What I assume will be my newest addiction...

So, I got this itch to coupon... I've seen and have heared of many people who do this and what enormous amount of money they save each month. I'm all about the saving, so I've decided to invest the time and do it. I've been out about 3 times this week, learning the trade and failing miserably. One time I totally forgot to use my coupons until I had left the store! I couldn't believe it, but with two kids in tow, there is NO WAY I was going back in there. Another time, Safeway totally added up my receipt wrong (their products were on sale, but didn't register that way in the computer), but of course I didn't see that until I was home... All in all, I cannot do this with kids, it's just too distracting and time consuming, but I am looking forward to when I can go without them! Anyway, here's my first successful trip, in my eyes. I know you might think, who is really going to use that much Seasoned Rice Vinegar, but the answer is, me! We use it for salad dressings, marinades, etc. It's great! Anyway, I know true couponers would have walked away from the store with all of this for free, but getting $35 for of product for under $6was great for me!
Here's my loot:



Many will ask, is it even worth the effort and time? Well, I'll let you know as I go along, but my gut is, YES! I have a friend who is loyal to the art and she says she has never paid for cereal, toilet paper, deodarant or toothpaste in years. It's those little things that add up, and I'm looking forward to delving in and seeing what I can do for my family!

Thanksgiving!

So I seriously haven't written in about 6 months! That's terrible! Life has been so hectic for me- isn't that always the excuse as a mom?- and on top of it all, our computer crashed and we lost everything- every picture of our kids, every document, everything! It was such a bummer, and I hate posting things without pictures, so in short, I didn't. Plus, I've started a business selling jewelry- super fun- and I've joined the gym... we'll see where that leads. I have high hopes, but you never know! Anyway, computer is up and running and we actually got the camera out and took photos. So here's thanksgiving pics- Our first turkey ever, our attempted family photo (not every person is EVER looking at the camera in one photo), and Mike and I together...








On another front, Mike and I are rooting for the Ducks to win the Civil War so that we can go see the Rose Bowl in January! We haven't had a vacation since our honeymoon, and it's been almost 7 years! If they win, we're planning on (depending on finances) to go to Disneyland and maybe Universal Studios... we'll see. It would be so much fun just to be together and to be kid less (if we can even find someone to watch our kids!)!

And lastly, we're getting ready for Christmas. I've begged my husband to let me get a tree this weekend, but to no avail. He is adamant it has to be next weekend. So, in the meantime, I am getting my Willow Tree Nativity set out (which I absolutely LOVE), my village and some random decorations. I've also been listening to Christmas music since September, so now people aren't looking at me as funny, which is nice :)

Hope you all had a merry and blessed Thanksgiving!

Rachel Turned Three!

So it's about time I blogged again... I'm getting so bad at this with everything else going on in my life! Well, Rachel turned three last week, and we had a big hoopla to celebrate! We have so much family around, we decided just to do a family gathering, and then the following week we did a little one with some friends of hers. It was fun! The weekend of her party, we also had a huge father's day gathering (on Sat. though) with my mom's side of the family, and it was seriously like the best weekend of my life! I love my family so much, and to just get to sit around, eat good food, and play games ALL day and night, it was awesome! Here's a few pics of the birthday happennings and the rest of the events.















Matching Mommy and Me Aprons :)









Rachel asleep in my arms... she just couldn't handle it all!



And last, but not least, the new favorite toy...

The Challenges of Food...

So we've been trying to get Andrew to feed himseld for quite a while now... That meaning, we give him a spoon and food and let him at it! As you can see, he's not that great at it- probably 1/4 of the food actually makes it to his mouth! Anyway, here's a picture of the average every day feeding at our house. There's also a picture of Rach- no matter what age your kids become, there will always be challenging foods for them to eat. For Rach, it's popsicles! It's not quite the mess Drew makes, but still, it's a mess! Also, this picture shows her half-colored eye pretty well, if you haven't seen it... it's her left eye- one side is brown, the other blue... kind of fun! Enjoy!

Andrew's Dedication

Well, we finally did it! We got Andrew dedicated! Although he's over a year (our church usually only does baby dedication under one year, due to them wanting to get down and walk, and well, make a scene), Bucky Buchstaber pulled a few strings and got Andrew on the list to get dedicated. Today was the day and thankfully, everything went well! We didn't have nice clothes, per say, but other than that, all went off without a hitch. I was seriously concerned that Rach would throw a fit or run away, or that Andrew would scream hysterically, but they were great. Bucky did a great job with him, and I'm so glad it's over and I no longer have to worry! :) Here's a few photos of the dedication. Hope you all are enjoying the nicer weather today!

My Kids are Crazy!

So, my kids crack me up, even when what they do makes me mad, I still laugh (inside when they are looking), but sometime have to run into a room so I can laugh out loud!

The first thing that made me laugh today was Rachel at lunch. I had tried to put her down for a nap earlier, but, like every other day, she won't go to sleep. After an hour, I get her down and make her lunch. I come in about 10 minutes later, and this is how I find her! Completely still sitting up, but out like a light... Sorry she had no clothes on... it's a new phase we're trying to work through :)




The second thing, was after the kids were up from their naps (yes, I did try and transfer Rach, but it was a complete battle- I gave up, she won)... The house all of a sudden got very quiet, while I was doing my household chores...aka, folding laundry. I went downstairs and didn't see or hear the kids anywhere! And then I saw it- the slight crack in the sliding glass door- And there's Rachel, in the swing, with Andrew pushing her! I do not know how he made it outside without falling out the door and crying, but it made me laugh... they are do adventurous and are ALWAYS trying to get outside!

The third thing that made me die inside of laughter was tonight at Red Robin. Apparently, I had left a jar of baby food (yes, he still only has one tooth, so I must feed him this so he get some nutrients!) next to Andrew, because we see it fall out of the corner of our eyes, and then it happened- it was like out of a movie- something that would NEVER really happen and that plays in extra slow motion, so you can see every thing that happens. It hit the floor and went everywhere. Now you're just thinking all over the floor or something. NO. EVERYWHERE! 15 feet (I AM NOT EXAGGERATING!) all over the floor, spread over 10 feet. All over the two tables, chairs, etc. next to us, and all over the walls- it COVERED the walls! It went 12 feet high- seriously, I am not kidding! And how was it that half the jar was left over!!! Seriously, Mike and I are still wondering how it happened. Everyone around us, and yes, a few poor innocent bi-standers did get hit, were completely in awe as well... NO ONE has ever seen baby food splatter like that! I need to start carrying around my crappy little camera so I can share these moments with you guys!!!

Hope you enjoyed my fun moments!

Andrew's First Birthday!

So our little man, Andrew, turned ONE on Saturday, so we threw a big hoopla for him! It was SO much fun to have so much family over and everyone got to see his big milestones he's achieved (a tooth- finally!, crawling, walking, talking, etc). All in all it was an excellent day, perfect weather too- although his cake eating skills were highly disappointing. He didn't even eat any! He got a bit of the frosting, but that was as far as it went... so sad for the scrapbook! Anyway, here's some pics of the big day.

Andrew, showing off his walking skills...





The cake Mommy made...



















Opening presents...













Andrew and his cousin Isaac (who will be one in a few weeks!)...





A good portion of the family that was there...



One of Andrew's favorite toys...