San Tan Mountain Regional Park | The Best Gilbert, Arizona Hiking Trails

Arizona is beautiful. The landscape, weather, and vegetation are very different than Alberta but that’s why we love it!

Can you see Matt’s Arizona Cardinals shirt (or in red)? We’ve fully embraced Arizona.

Matt and I like to make time for hikes when we visit Gilbert, Arizona – it’s not always possible to do the hikes you want when you have 3 young children – this time we took a hike alone during the sunset.

It was stunning!

The best Gilbert, AZ hiking trails are at the San Tan Mountain Regional Park – we’ve done 3 trails but there are endless amount of combinations to how you want to walk the trails.

Goldmine Trail | We hiked the Goldmine trail the first time we ever went hiking in Gilbert, AZ and it was fun but difficult (especially with a 1 year old in a backpack carrier). There is an extremely steep uphill section. Thankfully, Matt carried Annaliese that time but I was nervous for them the entire time. You are rewarded with an amazing view of the valley at the top! Make sure you are wearing excellent shoes or you may regret it on the uphill part.

Dynamite Trail | If you’re looking for a workout without extreme elevation changes this is the trail for you. It has a beautiful view of the valley and shows you the west side of the mountain that you can’t see from any other trails. If you choose to hike the trail clockwise then you will have a fun, down-hill, zig-zag path at the end, the perfect cool down before ending your hike.

Little Leaf Trail | This was our most recent hike, and although it was the easiest we’ve done, though it was equally breathe-taking. This is the perfect trail for families with young children because it is short and little changes in elevation. Like I said above, we walked this while the sun was setting and the whole landscape was gorgeous.

Learn more about all the trails description here.

No matter what level of trail you plan to complete always remember to hike safe and research necessary precautions of the area! 

Where are your favourite hiking trails located?

If you like this post about the best Gilbert, AZ hiking trails, check out the Travel Section before you go!

Edmonton Alberta Blogger

Chicco Pocket Snack Booster Review | Best Travel High Chair For Busy Your Baby & Toddler 2019

We like to visit a lot of family and go on mini trips – but when you bring a baby and a toddler there often are not enough high chairs when visiting. So we learned to pack our own travel high chair in the Store n’ Go area of our van (yay van life!) – the best travel high chair for your baby or toddler is the Chicco Pocket Snack Booster, let me tell you why!

Hannah, from the popular Edmonton motherhood blog Honey & Betts, is sharing the #1 travel high chair for babies and toddlers 2019. Read more about how this chair booster is compact, mess free, under $100, and safe!Hannah, from the popular Edmonton motherhood blog Honey & Betts, is sharing the #1 travel high chair for babies and toddlers 2019. Read more about how this chair booster is compact, mess free, under $100, and safe!Hannah, from the popular Edmonton motherhood blog Honey & Betts, is sharing the #1 travel high chair for babies and toddlers 2019. Read more about how this chair booster is compact, mess free, under $100, and safe!Hannah, from the popular Edmonton motherhood blog Honey & Betts, is sharing the #1 travel high chair for babies and toddlers 2019. Read more about how this chair booster is compact, mess free, under $100, and safe!Hannah, from the popular Edmonton motherhood blog Honey & Betts, shares the best travel high chair for babies - read the Chicco Pocket Snack Booster review. She answers questions about the age range, cleaning, and how easy it is to use! Check it out!Hannah, from the popular Edmonton motherhood blog Honey & Betts, shares the best travel high chair for babies - read the Chicco Pocket Snack Booster review. She answers questions about the age range, cleaning, and how easy it is to use! Check it out!Hannah, from the popular Edmonton motherhood blog Honey & Betts, shares the best travel high chair for babies - read the Chicco Pocket Snack Booster review. She answers questions about the age range, cleaning, and how easy it is to use! Check it out!Hannah, from the popular Edmonton motherhood blog Honey & Betts, shares the best travel high chair for babies - read the Chicco Pocket Snack Booster review. She answers questions about the age range, cleaning, and how easy it is to use! Check it out!Hannah, from the popular Edmonton motherhood blog Honey & Betts, shares the best travel high chair for babies - read the Chicco Pocket Snack Booster review. She answers questions about the age range, cleaning, and how easy it is to use! Check it out!Hannah, from the popular Edmonton motherhood blog Honey & Betts, shares the best travel high chair for babies - read the Chicco Pocket Snack Booster review. She answers questions about the age range, cleaning, and how easy it is to use! Check it out!Hannah, from the popular Edmonton motherhood blog Honey & Betts, is sharing the #1 travel high chair for babies and toddlers 2019. Read more about how this chair booster is compact, mess free, under $100, and safe!

