a winter hiking toolkit

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. I have received information and materials from Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc., McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division. The opinions stated are my own. This is a sponsored post. #WinOverWinter #CollectiveBias

The holiday weekend is finally here and we could not be more excited about it.

At first, when we decided to not go anywhere over Thanksgiving, I was kind of disappointed. You mean we're just supposed to stay here? And eat? By ourselves? Just be with friends and relax? But honestly, this quarter has been so stressful for both Sam and I, and I couldn't be more excited for a few days of no commitments, no set schedule, just us and some friends. (No homework! No work! No school!)

Now that it's nice and cool here in Arizona (as I type this it's 55 degrees and I have my thickest pajamas on). We have plans to do a few fun day trips over the weekend. Nothing huge, just a few hikes and a trip to the zoo. Basically we want to spend all day every day either snuggled on the couch relaxing, or outside exploring.

Winter in Arizona is amazing. All we need are light jackets and we can stay outside all day. I even put together a winter hiking wellness toolkit that I stick in the bottom of the diaper bag when we go outside. It's simple and easy and has helped us on more than one occasion.

Here's what's inside:

• Diapers and wipes - Sometimes I think, "oh, we'll be back in half an hour. I don't need to bring diapers." Of course those are the times one or both of the twins are guaranteed to have a poopy diaper. We bring one diaper for each twin and a small pack of wipes in our kit.
• Children’s TYLENOL® - Sometimes cold and flu season comes for us all. We always keep this on hand to help with the pain and chills.
• Lip moisturizer - To keep our lips from drying out in this cool, dry air. Our toddler loves this one and always asks to put it on.

• Antiobiotic Ointment - Nobody told me that Arizona is a breeding ground for mosquitos! We always get mosquito bites, and a little of this cream goes a long way to soothe the itchiness and pain.
• MOTRIN® IB - You know that feeling when you know you're getting sick? Like when you just start feeling a little cold and achy all over? At our house, that's when you know it's time for a dose of Motrin and an early bedtime so it doesn't turn into a full-blown sickness. 
• Ultra Strength BENGAY® Cream - This one is especially great for hiking! Sam didn't even know this existed until a couple of weeks ago, and he always has minor back pains and muscle aches. Needless to say, this product was made for him. It's always handy to have for hikes, when it's easy to strain something, especially because we each carry a twin in a front pack.
• Adhesive Bandages - My toddler recently discovered these exist, and she's over the moon about it. Stickers? For your skin?! She still has no clue that they're supposed to protect minor cuts. She just thinks they're fun.

 I put together the entire toolkit from one stop at Target, and it's so nice to have on hand for all our hikes and walks this winter. Add a few waterbottles and an extra pacifier in our backpack and we are set!

Does my toddler actually need one of these on her arm? No she does not. She just gets way too excited about any type of sticker that's approved for skin.

^^ Nothing makes you feel like you're in the wild west like an actual hitching post in the middle of the cactus-filled desert. We love South Mountain so much.

 ^^ A peek in at the twins in the stroller. My toddler LOVES to rub their heads like this all day long

We stayed out till sunset (read: forgot how early the sun sets) and had to walk back in the dark, but hey, it's hard to complain when you get sunsets like this.

What are your Thanksgiving plans?

Anything else I should add to my hiking toolkit?