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

It's Rodeo Time!!

In the Sunday paper there was an insert for the Snake River Stampede Rodeo. It is a professional Rodeo and they have a huge stadium for the third week in July. On Saturday afternoon, they have a matinee and kids under 12 are FREE! So we made plans to go. When we got there, two ladies were looking for people who didn't buy tickets yet, and gave us adults FREE tickets! So it made our day! It was 100 degrees on Saturday and we figured we would last about one hour in the heat. When we entered the stadium...INDOORS!!! YAY! And they cool it very well! Infact the kids got cold and wanted their sweatshirts! We loved it! It was such a great day! The kids wanted to go again next week, but we told them they will have to wait for next year! Samantha wanted her cowgirl boots and hat but they are in storage still, so we went to Walgreens and got her somewhat of a cowgirl hat and added a scarve. She was in heaven! After the barrel racing was over she turned to me and told me she wanted to be like those cowgirls and learn how to race the horses...so we would need to buy her one. haha To dream...and she was also able to meet Miss Idaho Rodeo and got her picture taken with her. This was my first rodeo, and it was great to see it and that it was a professional rodeo. The prize money was amazing...I told Dylan and Wes that they need to learn how to ride bulls and get us some money! haha Another fun thing they do is mutton riding. Kids from the ages of 5-7 are able to ride a sheep like a bull. They get points awarded and everything. Wes was excited about that and wanted to try too! The rodeo was an ongoing thing from bull riders, horse racers, mutton riding, clowns, announcers, Miss Idaho's, funnel cakes, kettle corn, team roping....I can go on and on... My favorite thing was in the beginning, they had someone rid ein on a horse with the American flag. They did the National Anthem, and even talked about how great this country is. So much respect was shown for the flag, our country, values, Jesus Christ, God...yes they mentioned both...family, community...no one in the audience booed the things they sayed and everyone respected those moments. It is great to be in a place that has values and to have people who want their kids to be respectful and expect certain things from them. I was blown away. We are excited for next year! Never thought I would be a rodeo type of girl!! (:

Shocker! I am in a photo! haha

wagon racing...one of the wagons lost two wheels and still won!

Miss Idaho Rodeo!

Getting ready for the bull! I didn't get any more pictures..my camera battery died ):

Ivy Wild

Again, I was shamed into thinking differently!! haha Melissa, David's cousin invited me and the kids out to go to a public pool in Boise...Ivy Wild. (When she said Ivy Wild, I thought Glen Ivy? Yay!! But umm...no I will not be bringing kids! haha) I wasn't too excited but took the kids anyway. When we got there, I was amazed!! There were slides, kiddy pools, wow!, wow!, lifeguards! haha It was a neat place! As I look at my pics, it really isn't all that impressive, but I was impressed at the time that this was a public city pool. I know I am a dork! haha We had a great afternoon! And hope to go there again!

Samantha, Emma, Dylan, Owen, and George

Girls Night!!

Emma is so tiny! She is the sweetest thing and the girls get along so well!

Typically when I think of girls night, I think of myself going out with my friends...by the way, I miss you all!!! This girls night was with my daughter and her friend Emma. We had a blast! We went to the $1 theater and saw Hannah Montana and got some treats and then had a sleep over! We made Samantha's favorite cookie poodle cookies (no bake cookies) and made homemade pizza. Before we went to the movie, Samantha asked if they could wear play makeup, so we did a quick makeover on the girls and then went to the movie. I was not looking forward to the movie, I have seen the tv show and am not impressed. However, the movie was good and I was entertained. I am so glad that my daughter has a girlfriend and can have these girl moments!!