Celebration Walk

My Birthday is always right around the weekend of the "Celebration Walk" in Boise. This is one of my favorite things to participate in and has become a tradition for Kimberly and I to do together. Since 2000 we together have walked this 5k women's health walk. There was one year 2004 that Kimberly didn't walk with me and believe me I hear about it. For those mothers of 5 year old who no longer sit in a stroller and are not big on walking very far you can imagine why I opted to go with coworkers and not Kimberly. However, I only made that mistake once. This year the weather was amazing. We went with our good friends Kim and Debbie as well as Kim's kids Ashley and baby Tyler. Tyler was quite the cute boy wearing a shirt that said "This Chick was Made for Walking." I am sure his picture will be saved to share with future girl friends. Today I dug out Kimberly's picture from the first race. GOOD TIMES!!!

Deer Flat's Tailgate Party

Our Church had a fun Tailgate Party the Sunday that Kolby and Aspen were here. All the kids were in white tee-shirts and jeans because of the 50s theme. THEY HAD A BLAST!!!

Not Like They Use To Be

Yesterday I turned the dreaded 35! It is funny how quickly you cross the line from one of the young ones to one of the old ones. I truly feel like I just graduated from college yesterday and now my children are all out of diapers and into school. Life is a FAST ride!

I am so blessed though... I got tons of fun presents and great cards. Tuesday my Grandfather took the whole gang to The Old Spaghetti Factory and my poor parents car broke down. While waiting for the tow truck I forgot my souvenir glass and leftovers. Bummer, but like the waiter said Birthdays are not as "fun" as they were when I was younger. Though I have to disagree a little, my hubby and kids along with GREAT friends and family made it a pretty awesome day. Doug threw a "surprise party." Margaret brought the cheese cake (my favorite) and I got a digital picture frame (SO COOL). Then I went out to dinner with some good friends. I felt very special. It meant a lot that friends and family really got me things that show how they really know me. Fall Decorations, clean house help book :), chai, GREEN stuff (yes money too), jelly beans, nutela, on and on. It kinda was a little telling about me that so much of it was sweets. Oh well, I guess at least I am not a closet sweeter (lol). My kids even made me some great cards (the old fashion way too!).

So it isn't like it use to be but I tend to think it is BETTER!!!

Happy Birthday to a Fabulous Mother-in-law

We love you Grandma Margaret!!!

A Hunting Wedding

My former 1st Grader got married tonight. I can't begin to express how old that makes me feel. It was a fun wedding. The theme was "Duck Hunting." The cake and table pieces were awesome. Definitely an Idaho Wedding complete with hunting dogs. It is like life coming full circle.

Fun with the Cousins

Kolby and Aspen came down to visit us this weekend. The kids played hard together all day.

Our Brave Boy

Yesterday poor Jayden had to go in and get 4 shots to catch up his immunization records. He was very brave and only cried for less than a second when the first needle went in. He was so happy to get a sucker and three stickers. I was very impressed because when Ethan and Kimberly got off the bus he gave them each one of his stickers. What a sweetie!!!

Check out the cool bandages!

We finally Named the Kittens Last Monday

First Day of School for the Jayman

The Terrific Trio

Yesterday evening Kimberly, Jayden and I went to "the farm" to pick some corn and came home with three new kittens. These are outdoor kittens intended to kill mice in the shed and play with Saddie. As you can see from the picture they look like they are going to be a great addition to the family. Why three you might ask? Three because we have three kids. There names will be determined by there owners. So they are currently called "The Three Stooges" by me. Jayden is in a trans all day hanging out with them. They are so cute and funny.

A Playdate

Our friends are moving so while parents pack the kids got to come over and spend the day playing with Jayden and Kimberly.

September 4th was GG's Birthday

A Fun Week with the Cousins

Doug's sister Kathy and her daughter Kiera from Wisconsin was here to visit as well as Marie and the boys. With Doug having his wisdom teeth pulled and getting ready for school to begin live was pretty crazy. However, we managed to have a lot of fun hanging out at Grandma's house. Jayden even got to spend one afternoon at the zoo with his cousins while Ethan and Kimberly had to go to school. It really was a nice visit and of course the time went way to fast.

Couponing CRAZINESS

So I have always been a coupon clipper and thrifty dealer. In fact I recall at a very young age cutting coupons for my mom. However, it didn't become an "intense sport" for me until this summer. Actually the funny thing is that I swore I would never be a binder couponer BUT when the coupons were bulging out of my poor little caddy (and sadly this was actually my second caddy as I had lost my first) I decided it was time to conform. So I found a nice one inch binder and felt like that would work. WRONG that lasted less then a week. Then this wonderful "coupon fairy" left a much bigger better clear binder that I love. So now the question is the switch. I went to a class by "Thrifty Mom" and began asking my friend Maryhelen questions and an amazing thing happened... I began to save an amazing amount of money. I have to admit I better understand my friend's husbands that hunt for wild game. They always seemed a little obsessive now I am all about "hunting" grocery deals that is. It is so fun. I actually dream about getting things for free by stacking Manufacture Coupons with Store Coupons on SALE items of course. It is time consuming and a lot of work but very fun so since this blog is my journal of what I am doing it would only be fitting that I share my coupon journey. I am still learning a lot and feel like a novice in a field of pros, but I am no longer sitting on the bench I am in the game. Here are a few of my recent game scores I have to share...
At Walmart one night:
Total Retail 17.13
Total Out of Pocket 2.19
Another Day....
Albertsons
Total Retail 23.53
Out of Pocket 1.83

Okay I will do yesterday's transactions....
Walgreens
Total Retail 15.21
Out of Pocket 1.45 RECEIVED a $1 store coupon SO TOTAL actual money .45

Albertsons
Total Retail 63.88
Out of Pocket 35.64 RECEIVED $8.50 store coupon SO TOTAL actual money 27.14

Then that night to top it off we ate 4 meals at KFC with our Oprah Rain Checks for FREE. It would have cost almost $30.00 (it was perfect because Doug with his wisdom teeth pulled was not eating solids yet!)

So that is just a taste of the fun. My friend and co coupon junky has some great pictures and stories about her DEALS on her blog (Freeman Family). CHECK IT OUT!!!

I feel good that I am helping the family food and household item budget but it also can be a real rush. Too bad I don't have more time or maybe it is a good thing.