Sweet Baby

This is my brand new little niece,

Lindy Lou.
She was born just last week- 6/1/2009

Isn't she a doll?
I think so too...

get your coupon on

Since we are in an economic downturn
and we're all looking for ways to
make our dollar go farther,
I've decided that I need to try
to figure out couponing (again).


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I've tried to coupon at least 5
times before, but it's a "hobby"
with a lot of steps, and what
seems to be a steep learning curve.
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That is, until I came upon
some interesting sites.
(click on the links below to go explore!)

Attention Target Shoppers-
Tells you all the best deals for the week
& even adds links for each deal's online coupon.
This site is a real jewel & the coupons
work for any store.

Stretching a Buck-
Has a section entitled:
couponing 101,
which is sure to make even
the worst shopper coupon savvy.

Grocery Smarts-Good for So. Cal,
Washington, Nevada, & Idaho
This site tells you the price of each item in
the store, coupons to use, &
even the best time to use them.

Crazy Koupon Lady-
Ideally meant for the Idaho shopper,
but she also runs a course on
couponing basics

A Full Cup-
Online coupon printing,
tips, & trading.
You have to sign up, but
they have special in-store coupons
for my favorite store-Target (and
tons of other stores too).

Coupons(dot)com-
Best printable coupon site that
I know of. They will email you each week
with their new set of coupons.
You "clip" the ones you like & print them
to your computer.
(Just remember this site is only a deal
if you actually use the coupons you print.)
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Like I've stated, I'm new to this whole couponing
thing, so if you have any great sites please
share them in the comment section.
I'm open to tricks and techniques too, so
don't hold out on me!
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Any who, here's my first attempt at
shopping the sales, using coupons,
and mail-in rebates.
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Not too shabby for a beginner,
if I do say so myself!
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(click on photo to enlarge and see my post-it savings)
P.S.-It's hidden so, I paid $ .50
each for the name brand cream cheese!
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I think I'm hooked!

Happy Birthday Baby

Who's the cuddliest,
giggliest,
darlingest,
wiggliest,
sugar pie under the sun?
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It's the lovable,
huggable,
cute-as-a-bug-able,
sweet baby girl turning
ONE!*
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(Jill, it's YOU!)
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We love you more than we could ever truly describe.
Thank you for coming to our family.
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Love your adoring fans,
Momma, Dadda, and Jack Jack

*words straight off Jill's birthday card
from her Great Grandparents.
Thanks Hallmark.

April in Review (aka- I'm behind again)

Easter 4/12/2009


The Easter Bunny was very generous this year.
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Jack playing with Jill's toy...
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and visa versa
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Cute Easter pj's by Nana.
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Jill sporting her new bathing suit.
(isn't that tummy amazing?)
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Bunny cupcakes I made for an Easter picnic.
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The Kid's Room
You might remember this post.
Where I showed off my fabric finds for
the kids' room.
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We’ve been using the bedding since

Last June, it’s taken me almost

a full year to decorate the walls.

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A very special thanks to Nana for all

her sewing, talent, & attention to detail.

The bedding is beautiful!

We love you a bushel & a peck.

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4/18/2009

Jack’s birthday fell on a Saturday this year.

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His special day went like this:

Morning-

Donut shop & classic cars

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Over to Disneyland to apply Jack’s

free past towards a season pass.

Afternoon-

Picnic @ the park

Examine the ladybugs in the field

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slide, slide, slide

Evening:

Pizza...
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a party... (Kent never disappoints)
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presents...
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and cupcakes…

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Hugs & kisses & Birthday wishes!

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It was a great day and Jack

Loved being in the spotlight!

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Birthday Party 4/25/02009
On April 25, Jack and two of his friends,
Mason and Zack, had a Car Birthday Party.

Us Moms decided to combine the parties into
one for two reasons-1. The three boys are all friends &
were born within 4 days of each other!
(Jack 4/18, Mason 4/19, and Zack 4/21)
2. It's less work & more fun to do it all together!
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Here are some pictures from their special day-

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I was in charge of decorations.
Checkered flags, road signs, traffic lights, and funky
food signage. Kent even helped and made
a giant coloring page for our racing table.
(Thanks babe!)
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Zack's mom-Alex made these amazing cakes.
Aren't they beautiful?
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She made the cupcakes too!
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Here are the birthday boys
L to R- Zack, Jack, and Mason
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The party was a home run!
The birthday boys had a great afternoon.
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Pickin' Berries 4/29/2009
Jack's preschool class took a field trip
to Tanaka Farms in Irvine.
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Jack was so excited to ride the bus and
literally climbed with walls in anticipation.
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Here's Jack with his two buds
Emma and Mason.
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Jack enjoying the bus ride.
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Before we picked berries we toured the farm.
The farmers would pick fresh produce right out
of the ground for us to try. Jack's favorite
was this carrot, he kept commenting about
its sweet taste.
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Ready, set, go!
We were free to pick and eat as
many strawberries as we wanted,
but we could only take home 16oz.
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These berries were beautiful and
the sweetest I've ever tasted.
Jack and I were in heaven.
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After we were back on the bus
one mom told me she'd seen women
in the fields with cans of whipped cream!
If only I'd had known ...
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Heavenly!
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Fin