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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Everyday Life, Life Lately ·

Life lately.


It’s life lately.

Here are some little bits and tidbits about what we’ve been up to around here…

, Life lately.

We have been watching the Olympics like crazy at our house.  Here I am watching with my favorite unicorn 🙂 .

, Life lately.

Last Monday, I took all four kiddos to the dentist.  We rewarded ourselves with brunch with Andrew before they headed back to school.

, Life lately.

This one melts me.

, Life lately.

This one too.  You can’t see it, but I bought her a little Peppa Pig tee to sleep in and she can’t stop wearing it.  This girl love her some Peppa Pig!!

, Life lately.

On Valentine’s morning, we had our annual family breakfast.  I love these crazies!

, Life lately.

Moana with Moana.

, Life lately.

Andrew and I had lunch together on Valentine’s Day…with our littlest nugget in tow.

, Life lately.

We typically have a family Valentine’s Day dinner together at our favorite diner.  Here we are right after.  We had so much fun…but at one point, three of them were acting like crazy fools and Andrew said they were never eating Valentine’s dinner with us again.  So, there’s that too. 😉   I love spending the day with all my loves 🙂 .

, Life lately.

This right here is what brave looks like.

, Life lately.

On this particular morning, Andrew got Madeley dressed and fixed her hair.  They were both so proud!

, Life lately.

We had lunch together before Kensington’s volleyball game on Saturday morning.  We were minus our little Madeley Moo (who was at Lovie’s).  It’s not the same when we’re all not there.

, Life lately.

These girls are all just so sweet!!!  They had a terrific season!

, Life lately.

Madeley asked me for more applesauce and I told her we were out.  She started making these funny faces, so I took some pics.  This girl loves her some applesauce!

, Life lately.

She’s such a ham!

, Life lately.

On Monday, the kids didn’t have school, so we went to see Peter Rabbit and eat brunch in the theater.  It was all so much fun!

Okay…that’s a little bit of life lately.  See you tomorrow. xo

, Life lately.

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Comments

  3. Clara says

    I LOVE you life lately posts! It is allways so much fun to see how other families do life!!!

    I have two questions after reading your post: how often do you eat out during the weeks? It seems like you are having lunch and dinner pretty often out? Isnt it exhausting to take 4 kids out for lunch or dinner? I feel like it is so much easier and fun to sit together as a family at the table without any distractions.
    And do you allways have the TV on during the day, even in the morning? I try to confine screen time for my kids and I am allways interested how other parents handle screen time?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      We really try and have dinner at home five nights a week and then I almost always eat lunch at home. Andrew and I try to sneak in one lunch a week together, but that doesn’t always happen. As for the TV, I let them watch it while they eat breakfast in the morning and then after that, it’s off for the day. We turn it back on after dinner at night (after sports, homework and their showers). I would say that my kids aren’t too into screen stuff (yet!). I imagine that’s coming though.

      • Ashley says

        I’m cracking up how nicely you replied to this comment considering she was totally calling you out. I mean who cares how often you eat out or have the TV running in the back ground. You and Andrew obviously are amazing at parenthood. And who says eating out as family isn’t fun?! This was ONE week of 52 this year…so her comment was nicely rude. Anyways, i thought you handled that “nice” comment well. 🙂

        • Julie says

          I was thinking the exact same thing Ashley!! 🙂
          Also, I have 4 children (who are now 23, 21, 18 and 16). I always loved eating out with them when they were little (and still do now) because I could just focus on them and talking to them (instead of cooking, getting up to refill drinks, etc)

        • Jacqui says

          Haha. I totally agree with you. What a passive aggressive comment from that person. It must be tough having an internet presence and people’s misplaced judgment. But Shay always handles comments like this with such aplomb.

        • Marie says

          I really do hope I get the chance to defend myself and that Shay will post my comment.
          Never ever I wanted to be rude. Could be my Language barrier since English isnt my first Language. I was just curios because in sometimes parenting in America is different than in Germany and I allways ask around how other parents do life. Families/Couples dont go out a lot in germany because it can be expensive for a big family. When we visist some part of our family in the us we go out way more often than in Germany. same with the tv. i think Americams have a totally different way to use the tv. we only turn it on at night for the news or a Movie and our American family uses the morning news aswell..

          i was just interested and havent expected getting those Comments under my question. i like shay and her family and think that she and Andrew are amazing parents so i dont need you women to defend her…if she thought i was rude she could have said something herself or not even post my question.

    • tinaG says

      LOL guys – jumping on Clara is just as rude. It DOES seem like shay eats out a LOT… a lot more than most of us could afford. I don’t really think it is that odd of a question for someone who puts their life on display like the Shulls do!

  5. KimW says

    Such cute pics! Any update on how Ashby did after this last procedure? I know you mentioned the previous one was really hard so you were worrying about this one!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      She’s doing okay. This one wasn’t as bad…and it wasn’t as easy. She’s been a real trooper this week, but it’s been hard.

  8. Allie L says

    What did you think of Peter Rabbit? There’s been all kinds of negativity on Facebook about it because of a food allergy scene so I’ve been curious as to how bad I really is, or if people are looking for something to be angry about which is often the case I find on social media. I haven’t seen it so I’m interested to hear what all the uproar is about.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I mean…I know what scene you’re talking about, and I think they were trying to be funny (which is hard to do with a serious and dangerous topic like that), but overall, I thought it was cute. I’ve suffered through much worse in the kid movie department 😉 .

