Blue-eyed babes

Stationery card

2011-12-01T17:11:00.001-08:00

Simply Modern Wishes Christmas Card

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Happy New Year 2009!!

2008-12-31T21:50:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a very HAPPY and HEALTHY 2009!

Where did the time go???

CRAZY snow!!

2008-12-22T14:45:00.001-08:00

We are getting HAMMERED with SNOW! It's insane...I don't remember us ever getting this much. Usually it snows & then melts the same day. We're at close to 14"!! We've had snow on the ground since LAST Sunday (12/14)!! CRAZY!!

See the layer of ICE between the snow! It's about .5" to .75" thick

That's ICE Jacen is holding!

Introducing...

2008-09-26T22:33:00.001-07:00

Mia (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) born 8/6/08:

Macy (Toy Fox Terrier) born 7/22/08:

Playing together...

Our vacation

2008-08-15T17:20:00.000-07:00

We ended up driving to Boise, ID and then drove to Sunriver, OR.

We had a GREAT time in Boise. We ended up seeing old friends and visiting the water park by our old house. The kids had a BLAST! Here are a few pics from our trip to Roaring Springs...

Playing Rock Band on the Wii in Sunriver...

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

2008-07-17T16:08:00.000-07:00

Today is James' birthday. We're going to meet our parents at the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate. This is the inside of the card Jacen made for his Daddy...

Fourth of July

2008-07-07T14:58:00.001-07:00

We ended up going over to my parent's house to celebrate the 4th. Didn't do much of anything. Watched the kids play out front, ate some bbq hamburgers & hot dogs and then let off a few fireworks. Jaina wasn't scared of them at all. Jacen didn't like the noisy ones, but LOVED the other ones. Here are some pics from the day:

Meet the new members of our family...

2008-07-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

Jaina walking & fun at Grandma & Grandpa's

2008-06-23T20:02:00.000-07:00

Well, she started taking off more now. She's been getting up in the middle of the floor and walking for the past month or so, but it's becoming more regular now. Here are a few new pics of her in action...

Here are some pics of the kids having fun at Grandma & Grandpa's house when we went to hang out with them:

Jaina kept trying to climb out of the floaty:

Jaina's first bite of...

2008-06-21T20:24:00.001-07:00

...a maple bar!

Coming back for more...

"Mmmm...this is GOOD!"

"Maybe Daddy will give me *one* last bite??"

Happy 1st Birthday, Little Miss!

2008-06-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it has been a FULL year since you were born! The time sure flew right by. You are such a sweet, happy, full of energy little girl. You absolutely LOVE your big brother, Jacen. You light up when he walks into the room. And you are quite the Daddy's girl. When he gets home from work, you crawl over to him and ask him to pick you up! I know it melts his heart.

Here are her "elephant" pictures over the past year...

One week...

One month...

Two months...

Three months...

Four months...

Five months...

Six months...

Seven months...

Eight months...

Nine months...

Ten months...

Eleven months...

Twelve months...

Jaina's 1st Birthday Party...

2008-06-08T22:55:00.000-07:00

We had a GREAT time for Jaina's first birthday party. Grandma & Grandpa, Uncle Allan and Nana & Papa came over. We celebrated today eventhough her birthday isn't until the 11th. Her theme was "cupcakes", so I made cupcakes for everyone, a bigger cupcake for Jaina's smash cake and a cupcake-cake for everyone to share. Here are some pics...

How old are you now, Jaina?

Watch out world...

2008-05-24T20:04:00.000-07:00

...HERE...I...COME!

2008-05-23T23:42:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of my recent transactions:

Walgreens #1

Trans #1
$8.99 Nexcare cold sore
$1.99 Wags pad
$10.98 total

Used
$10 RR

OOP $.98 using gc from RR PLUS will get $12.08 back in rebates

Trans #2
$9.00 Crest Pro Health 6oz PLUS free Mouth Wash ($3ea...bought 3)
$4.49 Oral B CrossAction Toothbrush
$9.99 Ear rinse
$4.00 Act II Popcorn (2/$1...bought
$2.00 Butter Ball chicken broth (3/$2...bought 3)
$4.14 Hunt's Tomato paste ($.69ea...bought 6)
$4.99 Zantac Cool Mint 8ct
Total $38.61