The Chicco Pocket Snack Booster has 3 different heights – this works best when installed on top of a chair, especially for my busy toddler Abigail, because everyone’s chair and table height will differ from house to house and this makes it so she will always be able to secured and close to the top of the table.

The Chicco Pocket Snack Booster folds compact – the back of the high chair folds down, the legs collapse into the seat, and the tray can be taken off.

The Chicco Pocket Snack Booster is easy to use – the design is straight forward! There is one push down lever on the bottom of the seat that lets the legs move and click into place between the 3 heights. The 2 sets of straps secure the travel high chair to any dining chair with a backing, so there is no wiggle room for your little mover. And the tray, if you are using it, snaps on and off when you want it to.

This modern high chair is available in 3 different colours, the Chicco Pocket Snack Booster shown above in the photos is the beautiful lavender (my girls adore purple) but it also comes in: grey and stone

Are you looking for an easier way to get your busy baby and toddler to eat when visiting family? What do you think the best travel high chair for babies is?

If you like this post, check out my Mountain Buggy Pod High Chair Review post before you go!

Make sure you pin this post on Pinterest so you can come back to it later!

Hannah, from the popular Edmonton motherhood blog Honey & Betts, is sharing the #1 travel high chair for babies and toddlers 2019. Read more about how this chair booster is compact, mess free, under $100, and safe!
Edmonton Alberta Blogger

10 Must-Follow Edmonton Bloggers

If you’re searching for a few new Edmonton bloggers to follow on Instagram for wonderful inspiration and real-life moments – these are your 10 must-follow Edmonton bloggers to add today!

Looking for influential Edmonton bloggers? Check out Hannah, the popular Canadian lifestyle blogger for the blog Honey & Betts, she's sharing her 10 must-follow Edmonton lifestyle bloggers! From mom bloggers, to food bloggers, to DIY bloggers! Check it out.

Edmonton breeds a certain kind of person, never-the-less blogger. That’s what separates Edmonton bloggers from the rest!

Edmonton is the kind of city that is so close knit, it’s a small world where everyone knows each other and/or their sibling’s best friend – and I’m so glad it reflects into the Edmonton blogger community.

Even though Edmonton has long winters and too short of summers, we make it work! We’re all chasing the sunlight and using the most creative tactics to create our content.

I love following all these inspiration people on Instagram, not just for their style or gorgeous photography, but because they inspire the YEG community. Community over competition!

So starting from the top left, in a clockwise fashion, here are 10 must-follow Edmonton bloggers:

Cici | Momo & Bear | @wongertwins

Kari | Kari Skelton | @kariskelton

Christina | The DIY Mommy | @thediymommy

Linda | Linda Hoang | @lindork

Orane | Orane Boucher | @o.r.a.n.e

Collective | Alberta Mamas | @albertamamas

Kassandra | Kastles | @kastlescamponi

Hannah | Honey & Betts | @honeyandbetts

Diana | 204 Park | @204park

Kira | Northern Style Exposure | @northern_style

Did I miss any of your favourite Edmonton bloggers? Let me know in a comment below!

If you enjoyed this post, check out my Edmonton Bloggers section before you go!
Make sure you share this post on Facebook so you can spread the love around for these hardworking Edmonton content creators!
Hannah from the Canadian blog Honey & Betts shares her life.