    • Susann says

      Peter Rabbit was adorable and funny…for kids AND adults! The food allergy scene is NOT a big deal and I find that so strange that anyone would have a problem with it.

  9. Whitney Kallenbach says

    I say this a lot , but I just love your family!!! And eat out as much as you want 😉 We actually find we get more quality time because we aren’t worrying about making dinner, cleaning it up, all while making sure kids are occupied……

  11. Meredith says

    Hi Shay! Random question but do you still use the Becca Under eye Corrector? Wondering if you still love it?! Thank you!

  12. Jessica says

    How does Madeley do at the movies? Id love to take my 2 1/2 year old soon but it gives me anxiety hahaha

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      She has done great!! She eats her popcorn and watches. She’s 3 1/2 though, so I’m sure that helps!!

      • Liz says

        So glad someone else asked and you answered! I was wondering the same thing. I want to take my little girl (4) but her sister is only 2. I haven’t had the heart to take one alone, but it’d be a good big girl date I guess!! I will try it, you’ve given me confidence! Thanks Shay!

  13. Bren says

    I love that you call Madeley “Madeley Moo”. Mine are too old to allow it now, but I called our Reagan “Reagy Roo”. Madeley Moo & Reagy Roo. Has a nice ring to it. 🙂 🙂 🙂

  14. Laurie S says

    Cheers to Andrew for dressing and hairstyling Miss Madeley! Great dad. She’s so cute – those cheeks!

  16. Polly says

    Hi, I find it a joy to see your family. They are so cute. Thank you for posting your family life and recipes. May God bless you all.
    Love and prayers!

  17. Ashley says

    We bought those trays your kids are using at your counter and are so excited to use them for everything! Question though, do you put yours in the dishwasher? I know they say dishwasher safe but they seem flimsy for our dishwasher?

  18. Jen D says

    I could not help but notice how your skin GLOWS! Whatever you are doing… keep on doing it! It looks GREAT 🙂

  22. Lois says

    You do such a fine job of including all of us in your lives; I feel as if I know you & yours. Thanks for not being “stand offish.” Am I being too inquisitive in asking if Ashby’s procedures are accomplished under general anesthesia or using local injections? Each time I wonder if you need to deal with the whole “coming out of anesthesia” thing. Thank you, Shay.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      No, you’re fine. Yes, she goes under general anesthesia every single time. She’s so brave about all of it.

  23. Diana Holguin says

    Life Lately and Day in the Life posts are my favorite! We need more dads like Andrew. Those little pigtails are on point!!

  24. Ariadna says

    I love these posts!! Madeley’s expressions are the best!! And do your kids understand your blog? Maybe it’s an odd question to ask but let me try to explain where I’m coming from. Ashby is so strong and by comments I’ve read not only in this post but others and on instagram, I can tell that she inspires people and makes an impact on people even if we don’t know her, or your family for that matter. So I guess a better question is, do your kids understand the impact they have on people they don’t even know? And also, how do you get Andrew to help with doing hair?! Can he give other dads tips on it, please?! Have a great Thursday!!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Ashby has no clue. Right now, her world is Barbies and playing school with Kensington. She is tough as nails, but totally all five year old at the same time. And Andrew is just sweet like that. He’s really helpful around here. xo

  25. Yvonne C says

    I just love your cute family! Thanks for sharing your lives with us. I just had to comment on Andrew doing Madeley’s hair. My son (single dad) also had a daughter and he is just so great with styling her hair. She seriously comes over with the cutest pigtails and now the messy bun (she’s 4). I love dads who are willing to help out with a cute hairstyle! 🙂 Have a wonderful day!

  27. Diane says

    Hi Shay,
    love your updates on the family! I have suddenly stopped receiving email updates. I resigned up yesterday and did not get today’s either. Just thought you might not know.
    Thanks for checking on this,
    Diane

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Oh no! I don’t know why??? I’ll ask my techy girlfriend (she always seems to know stuff like that!).

  28. Robin says

    I stayed up late watching the women’s hockey game last night. Not so much because I am a hockey fan, but because one of the members of the team is the daughter of a high classmate of mine. How cool is that?!
    I am a single middle aged retired teacher, but I so enjoy reading about your little family.

  30. Europafox says

    You have such a lovely, happy, fun family! I will be reading more – brightens my evening 🙂 Plus will look for parenting tips 🙂 I think the ladies should give ‘Clara’ the benefit of the doubt here – I didn’t read anything into her comment at all – it just reads as inquisitive 🙂 I think we are all interested in seeing how this lovely lady juggles family life so well. Joanne – Europafox x

  32. Tracy says

    Gosh, your kiddos are cute, cute, cute (and cute!). Madeley’s faces are just too much. Adorable!

  33. Karen says

    We have called my son “Mikey Moo Moo” since he was a baby. He’s now 3.5 and I call him just “Moo Moo” quite often. Just the other day when he was playing in the courtyard after preschool I called out “time to go Moo Moo!” and he said “Mom! I am Michael! Not in front of my friends! COME ON” 🙁