Ticket box

I decided to do a ticket reward system with Daniel and Saige. I went to Goodwill looking for something to hold everything. When I saw this I knew it would be perfect!

After alittle scrapbook paper, modge podge, and work here is the finished product.
It holds all the tickets (and Chuck E Cheese tokens for extra special rewards) on the top and then has two drawers on the bottom. Twice a week they can use their tickets to buy things out of the prize store. So far, I love this system. I knew with Jason working the evening shift I had to figure out something so I would not pull my hair out on a nightly basis. The kids and I are all alot happier. I just hope it continues!

Cookies!!

Saige joined Girl Scouts a few months ago and has loved it! They do alot of fun things at their meetings. She was so excited to be able to sell girl scout cookies and of course we were excited to support her by buying some :)

Exciting news

Colin just started working at Old Navy in November as a seasonal employee. He really likes it there and enjoys the people he works with. A few weeks ago, they asked him if he would be interested in staying on with them. Of course he was excited. Today he came home with more exciting news. He was named Employee of The Month! I'm so proud of him!

I just wish the rest of the day was just as exciting. I have Saige and Daniel home from school today. Saige with her on-going stomach pains (we actually took her to the ER last night because they got so bad) and Daniel got up this morning with the throw ups. :( Daniel said he is finally feeling better and the doctors office just called for Saige and they are getting together a referral for a GI specialist. Hopefully things will be looking up soon for the both of them.

Hey, where has the last year gone??

I can't believe it has been almost a year since I posted last. I have been wanting to get back into blogging, but it has been hard between kids and Jason stealing the computer. We finally got a laptop, only because Jason needed it for school (but it's really mine) so I am hoping to be able to blog more. When this happened yesterday, I knew I had to post it :)

Anyone who knows me, knows I am addicted to Diet Coke. I called Colin yesterday on his way home from work and asked him to get me a Thirstbuster on the way home because we didn't have any Diet Coke in the house (gasp). Colin said to me "Does it have to be a Thirstbuster?" I said no, either Circle K or QT is fine, either one. Little did I know that when I was talking to him that he was at McDonald's getting us both drinks! So, he comes home with this...

and this!

Every place has a different taste to their soda, and he wasn't sure I would be happy with McDonald's after all. I am excited because now I have 2 full cups of soda! Well, Colin is so thoughtful that when he put the Circle K one in the fridge for later he took out the ice so it wouldn't water down my soda. I have the best kids!!! Jason had been at school all morning and on his way home he decided to suprise me and bring me this...

I have such a thoughtful family. Either that or they know how I get without my daily Diet Coke.

I am going to start posting things that have been going on this past year when I get my pictures organized. We have had an exciting year. We even added a new daughter (in-law) to our family.

Baby...it's cold outside!

Our sprinklers came on yesterday morning and I let them run because as you can tell, our yard needed the water. But, we went out later and the water had frozen. I can't believe it is actually that cold! I am glad that I don't have to deal with the snow everyday. I guess I better hold off on watering for a few days.

After I did this post, I was scrolling through my last few posts and found it funny that not to long ago, Daniel and Saige were out doing the slip and slide. :)

This weekend we had the chance to go and visit Tyler in Flagstaff. I have felt terrible that we haven't made it up sooner, but this weekend he had off so we got to spend the whole time together. This is his apartment that he shares with his friend Geoff. (Dang, I should have taken those Christmas lights down for them while I was there. Ha-ha!) We had a great time visiting and we got to meet Ashley's friend Arlyssa for the first time too. I can't wait until we have more money to go up and visit more often.

Here is Ashley, Saige, and Arlyssa and

below is Tyler, Ashley, Arlyssa, and Geoff.

We love you guys!

CRAZY KIDS!!

Where else but Arizona can you do the Slip'n Slide in the middle of January? I was talking to my parents yesterday when Saige and Daniel took it upon themselves to play in the water. They actually stayed out there for about half an hour. They had to be freezing, but they had fun. And they were actually playing together without fighting...that's always a big bonus!

Yeah, right!! Who in the world smiles like that while ironing?? One thing I hate is ironing. I have really only touched an iron a few times in my life. One day Jason pulled the iron out to iron a shirt and Saige says "Hey, Nana has one of those things that makes your clothes flat." My daughter did not even know what it was called. :)

These are my directions for ironing. First hang garment on a hanger. Spray at least 8 inches away in a sweeping motion with water until garment is damp. Pull out wrinkles, and using your hands smooth downward. Let to hang dry before wearing.

