I’ve said it before but I will say it again (and again) – I am so glad I do these bucket lists! It’s so easy to get caught up in the never-ending to-do lists and forget to have fun. This serves as reminder for me to have with fun with my kids!
We have some traditional items on our list, but we also added some fun new things as well! So here we go!
I was adamant we were not going to get another dog. Until one day…
It was Mother’s Day. We went to church and I planned on doing a very motherly chore of organizing my “baby” girl’s clothes that afternoon. On the way home from church my husband mentioned “Hey! Let’s go to the animal shelter!”, with my son agreeing in excitement.
This wasn’t completely out of the blue. We sometimes alternated saying “let’s go to the shelter!”, but one of us (usually me), would decide against it. This time, however, this time felt special. Not to mention organizing my daughter’s clothes felt completely unappealing.
I made my family promise me they weren’t going to be upset when I said no to getting a new dog. Once agreements were in place we were on our way.
At the animal shelter we noticed there was a meet and greet room just before the hall that leads to the animals. Sitting inside, all alone, happened to be a cute, adorable, black and white 3 month old puppy.
We were for sure not going to get a puppy. I was already trying to potty train my little girl and I didn’t want to have to potty train two at the same time. Regardless, since we were there just to look, I told my kids it was ok to go in and play with her a little.
What I wasn’t expecting, is my son who gets slightly nervous when animals jump, to be completely okay with her. This puppy proceeded to say “hi” to all of us and then came over and sat in my lap and put her face next to mine. Oh dear…my heart melted.
We eventually left to see the other dogs and then decided it was time to go home. Just before leaving the shelter, I couldn’t stop myself from going in to love on this little puppy just one more time. On the way out I looked at my husband and told him that it was actually really hard to say no to her.
No sooner than we got home and closed the door, everything in me felt like we had to go back and get her. My family was already hooked on her and they were no help in trying to talk me out of it. For one last effort, I called my sister, who I knew for sure would talk me out of it. After she listened to me tell her all about this puppy, what I wasn’t expecting was her to actually do the opposite. Not even an hour later and we were driving ourselves back to the shelter.
June!! Hello and goodbye to this month. How are we through 6 months of the year already?! In so many ways it feels like my year is just beginning. It’s summertime and a fresh start all at once {Insert refreshing deep breath here}. I’m here for it, even if it feels like half the year has managed to slip by.
January was nice. I spent a lot of time doing my yearly reflection of what I hoped for the year, and, per usual, by February a lot of that went out the door as I was getting into the busy season with work. March and April was spent mostly in survival mode between work and family life. May was a recovery month and getting my home and life back on a normal track. And now June…lovely, refreshing, revitalizing, June.
We have officially entered our summer schedule, which means a slightly later start in the morning. I keep having to remind myself that our summer only started 2 weeks ago and there is plenty of time left to enjoy the season.
We are planning a few fun outings this summer, but overall it will likely be a more quiet summer this year and that’s ok. We will make the best of it!
Here’s what else we’ve been up to…
Currently Watching
Pride and Prejudice on Amazon Prime
I watched the entire “series” once already and I’m watching it again. Such a classic! I watched it years ago but I didn’t have the appreciation for it back then as I do now.
Currently Reading
Finished! “Eragon” by Christopher Paolini
I liked it and would give it about 3.5 stars. It sometimes felt a bit repetitive with the fighting scenes, but otherwise it was good.
Which then brings to the next book in the series that I just finished, “Eldest”.
I have not picked up the 3rd book yet, but it’s coming.
I’m finally getting back to “Atomic Habits“, by James Clear.
I have become extremely lax in keeping with my routines and habits over the last couple months and it is really starting to show and bleed into other areas of my life. It is far past time that I get myself and my home back into shape!
Currently Making/Baking
Chicken Strip Salad Wraps!
This is the easiest recipe! You can get whatever salad mix you like at the store, and your favorite salad dressing. Buy some breaded chicken strips and bake as directed. I let the chicken cool a bit and cut it into pieces. Place however much salad mix you would like on a tortilla, spread the chicken on top, drizzle your salad dressing on and wrap it all up! Sometimes we get potato wedges for a side as well. It’s a great summer meal!
Current Favorite
Spending so much quality time with my family!
