OuR cHriStMas!

Hello everyone, hope you all had a wonderful Christmas day!

Here is how our day/week went in a nut shell....

It all started on the Saturday before Christmas. I noticed that little miss Sydney wasn't feeling her best. She had gotten a cold. Her little nose was running and she had a slight cough. We had plans to celebrate Christmas with Braden's dad and stepmother as well as Braden's brother and sister-in-law the following night (Sunday). We normally do this on Christmas eve but because Braden's brother is a nurse he was going to be on call that night so we decided to celebrate early. I have started the tradition of cooking a dinner and we eat by candlelight. This was so fun last year and so we thought we should start doing it every year. The dinner went great and we opened lots of gifts. Sydney still wasn't feeling great but was a little trooper none the less.

The next few days Sydney seemed to get worse so I decided to take her to the doctor on Tuesday. Turns out she had RSV. All we could do was watch her close and make sure her breathing was okay. They told us to cancel plans and stay home...

What a bummer. So we called everyone that was planning on coming over on Christmas and told them they should probably stay away but it was up to them if they would like to join us for breakfast.

Christmas Eve rolled around and it seemed like later in the day Sydney felt so much better! Her nose had started to dry up and she was back to her normal smiley self. I decided not to call everyone back on the off chance she was still contagious. (Thanks mom for all your prayers).

On Christmas day it started to snow and snow hard. My parents decided to go ahead and join us for breakfast and it was so fun just to stay in and enjoy the morning. Sydney still seemed to be feeling pretty well.

Later in the day we went to my brothers house for dinner and opening of gifts. It was a lot of fun. The snow really started to come down and by the time the night was over we got about a foot of snow. I love a white Christmas!

Here are a few pictures of our fun filled Christmas.

This is a picture of a mom we helped out this year for Christmas. She has two small boys.

Our pre-Christmas Eve dinner and gifts.

Miss Sydney playing on Christmas Eve.
Tyler making sure Syd's heart sounds good.
Christmas Eve jammies!
Christmas morning!
Sydney with her Corona.... Just kidding. Don't freak out, it's just an empty bottle.
Un-wrapping gifts at my brothers.
Sydney with my dad. I think this picture is so cute!

Tyler's first gingerbread house

We decided to breakout the gingerbread house I bought on black Friday. Braden and I had never made one before so this was a new thing for all of us. Tyler was all about the candy and getting his hands on it. I whipped up the frosting and got all the candy divided into little bowls. Once Braden and I got the walls stuck together I started to frost the roof. The instructions said to let the house dry for 24 hours before proceeding to frost but we didn't have this much time nor did Tyler have the patience. After the roof was looking like it had freshly snowed it was time for Mrs. Sydney to go to bed. So off we went. Once I returned Braden and Ty had FINISHED IT!! It actually turned out pretty cute. Here is the finished product.

Daddy's side
Tyler's side
The Back

And just one I thought was cute!

Tree cutting time!

Every year we venture out to cut our own Christmas tree. This has become a really fun tradition that I think our kids will grow to love. Tyler already loves it... and wants to go again right now. We usually head out the weekend after Thanksgiving and go over by Fish Lake area. This year the day that worked best for everyone was Sunday. We arrived in Salina where we buy our permits and the gas station that sells them was closed... What to do now...

We ended up walking next store to the other gas station and she recommended calling the Walmart in Richfield, another town about 20 min. away. I did and they had me call someone else who ended up having some permits. Once we got them we started up the mountain. The day was sunny here in SLC and once we got on the mountain it got cloudier and cloudier. We quickly hit snow that blanketed the road. We were so surprised. Last year we were able to get all the way to the top and there was hardly any snow and we thought this year would be the same.. boy were we wrong.

We didn't make it very far before we got stuck and had to back up. Everyone decided that this was far enough and this is were we would have to find our tree. It was so cold and windy that day so Sydney and I stayed in the truck while the boys went out to cut our tree.

