couponing. . .

So many of you know that I use a lot of coupons. My kids know that we don't buy something at the grocery store unless we have a coupon. Typically, we only eat at restaurants that we have coupons for etc. Over the year, I can only imagine how much money it has saved us.
The other day, one of my college roommates said she was going to be in Indy and was going to go to KMart to do their super double coupons. WHAT??!!?? We don't have a KMart!! Sure enough we do--only about 15-20 min. away--worth the trip! She here's a little picture of the things I picked up for just a little over $2:

Pretty amazing. isn't it?? I did spent about another $15 on other items that we use a lot and with the double coupons were still much cheaper than I could normally get.

This past year when Terry was completely self-employed, getting things for free or almost free was a huge blessing. And, even now as we are half self-employed and half employed at the firm our budget is super tight. So again, we are thankful for bargain shopping trips like the one I took to Target this week (and spent $1.86!!!):

back to school '09

It's here already. . .back to school 2009! They have been anxious all week! Mommy was ready, until they all drove away on the bus-how is it possible that they are old enough, I feel like I should still have a house full of toddlers running around! Enough of the sappy stuff {i could go on and on!} Here are the handsome boys. . . the new official grades: grant in first grade, Cole in Kindergarten and Luke in third grade!
Anxiously awaiting the arrival of the neighborhood kids for our back-to-school breakfast celebration!Kids and parents starting to gather AND enjoying muffins, granola bars, fruit, coffee cake and of course Starbucks for the moms and dads (thanks, Lori!)!
What a crew--hope the bus driver is ready for this! So thankful for wonderful neighborhood kids!The bus has pulled away. . .do we cry or rejoice??? hmmmmm. . .i think there was a little of both.

thirty-nine and 7

It is birthday time at our house. Terry turned 39 on the 7th and Grant turned 7 on the 8th! Actually, it would almost be easier if they were both on the same day (at least for mom, that is!). This year because of a business conference that Terry needed to go to, we celebrated both guys birthdays on the 7th! Of course, each gets their own cake-Terry gets a lead cake and Grant gets and ice cream cake.
Grant and Terry enjoyed a little fishing in the morning, we all went to the Golden Corral for lunch (grant's choice--he likes the ice cream bar!!) with grandpa, grandpa and uncle B.) and then the two went off to a movie in the afternoon. Such a great perfect day.
Hard to believe that Grant is 7. Seven. That seems old to me, only Luke gets older, but in reality they all do. It has been fun to watch him this week express how EXCITED he is for first grade. Such a thrill to have his OWN desk and supplies that he does not have to share. G got lots of legos for his b-day. . .he will sit at the table for hours building his masterpieces all while singing at the top of his lungs--it's quite entertaining!
So the boys each picked out a present for Terry and Cole picked out this fly swatter in yellow (cole's favorite color!!). funny. don't you love the flower??!!

On Grant's birthday DAY Terry had to be gone so we went off to spend the afternoon at a local water park. I am amazed how the kids spent 4 1/2 hours going down 2 water slides over and over again. Fun fun.

troyer family reunion

two weekends ago we enjoyed a SUPER great day in Archbold, OH with my mom's (5 sisters and their families) side of the family for a little reunion. the boys can't wait to go back. . .who wouldn't want to go back after a day filled with food, waterslides, high dives {proving my almost 39 year old husband can still do back flips off the diving board} , tractors, farms, cows and a brand new play area to explore!

happy 4th of july

it has been a cool and rainy 4th of july. . . so i guess it is a good thing we did our "celebrating" on the 3rd! the cousins {minus grace who was off with a friend for the weekend--missed ya gracie!} spent the day at our house. although it was a bit cool, we headed off to the splash park and playground--seemed that joey was the only one tough enough to play in the chilly water.

the kids decided they would rather swim in the pool where the water was MUCH warmer!then it was off to uncle j and aunt l's house for a camp out. . . mmmm hot dogs, s'mores and dough-boys all topped off with an outdoor movie [Pink Panther 2]. the kids seemed to like it more than the adults--check out how glued they are! We had intermission to go watch Conner Parairie Fireworks--great show--and of course there were sparklers {what would the 4th be without them?}.

of course there was a big tent sleep-over with the dads--thankfully the rain held off until today so the kids enjoyed some super-fun playtime indoors.
makin' memories.

arctic swim lessons

thankful for a really warm heated pool this week since it has been as low as 67 for a high one day and the kids are taking swim lessons in the morning. luke is taking a swim team prep class with his cousins {these kids absolutely LOVE being together}. . .their speed and stroke development are coming along!grant has started working in breast stroke, wow! can i see a lot of terry in him:)
a bit of diving practice for cole--they have all worked really hard and are coming along! and a huge thanks to miss stephanie who keeps cranking up the heater!

all-star game

luke made the all-star team again this year--always a privilege--and played a double header last night. the kids had a great time and luke enjoyed getting to play ball on the same team with his buddy {and our neighbor} drew.the boys got trophys for a great season of play

check out the headbutting. . . grant and cole shared a slurpee during the game and i think it was "game on" to see who could drink the most while trying to push each other's heads out of the way.