Camping at San Elijo

A few weeks ago we braved camping with the kiddos! Afterwards we decided that 1. we are day campers...you know, the ones that stay all day, hang out, do tinfoil dinner and smores and then go home to sleep in our own beds. 2. Camping is really for the older kids like ages 4-15years old. 3. The sleeping is the worst part. 

I'm honestly not high maintenance at all when it comes to camping. The dirt, communal showers, and nasty bathrooms really don't bother me. The only thing that does is not sleeping well! I just don't function the next day. If' I had a super nice mattress pad I think I would be fine. 

But I'm pretty sure beach camping it where it's at. We went to San Elijo State Beach which is in one of our favorite towns Encinitas. We were steps away from the beach and the surf was so fun! Oh and they have the best food there! You can pretty much walk everywhere from the campsite so that is a huge plus with kids! 

Patagonia across the street at the best little kids play area while we shopped!

Quite possibly MY FAVORITE DONUT!

Which is saying a lot because I'm kind of a donut connoisseur. 

Check out my previous donut post HERE

The Maple Glazed from VG's Donut (means Very Good). 

It's kind of amazing and we got them hot and fresh that morning :) 

Home Movie: Utah Family Reunions June 2015

It has taken me forever to finally make this movie!

We flew up to Utah in June for a family reunion with my cousins on my Dad's side of the family in Heber at this lodge. Then we spent a few days with Casey's family. It was so pretty when we were there!! 

Family Reunions Utah June 2015 from ashley kirkland on Vimeo.

Taylor Swift Concert!

We have been looking forward to this concert since December when my mom got us tickets for a girls night!  My sister-in-law Ray couldnt go though because she was in Thailand with my brother. We missed her! My dad went instead and of course fell asleep during the concert! 

I had never seen her in concert and had no idea! She is incredible. She sang for over 2 hours!  And the surprise guests were Ellen, Alanis Morrisette and the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks. It was like a full on production. Definitely a bucket list item!

Thanks Mom!

Ellen walking out to "Style"

Casey's 32nd Birthday!

Casey just had a birthday last week! And naturally bought himself a new surfboard. I'm pretty sure he did the same thing last year. Which makes is pretty easy for me when it comes to birthday shopping. We had a pretty low-key weekend. His birthday was on Sunday so Saturday we had a date just the two of us. We went up to Laguna Beach and I surprised him with reservations at Tommy Bahama. So GOOD! I'm still dreaming about the butterfish I had. We felt like we were in Hawaii again. Then on Sunday I woke up early to put up his birthday banner and make his favorite pancakes. After church I made him lunch and started to work on making his moms' strawberry pie. I've never made pie. SO I was a little nervous but it turned out great! We had my family down for dinner. We just bbqed and had potatoes and green beans. Then for dessert we took the pies to Salt Creek and watched the sunset. It was kind of magical! He lucked out and pretty much had a perfect birthday! 

We love him so much and can't believe how old he is ahhhh!!