They soon appeared on the road with our beautiful tree. After the tree was placed in the truck it was time for some sledding. This is also a tradition. This is Tyler's favorite part. They spent quite a while sledding down the road. Tyler is getting big enough that he was able to hike up the road and sled back down without help from dad. It was soon getting late and we needed to head back home. We stopped at the Cracker Barrel for some dinner.. Mmmm good. It was a fabulous day.

Just grateful.

Things I am grateful for...

I am grateful for my wonderful family. I am so blessed to have Braden, Tyler and Sydney in my life. Where would I be right now if I didn't have them....

I am grateful for my home. I am so lucky to have this beautiful home we live in, even if it isn't quite how I want it yet. All in good time. The neighborhood is wonderful and I love living in a circle. The kids have so much freedom to play outside without me having to worry.

I am grateful for my warm bed even if I don't get to see it much these days. I am still up all hours of the night with my sweet little girl. Ooh, but I am so grateful for her.

I am so grateful that Tyler is actually peeing and pooping on the potty. Huge milestone in my book. He hasn't had an accident in quite some time.

I am grateful for learning the secrets to saving a ton of money at the grocery store! Thanks Tracie and Stacy.

I am grateful for my job. Even if I complain from time to time, I truly have it good here. I work 4 days a week and have since Ty was born. There are a lot of freedoms here that I know I wouldn't get elsewhere.

I am grateful for my Mom and Dad. They help me out so much with the kids. My mom takes the kids every Monday and any other day that I may need her. She is so wonderful with them and Tyler says "grandma's my favorite". He loves to go to her house. He always comes home with a picture he has drawn or a fun little art project he has done with her. Thanks Mom.

I am grateful that gas prices are finally dropping. It is so expensive driving around in a jeep... Oh but I love my Grand Cherokee. I love how high I sit and how roomy it is. I like that I can haul big things in it. I will be sad to see it go some day. My next car will be something like what Braden drives, a hybrid!

I am grateful that I am able to breast feed Sydney and still work! This is a difficult task. My whole day revolves around this one thing... when I can schedule appointments, run errands etc. I know it is benefiting her greatly though.

I am grateful for my sister-in-law. She too watches my kids one day a week for me. They so love to go to aunt Sharrie's house. She always has good treats from what Tyler tells me. You have helped me out tremendously the last three years.

I am grateful for this computer. I like being able to share my thoughts with those who care. I love being able to look up someone or something at the blink of an eye. The Internet is amazing.

I am grateful for my garage. I was just telling Tyler how we used to have to park outside and how every morning in the cold I would have to go out and scrape the windows. Oh man I love my garage!!

There is so much to be grateful for in my life. Sometimes I think I complain a little to much or get frustrated to easy but I just need to remember all the good that is in my life!

My sweet Tyler turns 3 today!

Wow... I can't believe you are already three. People always warn me that your children will grow up so fast and this is so true! Seems like just yesterday I was in the hospital delivering you. What an exciting time for your Dad and me. We were so happy the day you were born. You have taught us so much and your little personality is so funny. You are just like your dad too. I know you will grow to love 4-wheeling us much as your daddy. You love to be out in the garage working right by his side. For the longest time you always had to have a screw driver in your hand. You are so much a little boy.
You are very sweet to you little sister (usually) and she will always look up to you. I'm so glad I have the two of you. Happy Birthday little man!
Here are a couple of my favorite pictures of your life.

Albertsons does it again!

I got word that Albies was having a sale starting today and going through next Tuesday! I decided I would try and be one of those people that gets there bright and early. I was going to try and get there at 6:00. Well... Braden had to be to work by 7:00 so that was not going to work.