Used
$5/$25 Wags
$1 Crest
$1 Crest
$1 Oral B CrossAction toothbrush
$5 Zantac
$10RR

OOP $15.61 using gc from RR PLUS received 2-$3 RR's and will get $21.49 back in rebates

Walgreens #2

Trans #1
$4.79 Wesson oil
$0.99 Hunts tomato paste
$5.00 Orville/Redd popcorn 3pks (2/$5...bought 2)
$1.69 Wags lightbulb 4pk
$10.00 Tuf garbage bags (3/$10...bought 3)
$9.99 Ear rinse
$4.99 Zantac cool mint 8ct
Total $37.45

Used
$5/$20 Wags
$5 Zantac
$10RR

OOP $17.45 using a gift card I bought with RR's PLUS received $3RR Zantac and will get $22.75 back in rebates

Trans #2
$10.00 Tuf garbage bags (3/$10...bought 3)
$4.99 Zantac cool mint 8ct
$1.69 Wags 4pk light bulbs
$0.74 SPECIAL TAX ?? The cashier was trying to take off my $5 Zantac & I think she pushed something else!
Total $17.42

Used
$5 Zantac
$10RR

OOP $1.77 on gift card
$.65 cash PLUS received $3RR Zantac & will get $6.26 back in rebates!

Albertsons

$15.00 Ken's spray dressing ($2.50ea...bought 6)
$6.00 Ken's Dressing ($2ea...bought 3)
$8.97 Gerber Yogurt Melts ($2.99ea...bought 3)
$1.00 Zone Perfect
$5.72 Chicken Breast
$2.99 Ground Turkey
$5.99 Buitoni pesto sauce
$2.99 Grape tomatoes
$1.99 Oroweat buns
$5.00 Pepperidge Farms crackers (2/$5...bought 2)
Total $55.65

Used
$12 Ken's spray ($2/1 x 6)
$6 Ken's dressing ($2/1 x 3)
$1 Gerber grads IP ($1/2)
$1 Zone Perfect ($1/1)
$5 FREE Pepperidge Farm crackers wyb $5 in meat (Albertson's coupon)
$3 RR
$6 RR
$10 RR
$4 Doubles ($.50x8)

OOP $7.65

Jaina

2008-05-20T17:04:00.000-07:00

Can't believe she'll be one in less than a month! She's getting so big! Here are some recent pics...

Finding her dolls eyes:

In her pack n play after swim lessons

What do you think?

2008-05-15T21:58:00.000-07:00

Lincoln City...beach trip

2008-05-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

We just got back from spending the day at the beach. It was such a beautiful day! It ended up being around 76 at the beach & close to 90 here. It was Jaina's first trip. She wasn't so sure about the sand at first, but she warmed right up!

Jaina's first...

2008-04-29T19:35:00.001-07:00

McDonald's Cheeseburger!

She likes hers plain just like her big brother! :) Man, can the girl EAT! She had already had an Eggo NutriGrain Blueberry waffle, around 10 graham cracker sticks, a jar of bananas, pears & apples and some Gerber puffs!

ANOTHER ear infection...

2008-04-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

Poor Jacen just can't seem to catch a break! He had a double ear infection 4/3/08 and NOW yesterday, was diagnosed with another double ear infection.

Hoping the Augmenten works this time.

Safeway Living Well Promotion #2

2008-04-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

The Pampers go back to full price ($16.99 instead of the $14.99 they are now) after today, so I've been trying to get as many as I can before then.
So here are my transactions from yesterday & today (so far)...

