Visiting Utah and Nevada's State Parks!

It's Monday! I hope yours is happy :) As I get ready to go to work this Monday, I started thinking about my last vacation...about how I didn't get to go the National Parks that we had planned to visit. Instead we visited some amazing state parks in Utah and Nevada. I love my job as  National Park ranger, and so was disappointed that we didn't get to go. However, I was completely surprised at how amazing the State Parks were!

While we missed out on Arches and Canyonlands, we got to see Goblin Valley State Park, Snow Valley State Park and Dead Horse State Park and Valley of Fire State Park. We rappelled, hiked, explored canyons and more. I had an amazing time. I will have to go back to see Arches and Canyonlands one day, however, we really enjoyed our trip even without visiting them!

What are you happy about? Anything you were disappointed in actually turn out better than expected? I can't wait to read some happy posts and comments :) Have a wonderful week!

So Welcome to the Happy Monday link-up. Link-up a post that made you happy this week, if you don't blog, feel free to write what made you happy in the comments. I'd love it if you'd link back to this blog and comment on some others. Feel free to take the button too!

Five Years of Awesome

Tomorrow is my five year wedding anniversary.

I am amazed that it has been 5 years. Time has gone by so quickly!

We really have had so much happen in five years ~ so many amazing times together! Amazing times as a couple, as a family, at home, on the road, with friends and family. We laugh, we play, we get through the mundane :) I am so very lucky to be married to such an awesome husband and father. 

I don't really have any words of wisdom, no advice or rules to follow. I feel lucky that we have arrived here together.

Cheers to five amazing years - I know we will celebrate many, many more...

Warner Bros. Spook-tacular Movie Giveaway

Are you looking forward to Halloween? What's the best part of Halloween for you? 

The pumpkin carving? The costumes? The free candy? All are amazing, but whether you are the bunch that loves dressing up and scaring the neighbors or you plan to stay-in, Warner Bros. has a line-up of Spook-Tacular Movies to get you in the holiday spirit. From classics like It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown & Scooby-Doo The Goblin King to Adventure Time – Jake the Dad, you can count on a spook-tacular selection that the entire family can enjoy!

Before you and the kids take the neighborhood by storm, get in the mood by sharing some spooky stories! Download copies of the Spook-Tacular Story Time PDF, fire up the flashlights, and gather in a circle..... this Halloween it's STORY TIME! Perfect for kids ages 7 to 73! For some Holiday fun, take the Spooky family quiz below or tell some family spooky stories. Then enter the GIVEAWAY below to win one of these halloween favorites!

                 
Giveaway:  We are giving away a copy of ONE of the following movies ~ chosen at random. Each household is only eligible to win 1 WB Spook-Tacular Family Movie via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Enter on the rafflecopter form below! Contest opens 10/23 and closes 10/28!

                             

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Building a Birdhouse with a 2 year-old

My husband took on an awesome project with the little guy this past weekend! They built a birdhouse. Now, it says it could take up to a year for the birds to find it - if they even do - but it's a good looking house regardless. I love how proud A gets when he makes something himself (with mom or dad help, of course).

Right: He's so proud! Left: The final product!

We bought a make-it-yourself kit from my park's visitor center. A is really into making things himself these days, and it was all he could talk about all weekend long!

Cousins are the Cutest!

I love that A got to spend some time (though not enough!) with his cousins this past weekend. He is so lucky to have two awesome cousins!

We had a jam packed weekend...the farm, splashing in the pool, yummy breakfast, Santa Monica Pier, and Santa Monica State Beach! I so wish we lived closer ;)

The boys searching for feathers!

Cousin hugs! They are only 3 months apart...and so CUTE together!

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Happy Monday!

It's Monday - and I'm Happy! I had a great weekend with the grandparents in town. The little guy was over the moon - playing t-ball with grandpa, making plane's at Lowe's, earning a free book at the Library and even getting to see Planes. It was an awesome weekend for A. That meant Mr. K and I got some time to relax and even had a date night. With such a relaxing weekend, I'm feeling energized and ready for the week!

With all that energy - I decided to start being a little more serious about my running training. I've read over a few plans and finally decided on one! It officially starts next week, but I'm doing a "warm-up" week to get ready. So Week Zero of my *maybe?* Half Marathon training. I'm not totally committing yet...can you tell?

