This Week in Review

This past week has flown by super fast!

Nathan turned 14 weeks (where has the time gone)?




Nathan sat in his bumbo seat for the first time and actually didn't mind it too much. He has a really strong neck!




I got a new hair cut which my hubby really likes


This Memorial weekend we went to our friend Sandy's new house and had a GREAT time with family and friends. She has a gorgeous new pool and Ben loved breaking it in with his friend Kamryn. We also had a great food, smores, and great times with friends!

Let the Savings Continue!!!

Like I said in my previous post- I am addicted to this new couponing challenge and I am not ashamed to admit it!

Here are the recaps from my couponing adventure today:

Target
Items:
(2) 6pks of Hershey chocolate bars (great for our upcoming camping trip!)
(2) bags of marshmallows (great for our upcoming camping trip!)
(2) boxes of graham crackers (great for our upcoming camping trip!)
(1) box of diapers
(2) jugs of laundry detergent
(4) boxes of Jello pudding
(1) box of nursing pads
(4) boxes of (12) granola bars
Beginning total: (approx) $65.00
FINAL TOTAL: $29


CVS
Items:
(1) jug of laundry detergent
(1) box of Cheerios
(1) deodorant
(2) candy bars
Beginning total: (approx)$18
FINAL TOTAL: $5.00


I LOVE COUPONING!!!!

Couponing 101

Since staying at home the last few months (and not teaching middle school) I have decided to challenge myself in a few areas. One of the areas that I am challenging myself in is saving money and really reducing our expenses especially in the area of groceries.

Since starving ourselves to save money wasn't the best option (haha) I thought I would try couponing. So I did some research and learned the basics (and some tricks) for using coupons and I have to admit: I am addicted!!!

On my last trip to Vons my starting total was $108 and after coupons and my club card my final total was $54! HOORAY!

However my best coupon adventure occurred today. After much prep work I loaded up the boys and we headed to Walmart. Now Walmart is NOT my favorite place to shop but after the success I had today, it was well worth it!

Using coupons . . . my item breakdown goes like this:
18 boxes of band aids= free
4 bottles of Spic and Span cleaner= $2 total
2 bottles of Lysol cleaner= $0.97 total
1 box of 2 Mr Clean Magic Erasers= $0.50
1 Degree deodorant= $0.97
1 kids Listerine mouthwash= $0.97
4 bottles of Comet cleaner= $1.00 total
Beginning total: (approx) $45
FINAL TOTAL: (approx) $7.00



Pretty good I'd say :)
I love a challenge and I definitely think this is one that I am going to continue :)

Brotherly Love

*Nathan 13 weeks

Welcome Home Daddy

I think the first picture says it all: WELCOME HOME DADDY! After being gone for 2 1/2 weeks in Japan, Bryan is finally home and we are beyond excited! (So if you were wondering why I was posting everyday- it was so that Daddy could see his little guys.). We have missed him terribly! Ben has missed his riding bikes, playing tools, playing cars, working in the yards, and many other things with his daddy. I have missed my friend, my helper, my sounding board, and having adult conversations :) I must say though, as happy as we are to have Daddy home, I think he might be happier to BE home!
Welcome home babe- we missed you TONS!!!!

Is That Your Best

Ben's newest favorite phrase is in regards to doing your best:
*is that your best tower mom?
*mommy . . . that's not your best picture of a zebra
*mommy, this is my best jumping
etc. . ..

Well today we were making a sign for daddy and here is how our conversation went:
Me: Ben, you are coloring that beautifully
Ben: thanks mommy, I am doing my best



Ben, you are so stinkin cute and I love you more than you will ever know. As long as you do your best, it will always be enough for me!

A Paci for . . . Ben????

This afternoon I was cleaning up from lunch when I suddenly noticed it was a bit too quiet (if you know what I mean) so I decided that I should go and see what Ben was up to. And this is what I found: Ben in our room, reading books and SUCKING ON HIS BROTHER'S PACI!!! He thought he was soooo funny! Oh dear!!!!

Silly Faces with Ben

A Splish Splashin Good Time

The rockstar pose- LOL!!!

Puppies and Kaleidoscopes

Tonight our friend Kinzie came over and Ben got some special play time with her. They had a great time playing trucks, cars, being silly and making these awesome little kaleidoscopes! They turned out great and make a fun little toy- thanks kinzie for being as awesome as you are, Ben had a great time tonight!




Meanwhile, I got some things done around the house while Nathan snuggled with Ben's puppy!

Ready to Ride

Our really nice neighbors have two little boys that are a couple years older than Ben but still Ben loves to play with them whenever he gets a chance. Well tonight, that family brought some hand me down riding gear over for Ben and he just couldn't wait to get it on. So without further ado, here is Ben is his big boy riding gear!

Bryan- I hope this makes your week babe! :)

Long Distance Mail

This morning when Ben woke up I told him that the mailman had left something at the front door for him while he was sleeping so he rushed downstairs to get it (he loves the mailman). When he got downstairs he found that daddy had "mailed" him a surprise from Japan. He couldn't wait to get his hands on it and was beyond excited! Here are some pics to tell the story:

Nathan: 3 months old

Today Nathan turns 3 months old! Really??? Where did the time go? It seems like we were just bringing him home. Nathan weighs about 12lbs and is about 24inch long. Nathan is a very serious baby in comparison to Ben at this age. He loves snuggles, he loves soft things and he loves his thumb! He babbles and just this week he has started to laugh. Ben is indescribably in love with his brother and just loves to show him off to everybody- super cute!

Summing Up Sunday

Our day started out with some sweet brotherly snuggle time. Ben really loves holding his brother




Later this morning at church Ben pointed to the cross at the front of our church and asked me if that was Jesus's blankie and hat. I love this stage of innocent, curious questions that never fail to make me laugh!


After naps, my mother-in-law took us out to dinner and we had a great time. Ben LOVED the mud pie for dessert as you can tell by looking at his face.


After dinner, Grandma Mary came over to help with bath, books, and bed.

This is Ben's attempt at putting on his own pajamas. He told me this is his princess wedding outfit. OH MY--- apparently we are spending WAY too much time talking about Aunt Staci's upcoming wedding!


Once the PJs were fixed though the boys got in some snuggle time. Ben and Nathan just love their Grandma Mary


. . . and that is the summary of our Sunday! Hope your day was filled with as much love and as many smiles as mine was! :)

Abundant Cuteness

Brotherly love


Nathan 11 weeks


Love these lashes




Wiggles and giggles




My peanut and me