Kyan as Francis Scott Key!

Kyan has been working on his research report/speech for Francis Scott Key for the past month and today I got to visit the wax museum at school to see it all put together!  He did a great job!

Family Picture Sesh

Family pictures are important to me.  Last year, we had my sweet friend, Jobrina Hofleit, of Jobrina Hofleit Photography take them and they were my favorite.   I love everything about her style and her ability to capture the personalities of each of her clients like she does.  This year, I booked with her the second her calender opened up and started saving my pennies for a full session! 

Can I just tell you that I am in LOVE with every single shot she captured of my family. 

Warning:  Picture OVERLOAD!  I seriously loved every picture she sent me...it was hard to pick just a few too share, so you get to see them all!!!

 

 I mean....how do I even pick a Christmas card?  

Thank you Jobrina!  We love them.

If you are local to Arizona and are looking for a photographer, I cannot recommend Jobrina Hofleit Photography enough!  She is seriously incredible!

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread

 Pictured above is everything you will need for the most delicious gluten free pumpkin bread!!!

Below are the measurements:

1 box Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix

1 15oz. can Pure Pumpkin

1/2 cup Canola Oil

1tsp. Ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Ground Ginger

1/2 tsp. Ground Cloves

2 tsp. Vanilla

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Grease the bottom of 9x5 inch (55 to 65 minutes) OR 8x4 inch (60 to 70 minutes) loaf pan with oil (I used parchment paper).

In a large bowl, stir all ingredients together.

Pour and spread evenly in pan and cook designated time, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Let stand for 10-15 minutes before removing from pan to cool off.

Let cool for 2 hours before slicing (this is the hardest part)!

To me, it tastes the best with cream cheese frosting slathered on top!  Another option could be to bake in semisweet chocolate chips, you just add them in right before you bake!

Enjoy!!!

Summer Chicken Pasta Salad

Ok, so I know it is officially fall y'all, but this recipe is worth sharing and worth eating year round!  I promise!!!  Very simple to make too.

3 Large Cans of Canned Chicken (like the size from Costco or Sams Club) 
 

1 16-oz. Bottle of Kraft Coleslaw Dressing 

1 Cup Mayonnaise 
  

1 Cup celery

2 Cups roasted cashews, coarsely chopped

1 12-oz. Bow Tie Pasta (I use Gluten Free pasta - Schar brand specifically)

1 12-oz. Spiral Pasta (I use Gluten Free pasta - Schar brand specifically)

1 Cup seedless red grapes, halved

1 Small Can Pineapple Tidbits, Drained

2 Cups Craisins

6 Green Onions, Sliced

Cook both types of pasta. Toss pasta with small amount of vegetable oil to prevent from sticking. Let cool. Combine all remaining ingredients. Toss with pasta and canned chicken. Chill until ready to serve.

***This makes enough to feed a small army!  Not kidding.  This time around I cut in half!!!

MAAY Planners!

Two years ago, I fell in love with Much Ado About You's incredible planners.  I do almost everything with my phone these days, however, I have to use a paper planner.  I couldn't stand any that stores make, but when I stumbled upon MAAY, I knew it was love!  I ordered mine right away and then I reordered another one the following year.  

My best friend fell in love with the planners too, as did my entire 2nd grade team this past year!  They all ordered one {or two} for themselves.  We all cried together {even thought it made sense} when Emmy, the most adorable owner and my InstaGram BFF, announced that she could no longer make her planners.  

I became a guinea pig on a DIY printed planner, but could clearly not Do It Myself and cried some more when I realized that this was for real the end of the prettiest planner I have ever owned!

Fast forward a few months and I was jumping for joy at MAAY's return to the planner world, with a twist this time, allowing Emmy plenty of time for her family!  Yippee!!!  You can bet I jumped once again at the chance to be a guinea pig, allowing me special privileges {like getting my planner before anyone else and having the option of a personalized cover}!  Woot!  Woot!

 I mean look at how ridiculously cute the packaging is.  If the wrapping looks that incredible, just imagine what the inside holds!

 

The inside of the package was just as pretty as the outside!

 I love quotes!  If you look at my pinterest board, you will see a special spot just for them!  On every monthly spread, you get new words of wisdom, each making me smile!

Having to insert my own tabs was a breeze!  I definitely was intimated at first that I had to Do It Myself, but the instructions make it so easy!  Pinky Promise.

 

I love, love, love the new size!  Just a smidge smaller than previous years and much easier to slip in my purse.  I love the giant gold paper clip, which marks the first month, also the most important month, for me...August!  And I highly recommend purchasing the event stickers!  They are so fun!  Already started filling in important dates, purple = school events, turquoise = me events, the other colors are for family and friend events!

 MAAY, you have outdone yourself on the planners this year!  It is safe to say that I already love mine!  Head on over to the shop and pick yourself up one {or two, or three...they make great gifts}! 

PS - Unfortunately you don't have the option to get a custom cover, but the good news is MAAY has teamed with The Pleated Poppy, who is offering fabric covers for the planners!  Check out her shop too while you are busy shopping!