Trans #1
2 - Glucerna snack bars ($5.49ea) $10.98
1 - Glucerna cereal $4.99
1 - Pampers Cruisers mega pk size 3 (52ct) $14.99
Total $30.96

Used
$10 Glucerna IP
$4.99 Glucerna cereal FREE cat
$1.50 Pampers
$3 - (3 - $1 Glad OYNO cat)
$10 LW cat

OOP $1.47 ... used a gift card from an Rx transfer, SO $0.00 OOP PLUS received another $10 LW cat
***cashier forgot to give me my doubles, so would have been lower***

Trans #2
14 - Met Rx protein plus bars ($1.01ea) $14.14
1 - Pampers Cruisers mega pk size 3 (52ct) $14.99
1 - Zone perfect bar $1
Total $30.13

Used
$14 - (7 - $2/2) Met Rx
$1.50 Pampers
$1 Zone perfect
$2 - (4 - $.50 doubles)

$10 LW cat
$1 Glad OYNO cat

OOP $.63 ... used a gift card from a transferred Rx ... SO $0.00 OOP PLUS received another $10 LW cat

Trans #3
Same items as Trans #2
Total $30.13

Used
$14 - (7 - $2/2) Met Rx
$1.50 Pampers
$1 Zone perfect
$10 LW
$1 Glad OYNO cat

OOP $.63 ... used a gift card from a new Rx ... SO $0.00 OOP PLUS received another $10 LW cat.

Trans #4
1 - Pediasure chocolate 4pk $5
1 - Pampers Cruisers mega pk size 3 (52ct) $14.99
1 - Children's Claritin 10ct chewable $9.99
1 - Zone Perfect bar
Total $30.98

Used
$1 Pediasure
$1.50 Pampers
$3 Children's Claritin
$1 Zone Perfect
$2 - (4 - $.50 doubles)
$10 LW cat
$5 BBQ cat

OOP $7.48 ... PLUS received another $10 LW cat

---------------------------

SO, for $7.48, I received...

28 - Met Rx protein plus bars
4 - Pampers Cruisers mega pk size 3 (52ct)
3 - Zone Perfect bars
2 - Glucerna Snack bar 4ct boxes
1 - Glucerna cereal
1 - Children's Claritin 10ct chewable
1 - Pediasure 4pk chocolate shakes

Safeway Living Well Promotion...

2008-04-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

This deal has been going since the beginning of April & will end the 29th! So still some time to cash in on it!

This past weekend, I was able to "triple-dip" into 3 different promotions at the same time! The Glad Simply Cooking steam bags were on sale for $2.50 each. If you buy one, a catalina coupon for $1 on your next order (OYNO) prints out. Plus, if you purchase $20 worth of them or other items, you would receive an additiona $5 OYNO catalina coupon . BUT, this item is ALSO on the Living Well promotion where if you buy $30 of specific items (there are a TON of them), you will ALSO receive a $10 OYNO catalina coupon! SOOOO, this is what I did...

Trans #1
8 - Glad steam bags ($2.50ea) $20
2 - Glucerna shakes ($1.79ea) $3.58
2 - Met Rx protein plus bars ($1.01ea) $2.02
1 - Glucerna Strawberry cereal $4.85
$30.45 Total

Used
$3/2 Glucerna items
$2/2 Met Rx
$4.85 FREE Glucerna cereal cat
$1.50 (3 - $.50 doubles)
$10 LW cat

Out Of Pocket (OOP) $9.10 PLUS I received a $10 LW catalina, $5 BBQ catalina, 8-$1 Glad catalinas AND another FREE Glucerna cereal (up to $4.49) catalina!

I ended up doing this deal OVER & OVER & OVER again! Each time, I "rolled" my catalinas to make my OOP very low. I should have used more to make it free, but I kept forgetting. So my next transactions, looked like this...

Trans #2
Purchased same exact items as Trans #1
$30.45 Total

Used
$3/2 Glucerna items
$2/2 Met Rx
$4.49 FREE Glucerna cereal cat
$2 (4 - $.50 doubles...cashier took all of them off)
$10 LW cat
8 - $1 Glad cat

OOP $.96 PLUS received $10 LW cat, $5 BBQ cat, 8-$1 Glad cat AND another FREE Glucerna cereal (up to $4.49) cat! PLUS I still have my $5 BBQ catalina!

Trans #3
Purchased same exact items as Trans #1
Glucerna cereal was $4.99 instead of $4.85
$30.59 Total

Used
$3/2 Glucerna items
$2/2 Met Rx
$4.49 FREE Glucerna cereal cat
$2 (4 - $.50 doubles...cashier took all of them off)
$10 LW cat
8 - $1 Glad cat

OOP $1.10 PLUS received $10 LW cat, $5 BBQ cat, 8-$1 Glad cat AND another FREE Glucerna cereal (up to $4.49) cat! PLUS I still have 2-$5 BBQ catalinas!

