Levi found a friend. She was really cute. He chased her around our blanket the whole time and wouldn't eat. 
This past year we have had some great trips to LA. We've loved being able to go to the temple more often and we love being with the kids and having a great time. Well, this month we forgot to call ahead for an apartment and decided at the last minute just to drive down Saturday morning for me to make it to a session and then we went to the LA zoo. Well the last time we were down there I forgot to take sweaters and the boys were cold, so THIS time we all wore jeans and tee shirts and it was 90 degrees and HOT, HOT, HOT. The boys were miserable, tired, and complained pretty much the entire visit. I learned to check the forecast for ALL the specific Los Angeles areas we will be visiting, because they can differ GREATLY. 
Spencer had been talking the whole ride up about how the flamingo's stuck so bad and he smelled them as soon as we got into the zoo. 
Levi was not liking the photo op with the Giraffe in the background. I think he thought I was gonna drop him in or something. 
We found the same plant that was in our backyard when we moved in. I've never seen it since we ripped ours out and we still don't know what it is exactly.
All the boys wanted to see was the rhino this trip. It's funny how they get something stuck in their mind (and it HAS to be an animal that is the furthest away) and that is ALL they want to see. They could care less about everything else there. 
It was fun to have Andres with us and he was a life saver trading off with Levi, because we don't have a stroller. The best part of the trip was the Frosty's at Wendy's on the way home. We will never do this again. We know now the importance of planning ahead.
For about a year I've been reading about ladies around the country getting smokin' hot deals on groceries and other goodies using coupons. I've got friends and family who have been successful at it (Holly, Emily, Jill and Becky), but every time I looked into trying something, I'd get frustrated/nervous. Well this is my story from the beginning...
1st transaction: I had $9.20 worth of coupons and I spent $21.78. They printed out my $10 coupon.
2nd transaction: Used my $10 off coupon and spent 1.04 out of pocket.
TOTAL SPENT: $22.82 for 20 items thats 1.14 for each product
8 boxes of cereal
18 cups of yogurt
2 pillsbary Cinnamon rolls 8ct.
1 bag chocolate turtle chex mix
2 pound of butter
8 pounds of sugar
12 double rolls of TP
So....that was a couple of weeks ago, but today I made a killing at Target. They have a few promotions where if you buy a certain number of an item they give you a $5 gift card. (Glade holiday candles/air fresh. and huggies diapers were the ones I used) Pair those deals up with coupons for every item (sometimes 2 coupons per item if you have a target coupon and a manufactures coupon) and you can get some great deals. I got 6 packs of keebler cookies for $0.50 a package...all the links for the coupons and everything are on the blog fabulessly frugal.This is the last you're gonna hear from me about this because I know it is discouraging to see others get great deals when you feel like you can't. I HIGHLY recommend subscribing to Fabulously frugal and just watch their Albertson's and Target deals. Some will be different because they are in Idaho, but if you just look at our ad and compare, lots cross over.
Oh the glorious age of 18 months. I have been so looking forward to him being able to go into nursery. He didn't even make a peep for the whole 2 hours. It was so great to be able to listen to the lesson and not have to be in the hallway. Here are a few little fun facts about Levi:
He just got his first two molars in the last couple of weeks. He says a few words including, "No, Nose, eye, Uh Oh, Agua (water), bike, Bapa (for grandpa and grandma), ball, balloon, mama, Da (dad), uva (Spanish for grape), Dog, baby, cracker, cheese, (lye) light, Hi, bye, up, cock-a-doodle-do (chicken or rooster), door, and I'm sure there are more.
He loves daddy's motorcycle and blows raspberries when ever we talk about it. He loves to eat cereal for breakfast and doesn't hardly spill at all. He still loves meat over anything on his plate. He use to love otter pops, but now he won't even finish one. He loves ice cream and yogurt. His favorite thing to do is get toothbrushes out of the bathroom drawer and brush his teeth. He pulls everything out of all the cabinets and loves to pull all the wipes out of the containers. He learned how to climb up onto the dining room table to get my scissors. He likes to unwind all my thread from the bobbins and spools, and His sweet smile is so cute I wanna eat him up!
