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Family, Halloween, Santa Cruz

Rodoni Farms

You guessed it. Rodoni Farms! I promised Rob I wouldn’t go crazy with the photos, but we did snap a few. What a selection Rodoni has. My goodness. They had every breed of pumpkin available. Even the Cinderella pumpkins {which I love!}. This year I’ve particularly been drawn to the white pumpkins. What I also love about Rodoni is the field sits on a hillside, overlooking the ocean. And boy is that ocean breeze intoxicating. The perfect end to a Fall day in California.

{the ocean air doesn’t allow for the best hair.
But it doesn’t get much better than smelling the ocean and kissing my baby’s cheeks.}
And there you have it. A baby sitting in a field of pumpkins. A very pale baby but a baby at that!
Family, Projects, Scottsdale

The Brush Bar

Us Joy ladies got our paint on in Scottsdale last weekend while I was in town. We had such a blast. The whole paint and wine night has really caught on in the Phoenix area. Surely you’ve heard of it or have a brush bar of some kind near you! My sister and I wanted to do something special with my Mom while I was home, so we booked a morning date at the Brush Bar in Scottsdale for some mimosas and hawaiian flowers. We couldn’t stop smiling while we painted and took in the atmosphere. Pretty sure we’re going to go back over the holiday. My mom definitely did the best. She has some mad blending skills ;)

 

{momma Joy}

 

{seester!}

 

 

 

 

{we were pretty proud of our finished hawaiian flowers}
Family

A day at the pool

Rob’s family spent Labor Day weekend with us, but stayed at the Rio Sands hotel in Aptos so to not overcrowd us. And I must say, it’s quite the hidden gem. Under $100 a night, amazing continental breakfast, great rooms, beautiful grounds and patio seating — and the best part? A heated pool {& hot tub!}. On one of the days, we got our suits on and spent the afternoon at the pool. This hotel may seem small and rinky dink, but it’s anything BUT. We felt like we were at a 5-start resort, minus the white robes. Jace’s first dip in the pool was a total success. He loved it, and he loved watching all of the other kids swim and play. There were two sweet girls who just wanted to hug and kiss him. Germs and all ;) He giggled and smiled and drooled. What a flirt! It was such a fun and relaxing day with the fam.

Family, Friends, Jace

This summer

How in the world can it be September already. Where did this summer go?? I feel like I haven’t been documenting enough on this here blog. A blog I truly cherish and look back on. So, what have we been up to? So much that it’s a blur. Just this week I was thinking we hadn’t really done a lot this summer, compared to the last two summers here in California, but we really have. Looking back, no wonder it’s September. These last few months of summer have been jam packed. What was I thinking?! Ha. Here’s a photo explosion of our busy summer of friends, family, weekends and travel:

{We kicked off summer with a beach day with friends. We barbecued, played in the sand; passed the babies around and just visited until it was time to go to Marianne’s for ice-cream.}

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Aptos, Family

The best barbecue in Santa Cruz: Aptos St. Barbecue

 

When we have visitors to Santa Cruz, it’s almost guaranteed that one of the nights {OK maybe two} will be spent eating out. Yeah, we’ll grill and make big breakfasts at the beach house, but sometimes, dinner just isn’t going to happen. And Rob and I together are a bad combination because we love to eat and we love to eat out, ha. So when visitors come, we jump at the opportunity to take them somewhere local & delicious. On Tayler’s last night we took her to Aptos St. Barbecue in downtown Aptos, one of our favorite go-to spots for a good dinner (or late lunch}. It’s like walking into a Southern BBQ/music house — live blues most nights, great beer selection, picnic table style eating and a barbecue-infused menu! Tay ordered a chicken salad, but we did not. I always go for the pulled pork, and Rob the tri-tip sandwich. Seriously amazing. Meat is tender and soft — barbecued to perfection that day. I can’t get enough of their barbecue sauce either. I could drink it. I basically soak my sandwich in it. Their coleslaw is the real kind of coleslaw, too — refreshing and light. You probably don’t know, but I’m a huge cole slaw snob and this place just gets in. If you go, try any of their meats, but on the garlic bun. It will change your world and keep you coming back for more.

 

 

 

 

 

Taylor is about the sweetest, most gorgeous thing. Love her with all my heart.
And until I can get someone to take my picture without me blinking or scratching my noise or cleaning my teeth, here are some of the two men in my life:
If you see us out & about, we’re probably doing this {kissing jace face!}.
Check ’em out!