Dave's celebration!

Dave's Mom and Dad were not going to be in town for Dave's birthday so we went to lunch with them two days before his birthday and used Dave's free lunch card and the kids eat free here! Tucano's is a Brazilian place and it is yummy!! I love their fresh salad bar items...and their garlic steak! yummy!! We had a good time and the kids loved it!

The power behind the marker...

Dylan loves his sushi and soups...lol

Using the tongs to take the meat for a fork...nice....

Dave's parents joined us...

When they sing to you...they embarrass you....Dylan's b-day is at he end of August.

Creme Brullie anyone?

Chillin outside after lunch

Block Party Crashing

In the newspaper last week I was reading about stuff to do..and it said that last Tuesday was National Night Out...join the communities and have fun..meet people..police...free food...free games...fun! It also said to come to Virginia Park and that is the location of the Night Out. So I put the info in my GPS...I knew the address. Well when we got here...I was surprised to see a block party..not a city party. I thought we wen tto the wrong place..and that is when I saw it...Virginia ParkWAY!!!! The paper didn't put in the parkway..but just park. So it looked like this party was taking place at a park! Others would've gone home..but we stayed. lol I know..ghetto. lol We really were not sure about what it was and thought we would check it out..I mean it was in the paper after all! After the third time being asked what street we lived on , I knew we had crashed the party. (: But we played it cool and didn't bring attention to ourselves. I asked one of the officers thier about it though..he said that they put it in the paper for others to come and see what they want ALL neighborhoods to do every year. I thought it was very cool and what a great sense of community you get here! I love it!

McGruff the Crime Dog...can't believe he is still around!

The Fire dept. hooked up their rig to the fire hydrant..if there is a drought anywhere in the US..they didn't hear about it! And it was so much fun for the kids!

Dylan has an arm!!

Think it was hot??!!

Wes loves his cotton candy..I forgot how great fresh cotton candy is!

Getting ready to climb the wall...

Dylan was like spiderman...and quick...and just got too tired and too hot to make it to the top!

A little exercise for FHE...

We went to Boise for FHE to ride on the paddle boats last week. It was'nt the hottest day of the week and we thought it would be a good night for a fun adventure. We just didn't realize how much work it would be! We had fun, but I know my thighs were burning..I am sure Dave's were too! (: The park is beautiful...it is the park that the Boise Zoo is in and right by the Boise State Stadium.

State Capitol

The Grogan boys getting started...Dylan looks a little too relaxed.

Somehow they ended up in front of Sammie and I...

Samantha and I 

They even has swan boats, but they were harder to pedal.

We told Wesley to smile for Uncle Jeff...who he adores...and this is what he ended up doing...

You spent how much?!!!

This is what is in the picture: 2 Cinnamon Toast Crunch, 1 Trix, 1 Coca Puffs, 2 Honey Bunches of Oats, 4 Keebler Cookies, 2 Cheezits, 2 Special K crackers, 4 Kotex Tampons, 6 Herbal Essences, 1 Ouchless Headband, 18 Candy bars ( we really dont eat tons of candy..but when we go to the movies...it comes in handy!) 8 Got 2 B styling Products, 6 Scotch Bubble Mailers

This is a total post to promote blogs that I LOVE! Since I am having so much success, I want to tell those that I love what I know!! I went shopping last night and went to Albertson's and Walgreen's. My total for all my transactions was $10.17! I saved $158.68!!!!!!! and I have the receipts to prove it! haha And I have a $10 catalina coupon to spend in Albertson's when I go back! I love this coupon thing! I know it is not for everyone, but once you get into it, it turns into a game! I go to the store with the thinking of how can I get this even cheaper?! I always thought it was so hard to gather enough items for my food storage...but now I can afford it, and I can get the "fun" food for the kids to have treats once in awhile. I have even gotten milk, yogurt, cheese for rock bottom!

If you want to learn more...go to athriftymom.com and those who live to Cali there is another one... menifeethriftymomclub.blogspot.com. Both can give you GREAT info on how to SAVE TONS! It is worth trying it out and see if it is for you. I spend a little time on Sunday evening clipping...there is a FAST and EASY way to do it! These blogs provide the knowledge of how and when to use coupons...the work is done for you! All you have to do is apply!

This is my "geekness" is all its glory! This is my coupon BINDER...not holder...BINDER! lol I learned this method from other couponers and developed my method to store my coupons. I LOVE it! And when I enter the store I am proud to show it off! haha I'm not that bad...but I am proud of how much I am saving! There is a learning curve, but once you have it down and know how to work the sales and coupons together, it becomes second nature.

I just had to share with all of you! It may not be your thing, but I love it...and wanted to pass along the little knowledge I have! (:

This is for Amber....

Actually for me too! haha Ok so here is, I hope, the brief story... My dear dear friend Amber Hansen was bragging (those of you who know Amber knows she really doesn't brag! haha) about her Walgreen's and Albertson's finds and deals. She got me excited to find some thrifty deals and I wanted to start doing what she was doing. Any time I can save money and pay less...I am there! She told me about couponing and this blog...http://athriftymom.com Check it out. This blog is set up to tell you how to use your coupons, where to find them, how to use them, and how to get more bang for your buck.

I started to do what she said and I have been getting some great and thrifty deals!! I noticed that the thrifty Mom lives in Idaho...and then noticed she lived in Caldwell...hello...I live in Caldwell. I was invited to go to a playgroup and I was clipping coupons there. They asked me if I coupon and I said yes and I read this blog. They started laughing at me..or so I thought. I said I know I am a dork, but this thrifty mom is so great! And I have saved alot of money! They then told me that she lives in this ward and her kids are over playing with my kids and she would be here shortly! OMGOODNESS! I felt as if I was about to meet Jason Statham or Brad Pitt! haha She is such a celebrity..in my mind. So I started to text Amber to tell her who I was sitting next to!! (: I have been getting to know Sarah and she is so fantastic! I think I really embarrassed myself greatly when I introduced myself to her it went down a little like this:

Me: Hi Sarah..Oh my! I am such a huge fan! Your blog is so great! You are such an inpsiration..blah blah blah blah Can I please take your picture so I can post it on my blog that I met you?!!

Sarah: Ummm...ok?...you are wierd.

I am certain she was thinking this! haha However, I meant every word! Her blog is so easy to follow and if you put the work into it, you will save money! Sarah is so nice and it has been great getting to know the girl behind the blog. Amber...come and visit me and i will introduce you! (:

Unforunately, I was not planning on being in the pic...so I look like trash...but it's ok! (:

Check out Sarah's site http://athriftymom.com