Being frugal again!

I starting shopping for deals again... hopefully I can stay as motivated as I was earlier this year to pay for our trip. My new goal isn't quite as exciting. 3 college educations, a couple of weddings, missions and paying off the house.

Hmmm, on second thought, I may have to reward myself with chocolate to stay motivated:)

But today I did great - so I had my neighbor, Corrie come and take a photo. $111 in groceries (that was the sale prices, but before coupons, etc.) I only paid $14!!! Pasta, little cereals, trial shampoo, laundry stuff, candles and Reeses all for free. Caramel corn, mentos, lunch meat and protein bars for cheap.

Starting in September, I will give myself a budget of $300 a month, but I also want to work on stocking up. We'll see how that goes :)

My friend Tammy is also doing it... anyone else want to join our frugal challenge? You decide how much your budget is and we just cheer each other on! It'll be fun!

Back to School!!!

My neighbor was nice enough to take pictures of Shea and Braden on her iphone... I really do think they are the most amazing, wonderful kids in the world. (especially now that they are gone most of the day:)

They both had great first day of school.

Shea - 5th grade

Ms. Barkowsky

Braden - 9th grade

10 classes

early morning seminary

marching band until 6 pm

and I just know he's going to be cheerful about it all!

Pictures from Kayla...

At least someone's camera is working!! Kayla is doing absolutely fabulous on her mission. She is so very happy and is having wonderful success in teaching people that are ready to hear the gospel. Here are a couple pictures she just emailed to me....

Happy Birthday to Sister Graf!

They LOVE being companions.

This is at the baptism for Wendy and her 4 kids.
It was such an amazing experience for everyone involved.
Kayla is a great missionary!


Kayla, Camille and Sister Graf.
Camille was just baptized last week.
Don't they look soooo happy!

In the hospital....

My camera that is. Luckily it is under warranty. Sadly, it will take a couple of weeks to get it back. I thought I would be OK... I was kinda burned out on taking photos, until I realized what all I was missing.

First day of school

(I think I'll borrow my neighbors and take them after school today

we can't break tradition!)

Braden's first marching band performance

Shea's new American Doll
(and all the creations... I mean accessories she has been working on for "Elizabeth")

Andrew's clean room.

(I don't think it will last... so a picture is important to prove it happened)

Etc. Etc. Etc.

Home at last!!!

There's no place like home.

There's no place like home.

There's no place like home!!!!

My camera died on me about a week ago...

so no pictures.

maybe I shouldn't have taken it on the zipline & kayaking :)

But I am SO VERY glad to be home.

Andrew flew up to Utah last week to meet us for a wedding.

which was wonderful since I hadn't seen him for TWO MONTHS!

then he drove home with us.

There was too much STUFF and too many people

in that Yukon.

for 18 hours.

straight.

PLUS the airconditioning only worked part of the time.

And I was tired of driving... and sitting.

THEN I had to go through 2 months of mail.

Found out I let the life insurance lapse.

oops.

Now it is back to the real world.

But I am so grateful for a wonderful journey!

To Grandmother's house we go....

After we got off the ferry, we spent some time in Bellingham, where Robert and I met (24 years ago!) But I will have to wait to put the pictures up until I can use the laptop again. From Seattle, we drove to Roseburg, OR where we swam with the kids and then Robert helped me finish up my 50 miles biking in Oregon. Way fun! Then we had a LONG driving day to get to my mom's house outside King City, CA. It is definitely in the country and we have had a BLAST! My step-sister, Ann came down from Fort Irwin her 3 kids and it has been non-stop fun....

Shea and her cousin, Jillian feeding the cows

Emily, Jillian and Shea with their glowsticks.

Braden and Zachary playing on the 1947 Army Jeep.

every boy's dream!

Me, Shea and Jillian in Aunt Nix's swimming pool.


Cousin swim time!

Robert's perfect dive!

Grandma Zee and Emily washing off the mud.

(or maybe it was cow poop?)

All the kids and Janet in the Jeep after swimming...

A hard day of playing and swimming....

Supper time!

the kids shucking corn for dinner....

YUM!!!

A sad goodbye...

We left Ketchikan Wednesday evening on the ferry....

arriving in Bellingham, WA this morning at 8:00.

2 nights.

no cabin.

hard floor.

screaming babies.

snoring weirdos.

(but hey- that's how I did it when I was a kid!)

I asked the kids what their favorite thing in Ketchikan was...

they both said Ziplining!

Robert favorite was beachcombing.

My favorite....

Everything!

except the mosquito's.

and expensive groceries.

and leaving.

Sorry no pictures...

I think I was too sad to take any as we left :(

Kayaking

Always looking to save a few bucks, we decided to take kayaks out by ourselves rather than go with a tour. ($90 vs $250). It was a perfect day to be out on the water. Maybe not four hours though. My arm muscles felt like jelly when we where done!! But it was worth it!

Braden and I went together -

he paddled like a man!

Shea had a pretty easy life with Robert

doing most the work.

Shea brought her dog -
of course!

Our own private beach

for a few minutes of rest.

Isn't this a beautiful scene??!!

Eagles

There are eagles everywhere here...

When I saw this eagle, I thought it was a carving,

until it moved!

Shea took this eagle-in-flight picture

amazing!

Just hanging out downtown.

Gypsy

About two weeks ago, we were at Ward Lake and the kids started playing with a dog that was there with a wonderful lady that turned out to be my 9th grade home ec teacher. Small world! She saw how much the kids loved playing with Gypsy and offered to let us borrow her whenever we wanted. Today was a heat wave of 75 degrees and perfect for taking a dog to the beach. What fun!

throw stick.

watch gypsy fetch.

watch gypsy shake all over mom.

watch gypsy roll in dirt.

repeat.

Beatiful day at the beach!