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Sep 22

Do you have a bird feeder at your house?

We apparently have something in our grass the birds like to eat (and lots of lizards) but the territorial birds that live in our biggest tree literally knock down any bird feeder I try to put up 😫

My mom is apparently a hummingbird whisperer though (this is at her house in San Clemente). It’s fun to watch the birds interact with each other.

I’m a weirdo & give animals dialogue whenever we watch them 🤣😂🤣

#hummingbird #hummingbirdfeeder #hummingbirdsofinstagram #birdwatching #sanclemente #grandmashouse

Sep 22

What is your “spot” in the house? I think this is my newest one.

I made this corner of the sectional my morning office & then usually move over to the table (the one on the photo of the boys & I playing games a few weeks back in my feed).

I’m seriously thinking I need to find a space for some sort of stand up desk though, while this is cozy & fine for the morning, I get so stiff if I work a long day mostly on the couch - especially after leg day 😬

This is my favorite first of the morning & last part of the day spot though, I have a book & a Kindle next to me here 😂

#homeoffice #workfromanywhere #familyroom #familyhome #livingspaces #deserthome #workfromhomelife

Sep 20

How are you prepping to make some Fall memories?

Fall is here *officially* on Wednesday & I AM HERE FOR IT!

I don’t know about you, but I felt a little overwhelmed when Fall came around when the boys were younger. There was almost sort of a stress around doing all the things. I want to inspire you today to just take a few minutes to plan for some no stress Fall baking just for fun. Add the ingredients for pumpkin bread, cookies, a cake, a crisp, or my #glutenfree apple pie (recipe on the blog) to your next grocery pickup order so you know that you’ll have something on hand when everyone (or no one) is home for a free afternoon or evening.

Turn on some music, a show, or a movie (we went with Harry Potter) & bake away. Don’t forget to take photos but if you’re the one who’s always taking pictures, hand the phone/camera to someone else.

Happy Fall!

#fallmemories #glutenfree #baking #applepie
https://allforthememories.com/the-best-gluten-free-apple-pie/

Sep 14

How is/was your Monday?

Is your schedule much different on Mondays? Mine is when Colton has school & Jared leaves for work but other than that, it’s not much different for me.

Today I got to be a part of a fun chef champion competition for @marchofdimes at @intentionalfoods which is also perfect because their entire menu is free of the top 9 allergens making them an awesome spot if you have Celiac disease & today is National Celiac Disease Awareness Day. There are several people I love diagnosed with Celiac Disease & you may know that I have eaten gluten free myself for the last 12-13 years. It was/is suspected that I could have Celiac Disease but I stopped eating it on my own & you really need to be actively eating it for a good test. Either way, it doesn’t change my diet at this point.

That’s a lot of randomness for you this Monday 😂

Sep 11

Date night 💃

Do you have cowboy boots? Just felt like putting mine on tonight & thinking I need to pull them out more.

Now that it’s not a holiday weekend we wanted to get out for the night so boots & a new hat it is. What are you up to this weekend?

#datenightlook #dateyourspouse #cowboyboots #targetstyle #amazonfashion

Sep 7

Sep 3

What are your weekend plans vs what you WISH were your weekend plans?

I’ll go first! I had a dream about camping/hiking at @limekilnstatepark last night. I could actually smell it (is that a thing? Smelling in dreams?) This area combines my love of the ocean, the forest, and water of all sorts. I was hoping to camp up here for my birthday later this month but checked the reservations too late a few months ago. So I officially wish I was here this weekend when I’ll actually be home (we typically don’t do a ton on holiday weekends) getting some much needed stuff done around the house - mostly clearing out a ton of stuff in the office.

#limekilnstatepark #keepnaturewild #bigsur #womenwhoexplore

Sep 2

Fall Memory Making Idea/Bucket List Item #1: Go on a Picnic

Hear me out! What makes picnics so fun as a kid (besides the possibility of being near a playground or water)? It’s the change of scenery, the breakaway from the “norm”, the attention from the family, maybe even the people watching!

Any memories my boys have from meals as kids involves switching up the routine. They loved “picnics” on a blanket on the floor with a muffin tin lunch, picnics at the park, sitting in the back of the truck to eat, sitting on the patio of a restaurant watching all the dogs visiting…

As an adult I LOVE back of the truck meals, camp meals, grabbing food to go & finding a gorgeous spot to sit and eat.

