friday fill in

1. __lemonade___ is my favorite summertime ___drink__.

2. My favorite John Hughes movies is ___who is john hughes? i'm so not in the know__.

3. ___michael and my children__ is something I love to touch.

4. The full moon ___comes once every 27 days__.

5. ___lol__ right now.

6. When daylight fades __i come to life___.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to ___sleeping__, tomorrow my plans include __packing, swimming at gramps, naps, walk through of new casa, caden goes home and then shark reef with mike and nya for a date.___ and Sunday, I want to __rest...but i won't get to.___!

Kmart Stock Up

TONYA THIS IS JUST FOR YOU! I know I never seem to blog anymore because I'm so busy traveling and saving money. HAHA. These pictures are of my stock up from this past Kmart Double Coupons.

Trip Total amount purchased: $305.02

Total OOP: $89.64

Can you believe it? That's even after paying $14 in taxes.

That's a total savings of 71% and considering what I did buy, that's fantastic! Now that I've been paying closer attention to my receipts, I realize that I never save less than 50%. It's quite a feat considering most of the foods that we consume in my house don't come with coupons. :)

So Neyman, when you're wondering one of the ways that I spend my days, here you go! P.s. If anyone needs Dawn dish soap, come grab some. I have like 12 bottles because I can't pass it up when it is FREE.

And this last one I went in and out in 10 minutes for these couple of items.
Total Purchase Price: $50.87
Total OOP: $8.59
TOTAL SAVINGS: 83%

You know it is bad when the ladies at the Kmart say, "I had asked anyone if you had come in yet." or when they say to the other people in line, "normally she has two full carts!" Thank you Esther for always being the best cashier on the job!

Kmart Double Coupons Stock Up!

I know I haven't written much lately but I've been on the go as you'll read. Life is good. My house is in the process of getting the attention that I haven't given it. :) Having just worked through the next several blogs that I just put up, I can say, my life is blessed. Oh yeah, I didn't take any pics but between Disneyland and Pine Valley, my sweet, sweet husband was home and all I did was rest. Thank you honey. I truly needed it.

We've taken a trip to the dentist for the kids and they have no cavities and Mike (to no one's surprise) is at least a year and a half ahead of schedule in growth.

I hope you all are well and I'm doing my best to read your blogs too. I promise. :)

I made two trips to Kmart for the double coupons and I wish I could have gotten a pic of the trip before this. I got TONS of stuff for $100. This trip breaks down to:

Total: $240.08

Total Out Of Pocket: $59.97

75% off!!!

Average per item $.98!

I got 12- two packs of VIVA paper towels. 12-packages Cottonelle toilet Paper. 15 packs of gum and 3 sleeves of gum. 3 bottles of cleaner. A bottle of lotion and one of Face Lotion. 5 tubes of toothpaste. A toothbrush and more!! I would say this trip was a huge success. The paper towels alone would have cost more than I spent. :)

Pine Valley February 13-16, 2009

For the long President's Day weekend, we decided to go play in the snow. We've never been to the cabin in the winter and I'd have to say that Pine Valley did not disappoint. It started to snow in Veyo on the way up and by the time we got to the cabin there was several inches on the ground. I packed my shovel in case I got stuck but I only needed it to clear a spot for my car on the side of the road.

I want to take this moment to thank Michael for buying me such a tough truck. My car behaved like a solider...calm and steady. I get anxious when I drive with the kids in the snow because it is so unpredictable but we made it safe and sound.

The weather was beautiful and the kids and I got a nice, big dose of winter!

My kiddos resting together after playing. They chose this fun spot under the stairs by the heater to be warm and close to the TV. I thought it was really cute how they all snuggled up together. Too bad Nate missed this trip.

My babies. I feel that these many trips that we help them to grow closer. It gives us critical time to spend one on one and grow together. Stay connected. Especially being a step family, we need these times. I always get asked why I travel so much and one reason is because my soul craves a change of pace. I find that my job as a Mom is much more tolerable if, from time to time, I get to do it somewhere different. It breaks the monotony of the dishes and laundry and distractions of being home. The other reason I do travel is to spend quality time with my kids making memories that they will hopefully carry through their lives. That they might learn to adapt and remember the different adventures we've shared. I'd say we are off to a good start. :)

Mike and Tessa resting. They played very hard. Tessa loved all the powder and snow. You couldn't see her in it, only the snow kicking up where she was running around. So cute!