Trans #4
Need to find this receipt

Trans #5
Purchased exact same items as Trans #1
1 - Gerber Fruit puff $2.20
$32.65 Total

Used
$3/2 Glucerna items
$2/2 Met Rx
$4.49 FREE Glucerna cereal cat
$2 (4 - $.50 doubles...cashier took all of them off)
$10 LW cat
$5 BBQ cat
3 - $1 Glad cat

OOP $3.16 PLUS received $10 LW cat, $5 BBQ cat, 8-$1 Glad cat AND another FREE Glucerna cereal (up to $4.49) cat! PLUS, I still have 2-$5 BBQ catalinas AND 5-$1 Glad cats.

Trans #6
8 - Glad steam bags ($2.50ea) $20
2 - Glucerna shakes ($1.79ea) $3.58
2 - Zone perfect bars ($1ea) $2
1 - Glucerna Strawberry cereal $4.99
$30.57 Total

Used
$3/2 Glucerna items
$1/1 Zone perfect
$4.99 FREE Glucerna cereal cat
$2 (4 - $.50 doubles...cashier took all of them off)
$10 LW cat
$5 BBQ cat
3 - $1 Glad cat

OOP $1.58 PLUS received $10 LW cat, $5 BBQ cat, 8-$1 Glad cat AND another FREE Glucerna cereal (up to $4.49) cat! PLUS, I still have 2-$5 BBQ cats & 10-$1 Glad cats!

Trans #7
Purchased the exact same items as Trans #1
3 - Right Guard deodorants clearanced ($1.50ea) $4.50
$35.09 Total

Used
$3/2 Glucerna items
$2/2 Met Rx
$4.49 FREE Glucerna cereal cat
3 - $1 Right Guard
$2 (4 - $.50 doubles...cashier took all of them off)
$10 LW cat
$5 BBQ cat
3- $1 Glad cat

OOP $2.60 PLUS received $10 LW cat, $5 BBQ cat, 8-$1 Glad cat AND another FREE Glucerna cereal (up to $4.49) cat! PLUS, I still have 2-$5 BBQ cats & 15-$1 Glad cats.

Trans #8
1 - Pampers mega pk size 3 diapers (52ct) $14.99
10 - Met Rx Protein Plus bars ($1.01ea) $10.10
1 - Glucerna cereal $4.85
1 - Zone perfect bar $1
$30.94 Total

Used
$1.50 Pampers
5 - $2/2 Met Rx ($10)
$4.49 FREE Glucerna cereal cat
$1 Zone perfect bar
$2 - ($.50 doubles)
$10 LW cat
$2 - (2 - $1 Glad bag cat)

OOP -$.05 used this towards my other purchases! PLUS received another $10 LW catalina & a FREE Glucerna (up to $4.49) catalina!! PLUS, I STILL have 3-$5 BBQ cats & 21-$1 Glad cats!!

So, here are some pictures of my "loot"...

Missing are:
2 - Glad simply cooking bags
8 - Met Rx bars
2 - Zone perfect bars

Added are 4 - Suave shampoos from Walgreens on Saturday (total OOP $1.64 total OOP , plus I received a $6 Register Reward (RR) with the 4 bottles of shampoo!)

I spent $18.45 OOP and received the following...

48 - Glad steam bags ($2.50ea) $120
12 - Glucerna shakes ($1.79ea) $21.48
7 - Glucerna Strawberry cereal ($4.85eaX5, $4.99eaX2) $34.23
20 - Met Rx protein plus bars ($1.01ea) $20.20
3 - Zone Perfect bars ($1ea) $3
1 - Gerber fruit puffs $2.20
3 - Right Guard deodorant ($1.50 on clearance...$2.89 reg price) $4.50
1 - Pampers Cruisers mega pk size 3 (52ct) diapers $14.99

Still have...
1 - $10 LW cat
3 - $5 BBQ cat
21 - $1 Glad cat
1 - FREE Glucerna cereal (up to $4.49) cat

So, it breaks down to around $.19 per item and that's not counting the "money" (cats) I still have to spend!!

