep and she did sleep pretty much through the night and woke up about her normal time of 5:30/6am. I went to bed early so I was pretty awake and excited to start our day.

My dad made us a gourmet breakfast, it was nice not having to make breakfast for everyone. Nyla just played for a good while. We were even able to play in the backyard at 8/9am. The sun was out and compared to the weather I am now used to it was a great temperature. She just loves being outside and once she spotted the swing set she was a happy camper.

We eventually got all dressed and ready to do some shopping. Me, Nyla and my mom started off at Target getting some things for Nyla and a baby shower gift, went to Kohls for Nyla and then headed to Islands for lunch. One of my absolute favorites and I was totally craving it when I was pregnant with Nyla and could not have it, such torture. We saw one of my old high school/cheer friends that works their and is about 8 months pregnant with her second baby. That is awesome to have that much energy. She looked great. We enjoyed some delicious lunch, Nyla had some great etiquette with her bare foot on the table, such a lady.

Next stop was Victoria Gardens Mall where we were hoping Nyla would take a nap in her stroller. She was way due for one. Luckily after a few shops she did end up falling asleep. We got the ultimate best frozen yogurt Pinkberry. Soo good everytime! More shopping and then headed back home. Then she did some nice playtime with my mom while I took a little nap. Soo needed! We ended the night with some really good Medditeranean food for dinner. Then I got Nyla to bed around 6:30/7pm. She went down pretty good. Now some relaxation time for me and then off to bed for another filled day.

Showing off her new adorable coat she just got.

Tomorrow’s agenda: Knott’s Berry Farm 10am sharp, visit Babushka, visit with Ronie and Charlie Rain, Pinkberry, In In Out :)

So this blog post is a little late due to some issues we had with it, but here it finally is….

Halloween weekend kicked off with a bang. Friday morning we were busy with Josh’s cousin Rich flying in and staying with us for the weekend and me and Nyla were off to our meetup groups Halloween Party. Nyla was in my costume that I got from Gymboree. She was a little pumpkin fairy.

I made some delicious pumpkin spiced cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

Later that night we had dinner out at Gustav’s German restaurant with the Thomas’ and Rich. It was delicious, one of our favorite restaurants with this colder weather. Then we hopped over across the street to Washington Square Mall for the guy’s to get some frozen yogurt and us girls did some shopping. Nyla was awesome even though she was way past her bedtime. The girls were running all over the place and were absolutely adorable in Pottery Barn Kids.

Saturday I decided to make my Halloween dinner. I had some homemade minestrone soup in the crock pot all day. I was baking dessert for that night and dessert for tomorrow night plus finishing cooking our meal for that night. I was busy busy in the kitchen. We had my homemade minestrone served in a pumpkin with some mummy dogs. Delicious!!

For dessert I made my specialty fresh pumpkin cheesecake that Josh just has to have every year, and he will only eat mine. He has tried other’s and nothing compared to it :) It is pretty darn good!

Sunday morning (Halloween) I wanted to treat everyone with a delicious pumpkin pie oatmeal that I found a recipe for. It was really good. I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out.

Now Trick or Treat time….. We headed off to church that morning in Salem and we just stayed down there all day for the Thomas’ Halloween party. Nyla Breeze was wearing her costume #2 today that daddy picked it. It was super cute.

This is Nyla trying it on at our house before we left.

Trick or Treat!!!

So Nyla did absolutely amazing. She was way over her 6pm bedtime and she was the youngest and smallest little trick or treater of the group. She loves to follow the older kids and she sure did that. She saw everyone else with their costumes on and carrying their pumpkin pail so she knew that is what she was supposed to be doing. She saw everyone going from door to door and just followed. She was a little hesitant at first when we were right up at someones door. She was a little scared at first. Then she finally understood the concept of standing there and someone will put candy in your pumpkin pail. She just loved it. She was so hyper and no she didn’t have any candy yet. It is just my child, she has a natural energy which is why we chose for her to be the Energizer Bunny for her Halloween costume, haha. Perfect!!

I was so proud of my little one with her first trick or treat experience. She was so excited the next morning to see her pumpkin pail. I let her have a couple pieces of candy although it kills me to give her candy so young, then gave the rest to Josh or threw it away. It was a great night with memories to last a lifetime!!

So my blog site has been down for a couple days. For some reason when I was trying to write a new post my site was super super slow. My husband was trying to figure it out and ended up deleting his hosting account which meant all of my blog stuff went bye bye…. Luckily he was able to save the text from my blogs but not the pictures. I have been in need of a new blog design anyways so this was the perfect time to get a whole new design. We spent the other night designing my blog and then Josh coded it out last night and this morning, and my blog is up and running and looking better than ever. My previous blog posts are not all complete from lack of pictures I still have to go back and find the pictures I used, but enjoy my new blog posts.

Thank you husband for taking the time to design me a new blog that is so awesome!!

I found this fun Halloween craft that would be fun for kids that is super easy and doesn’t cost that much. You can use the small miniature pumpkins you get at a pumpkin patch or to use this over and over you can use fake ornamental miniature pumpkins. Continue reading →

This morning I thought for sure the rain would start, but I started to see blue sky with big poofy clouds too of course. But any peeks of blue sky and some sunshine is awesome. So we changed our plans from Pump It Up Jr to Bauman Farms. Me and Nyla have been there once but never to their pumpkin patch. We were excited cause I have seen pictures and heard it was really nice. It by far was amazing. I have been to 4 pumpkin patches this year and this one by far killed the rest. Continue reading →

Friday morning me and Nyla were off to our first Mommy Meetup at the Roloff’s Farm pumpkin patch in Helvetia, it is basically in Hillsboro so not far from us. We were originally in a different meetup group but this one seemed to fit us better and there were girls this time, yay!! We were excited to meet some new mommys and also to visit this farm. It’s the farm from the TLC show Little People Big World. I have never been interested in the show but it was still kinda neat to see them. Continue reading →

I can not believe that one year ago Nyla was so tiny. Now she is a little girl. Time sure flies by and they grow up so quick. I just love looking at pictures from the same time last year to compare how much she has grown and bring back the memories of her when she was 4 months old. Now she is 16 months and we are just having a blast with her. I remember last year when she was itty bitty we would say, next year is going to be so fun when she can run around at the pumpkin patch. Now we are are at those times and it definitely has been so much fun seeing her so excited for the pumpkin patch. Next up is Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have many more fun memories to make with her and we have been so blessed with such a beautiful joyful little girl!!

Nyla 4 months                                                           Nyla 16 months