It’s easy to get caught up with daily life, but I am so thankful to be in a season that I can finally slow down and soak in more family time.
I’ve come to thoroughly enjoy the transition of summer to fall. There is a tangible crispness to the air and I love the way the fog settles as the sun slowly begins to rise in the morning. My morning coffee is even more cozy and I have a deep love for all my warm sweaters and cozy blankets.
I love making these bucket lists as they help me embrace the seasons of life right where I am and really helps me focus on the enjoyment that can be held. Below is our fall bucket list this year. I also included a free printable for you at the end of this post in case you would like to create your own!
Food & Drink
Chili bread bowl night
Bake a pumpkin pie
Bake banana bread (banana bread is always more cozy in fall!)
Make peach cobbler
Bake pumpkin cookies
Out & About
Go on a fall scavenger hunt
Go Trick or Treating
Check out books at the library
Visit a pumpkin patch
Buy a new fall candle
Creative
Decorate for fall
Carve pumpkins
Make a fall decoration
Make a thankful tree
Organize a room or closet
Rain or Shine
Go puddle jumping
Have a game night
Paper airplane contest
Donate to a food bank
Fall movie night
For those who want to create your own, you can print a blank list by clicking below.
We went on our first vacation as a little family of four! We usually go with friends (which we love!), but we wanted a chance to experience a little vacation with just the 4 of us. It was such a special time and I love the memories we made!
If you’ve been following along for a while, you might remember that we went to Seaside a few years ago and posted about it here: Beach Vacation 2020. Seaside is so kid friendly that we wanted to go back, and this time with our little Londyn!
Day 1: Hotel Check-In, The Beach, & Pool
We stayed at the Salt Line Hotel in Seaside, OR and loved it!!
We made it in to Seaside around 4:30 in the afternoon. The hotel was so great and texted updates letting us know our room was ready even before check-in! I had booked a couple months in advance and it was so nice not to have to worry that they lost our reservation.
Check-in was quick and easy and they had refreshing lemon water in the lobby.
Our room was so cute!
After check-in we went straight for the beach! It felt so good to be back!
After taking a walk on the beach it was about time for dinner so we walked through town and stopped at Fultano’s Pizza! We used to live in Cannon Beach and Fultano’s was our favorite pizza place, so this was a must. It did not disappoint!
After dinner we decided to head back to the hotel to let the kids enjoy the pool! Swimming in the hotel pool was always one of my favorite things when I was little. It was fun making these memories with my own kids now. :)
Of course I had to jump in the hot tub for a bit!
After the pool, we got all cleaned up and watched a little bit of Bluey before turning out the lights.
The first day of vacation is almost always my favorite!
Day 2: Aquarium, Beach, Arcade & S’mores!
We packed a lot into this day! We only had one full day there so we made it count! We started the day off with breakfast at the hotel and then off for some fun souvenirs shopping.
After some shopping it was time for us to head to the aquarium!
Sharks & Starfish!
Sleepy Octopus!
When we were finished at the aquarium it was lunch time and we decided on Mo’s Seafood & Chowder.
We loved the view and enjoyed the fresh ocean breeze!
They have the cutest plates!
I got clam chowder in their Cannon Bowl. So good!
Londyn was definitely needing a nap by the time we were finished with lunch, so we headed back to the hotel with our treasures and took a little rest.
While Londyn was still napping Gryffin and I slipped out to get some one-on-one beach time!
We had a lot of fun playing together with our beach ball (note to self, bring a football or frisby next time. The wind really liked to take off with it!) Mikey and Londyn eventually met us and chased the waves with us for a little bit too. :)
Next we headed back into town and hit up the arcade!
We finished our evening in town stopping at Pig N’Pacacke for dinner.
After dinner we headed back to the hotel and picked up a S’mores kit! It was such a cute little cozy time together. We loved it!
After we roasted our marshmallows and finished s’mores we were just in time to watch the sunset. We walked the short distance and climbed a sand dune to watch the sun sink into the ocean.
Watching the sunset was the best way to end our evening!
Day 3: Beach & Home
Going to the beach was all we wanted to do on our last day. We chased the waves again and Londyn loved playing in the sand. We wished we could have stayed just one more day!
After soaking in what time we had left it was time to say goodbye.
Simply Blissful 