Not TOO bad! :)

Random thoughts...

2008-04-14T12:39:00.000-07:00

* Jaina 10 Months

Jaina turned 10 months old on the 11th. The time is just FLYING by! I can't believe she's almost one already! Thought I'd post a few new pictures of my "big girl"...

* Jaina's teeth

She now has 2 that have FINALLY popped thru. Her first tooth came thru on 3/28/08 (her bottom middle left) and then her 2nd came thru on 4/7/08 (her top middle left). She still has about 4 others that are "right" there! Poor girl!

3/26/08...see ALL those teeth just right there!

4/7/08 top right tooth JUST popping thru!

* Jacen playing on HIS laptop

We got Jacen a laptop and he is LOVING being just like Mommy & Daddy.

Carnival fun...

2008-04-13T20:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, was the annual carnival at the local elementary school. Jacen had a great time playing the different games. His favorite was the "candy walk", like a cake walk. He won EVERY time he played! They didn't do cakes, but bags full of snacks & candy. He also won a fish at the fish toss game and got his face painted. Afterwards, we went to Outback for dinner and then to the pet store to get his fish a home & food. Jacen decided to name his fish, "Fish" like the name of the fish in Chicken Little! Can you tell he's been watching that movie lately! LOL!

With Daddy doing the "fishing" game (like in "Pollyanna")

Getting his face painted with a snake on it...

Doing the "candy" walk...

Jacen with his fish he won...sadly, he didn't make it more than 2 days! :(

Happy 4th Birthday, Jacen!!!

2008-03-27T15:50:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can't believe it's already been 4 years! You are growing up so fast and becoming such a young man. It's so bittersweet to see you getting bigger. Here's a picture before we left for your birthday dinner. You picked out your clothes so you could "be like Daddy"...

We had such a wonderful time at Benihana for your birthday dinner. You picked a great place. Mommy, Daddy, Jaina, Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, Papa & Uncle Allan were all there, too!

Then we all headed back to our house to enjoy cake & ice cream with Star Wars decorations (of course!).

Mommy even made your cake to look like Darth Vader's tie fighter...

Jaina even enjoyed a little piece of cake...

What a wonderful day!

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Can't believe it's already here! It sure snuck up on me this year. Thought I'd share a few pictures of Jaina's 1st Easter and then some I took of Jacen for his 1st Easter back in 2004, too...

Jaina's 1st Easter 2008

Jacen's 1st Easter 2004

Writing his name...

2008-03-22T16:46:00.001-07:00

Here are a few examples of the words Jacen has been spelling. He just recently started getting into writing his name & now he wants to know how to spell other names, too. Can you tell what the 2nd word is? Makes me get all teary-eyed! My baby boy is growing up!

You think he's obsessed?

2008-03-22T16:41:00.000-07:00

Here are a few new pictures Jacen made at school. Yes, they are tie fighters and apparently, Obi Wan and Anakin are flying them. Not too bad for a 3 year old, huh?

This is Anakin in his tie fighter.

(Notice the 4 dots...those are their "shooters")...

And, here is Obi Wan in his tie fighter...

My boys are in Arizona

2008-03-10T22:02:00.000-07:00

James & Jacen left Saturday morning for Arizona. They are going to be in Phoenix & Tucson while Jaina & I are at home. We were all going to go, but we found out February 4th, that our Golden Retriever, Kahlee, had a form of cancer...lymphoma. She had a mass in front of her heart. We chose to give her Prednisone to help her. We're so glad we did! We ended up having a wonderful 32 days with her! We went on a GREAT spur-of-the-moment vacation to Sunriver with Kahlee and made some wonderful memories that we will keep with us always. On Friday, March 7th, we ended up putting her down. It was such a sad day. We will miss her always, but know that she is not in pain or suffering now! How could she be when she is up in Heaven with her sister, Sierra.

James & Kahlee in Sunriver...

Kahlee at home...

Jaina with Kahlee...

We miss you, Kahlee!! We'll NEVER forget you!

Here we go...

2008-03-09T20:51:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to start out in the land of blogging! Thought I'd start by adding a few new pics of our family...

Jaina 2/29/08...

Jacen 2/22/08...