Guest Blogger- Lara Miller

One of my favorite things we have for our kids is the Radio Flyer Excursion Wagon. It is so fun to take my boys around the block in it and even to the grocery store for some light shopping. They seem to love this way of transportation because I never hear a peep out of them when we're rolling in it. The seats are facing each other so it is so nice for them to talk and share their experiences along the way. There is a big storage compartment on the side of the wagon to carry their snacks and blankets as well my camera and cell phone! It also has 4 built in cup holders in the wagon for their drinks. It's great because it has seatbelts for each rider so my little one can't try and wiggle out. It's really such a fabulous wagon and I get compliments on it all the time. If you don't already have a fun means of transportation to take your kids on a leisurly walk around the block, I think this wagon is definitely worth a look!

All the best!

Lara Miller

Santa Bag

We purchased this Santa bag from Pottery Barn Kids two years ago and I love it! It's very sturdy and stretchy. We bought the large one for $29 online and had it personalized for an extra $6.50. I love packing presents in it and visiting our families on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! 

The Ouchy Fairy

Somehow we have a new visitor to our house, the Ouchy Fairy. I'm not 100% sure how we got her to start visiting us, but alas, she is now a part of our life. Brody's finger nail came off and somehow it was promised to him that the Nail Fairy would visit (this was Dad's doing). I felt like the Nail Fairy is very limiting since, how often do you lose a nail? So the Ouchy Fairy was born. She visits whenever one of the kids gets a big ouchy (such as nail falling off). Last night she left a lollipop and $1 under Brody's pillow. It's silly the things that we create for our children, but I know that we will have fun with the Ouchy Fairy for the next few years and someday, when the kids get too big, I will miss her.

It's December

It's December 1st today, which means we get 25 days of holiday spirit! I trimmed the tree last Friday (picture above) and I swear I could look at it all day through Christmas. I thought that since we are cutting back on gift purchasing this year (and I mean way back), I wouldn't be as excited about the holidays. But I think I am more excited! Let's face it, no matter how much money you have, you can enjoy the holidays for free. Just go look at Christmas lights, or walk the mall to see all the decorations, or go to a tree lot to smell the Christmas trees. It's everywhere and I love it.
I hope you are able to get into the holiday mood, no matter what holiday that may be!

Petunia Pickle Bottom

I get compliments on my Petunia Pickle Bottom clutch every where I go. It usually goes something like this,

them: "Hey, I love your purse."
me: "It's actually my diaper bag."
them: "No way."
me: "No really, here's the changing pad."

Looking for a diaper bag for baby #2 was easy, because I knew that I didn't want the gigantic baby bag like I had for Brody. I loved my x-large Juicy diaper bag, but it actually hurt my shoulder because I stuffed so much stuff in there. I do think that every first-time mom should have a big bag, just for peace of mind. However, I knew this time I would travel light. Just a few diapers, some wipes and maybe an extra onesie. Everything else can be in the car or the bottom of the stroller. So I bought it and I love. I take it everywhere, even if I don't have the kids. And I think I only paid like $65 for it. Best part, I never get that "I miss having a grown up purse" that I use to have with Brody. Go here to check it out, and notice that they now have like 15 patterns!

Facebook

I was an avid MySpace user, that is until I found Facebook (MySpace what?). I like it, okay I love it. I'm sure it will wear off eventually, but I love it for now. I love reading what my neighbors are doing, even though I could look out the window and see. I love instant chatting with friends and my sister. I love making jokes on other people's status. I love having fun. 

You should join. If you do, tell me and we can be friends and you can get in on my fun.

Shopping

Today is the biggest shopping day of the year and usually I'm at the mall, but not this year. We are feeling the pinch like everyone else. If I was, I would buy myself this shirt. I saw it a few weeks ago at Nordstrom and fell in love. I think about it all the time, but it's not a necessity, especially at $164. But, if I did buy it, I would wear it 164 times to get its use. I love it that much.

Being Thankful

I am thankful for Thanksgiving. Reasons below.

1. I am thankful that there is a day dedicated to reminding everyone that we need to be thankful for the bountiful lives that we have.

2. I am thankful that we can spend a whole day with our families that is all about eating and being together. You are forced to sit and talk with no distractions. (I will miss my mom, dad and sisters this year).

3. I am thankful that there is a fantastic parade that is wrapped around tradition that my children can wake up and watch, just like I did.

4. I am thankful that my belly and my heart are always full.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday centered around family and friends. I have so many things to be thankful for. I hope you have a warm and tender day today.

Photographer

We just did a photo shoot with my sister and she is my favorite photographer, and not because she is my sister, but because she takes great photos! Does anyone watch Samantha Who? On last weeks episode, there was a funny part where Andrea could not take any pictures, she always looked awful. That's how I feel when I see pictures of me. Not when my sister takes them. She can make me look good, even sitting in a forest, now that takes talent. I know she has been a fav before, but she gets another post because the pics were so good this time. If you are in Southern California, check her out at whitneyhartmann.com.

iPhone

I heart my iPhone. I was one of those crazy people who paid a million dollars for it when it first came out, so I have always been excited about this phone. Well, that is until it stopped working. Part of my touch screen died out on me and since it was over a year old, the warranty had run out and it would cost $199 to fix it. Well, the new 3G is $199 so I knew I would rather get a brand new one instead of deal with the old one for the same price. But I was kind of down on Apple since they couldn't just fix it. So I had a bum phone for awhile, I could only answer calls. Well, I finally ponied up and got a new one (yay) and I am not disappointed, I forgot how much I love it (now that I can use all the buttons). It is the best. I'm back in love, as I am with all my Apple products.