Neat Inc. | Moving In, Moving Out, And All The Inbetween Moments

House Cleaner For Edmonton, St. AlbertHouse Cleaner For Edmonton, St. Albert Neat Inc.House Cleaner For Edmonton, St. Albert Neat Inc. ReviewHouse Cleaner For Edmonton, St. Albert Neat Inc.

You’ve all been so patient with seeing the interior of our new home and here it is!

Moving day was less stressful thanks to a long list of friends and family that helped us out. It could not have gone smoother!

The day we got the keys to our new home(a beautiful bungalow, with so much natural light!! Can you tell I’m excited?) in St. Albert I knew I wanted to have it thoroughly cleaned before all our boxes were moved in.

I teamed up with Ewa, the owner of Neat Inc., to come clean our home before we moved in, and it was the best decision! Ewa has such an eye for details and left our home feeling squeaky clean – she did not miss a thing!

As soon as Ewa walked in with Trish (FYI depending on the size of your home 1-3 team members will be at your home), Ewa started dusting and Trish was filling the sink with hot water. Those ladies were working hard from the first minute! They care about cleaning your home diligently, and it shows in how conscientious they are in all the details.

Neat Inc. services Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park and Stony Plain. But if you live in a community close to Edmonton that was not listed, be sure to reach out to her through her site! She has all her cleaning services and rates well laid out so you have a good idea of what she offers.

This was the first time I had ever looked for a cleaner in St. Albert or Edmonton, so I learned about the process. It was a great experience, and here is what I learned:

What do you need to have beforehand?

Ewa and her team at Neat Inc. take care of all the cleaning supplies, all you need is to have a vacuum at your home and they do the rest.

Do you need to be home during your appointment?

You do not have to be at home, if you work during the day and want to schedule an appointment while you’re at work that can be arranged. Or you can stay, it is completely up to you!

Does Neat Inc. have gift certificates available?

Do you know someone in the Edmonton area who would love receiving the gift of a clean house? Because I can think of at least 5 people who would cry happy tears over a Neat gift certificate. And you’re in luck, Neat Inc. has gift certificates available so you can be dubbed the best gift giver ever!

I am so happy that I chose to go with Neat Inc., I can’t say it enough, Ewa made our home immaculate. It set the mood for an awesome week of settling into our clean house.

If you have any questions about Neat’s services or rates you can check out their FAQ page.

Why not treat yourself to a thoroughly clean house by Neat Inc.?

Consider it your spring cleaning treat!

Edmonton Alberta Blogger

This service was provided in exchange for an honest review of my experience. All opinions are 100% my own.

7 Edmonton Mom Bloggers You Need To Know

Did you know Edmonton mom blogs are evolving – thanks to the modern moms behind these blogs, the industry of mommy blogs are changing!

Lifestyle Fashion Mom Bloggers From Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

What used to classify a mom blog was you blogged about your children and the experience of parenting. That was the niche.

Even though I have 3 daughters now, I have never described my blog as a mom blog – Honey & Betts is a lifestyle blog. And the category of “lifestyle blog” where mom blogging is merging.

What is the difference?

I do not write exclusively about my children though being a mom is a big part of my life but it doesn’t completely define me – it’s one piece of the puzzle. I write about style, beauty, food, travel, home decor, and so much more. I share my life, as a 24 year old woman living in Edmonton, Alberta – which includes my growing family.

And that’s what I find with this round-up of wonderful women who also happen to be moms and bloggers. I can’t speak for all of them, but I don’t think they would also describe themselves as Edmonton mom bloggers either.

So here are a few mamas that I love following on Instagram and reading their blogs:

Christal, Nutrition In The Kitchen

Kassanda, Kastles

Kira, Northern Style Exposure

Kristina, Kristina Lynne

Orane, Orane Boucher

Hannah, Honey & Betts

Who are your favourite Edmonton mom bloggers? Link them in a comment below!