Caden doing his reading time before he could play Poker. He's getting quite good at it. That's one of my favorite things we do up there, play cards. The kids are getting good at it and I even taught them to "tip the dealer" this time because I was out of chips. You can never start teaching them good manners early enough can you? HAHA.

Nya and Clayton eating before dinner. When we are up there we always eat some fantastic foods. The kids help me decide what to make and cook it. Everyone helps with dishes and Caden did the s'mores in the fire this time.

My biggest boy Caden chilling and doing the dishes. He is such a great kid. I'm really glad he came even though he kept stealing my shoes...Bigfoot! We have some really awesome adventures together. I can't believe he is almost a teenager though. I know he'll be taller than me by next school year. Yikes!

Mike LOVES Cocoa Puffs. LOVES. Maybe even more than he loves me but I'm okay with that.

We ate and chilled in our long john's when we were inside defrosting.

My snow bunny skied for the first time down the hill by the house. I learned that when I take him, he will be in ski school. I am not cut out for teaching. Good to know.

Thumbs up! Lets go ski down the road.

Dante, Mike and Johnny playing across the road. Look how high the snow is! We shoveled four feet of snow (the bottom was a foot of ice) to be able to park in the driveway. I should have gotten a pic of that too!

Run Caden!!!! They're coming for you!

Caden across the road hiding out. We had some great snowball fights and the boys built a snow fort.

Just past the turn off when we got away from the ice on our way home. :(

Too bad we didn't get any of the real snow up at the cabin...

Adios Pine Valley...until we meet again. My soul needs you.

Mike's Valentine's Class Party 2/13/09

If I had a dollar for everytime that my son looked away while I'm taking his picture...

We stopped in to Mike's class party to check it out and then head home to pack up the car to head to the cabin. It was cute but VERY hot in there!

I love you too Nya Grace. Sorry for posting a pic of you stuffing your face. Oops.

I love you Wiggle Worm! Happy Valentine's Day!

Disneyland Trip February 5-7, 2009

Our first night at the hotel. Mommy drove VERY carefully in the pouring rain to get us here safely.

Anyone up for going into the park? Thankfully we stayed at the Grand Californian so when it cleared for ONE HOUR, we headed in and caught a couple of things. Thank goodness for annual passes is all I can say.

One shot of the rain.

Gramps teaching the kids to flex. Yes, Nya is kissing her gun. ;)

We're headed to the pool in the rain!

Daddy this pic is just for you! I was trying to get one of the cute Juicy Swimsuit I got her and this is what I got. Priceless. Everyone, she really is much more Michael's daughter than mine...

And she rests. :)


Since it was pouring rain for two days and became obvious that we wouldn't be able to go to the park, we decided to head home early. I hatched the plan to use our free annual museum passes and head to the Los Angeles Museum Of Natural History. This was a trip maker for my Dad and Mike. For my dad, he got to see the LA Colosseum that USC plays in and two Olympics were held and he got to use his noggin with Mike. My father is a huge history buff so he was all into it. We were all astounded at the things Mike knew. For example, there was this huge fossil of a fish head and Mike said, "that's (whatever it was, I'll ask him when he wakes)" and proceeds to tell us how it lived 500 million years ago. Now, I wouldn't have even been able to pronounce the word of what he was talking about let alone know all of that. I recommend this museum to anyone. It's very well kept and has something for everyone.

Easily my favorite part of the trip to the museum! We walked up to this skeleton and guess which dino it is? If you guessed T-Rex, you'd be wrong just like me. I asked Mike and he said, "Carnotaurus." The five year old child with the photographic (quite possible) memory educates everyone. When we leave the museum I ask Mike how he knew it was a Carna-whatever and he said, "because it had four fingers instead of two and a small horn." I then said, "I couldn't tell the difference." He replies, "I know you couldn't Mommy, but that's okay." Ahhh, assuring me that I'm not a total loser just yet. Thanks Mike.

The "Thomas The T-Rex" Exhibit. The Los Angeles Museum of Natural History has one of the most complete T-Rex Fossils ever discovered presently being restored there. You can walk through and watch what the paleontologists are doing step by step to restore Thomas. This is Mike touching and actual T-Rex bone. This one is stronger than concrete. WooHoo!

Gramps and Mike. Two peas in a pod. They both could stay here all day!