He loves beating up his brothers and jumping right in on all the fun. He is 31.5 inches tall and weights 24.2 pounds
Last week I was able to get a little painting done in the kitchen. I pulled down the fruit border and was planning on continuing the yellow color from the dining room all the way around. Many problems arose. 1. the paint match WASN'T a match (too orange) 2. I managed to spill paint completely down the whole front of myself and I wasn't even on a ladder. 3. I realized that I HATE painting. 4. I realized that every time I paint the house I'm 8-9 months pregnant and have extra energy. Needless to say.......I ended up painting it white. Its clean and fresh and blank. I also changed the ugly lamp for something a little more updated and replaced our lens cover that has been broken for a couple of years. Next up:
1. Paint under the cabinets a rusty/red color.
2. Finish the cabinet in the garage.
3, Install new counter tops.
I know I already put up a picture of our beautiful pumpkins, but I never really talked much about our other crops. We didn't get more than those for 4 sweet 100 cherry tomatoes. The plants bloomed and bloomed, but alas no fruit. 
Our basil was prolific and was very beautiful and yummy. We had a few carrots and yellow beans. The cantaloupe grew to the size of tennis balls and then went Ka -Ploot. We never saw any cucumbers or corn. I think the ants ate the seeds. We had major ant problems, but I didn't do anything about them. Our best crop was the loofah. They grow like a squash and then you peel them, wash them, and dry them out to make loofah sponges (for the bath). We ended up with 10 or 12 good ones I think. I'm gonna rip out all the garden left overs this week and think about what I want to plant for the winter.
We were excited to get to go to the fair this year. We haven't missed a year since Nathan was born. We like to go as soon as Oscar gets home...to miss the night life. It was fun, but not AS fun when you know someone who has an animal, or you have an animal of your own there. It made me want to put Nathan in 4-H next year. We spent more time in the poultry barn this year. Grandpa's Roosters look WAY better than the grand champion's at the fair. I don't think I want the boys to SHOW chickens, but I think the egg laying competition is cool.
Oscar took the boys around the collections, but Jared stayed and watched the Lego train set for about 20 minutes. The lady who made it was....well very interesting. Did you know there was a lego club of southern California? I didn't. Not that it makes any difference, but it is amazing what people devote so much time to.
Nathan wanted to play so bad, but the boys playing took too long
{Hose Draggers}
There was some wild and crazy wind that kicked up as we were leaving. It was blowing everything over and it was crazy to see everyone crying from allergy's and all the particles in the air. We had a funnel cake and went home to bed.
Saturday I had a little scare while shopping at Costco. We were strolling down the aisles buying too much stuff like usual, when Oscar related to me that there is a national canned pumpkin shortage (because of a small crop and a mold problem). I started to panic and rushed to see if they had any in stock. Alas...they did not. I begged my mom to look for some at foodmaxx that night....alas, none to be found. My earlier visions of pumpkin pies dancing in my head were being shattered before my very eyes. Crisis averted when I was at Walmart today. They had some...it was a little pricey, but TOTALLY worth my piece of mind. So, now you know where to go tonight if you had the same anxiety that I had. And in case you are wondering Libby's said they should have the supply up to normal by the end of December....helpful huh?
I was sitting here wondering why my star rating was going down from this morning. Then I realized that I'm too nieve and everyone who voted for someone also gave everyone else a 1 star rating to make there rating go DOWN! Silly me...I voted honestly. Its up to you if you wanna go back to the page and give everyone else a 1 star who you didn't vote for. I'm not thrilled with the voting method.
I entered a contest over at totallystichin' and the voting starts TODAY! If you get a chance hop on over and help me get the most stars!! The winner gets a super cool sewing machine. For the contest you had to create something from t-shirts and give it a little POP flare. You also had to use lots of sewing techniques to make it all that more special. I did a little reverse applique and free motion embroidery.
PS - Jill has some entries too, so don't forget to check her's out too!
PPS - If I win it, I'll post a giveaway with something I've made!!!!
Just a little incentive for your time!!!
Second: I made the kids lunch minus the main dish because I thought it would be fun to just pick up some burgers from McD. I thought there would be no problem because lunch for the 1st grade is at 10:55a. No one would be there. WRONG. Apparently every parent at the school had the same idea in addition to all the truck drivers and parole officers. I saw the drive thru (NO WAY), unloaded the kids and went inside (EVEN WORSE). Loaded back up and drove across to Jack in the Box. Drive thru was NOT moving so I backed up and finally made it (no one in line) to Burger King. We made it JUST in time. Now I know apparently we are the last people on the planet who eat lunch at noon. Nathan's friends mom came about 10 minutes late. She was in the JBX drive thru ahead of me and saw me leave. I knew I made the right choice. Next time, I'm bringing it all from home!!