Let me know if you love this blog post by pinning it on Pinterest!

What do you want to see next? My favourite Edmonton food bloggers? I have so many new posts coming – I can’t wait for you to read them!

If you like this post, check out my Top Northern Alberta Bloggers post here before you go! Or my Must-Follow Edmonton Instagram Lists post!

Hannah from the Canadian blog Honey & Betts shares her life.

buybuyBABY Edmonton| The Secret To Finding The Perfect Mother’s Day Gift

This Mother’s Day Gift post is in partnership with buybuyBABY Edmonton. All opinions are 100% my own.

Its that special time of year again – Mother’s Day! Celebrating mom’s in every stage of motherhood – from the new mom to the great grandmother – we love our moms!

Mother's Day Presents For The Modern Mom buybuy BABY Edmonton Alberta BloggerMother's Day Presents For The Modern Mom buybuy BABY West Edmonton Mall Alberta BloggerMother's Day Presents For The Modern Mom buybuy BABY Edmonton Alberta Lifestyle Blogger

Though finding Mother’s Day gifts to share how much we appreciate and value moms can be difficult, I know I’m hard to buy for because my style is ever changing. But locating the ideal present is possible!

Recently buybuy BABY opened a second location in Edmonton, in West Edmonton Mall. The interior is bright and beautiful, and pictures cannot do it justice – you need to go in the store to see it yourself!

But back to finding the perfect Mother’s Day gift – if you are a last minute gift finder or you have no idea what she would want, have her create a buybuy BABY registry.

The buybuy BABY registries are not just for baby showers and wedding gifts, but they have multiple options like birthdays and anniversaries and even “other”. She can create her own registry online or in-store, and add all her favourite items into a neatly combined list for you to pick out a present for her.

On my registry this year I found some amazing products that I really wanted and all my family had to do was chose from my list, and that was it. The gift giving process has never been so efficient, and thankfully I received presents that I wanted. It’s a win-win!

This year my Mother’s Day gift registry list included:

Little Lovely Heart Neon Light | This gorgeous retro LED light may be for a baby’s nursery but I as soon as I saw it I knew I needed it for my own grown up decor. It has a plastic casing that is safe to touch, so you will not need to worry about curious little fingers touching this light.

Stuff Every Mom Should Know | Sometimes parenting books can be overwhelming with the content they include, but this fun parenting book includes playful and helpful tips on motherhood. From “Potty Training 101” to “Making A Long Wait Fun” to Baby-Proofing Like An Expert”. It’s an entertaining book to bring humour to your gift.

Skip Hop Greenwich Simply Chic Diaper Backpack | I am a sucker for an elegant diaper bag, and this diaper backpack is no exception! It’s a fashionable and functional option for modern moms that includes 9 pockets, a padded changing pad, dual zipper opening, and room for your tablet. And who can resist tassels? Not me!

Tiny Treasures Mommy & Me Sunglasses Set | Matching your children’s clothing together may be cheesy (though I still love it), but matching accessories will never go out of style! My little girls are always wanting to try on my purses and jewelry, and now they be just like their mama with matching sunglasses.

Pearhead #Momlife Mug | You could buy me a new mug every year and I would never get sick of it, I love growing my mug collection! So this year’s stunning mom life mug with gold accents will be welcomed with open arms, despite my husband thinking we had too many mugs. Anyone else obsessed with beautiful coffee cups?

Itzy Ritzy® Travel Happensâ„¢ Sealed Wet Bag | Here is another fashionable and practical gift – the best of both worlds! On one hand this bag has the cutest pattern, and on the other hand I’ve learned the hard way when you don’t have a wet bag with you. Wet bags are not just for holding diapers but you can use it for swim suits, wipes, and even for your gym clothes. And most importantly, this wet bag is machine washable!

Nubyâ„¢ Handy Hook | This nifty gadget may look simple but it frees up your hands in a big way! Have you ever had the tug-o-war with your stroller to get your diaper bag out from under it? I’ve lost that battle a lot… but with this stroller (or shopping cart) accessory you can keep your diaper bag in arms reach and use the stroller storage for other items.

