Pumpkin Carving & Halloween

Last week, my family had their annual pumpkin carving contest. Every year we bring our own pumpkins to my mom and dad’s house and everyone lines up along tables in the front yard and creates their masterpiece. It was so fun to watch Laylie - just like last year, she had no interest in touching that yucky gooey stuff in the middle of the pumpkin. Luckily for her, I have no problem with it, so we enjoyed carving her tiny little pumpkin together. As the night went on, everyone was carving away and trying to create the #1 pumpkin design that everyone would like best. This year, Lisa won – again – she did an adorable kitty cat pumpkin design. Way to go sister! After lighting the pumpkins and oohing and ahhing over each one, we all piled into the house to eat a yummy dinner and dessert. I just love my family and all the fun we always have together, even if it’s just a little get together to carve some pumpkins.

Laylie's very own little pumpkin


Carving Time





Loving on Baby Andy



And our Halloween was wild! During the day, poor Laylie split her chin open by bonking it on our hardwood floor while crawling on her hands and knees pretending to be a baby; I fainted at the doctor's office from being so worried about my poor baby girl (it didn't help that I hadn't eaten a lot that day); and then my car completely died in the middle of the intersection of Encinitas Blvd and El Camino Real. What a day! After all the craziness, we finally arrived at my sister Lisa and brother Jon’s house for some pizza, family hang out time, and trick or treating. Lisa and Jon’s house was totally decorated to the fullest and everyone had a grand time being together. Laylie had the whole family follow her around as she went from door to door to get candy yelling “trick or treat!” We had a fun night after all and Laylie sure was the cutest duck ever.

Getting ready to head out from some "candy time"


Laylie and her Fairy Grandmother


All the girls


With Uncle Tim (As Mario)


With Auntie Lisa


"Trick or Treat"

Family Weekend in Julian

Last weekend was our fourth annual White family weekend getaway! We had a super fun and enjoyable weekend. The past years we normally set up tents at a campground, but this year Jason’s parents rented a house which was such a treat. Laylie had tons of fun with all of her cousins and spent hours playing on the play structure that was on the property. It was such a joy to see all of the cousins playing so nicely together and making memories. Friday night, we went out for a pizza dinner at Wynola Pizza Express, which according to their website, is Julian's premier family restaurant. We can vouch for that, as we definitely felt at home and welcomed when we walked in with our crew of 7 adults and 6 children, all under 6! After a yummy dinner of wood fired pizza and salad, we arrived back at the house where the kids all got their footie pajamas on and watched Disney's Lady and the Tramp. This gave the adults the opportunity to go downstairs and sing some karaoke! On Saturday, we went into Julian’s little town to look at all the shops and eat Julian's famous apple pie, after which the dads took all the kids back to the house for lunch and a nap while the moms relaxed for a bit at the Julian Tea House. That night, we had a yummy BBQ dinner back at the house and played some games. On Sunday, we rode bikes, played tag on the playground, and relaxed. We are extremely thankful for our wonderful family, traditions, memories, and all the little ones running around having such a grand time just being together. We feel so blessed!!

Happy Fall

We are officially enjoying the fall. Our house is decorated in the colors of bright orange, green and brown. Pumpkin candles are lit throughout the day, offering us their fragrant scent, and the pantry is stocked with pumpkin bread mixes just waiting to be baked. This is my favorite season and I wait for it all year round. Even though we live in San Diego, I really love fall activities like how some of the trees turn wonderful colors, lighting a fire in the fireplace, the smell of fall in the air, and my most favorite thing is I get to wear boots, scarves and jackets. Saturday, we decided to start the Fall season off and go to the local Pumpkin Patch in Del Mar, called the Pumpkin Station. Lisa and Jon joined us where we all got to take pictures with the pumpkins, Laylie got to go on a few rides, and we all just enjoyed getting even more into the spirit of the Holidays. Hope you are having a wonderful Fall time of year, just like us!

Last Month’s Life’s Adventures...

Here is a little update on what we have been up to these last few weeks: Tons of fun, enjoyment and excitement. A beautiful wedding, Laylie is now fully potty trained! A week vacation in Palm Desert, and Laylie turned the big #2.

My dearest friend since 6th grade, Aubree, got married to her price charming, Kai, on September 3rd and I was honored to be one of her bridesmaids. It was such a magical and special day. The night was absolutely perfect with tons of love in the air, twinkle lights, flickering candles, and gorgeous colors - brown, green and purple - all within the beautiful surroundings of a place called The Enchanted Forest. It was so fun to be a part of this wedding, standing by her side as a witness to their true love. Congratulations Aubree and Kai! I can’t wait to spend our married lives together.




We are proud to announce no more diaper changes or tons of baby wipes used throughout our days. For over a month now Laylie has been doing such an awesome job taking on the big girl task of using the potty. In the beginning, we started with the little potty in the middle of the living room, a jar of M&M’s for reward, lots of potty training books, potty training dvd’s, and a cute little bare bottom running around the house. She took on the task right away and Jason and I were so proud. Now she is a pro and can go potty all by herself. We can’t believe our little 2 year old is growing up so fast. Way to go Laylie J!!!





We had an amazing week of vacation in Palm Desert! Off we went to Palm Desert for tons of relaxation, lots of sun, and our plans were to do absolutely nothing. It was the most wonderful vacation and we had so much fun being together as a family of 3. We would spend hours at the pool every day, took long naps, ate yummy food, and lots of ice cream. During the weekend we had my sister Lisa, brother-in-law Jon, our friends the Watts come out to visit us for a pool day and BBQ dinner. We had a great time and enjoyed every minute of being away from our daily routine and really soaking up each others company. We can’t wait to go back!







Laylie turned 2 on Sunday! We can’t believe that we have a 2 year old! Where has the time gone? I felt like I just brought her home from the hospital, sitting in our living room rocking chair while she slept peacefully on my chest. Now time has passed and she has turned into a joyful, outgoing and most tenderhearted little girl. What a joy! On Sunday, we had a butterfly birthday bash with her little friends and her family in attendance. We all gathered on our greenbelt next to our house and had the most wonderful time celebrating Laylie, with butterfly themed snacks, a popcorn machine, giant pizza, gorgeous cupcakes, a bounce house, and gifts. Everything turned out just how this mama pictured it and Laylie is still talking about her special day. I think it will be a day that she will remember forever. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for His little girl as she develops and grows this year. We love you Laylie Joanelle!