So make a new memory as we ease into Fall this month where it’s just getting into prime picnic weather in the desert, or take advantage of the gorgeous days before winter if you live where there are more than 2 seasons. Make a picnic or grab some food to go and check out that park you’ve been meaning to visit, or even road trip out to find some new scenery.

Here’s to being INTENTIONAL with making little memories this Fall.

#picnicideas #creatingmemories #exploremoreoutdoors

— More at link in bio or https://wp.me/p9IFp0-5cx —

Aug 26

A perfect reason to have a bench seat 🐶

It’s #nationaldogday & you know I won’t miss an excuse to post Kona & Chance pics.

My little Seniors still love nightly walks, rides in the truck, their monthly @barkbox shipment, & following me around the house. Kona’s hearing is starting to fade a bit which is why I think she’s following me more but truth be told, I don’t mind 🥰

How are your dogs doing? What are they up to?

Aug 16

What steps do you take to protect yourself when adventuring/exercising by yourself?

A woman was assaulted at a popular local hiking/running spot & @gofastmommy & I were discussing how this wasn’t even local news & it felt like no one was addressing it or warning others.

It got me thinking about how I really do love hiking alone & always admire my friends who camp/explore on their own often. But then my super negative/always thinking about the worst in humanity side comes out & I just end up staying home OR completely change my route to be safer (I’ll hike only on more populated trails or ones that don’t go by spots that are easy to hide or drive up to to take someone etc).

Is it overkill to carry extra precautions with you when hiking on your own? What do you think?

#adventurecouple #arizonaoutdoors #outsideismyhappyplace

Aug 12

Very first 18 holes for me brought to you by a few 4 letter words, a sunburn, & wedding reminiscing 😂

Played my first 18 holes today & it happened to be where we got married over 20 years ago. Do you see that gazebo over our shoulders? That’s the one we added some flowers & tulle to & said “I do” under (well, they may have updated it since then but you know what I mean). Swipe to see a couple wedding photos 🥰 our wedding was photographed entirely on film by a friend of ours.

#golfcoursewedding #beginnergolfer #golfcouple

Aug 9

Weird question - does your family “play”?

I am a big fan of gifting things that anyone can join in to play with. Once the boys started asking for AirPods or shoes for Christmas I had to start getting creative with gifts. Now each year I find something (doesn’t have to be expensive) that everyone will want to pick up and mess with.

When I was a kid it started with the “gloop gun”. I have no idea what it was actually called but it shot slime out (I’m sure my mom loved it) and ALL the uncles had that thing out all Christmas. My brother & I had one of these @goliathgamesus Zoom Balls & I remember laughing a lot playing it with him (and also us trying to send it back as hard as we could to make the other mad). I pulled this out to show the boys & we laughed A LOT. I honestly could not tell you why. Parker said “is this all you do” while still sending it back & forth for several minutes with me & then calling Colton out to try with him 🤣

I’m pulling together some favorite “family toys” into a whole gift guide on Amazon if you want some inspo (link is in my bio).

Anyone else have one of these?!

If you’ve read this far - changing subjects - WHAT do I put on that high shelf?!!

Aug 4

Last first day (for him & me). What advice would you give yourself when you were a Senior in high school?

Swipe to see his first day too! Here’s to a great Senior year for all the 2022 graduates (that year seemed SO far away when I was taking that 2nd photo).

#firstday #lastfirstday #highschoolsenior

Aug 2

What are you looking forward to? Either for yourself or your kids as they go into the new school year?

Seeing some “first day of school” posts pop up & hearing all the different emotions around it got me thinking.

I posted something about a kid going to college & it being harder on the parents than the kids. With my 2 boys graduating high school only a year apart all my changes are squished together. To be totally honest though, I’ve been thinking about & working towards the changes along with them. I’m so excited for them to learn & grow more on their own. I’m proud of them for having their own opinions & passions. So am I looking forward to one day when neither boy is home? Not necessarily, but I am looking forward to seeing what hobbies, careers, & friendships they get into as they branch out on their own.

#azoutdoors #desertvibes #womenwhohikeaz #hikearizona #lakepleasant

Jul 29

Who else loves movie nights with the family? 🙋‍♀️

At home or at the theater, movie nights have LONG been a family favorite activity. Having them at home means that you can have fun with the theming (Dole Whips while you watch @disneysjunglecruise anyone?)

