4th of July

The kids had such a great 4th of July this year! They both headed down to the beach for the first part of the day, but it was absolutely slammed. According to Skylar and her friends, it was shoulder-to-shoulder and basically standing room only. They didn’t end up staying too long because the crowds were just so overwhelming, and they quickly got over being there.

Skylar and her friends eventually headed back to Grace’s house, where Jake and I were hanging out with the adults. They swam for a bit before getting ready for the evening festivities, which included a house party with all of their friends.

Madden, meanwhile, spent the afternoon at the beach with his new group of friends that he’s been hanging out with all summer. They were there from about 12:00–6:00 before heading over to a friend’s pool. He ended up having such a fun day that I didn’t even pick him up until after the fireworks! It was definitely a great 4th for both of them, just in very different ways!

Emma & Skylar

Hailey & Skylar

Avery & Skylar

Skyar & Grace

Skylar's New Years Eve 2025

 Skylar continues to live her best life and ended the year at a fun New Years Eve party with her closes 50+ friends.  To be young again!!!

Christmas 2025

The holiday season was truly one for the books this year, filled with laughter, time together, and moments we’ll be talking about for a long time. Christmas Eve was especially memorable—one of those nights where everyone is relaxed, present, and genuinely enjoying each other’s company.

We spent the evening surrounded by family, playing way too much Left, Right, Center, sharing plenty of laughs, and enjoying a delicious tri tip dinner that did not disappoint. Of course, no Christmas Eve is complete without a little chaos, and ours came courtesy of a slightly busted White Elephant game. Let’s just say… that’s something we’ll definitely need to revisit and improve for next year.

Christmas Day was just as lovely, filled with a slower pace, cozy moments, and gratitude for being together. It was the perfect reminder that the best part of the holidays isn’t the gifts or the decorations—it’s the time spent with the people you love most.

Here’s to a season full of memories and to making even better traditions next year. 🎄✨

Holiday Card 2025

I had an absolute blast with our family holiday card this year. We decided to take our photo with Santa at the local mall—and to say the kids were mortified would be an understatement. I would’ve happily stayed and taken a hundred photos, but they only allowed a few before insisting we leave as quickly as possible, terrified they might run into someone they knew.

Santa was such a trooper through the whole thing, and the teenage girls working the booth even asked us if this was how we normally dressed (which honestly made it even better). Jake, however, paid the ultimate price—he had eyeliner on for a solid three days afterward.

We ended up getting so many compliments on our card, with people telling us how much they loved it. Which is amazing… but also means the pressure is officially on for next year’s theme.

 

Thanksgiving 2025

 After spending last Thanksgiving in Mexico and having the best time, we decided to do it again this year. It had been a couple of years since we’d been back to Cabo, so we were all excited to return to our favorite hotel and spend four days relaxing on the beach—and that’s exactly what we did.

We were up and on the sand by 8:30 AM every morning, soaking up the sun until 5:00 PM. It was the perfect getaway. We had the best time just the four of us, chatting, laughing, playing games, and truly enjoying being together.

Grace was in Cabo the same time and we got to walk down and have lunch with her and her family.  Of course, Skylar was thrilled to be with her.

Madden rode a jet ski for the first time.  The smile he had on his face when he returned was priceless!

Halloween 2025

Halloween 2025 was one we’d been looking forward to for years — finally falling on a Friday night. It’s now the third year in a row that we haven’t done a family costume, which I’ve come to accept, and honestly, it’s been kind of freeing. Without the kids holding me back, I can dress up as whatever I want — and luckily, Jake’s always up for anything.

I’d actually been thinking about this year’s costume long before the kids officially bowed out of our family theme, but I just couldn’t convince them to put on the tights and boots. Boy, did they miss out. Jake and I as Hulk Hogan and “Macho Man” Randy Savage were by far one of our best duos yet. We got so many compliments, and there were plenty of “Hey, brother!” and “Snap into a Slim Jim… oh yeah!” moments throughout the night. Jake stayed in character as the Hulkster the entire evening, and when we met up with friends, a few didn’t even recognize me under that beard.

It might just be my favorite costume to date — and as I went to bed that night, I was already wondering how on earth we’re going to top that next year.

Madden invited a couple boys over.  To be honest I don't really understand why 8th grade boys think they are too cool to dress up.  Madden said his costume was a "rapper" 🙄

Skylar had a full Halloween weekend of two parties and two different costumes.  It was my first Halloween without her which made me a little sad, but she has the best weekend ever.

Grace, Henley, Ana and Skylar as Men In Black.  Pretty sure Skylar has never even seen that movie.

The following night Skylar went out to another Halloween party were she, Grace and Ana dressed up as Kiss, Marry, Kill

Fourth of July 💥

Skylar had the best Fourth of July with all her friends. She spent the day at the beach with everyone else from Carlsbad and hit up Aviara Hotel for fireworks with her besties.  

Jake, Madden and I did a quick trip out to Palm Springs for the 4th since the weather was in the low 90s.  We hit up the Surf Club and then took in one of the best fireworks shows I had seen in awhile.

2024 Holiday Cards

This year was our 10 year anniversary of funny holiday cards.  These cards are such a labor of love for me but I love that they bring our family and friends so much joy each year.