Scary Face!

I love to score a great deal, I am constantly following deal and money saving blogs.

A few days ago I read on a blog that IHOP was having a free "scary" create your own pancake for kids 12 and under. I love when we can score lids eat free. I mean who doesn't love free, right? We usually take advantage of Chili's kids eat free...we love Chili's!

When we were leaving IHOP after our super cheap meal, they also had face painting free as well for kids.

Xander wanted a spider, and I told him to make a scary face and here are a couple of pictures of what the boys got, Austin wanted Batman!

Pumpkin Patch 2011!

The weather around here has been perfect. I think we were all tired of the 100 plus degree weather. We are definitely ready for fall!

Every year we made our way to the pumpkin patch. Last year, I went to take pictures of the boys, and I realized my camera had broke! I must say I go through cameras like no ones business, they were all point and shoot ones though, so maybe that had something to do with it?

Not this year though, this year (for mothers day, Damon bought me a big girl Cannon Rebel) I was prepared this year! I checked the battery life before we left just to make sure I could get some great pictures.

 Being silly with all the fun decorations!

We went on a Sunday afternoon, and to my surprise, the pumpkin patch wasn't so busy! The boys were excited to ride on the hay ride. I was also thrilled that the line wasn't too bad for a hay ride.

They sure do love pumpkins :)

 On the hay ride the boys saw some horses from a neighboring house. The ride lasted all of 5 minutes, but the boys didn't care, they truly loved every second!

Pumpkin Patch, October 9, 2011

summertime fun!

Wow...where has the year gone by? Is it really Aug 1st? Crazy to think that Austin will be starting preschool in just a week! He is so excited to attend! All his teachers there are so amazing, and I can't wait for the school year to begin for him!

A few weeks ago, we had a play date at the park with a few friends! It was an ice cream sundae playdate! The boys LOVED it!

here they are each enjoying their yummy summer treat!

I think we only stayed about 45 minutes, it was EXTREMELY hot this day and it was only 9:30 in the morning!

We hope to visit the park a few more times, and make a few more visits to the library before school starts up....We love summer!

what a flake!

wow....


has it really ben that long since i've had a post?



i guess i must be flake of the year!


lot's of new adventures have been happening over here...where to start?

austin will be starting his pre-school in about a week! he is very excited about it! he can't wait to start his "new school"


it's been really hot here. we had a couple of 80 degree says which is highly unusual for our area. but we enjoyed those days so much!

i signed austin up for a pen pal when eighteen25 had a post asking parents to sign their kids up. our penpal is noah. he's a sweet little boy, he sent austin an art project....so cute!


i really need to be better about posting, this is all i am going to have to remember all the sweet moments ;)


happy friday!

easy as peach pie!

You seriously have to make this, it's really yummy, and easy. I LOVE easy recipes. Who doesn't right?

 Start with these yummy ingredients:

pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees 

add the frozen peaches, and strawberries to a bowl

toss in cornstarch and sugar, let stand a few minutes to thaw

stir until totally dissolved, mixture should be syrupy like this

place pie crust in a pie pan and pour the mixture on top, 

spread evenly, careful not to tear it

fold over the edges of the pie crust (crust wont totally cover the fruit mixture)

should look like this when it's ready to pop in the oven. 

place in the bottom rack for 60-70min or until the 

crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly...

After it comes out of the oven (mine tore somewhere, 

so it looks a little messy, but still so yummy!)

Now I forgot to take a picture with a slice on my plate, I guess I was too excited to chow down! Serve it warm with some Vanilla Bean ice-cream, trust me...it's the perfect summer treat! Enjoy! Let me know if you try it! Recipe below ;)

Easy as Peach Pie!

1 refrigerated crust

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 16-ounce package frozen peach slices

1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries

Vanilla Bean ice-cream (optional)

I am linking-up with these awesome ladies!

mailbox goodness...

I have been away....for about a month....life just seems to pass us up so quickly doesn't it? I have totally been a crazy coupon lady for the past month! I think that show "Extreme Couponing" really got me thinking about how much money I could really save my family. I would never do it the caliber that those people on the show do it, but I really think I can get things for free or near free, if I wait for the items that I want to go on sale. I have been very successful, I am very proud to report. And slowly but surely my "mini stockpile" is growing! I am happy when I already have it on hand and don't have to make yet another trip to the grocery store.

I follow a lot of these match-up websites for great deals at stores I regularly shop at, so it really eliminates all the hard work, all I have to do it print what I want to buy, clip the coupons and head to the store, it's really nice no to have to do any of the tough work ;)

On some of these sites they also share freebies, or things you can get free sample of, here are some of the things I have gotten so far:

Hey, it's free! The Purex is enough for one load of laundry, and there are 4 GoodNites, plus all of these samples always come with great high dollar coupons! I guess I am now a crazy couponer! Well I love getting stuff for free, and I can't wait to see what else I can snag up for free or nearly free ;)

Cookie Memories

While on my weekly grocery trip to save mart I stumbled upon these cute little cookies, I knew the boys would love to help bake these! My little Xander went to stay with tita this night (yes, the boys would literally live at their tita's house if they could) so Austin and I decided to bake a little sweet treat before bed!

Check out how happy and excited he is! Gosh he is getting so big!!

I forgot to get a picture of all of us eating the cookies! Oh well, they were yummy!

Happy Tuesday!

two.

I think I have slacked a lot when it come to the blog, I really wanted to use this a way to capture little moments in the kids lives. It is so easy to forget what they say and sometimes the little things they do. I feel my life is so hectic and chaotic (who's isn't right?) sometimes, I forget about the "little things" I really want to remember as much as I can, because time just flies by so quickly! Here are some pictures of Xander's Sock Monkey party!

I saw a tutorial for this balloon wreath here and decided I would give it a try, it turned out pretty awesome! Very easy to make!

I decided to make a collage with the program Picnik, I think it turned pretty good, what do you think?

Not too shabby for being my first one! They have a lot of cool features on the site to help with editing of photos

He spend the whole time by the train set, there is just something about it that had him mesmerized...how sweet to be 2 and really get to enjoy the little stuff!

 Blow out the candles!

Look at the excitement on his face :)

Yumm! Brother loves a good cupcake!

This is our annual birthday photo with the just the birthday boy :) I can't wait to have all 18 years ;)

I just can't believe how fast time is going. Everyday is a new adventure with him, everyday he learns something new, I just love this stage. I took about 200 pictures for his birthday, yes I have a mild crazy obsession with taking many photos...

All the hard work and time that was put into the party was worth it. Xander really did have a blast. And in the end, it is a time to reflect and be grateful for the time with him. He made me a mama a second time, and I couldn't be more happier. Happy Birthday my littlest man, I hope you know how much mommy and daddy love you, more than could ever be put into words...

All of the awesome sock monkey stuff was from Jennifer of Lovey Photo Cards, she was SO AMAZING to work with, seriously! If you're having a party go and visit her, you won't regret it! Here are some more pictures of the party favors and food! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday my little man!