I found this idea on-line and decided that I would try and make it. I think the fabric flower is so cute!! I made the apron out of a pair of old jeans and then used some extra material I had. A Christmas present that cost nothing! My kind of gift :)

Fox 10 news came to Daniel and Saige's school yesterday. The helicopter flew in and landed on the field. The kids loved it! When we got home and looked at the news Daniel and Saige both got their 5 seconds of fame! Saige was so excited, she was signing autographs for all of us. Daniel wasn't so thrilled...in fact, I was shocked that he even looked at the camera. It was sure a fun and exciting morning.

People ask me all the time "How do you get stuff free with coupons?" It takes some planning work, but it is so worth it! I match store sale prices with coupons for a great savings. I also match store coupons with manufacturer coupons for a better deal. I got everything in this picture for free except for the Ziploc bags which were .49 cents. In total this would have cost me about $28.00, but because I had to pay taxes I paid $1.50 for all this stuff. The gum will make great stocking stuffers for Christmas. I can't believe Christmas is already around the corner!!

It is so hard for me to believe that my baby is 8! Seems like just yesterday I had the pregnancy rash all over me. Those months of itching were totally worth it, but I'm glad I won't ever have to go through that again. :)

Mom I had to steal your picture! This little girl is such a joy and we LOVE having her in our family. She got up this morning and said to Colin, (who was still in bed not even fully awake) - "Colin, don't you have something to say?... September 24th... birthday... Saige..." Colin says "Nope, doesn't ring a bell" She says "It's MY birthday!!! Aren't you going to say happy birthday?" She is always saying funny things and she is the most lovable kid I know. We love you Saige! Happy Birthday!

Procrastination

Sometimes, being prepared doesn't always go how you hope. For Saige's birthday I bought 3 boxes of Ding Dongs last week for her to take to school for her class tomorrow. Daniel asked last night if he could have something out of the pantry and goes in to find...

one ant had told all his friends to come for a party. We had ants in all 3 boxes of Ding Dongs. Luckily, they hadn't found anything else yet. So, needless to say those boxes all went into the trash and I am going to go today and buy new treats for her class for tomorrow. If I had procrastinated, like I usually do, I could have saved myself lots of frustration and 3 wasted boxes of cupcakes. :)

Can I just say how grateful I am for my children! They give me trials everyday and may not always do things that I approve of...but at least they don't have tatoo's of ants around their eye! What was this guys thinking? And where is his mother???

It's a Pillow...no it's a Pet! :)

Saige's birthday is coming next week, and I still can't believe she will be 8! All she has said that she wanted for her birthday was one of the Pillow Pets off of TV. Well, I decided to try and make one. Considering I have only sewn blankets and curtains, I was pretty happy with it.

It's a PET, and now... it's a PILLOW.

I used a real pillow inside.

I have been working on something for Saige's birthday. Can you guess what it is? I was hoping I would get it done today, but my seam ripper got quite a bit of use so maybe tomorrow.

Doesn't everyone snorkel in the kitchen sink??

Saige has been wanting a pair of "dress up" high heels for a long time. We have looked at Goodwill, but haven't found any that would not be way to big. Yesterday, I found some new cheap ones that I knew she would love in her size. She was so excited and did not take them off except to take a bath. Below is a picture to prove it.

She even asked if she could wear them to school. I had to explain that those are only for around the house and not to go out in. She was amazingly ok with that.

I hate, hate, hate the new template designer at the top of the design section. Once you go into it, you are stuck with the upgrade. After 3 stinkin hours messing with it, its staying the way it is now. So, moral of the story...Don't click on it, trust me it will save you a headache. (If there is anyone who has used it and likes it, please tell me what I am doing wrong.)

A happier post to come tomorrow, hopefully.

We took a trip to Holbrook, Arizona last weekend. My grandparents have lived there for many, many years. It had been a long time since the kids and I had been there so it was a much needed trip. We were able to help my grandma out with a few things while we were there. Before we left we went to the cemetery. My grandfather is buried there and I miss him so much! He was the neatest grandpa ever. I have so many great memories of him and am sad that my children did not really get to know him.

Grandpa Inman was in the Army and the Navy. Tyler is the first one out of the grandchildren and great grandchildren to serve in the military. I know Grandpa is very proud of Tyler and the decision he made to serve the country.
Jackson, Daniel, Colin, and Saige wanted to join in the picture. Logan wanted no part of picture taking!

Miss Saige - your hair is quite out of control. :) This was taken on the way back home. I wish I had a house right on the top, wouldn't that view everyday be awesome!

Look who's driving!

Don't say you weren't warned, there is a new driver on the road!! Tyler got his driver's license today and when they got home he could not wait to take his first official ride by himself. I was a nervous wreck, but could breathe again when he arrived back home safe!

Congratulations Tyler!!