I got the kids packed into the car and we were off to the sitter. I dropped them off at about 8:30 and decided I would just hurry and go to the store before work... I knew I didn't have much going on today so I just decided to go for it. I had already clipped all my coupons the night before and had everything divided into 4 separate transactions. I went to the one on 3500 South and about 3400 West. They were very well prepared I must say. I didn't see anyone else doing what I was doing so I was pretty stoked!! It took me about an 1 1/2 hours to get all my groceries. I was able to use all the coupons I clipped and headed to the cashier. I told her I had 4 separate transactions and she said that was fine, she had been doing it all morning... :)

When all was said and done I spent $100.24 and saved $188.00.... :)

This was probably my best shopping trip so far. Here is what I got. I forgot to put the milk on the table but here is everything else.

Halloween

Halloween is always a favorite of mine. Our tradition starts with having my parents, Braden's dad and step mom and their son as well as Braden's brother and sister-in-law and their little one over for dinner. I made Taco soup and bone bread sticks. Mmmm... so good.

We are amazed to say we had a record year this year! We had 214 kids come to our home and trick-or-treat. I sat on the porch most of the night with Sydney on my lap. It was such a wonderful night. The temperature was perfect. Our neighborhood reminds me of what you would see in the movies. There are so many kids, it's so fun!!

Here are a few pics of our evening.

Pumpkin carving time!

I stopped by Smiths on my way home and there were slim pickings in the way of pumpkins. (Note to self, don't wait until the last minute to get pumpkins) I was able to find a halfway decent one and took it home.

Tyler was super excited to get started. Dad cut the lid and started digging out the cuts.

I was on the computer and found a cute face for our pumpkin. I printed it out and Dad taped it to the pumpkin. Tyler wanted to help so we let him poke the holes to guide Dad where the cuts go. Once it was ready Dad removed the paper and got started cutting. It took about 30 minutes and then it was time to see how it looked. Here is how it turned out! Pretty cute don't you think?

"cha-ching" $$$$

So I decided to post up my latest shopping trip. I went to Albertson's tonight and thought I did pretty well. Below is a picture of everything I bought. My total grocery bill was $91.92.



I saved $114.44!!! Had I paid full retail, not using coupons and buying on sale I would have spent $206.36 HOLY COW. That's a huge savings!!!



I purchased a total of 64 items. This makes every item average out at $1.44.



I did purchase some steak and a few other items that were not on sale but all in all I am really excited!



I even had a lady get out of the check out line to come ask how I was doing what I was doing. I gave here some info and she said she will be trying it. I invited her to the class but she had a funeral or something..



Hope this makes you excited to come to the class this Saturday.

Our first trip out!

Last Friday we took our (new to us) trailer out for the first time. We purchased it from my dad who bought it new in 1987. They have taken excellent care of it and it's in great shape! They left everything in it for us to use. All we basically had to do was take food and clothes. It was awesome. Thanks mom and dad!!
Like I said, we left Friday around 1:30 and meet up with our good friends in Spanish Fork canyon. We started on our way to Colorado National Monument. This is just about 10 miles outside of Fruita. It took us about 5 1/2 hours to get there. We pulled into our campsite in the dark but got set up pretty quick. We pretty much just went to bed after getting unhooked and settled. The next morning the kids wanted to ride their jeeps around camp. It was so cute. They loved driving over rocks and driving in the dirt.

We then took a short hike with all in tow. Tyler did awesome. We figured he hiked about 2 miles in the morning and only asked to be picked up when we got back to the truck. Sydney was in her snugli and she did great too. We then went back and ate lunch, gave the kids a nap and then went on another short hike. Tyler had his best bud there with him so they were together the whole time on all the short hikes which I think really helped.

On Sunday we did another short hike that was a bit more of a climb but again all did well. Syd fell asleep on the way out.

We headed for home after we ate lunch. The weather was perfect and we didn't have any problems to speak of other than trying to figure out how the percolator worked to have a cup of coffee in the mornings. We are so excited to use the trailer next spring/summer. Again, thanks mom and dad... we love it.