We got to see an early screening of #JugleCruise last night & all of us were thoroughly entertained! It is such a fun movie - think sort of Pirates/Indiana Jones with everything you love about the @disneyland attraction.

It’s officially in theaters on Friday July 30th OR you can stream at home with @disneyplus premiere access.

Anyone else taking advantage of those at home premieres?!

#movienight #harkinstheatres #familymovienight

Jul 28

I have always fought my wavy hair. I used to envy the girls with slick, shiny straight hair, or the ones that could use the cute little hair ties with the balls at the end (I had to use the giant ones) & especially the ones that could leave their hair wet to just dry on its own. Or my friends with curly hair had beautiful silky ringlets that just fell into place (I didn’t realize theirs took work too).

Even back when we would crimp hair my mom had to do it the night before so I could sleep on it and calm it down- dry, straighten, crimp so it wasn’t a huge frizzy mess the next day.

I used to dry & style it every single morning in high school. When I got older I’d try to let it be natural but everything I tried left it pretty limp, still frizzy, or crunchy.

Yesterday I saw a TikTok from @elisaivers & tried it out. I think it’s the best I’ve ever tried 🙌 We’ll see if I can keep it up and/or how my hair does if I want to go back & forth but this is my hair. I don’t want to fight it & I want to be able to show my nieces that curly hair is beautiful & that I embrace my own (they have the most stunning curls).

So here’s to not fighting with ourselves as much & embracing what we have.

#wavyhair #curlyhairroutine #thisisme #selfcaredaily

Jul 27

What food/snacks do you pack on the road? #sponsored

My #1 rule when going anywhere is ALWAYS have food. I’ve said it before but no one wants to be in the car with hangry family or friends. Needing to eat #glutenfree I especially make sure I always have something on me since I can’t always count on there being a safe snack or meal in the middle of nowhere. @bobsredmill has products that always seem to make it into my bag & their new Oat Crackers are perfect for our “go-to” meal on the road.

Whenever we’re camping or road tripping I almost always pack meat, cheese, veggies, and crackers. The new Bob’s Red Mill Oat Crackers are not only great for gluten-free diets but are plant-based, non-GMO, & special diet or not, they taste great for everyone in the car. They even have different flavors to step up that in-car charcuterie. They have Classic, Sesame, Rosemary, and Jalapeño that are all good by themselves, with dips or toppings.

This is the easiest meal to pack and we never get tired of it. Now I can mix it up a bit and try some different pairings with those different flavors. Have you tried these yet? You can get them now at Sprouts, bobsredmill.com or Amazon.

#snackbreakwithbobs #roadtripsnacks #picnicsetup

Jul 23

When was the last time you played a game?

I actually created this space specifically with “game night” in mind. We don’t have a specific night where we HAVE to play games but if everyone is home I love a good game night. Even if it only lasts 5 minutes. Game nights = laughs, good conversations, yes sometimes fighting but those games usually get banned from game night. I’m looking at you Monopoly.

I think planning ahead and having games you know will be quick to learn and easy to play make having a game night so much easier. Being INTENTIONAL about creating memories with your family - especially the older kids/young adults makes all the difference. Will they remember every game you played? No. But you will remember having game nights and the feelings around them. P.S. playing an easy game is a great way to get to know friends or girlfriends/boyfriends too.

I just put up a list of some games you may not have heard of (check the link in my bio). I have a bunch on my Amazon storefront too & will keep adding going into the holiday season if you need some inspiration.

#gamenight #gametable #makethemostofeveryday #momofteens

Jul 20

Is anyone in your house watching the @nba game tonight?

Who are you rooting for?

It’s ALL @suns over here. Chance, Kona & I already (on the boys too I guess). We love our AZ teams but as a kid it was always about the Suns in the 90’s & it’s been just as much fun watching the team this year.

#RallyTheValley #PhoenixSuns

Jul 17

Be honest, do you love theme parks?

You probably already know but I LOVE visiting theme parks. None of them have my heart quite like @disneyland though 😍 it just feels like home. HAPPY 66th Disneyland! Wish I was celebrating there in person (this photo is from the 60th celebration) but it will only be that much more magical when I do. I’d love to make my first time “back” with the whole fam but as the boys get older schedules get harder to nail down.

Until we get to experience the magic again - feeling so blessed to have SO many memories to look back on. 💙

#disneyland

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Allison Waken from All for the Memories is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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