Nya didn't want to leave either. My two little scientists!

Nya and Mommy's Thursday Classes.

I've signed up Nya for two classes at the Rec Center on Thursday mornings and our Mommy/Daughter time. We do a craft class first and then a Gymboree Class. What this really means is that Mommy does a craft while Nya checks the other kids out and then we go to Gymboree where I try and make my 2 year old follow the leader. Lucky for me, Roxanne has Shaw signed up for this class too and we go to lunch after. I feel I deserve a treat. :) Craft class kicks my a*# but I've tried to dig deep to the little kid that never existed in me and get down with paint and glitter.
After we eat, we rest. Isn't it cute how she sleeps like this with her hands by her face?

I have, Have you?

I HAVE...... HAVE YOU?
Do it yourself! Copy and paste the list into your blog and bold or highlight the items you have done. Here we go....

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables ? tomatoes a fruit though right?
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run - (does kicking one in dodgeball count?)
32. been on a cruise -hated it.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David ( i live in vegas we see it all the time!)
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Been in love

Wichita Baby!!!

Nya on the plane on the way there. They had to de-ice the plane before we left there...Pretty dang cold. Also, this is the last of the binks. We threw them out. Day one went well. We just have to stay strong.
Mike watching IronMan on my phone. So dang cute. My little man.

Nya at the Exploration Place Museum. These little flowers would laugh when they put their heads in them. HILarious.

"Look at me Mommy, I'm in a bubble."

Now they are both in the bubble. Literally.

"Crikey!"

Hey look this way...

I want to see me!

Danger, Danger people.

A picture from in the bridge tunnel. It was 15 degrees at the time without the wind chill figured in.

Mike and I went back the next day when Daddy and Nya napped.

I love our dates. Mike always holds my hand and talks to me tons.

I think he likes the attention just not the pictures.

One last picture from the bridge. I'm getting chills just thinking about the cold. We had a great time. I always forget how much more I spend when I travel with the kids. lol. We miss Daddy and the kids miss the fish at your store. :)

Most Importantly! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARI!!!!

Kari way back when she was just a little nugget. (with from left to right-Jeremy, our cousin Aja, Kari, Me, and my brother Mark).
And today, SHE'S ALL GROWN UP! We love you Kari and even if we can't be with you on your day, know that I wish we were. You're the best sister I've ever had. ;)

Yes, my Christmas Tree is still up.

My little nugget getting her hair put in rollers for the first time ever.

Where are those holiday fairies when I need them again? LOL. I haven't blogged because life here has been crazy as always. Why is there so much to do all the time? Does anyone else feel like this ever? My tree is still up and honestly, I'm not bothered one bit. How horrible is that? It will be up for one month after Christmas this year because we are going on two trips and there just won't be time. Feel free to all laugh in horror at me. I will be gone until Monday, plan on watching the Inauguration ALL DAY Tuesday while I pack, Wednesday errands and Thursday WICHITA!!!

I hope you are all doing marvelous and know that you're in my thoughts and prayers.

Adios!

My Friendly Attack on Albertsons

Afternoon assault on Albertsons.

Today was my big shopping day. Most of you that know me, know that I'm all about a smokin' deal. I went to Albertsons when I dropped Mike off at school. I almost never shop there because they are expensive and don't often have deals on the things that I buy but I stayed up late last night and planned my assault. I left the store with THREE FULL CARTS OF FOOD. Yes, three. I had to put up the seats in the third row of my car because I had so much. I didn't take any pictures then because well, it was just too much. I was looking over what I'd bought and decided to swing in and get a few extras of somethings when I got Mike at school.

I got a 64 load bottle of Tide, 6 boxes of Cereal, 2 jumbo packs of Pampers, Orange Juice, 4 boxes of frozen corn, 3 boxes of Gogurts, 8 boxes Rice a Roni, 3 packages little Cokes, 5 boxes fruit snacks, and 2 boxes specialty potatoes.

Total Price: $142.41

Total Savings: $115.34

Total Out of My pocket: $26.97

Yes, everything you see here cost me $26.97. I saved 81% on my groceries. That's less than the Tide and one pack of diapers alone. Can't beat that.

My total for the day was-

Total Price: $764.97

Total Savings: $508.02

Total out of my pocket for 4 carts of food: $236.95

Total savings for the day: 69%

I'd say it was worth the time I put in. :)