Monday: 30 minute Interval Run & Revolt* Cardio Workout

Tuesday: Lower Body 

Wednesday: Cardio

Thursday: 35 minute Tempo Run

Friday: Upper Body

Saturday: Rest!

Sunday: 4 mile Run

*My non-run workouts are part of the Revolt Now Fitness Plan!

I am a little bit excited and scared to jump in. We'll see how it goes! I'm motivated at the moment - let's hope that continues. I've also decided to resurrect my Happy Monday link-ups starting next week. I hope you'll join me! Link-up your happy posts and help keep me motivated too :)

Enegren Brewing Company

I've been a little loathe to share this hidden gem - since it may just be the best thing about Moorpark! And I like that it's a bit of a cool, secret place. Though we take every single person that visits us here, so we are clearly not doing a very good job keeping it a secret! 

So first - support MY local brewery and visit Enegren Brewing Company! This is a tucked away little place off the 118, down in the industrial area. You feel like you are going the wrong way, and then you enter - and it's this great space. The bar is beautiful, the people friendly, and the best thing - the beer is really good! It was started by three buddies home-brewing who decided to go public - and we are glad they did...

We love the Valkyrie - a German altbeer. It's definitely our go-to beer when we fill up the growler. I also love the Oatmeal Stout. This past (HOT) weekend, I really enjoyed the Golden Spur Saison. They always have awesome seasonal beers...They also have a creative "buy your friend a beer" board, what a fun idea!

This past weekend there was the EBC Summer Brewfest. We took the grandparents and the little guy enjoyed playing drums on the barrels and eating lemon bread pudding!  I'm pretty sure the grandparents enjoyed it too :) 

So when you are anywhere near Moorpark, CA - or even if you aren't, make time to stop by. It's Saturday - go today! There is also the Moorpark Beer Fest to look forward to...though I shouldn't have told you that either...don't want too many people taking over my favorite activities...

Ten Things I Learned in June

Happy Fourth of July! How did that happen? Where did half of the year go???

Anyway...the year is racing by and I thought I'd take a few minutes to slow down and reflect on the highlights of last month, before I delve head first into July!

1. I can run a 10k! I can run one in under an hour and without stopping. I feel great about that. Highlight of my month :)
2. My husband is awesome at home repair! He's just amazing at getting things done. I am so impressed with his new skill sets and his stamina...because as you know, home repair always takes longer than you think...and leads to even more projects...
3. I love Butterscotch Shakes from Revolt - recipe coming soon!
4. I hate Tabatas. This exercise is a form of torture. I also realize that when I don't enjoy exercise I am more prone to slacking. So June was a bit of a slack month...
5. I can see muscles in my arms! I really enjoy arm workouts, and hate ab workouts. It's very motivating to keep exercising when you can actually see a change. 
6. Though I love camping, I always seem to find alternative accommodations when I go to National Parks!
7. Channel Islands National Park is an incredibly unique place...you should see the gulls breeding there...incredible! I went this month and haven't shared my photos yet, but will soon.
8. Living with a two-year old is never dull - and there are tons of fun activities to enjoy during the summer, free ones even. 
9. Running Bloggers are an inspiring group if people. Just reading running blogs makes me want to run more!
10. Most importantly - I managed to beat my Candy Crush addiction - I simply passed it on to someone else (evil laugh!)

Ok, ok, off to run, read more and enjoy life with my husband and two year old this summer. Beating the heat and enjoying the extra hours of light!

Happy July!

Best of the Week!

Sometimes it's good just to sit down and appreciate how great life is. It's the little things that make life go round. The grandparents came to stay with the little guy this weekend. They had so much fun - if the pictures are any indication :)

They went to a carnival, the duck pond and the library. The small things that made him happy? Riding on a motorcycle, making a snake, throwing bread and getting a stamp on his hand! He had a blast - just look at that smile! There is nothing better in life than smiles from a 2 year old!

Of course, getting to hang out with the grandparents all weekend always makes him happy! Once we got back, he wanted to try on my new, cool headband. He's ready for the color run next time :) He's number one! (on 2?)

Sometimes it's hard to remember to slow down and appreciate the little things. The little guy appreciates  things every moment. I need to as well! Smiles make the world go round :) Happy Tuesday!