Yesterday while cleaning up my sewing material I found a skirt that Karrie had given me a while back. I was saving it for when it would fit me. Well, that never happened and it was also a little short. I really really wanted to wear it so I unpicked all of the pleats and cut a bit off the sides to make a new yoke (the length needed). I re- gathered the skirt and sewed it onto the yoke. Put the zipper back in and hand stitched the facing. I LOVE IT! 
PS - re-fashioning is so much fun. If you ever have some clothes that get a stain, or a little rip or don't fit anymore give it a try........or you could donate it to me! :)
PPS - I have a free one year subscription to Seventeen magazine that I don't want if there is anyone out there who would like it, or give as a Christmas gift. I need to send it in probably tomorrow or the next day with the address of the person who will be receiving it?? ANY TAKERS??? email me.
Today marks the end of summer and the beginning of cooler weather, pumpkin pie, sweaters....oh man, am I excited. Even though its suppose to be 101 this weekend...my mind is there. I wanted to document some of my goals for the season:
I need to do a little house decorating. I'm not HUGE on holiday decorating because it takes too much space to store, but I love a few good pieces. I need to PAINT. The kitchen is gonna be first. The wall paper border is coming down and I think I want to put up some wall words. Suggestions are welcome. I'm thinking something about food or family.
Christmas!! I've decided to do a handmade Christmas this year. It's gonna be hard I know. Mostly because of the men....its hard to think of what men need that you can make. I'm excited to get the kids involved. I'm nervous about them spilling the beans, but I figure the risk is worth it. SO, if you learn what you're getting, just pretend your surprised when you open it. If you or your family is on my present list and know of something you or you kids would need/want let me know NOW!! I want to be done by November 1st!!
Menu planning including a little Once a month cooking is in order. Some idea's are being tossed around. I'm mostly excited to try some new things. With the weather cooling down I can start to use my oven more. The trick is gonna be to do this without increasing the tummy girth.
I once again have nothing to wear. WARDROBE, WARDROBE, WARDROBE!! I've started a few little re-fashioning projects that I'm excited about. I bought a dress from Ross a couple of weeks ago and have rekindled my love of dresses. With Levi just around the corner from getting cut off, I am excited about dresses! I want to sew 3 or 4. I am also in search of black sling back shoes size 11 (if you see any out there). I'm still loving the skirts (wearing one right now). I just need MORE.
Pumpkin Pie. I plan to eat so much pumpkin pie I cannot even look at another piece. I've never actually eaten enough to do that and maybe I never will.
I just happened to catch a comment made by Karrie about how she just loved her Carianne haircut! I was so excited/shocked because I have been counting down the days until Carianne would be available to cut my hair again. Well today was the day. I told her that I think all the months that she didn't cut hair she was saving up all of her mad skills to release them on me today. Its really fun and cute and IMPOSSIBLE for my to put into a bun (thank heavens). It's SO a do-able do. I went home and washed and dried and did it again just to be sure before church tomorrow.
The best part about my haircut was to be able to hang out with Carianne and reminisce about the good ol' singles days. Plus her kids are adorable and her house isn't too hard on the eyes. I think she has my exact taste in decorating, but actually puts it into action. I left wishing we lived next door to each other instead of like 30 miles away.
I'm calling in a favor from all my Target shopping friends and family out there across the country. I bought 2 twin sheet sets at Target last week hoping that I could find 2 more sets at one of the other 2 Target's in town. Well......that hope is now shattered. The sheets are perfect and match the boys reversible comforters and beds just right. I will pay you for shipping to get them to me if you find 2 sets. Here is what they look like.....
They were regularly $9.99 and they were on clearance for $6.98. Make sure you save your receipt in case I have too many helpers (Targets return policies stink) and you have to take them back. Please don't go out of your way, but if you just happen to be there, I'd love you forever.
I read in the news this morning that Mary Travers of Peter Paul and Mary had died yesterday from a battle with leukemia. This past weekend at our ladies retreat we sung a few of the songs they use to sing. Some of the ladies called the music anti-war....or anti government and that was a little shocking to me. As a young girl I only heard good fun music. I guess we each take what we want to take from a song. Even now as an adult I don't really see that in the music. Their music will always remind me of my dad playing his guitar and me dancing around the living room singing. I don't think the artists of today can even compare. They need studios and fake instrumental background junk. This is real music. Talented people with amazing voices, who sang it right to their audiences with out the glitz and the production. I love it!