Have you started looking for Mother’s Day gifts at buybuy BABY?

Edmonton Alberta Blogger

Crying Newborn Baby List | 5 Things To Check When Your Newborn Is Crying

Go through the Crying Newborn Baby List of 5 things to check when your newborn is crying and you will find the problem and the solution at once.

If your baby does not have acid reflux or colic, follow this list. Seek out your doctor or pediatrician’s help if you have questions about your babies crying.

Hannah, from the popular Edmonton lifestyle mom blog Honey & Betts, shares 5 things to check when your newborn is crying. What to do when your baby is crying excessively, and ways to make baby stop crying. Check it out!

Moms, your body is amazing. Not only did your beautiful body create a tiny baby in 9 (but we all know it’s technically 10) months, but you endured through their birth (whether vaginal or c-section)! Celebrate your body and the miracle it has created!

The journey of motherhood, from the brand spanking new mom to the adjusted fourth time mom, has an upheaval of emotions. You pretty much experience all the emotions multiplied by 10 (thanks to those postpartum hormones coursing through your body) and then multiplied again by the lack of sleep you are getting.

It’s safe to say most moms invest in their favourite coffee machines. We’re all in survival mode, but don’t worry this phase will pass.

To get through survival mode you need the right equipment (hello, coffee) and checklists, well that is what hikers and hunters do when they are handling extreme conditions… parents need the same preparations to take care of our babies.

My go-to checklist, that used to be on a piece of paper stuck to the wall above the change table, but it’s now ingrained in my brain and I take it everywhere.

Here are the 5 things to check when your newborn is crying:

Your newborn baby is hungry. Their teeny tummies can’t hold a lot of milk, so this may be the solution most of the time. Don’t worry before you know it you will know exactly what their hunger cues look like, and be able to feed them before they become difficult.

Your newborn baby needs to burp. Every time you feed your baby, follow up by gently patting their back until they let their air out from gulping down their milk or formula (be prepared with a burp cloth or blanket in case some liquid comes up too…). Or if they have been crying for a long time, again gently pat their back until they burp.

Your newborn baby has a dirty diaper. If you find your baby commonly has a diaper rash, they may have super sensitive skin (mine all did) and Vaseline doesn’t do the trick. I found an extra strength diaper rash cream at our grocery store that protected and healed their skin, I highly recommend it!

Your newborn baby is overtired. This is the most difficult one, notably as they get older. Because instead of nodding off to sleep, they may become more fussy and cry more causing them to be overtired. Babies can be cranky, but if all their needs are taken care of let them lay in their safe bed while they give into their exhaustion. Creating a calm environment will also help them fall asleep easier, the less stimulation the better.

Your newborn baby needs to be held. You will know your baby best, if they need snuggles give it to them. But if it’s their nap time and they need to get some sleep try swaddling them. I was the worst at swaddling using a traditional swaddling blanket, but I discovered different swaddlers (and then they will grow into sleep sacks) that require no special technique and they were life savers!

Read more about motherhood with this sweet babe:

Breastfeeding & Bottle Feeding Journey | Activities For Your 3-4 Month Old Baby | Being A Girl Mom | Stroller Reviews

What things do you check when your baby is crying? What helps them the most to get back to sleep?

If you like this post, check out my 5 Must-Have Essentials For Your Newborn To Sleep Through The Night post before you go!

Make sure to pin this post on Pinterest so you can come back to it later!

Hannah, from the popular Edmonton lifestyle mom blog Honey & Betts, shares 5 things to check when your newborn is crying. What to do when your baby is crying excessively, and ways to make baby stop crying. Check it out!
Hannah from the Canadian blog Honey & Betts shares her life.

