Book Club Summer Break

You may have noticed that it has been months since I have posted about book club, or maybe you have been too busy to even notice. Summer has just been crazy for us and there is hardly any time for reading or evening watching my favorite TV shows. I have been super busy at work and whenever I get home I either want to soak up every minute with Olivia or go to bed when she does, which is about 9pm. I love reading, which is why it is frustrating that I don't have much time for it. The book club selections over the summer haven't been exciting to me, which also hasn't enticed me to pick up a book. Maybe when Summer is over and life slows down, I can recommit to reading the book club selections. I do wonder what I did with all of my time before I had Olivia... Anyways, enjoy your week and this lovely hot Summer weather!

Summer Salads and Side Dishes

With this summer being one of the hottest on record, it is far too sweltering to cook a full meal on the stove or even think about using the oven (unless for baking). I have been busy over the past few months trying some new recipes for summer salads and easy to make side dishes. All of these recipes turned out great and were easy to make! 

this easy quinoa salad was yummy and makes great leftovers

this delicious tomato mozzarella salad is perfect for summer nights

this corn salad with queso fresco is light, refreshing, and has a nice kick

Summer is coming to an end and it has been full of fun activities like baseball games and BBQ's and relaxing at the pool in the summer weather. These recipes are perfect for hot summer days/nights and would be great for any party or potluck!

Opening Day!

Tonight is the first home game of the season for the Grand Junction Rockies and we are thrilled to be season ticket holders for the inaugural year! We will be heading down to the ballpark later this afternoon to check out our seats along the first base line and catch the first game of the season. My husband is a die hard baseball fan and has been talking about opening day for weeks. He is so excited to have season tickets and looking forward to catching over 30 games this summer. It is going to be scorching hot at the game today, so I planning on drinking lots of water and catching some shade when I can. I am excited to spend lots of time with my husband at the ballpark this summer and get a great tan! :) Play Ball!

First Day of Summer

Happy First Day of Summer!!! Summer has always been one of my favorite times of year and Summer always reminds me of being a kid at the pool, taking trips with my family to Lake Powell, taking a break from school, and enjoying the great weather! This Summer will be a busy one for us filled with lots of baseball games, planning the nursery, enjoying the sunshine, and tackling our summer to do list. Here are just a few things I have pinned on Pinterest that remind me of Summer:

• Summer Fun Checklist for the Family: I can't wait to tackle this list in the summers to come with our little girl!

• Strawberry and Blueberry Mini Cheesecake Trifles: These treats are so adorable for any 4th of July get together... and they look delicious!

• Popcorn Bar: This would be a perfect party idea for watching a movie on the backyard lawn! And who doesn't love popcorn?!!

Summer has officially arrived for us with almost 100 degree temps each day and loads of sunshine! I plan on soaking in Summer for as long as I can!

Summer To-Do List

With Memorial Day Weekend just around the corner, summer is almost here and I have put together a summer to do list. I was inspired to put together this list by one of my favorite bloggers, Mish Mash and can't wait to see what kind of list she posts. With this summer being the last summer before we have a baby and our life completely changes, I thought now is the perfect time to create a list of memories we want to create as a couple before our little one arrives. I can only imagine summers in the future with our kids to include pool parties, trips to Disneyland, lots of sidewalk chalk and popsicles, and plenty of sunscreen and play clothes. I can't wait for the next chapter in our lives but I am also soaking in the alone time that my husband and I have with each other now. Here is our summer to do list so far...

• go to the pool at least a few times together
• have a picnic in the park and nap under the trees
• enjoy our season tickets to the ballpark and have plenty of ballpark food while we are there
• play mini golf
• visit the farmer's market as often as possible
• use my homemade ice cream maker each weekend to make us delicious frozen treats
• sleep in on Sundays and enjoy homemade breakfasts on the patio
• put together the baby registry at Target
• remodel the guest room into the baby's nursery
• try at least five new recipes on the barbeque
• finish a few good summer books
• create this goal sheet to rotate on a weekly basis
• start taking a prenatal yoga class at the gym twice a week
• sleep in as often as possible and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts

I am looking forward to the start of summer (which I consider Memorial Day weekend) and we are headed up to a lodge for the holiday weekend with about 15 of our family and friends. I am looking forward to some down time with the family, catching up with everyone, and enjoying the breathtaking views from the lodge! Bring on the sunshine and summer!