The Smell of Crayons and the State of the Union : )

Okay, I will admit to being a crayon snob. I love Crayola crayons. They just write the best. End of story. So this last week when school supplies were on sale, I stocked up. They are great for birthday gifts, christmas etc. Love them!

So I have a question? Why is it that the schools don't give out supply lists BEFORE we start school. Everything is on sale now, and I probably won't even know what my kids need until after school has started. So Frustrating!

We did buy new backpacks this year. Last years were looking ratty. (We hadn't actually bought new ones in like 2 years.) So when I found I could buy them at children's place for under $10 a piece I was so there.

Then I found 1st day of school clothes for the older three (Rachel is only 3 but she is starting with new teachers at preschool at the childcare center, so I thought she would like it.) all of them for under $10 for the whole outfit. And they are such cute clothes!!! Can't wait to post pics of them. We have forgone the whole new wardrobe bit. It will be cold by the end of september. So I figured there was no point buying a whole bunch of summer clothes for 2 months. Plus Abby and Rachel have birthdays in the fall, so it's really overkill. So I will keep watching the internet for smokin deals and just stocking up.

We've also decided to pair way down on Christmas. We are excited to have it at home again this year. I really never thought I would want to have it at home, but I do like it. So I am trying to get good deals now on things I can stash away...like school supplies.

Other ways we are saving money...

• Still no tv...we have netflix but $16 a month is so much cheaper than satelitte (no basic channels, we are too far from big city living)
• No Cell Phones...Gasp I know, but really there are only a few times when I really miss it. I can't have one at work, Winslow has a direct extention to his office, and we just plan ahead better to compensate. (although there are days when I would like one.) besides I can't text to save my life.
• Square Foot Gardening...takes less space, time, and WATER (which is crazy expensive here)
• Buy everything in CASH...this is hard because I really really want to add on to the house, but Winslow keeps reminding me we have to pay off any debt first and then we can build the addition. Good incentive.
• Coupons...I so have a hard time cutting coupons, but I am trying to be better and save more money at the grocery store. Which is where the bulk of our $ goes. These kids eat me out of house and home~
• Limiting fast food...we've really stressed this with our kids. Jacob loves to know how much I have saved. We still buy fun foods, but at the store. Bag of Meatballs...$6 3 pkgs of Kaiser Rolls....$9 Bag of shredded cheese....$3, Hunts spaghetti sauce...$1 Meatball subs at safeway for 19.....apx$60, My way.....$19. We do the same thing with corn dogs or chicken nuggets for a fun meal thats way cheaper than stopping at Sonic.

What's your favorite school supply?

How do you save $?

up to my eyeballs

Okay, so another unexpected day home. This morning about 6am I heard David in his crib stirring. "oh too early," I thought. And I was thankful that the both of us fell back asleep. My kids are in the habit of going to bed late and sleeping in until about 8 (It was the whole time zone difference I think on vacation that totally messed us up!). So right about 8 I dragged myself out of bed. David was still sleeping. Oh how nice. So I checked my email and facebook, and a few other things. David was still asleep. Started a load of laundry, got breakfast, Still asleep. That's about the time I finally noticed it. Puke, on his sheets and down the side of his crib. HOW DID I MISS IT! So then I felt like a terrible mom. He kept sleeping until 10:10am!!! He is happy. Of course, he was happy even when he had pnemonia! But he does have the runs. BUMMER. Poor Guy! So we've kept him on a BRAT diet. And yet instead of being productive today, I have to admit I have mostly vegged! Guess now and again we all want to take a day off from LIFE. But I have washed a lot of laundry and done dishes. My bed is made and I painted the girls nails and put fun stickers on.
It always cracks me up that Abby wants her nails painted. She has more bruises on her legs from biking, scooters, and just being crazy than any girl I know. Yet, she likes her toes painted and making bracelets. Which, by the way, she came into the house this afternoon after slipping on the sidewalk at the highschool. She scraped up her knee and elbow pretty good.

Pictures of our TRIP!!

the famous mud volley ball. See the gorgeous mountains in the background. It was SOOO green and absolutely fabulous. The volleyball tournament included 16 teams. Our team won 3rd place. We were missing two of my brothers, Matt (who was on his way...my mom purposely neglected to tell him so that he wouldn't kill himself trying to drive thru the night to get there in time for the tournament.) and my brother Jared. He is currently serving a mission in Ogden Ut. Which by the way, my parents home is in his mission boundaries. So we joked that he should have been able to come play since technically it is in his area! There was actually a time when he was in my parents town for a day, but they were in Idaho falls for the day. He didn't tell them until a week later that he had been there.
All the sisters. Aren't we a cute bunch. Of course I got my hair cut 2 days later! that always happens to me.

Daddy and Rachel on the Four Wheeler. We spent one day up Grover Canyon. It's about 20 minutes from my parents house. Winslow took his CHAINSAW on vacation so he could cut wood. (REDNECK) So he spent the morning cutting wood. The girls and kids came up later to have a picnic and ride the four wheelers. We had so much fun. Winslow, Emily, and I went out together on our own quads. Winslow lead us up a steep hill, up wasn't so bad, down scared me to DEATH!!!!!

Wow what a family we have. Kara and Alyssa are both expecting babies. A girl and a boy. Then we'll have even more kids!

My cute cute girls!!

Stephanie and John (Mike and Kara's oldest...2 almost.)

What a hottie. He too got a hair cut and a trim 2 days later. He had fun being a Mountain Man on Vacation. (by the way, I am totally on my tippytoes so that we can be in the picture together! He really is so much taller than I am.)

My Dad and Mom....love them!!!



Not sure why all these pictures posted this way???? But here are some fun pics of my kids!

Putting the House Up for Sale

he he he. Don't freak out! Today I was putting together my lamp and just putting things away in my bedroom and I thought to myself. " I should totally unclutter my house as if we were putting our house up for sale." Because you know when you are getting ready to sell your house you finally get rid of all the junk that doesn't have a home. You clear out space that you should have years ago, and all the while you wonder, "why didn't I do that before, now I don't want to move anymore." Anyway it was along those lines that I was thinking. Surely there is a whole lot of stuff that I avoid doing just because it takes time and effort and if I ignore it long enough maybe it will go away. So wish me luck on getting my house ready for selling.

a teaser

here are a few pictures of our fabulous vacation at my parents home in wyoming. There have been a few bumps in the road...namely me getting the worst sick I think I have ever been. But overall we have had a blast. There is so much to post. But I will do that later when I can pick out some of the best pics. Be sure to look for the MUD VOLLEYBALL Photos!