Leisure Access Program: Free Activities For Low Income Families in Edmonton, AB

What is the Leisure Access Program? Are you a low-income individual or family?
Have you been looking for free City of Edmonton recreation or attraction passes – like the Edmonton Valley Zoo, the Muttart Conservatory, and Fort Edmonton Park? 

As a family with or without children, you may qualify for the Edmonton Leisure Access program! Keep reading for all the answers to the questions around who qualifies and how to apply for this awesome City of Edmonton program!

** this post has been updated with 2019 income adjustments, you can find the chart below**

Edmonton blog, Honey & Betts, is sharing the awesome free low income program set up by the City of Edmonton in Edmonton, Alberta for families who are on AISH or have a low yearly household income. From the Edmonton Valley Zoo, to the Muttart Conservatory, to Fort Edmonton Park! Check out how to apply for the Leisure Access Program!

We love the zoo, and I cannot believe it took our growing family 4 years to find this program through word of mouth! Matt has been in university for longer than 4 years as a full-time student, but we became eligible for this wonderful City of Edmonton program the day Annaliese was born. 

So please, if you know of someone who could benefit from this knowledge share it with them! You’ll be blessing them with an amazing resource for their family.

What is the City of Edmonton Leisure Access Program?

For families or people who qualify for low-income status you can apply to the City of Edmonton for their Leisure Access Program to gain access to the city’s attractions for free.

To be eligible for the Leisure Access Program (LAP) depends on your yearly income and the number of people in your household (that includes adults and children under 18). 

What is include in the LAP?
    • 75% off of 3 registered adult programs

 

    • 75% off of 4 registered child programs, hello swimming lessons!

 

    • access to 24 free visits to the Reuse Centre per year

 

  • access to 1 bucket of balls per day at Victoria Driving Range

** check the City of Edmonton website for the rules and regulations of booking tee times for the driving range

Who is eligible for the LAP?
  • if you are on AISH (Assured Income of the Severe Handicap)
  • if you are a new immigrant or refugee (to qualify you must have resided in Canada for less than 1 year and have not filed a tax return)
  • if you are a child under government care
  • your household income (the sum of your and your spouse’s line 150 on your most recent Income Tax Notice) is equal to or less than the following:Edmonton blog, Honey & Betts, is sharing the awesome free low income program set up by the City of Edmonton in Edmonton, Alberta for families who are on AISH or have a low yearly household income. From the Edmonton Valley Zoo, to the Muttart Conservatory, to Fort Edmonton Park! Check out how to apply for the Leisure Access Program!
Who does not qualify? 
    • full-time post secondary students who do not have children

 

  • those who have a higher income than the LAP range shown above

The process is simple but takes a while for the City of Edmonton to process so the sooner you mail in your application correctly (they will send it back if you don’t have all the information they need) the better!

Our passes took about 3-4 weeks to arrive, but it was worth the wait!

How do you apply for the Leisure Access Program?
  1. Print out the Leisure Access Program Application and Renewal Form. If you do not have access to a printer, you can call 311 and they will have one mailed to you. Or you can pick up the application form at one of these locations.

 

2. Fill out the form and include the additional verification documents needed for the application – income verification ( ex. print out of your tax return that includes line 150), address verification (ex. print out a phone bill with your current address), eligible dependants verification (ex. print out your Child Tax Benefit, make sure it includes your name and the name of your children on the same page).

 

3. Mail everything to the address:

Leisure Access Program

PO Box 2359

Edmonton, AB

T5J 2R7

 

If you have any questions about the procedure or about the application, call 311 they will be able to help you.

If you like this post, check out my Top 3 Family Friendly Beaches Near Edmonton post before you go!

Make sure to share this post on Facebook so you can come back to it later!

Edmonton blog, Honey & Betts, is sharing the awesome free low income program set up by the City of Edmonton in Edmonton, Alberta for families who are on AISH or have a low yearly household income. From the Edmonton Valley Zoo, to the Muttart Conservatory, to Fort Edmonton Park! Check out how to apply for the Leisure Access Program!

Edmonton Alberta Blogger