Alaska

My first trip to Alaska was last February when Kasey had Ethan. Although I was happy to be here with Kasey and family, Alaska was freezing, 20 below, and covered with snow and I was unimpressed. I have also NEVER wanted to go on an Alaska cruise.

After my second trip, I would definitely like to go on a cruise here someday and have seen some remarkable sights and am definitely impressed with the majesty of Alaska. I have also thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Henry family. We have been up close and personal with the face of a magnificent glacier, the Portage glacier, seen numerous wildlife close up in a wildlife conservatory, watched a bear pulling fish out of a creek, seen tons of salmon (some spawning), eaten great seafood, visited a gold mine, picked wild blueberries, and viewed beautiful mountains and rivers. It is truly a majestic state.

Ethan is a bundle of cuteness and the happiest baby ever. If he happens to catch your eye he grins and wiggles all over. I am entranced with him.

Sienna is such a love bug. I have recieved hundreds of kisses from her, usually on the cheek. She loves to sit on my lap and sleep in our room. She also has a mind of her own and cracks me up all the time!

Alexa is a crack up. She is my drama momma. We were picking blueberries and had to walk up a mountain. She was seriously dying all the way up there but had a great time. She loves to sleep in our room every night too.

Kaden is growing up to be such a good, smart boy. I can't believe how he can read and he will help out so willingly with anything I ask of him. Such a cute boy.

It has been so much fun hanging out with Kasey. She has made us great food, wonderful cobbler and been a great tour guide. Matt had to work a lot but was so great about showing us a good time too. They took us to the Haute Quarter for a great meal. It's been a great trip and I hate leaving tomorrow but we'll be back in December for Kaden's baptism and then Lee and I are driving from Northern California to here next summer before they leave. Can't wait to plan what other sites besides Denali that we want to visit.

Couponing, Week 2

Couponing is NOT for lightweights I’ve decided. But it IS worth it. I have spent about 4-6 hours yesterday organizing, clipping coupons and printing coupons off the internet and another 3-4 hours shopping. And I need to now file clipped coupons and put away and organize buys. I end up with a headache trying to juggle coupons and remembering where to use what. Here are my results:
Walgreens: $40
Sharpie highlighters free with on line coupon
Neosporin
Bandaids
500 ct. computer paper
Envelopes
3 bottles of Listerine
Loreal Revitalift face cream
Loreal eye cream- the creams were worth over $25
2 nice and easy touch up hair colors
Colgate toothpaste
Sonic spin toothbrush
2 24 ct waters
2 large Tresemme shampoos
1 large tresemme conditioner
Staples-$2 after rebates
Label maker
2 pkgs 500 ct computer paper

Rite Aid:
$5 would have been $10 but I had an extra $5 coupon from them. The $5 amt. is after manufacture coupon and single check rebates. They offer single check rebates each month. You register online your receipt each time and request the rebate at the end of the month. These items added with manufacturer coupons end up ridiculously cheap.
4 large boxes Cheerios/Honey Nut Cheerios
2 packages Ziplock bags at $1.50 each
Bic soleil razor for 99 cents after coupon and rebate
2 -3 packs scotch tape free after single check rebate
Pop up tape-free after single check rebate
Loreal vive pro shampoo and conditioner

CVS
Paid $12 after extra buck offers
$15 worth hersheys candy
Revlon Mineral mousse makeup (free after extra buck offer)
Nutrashields un block from Coppertone (cost $2 after extra buck offer, coupon)
2 dozen eggs
Gallon milk
5 lb sugar


I like two internet sites the best. Frugallivingnw.com and krazycouponlady.blogspot.com. Both give you lists for the best deals and where to find coupons.

Coupons

I have heard about people sending money by couponing and decided to give it a try this week. I gathered coupons and circulars from the Sunday paper and went to several internet sites including the following to come up with my game plan. I spent a lot of time the first time but think it will be easier next time. Here are my results:

Safeway:
Bought their special using their coupons and added a few of mine.
$18 bought:
2 liter lemon lime soda
Oscar Mayer hot dogs
2 loafs OroWheat bread
4 boxes chex mix snack bars which I love (Turtle are my fav)
1 jar Safeway pasta
Quaker granola bars
Pop tarts
2 bottles of Ken’s Salad Dressing

Rite Aid:
They have single check rebates that will actually pay for an item sometimes. I bought items on sale with coupons and made use of the rebate program they have.
$36 bought-
12 pack AA batteries
4 pack AAA batteries
2 -2 packs D batteries
Venus breeze razor ($12-cost me $2)
4 bottles squeeze mayo
2 jars Ragu
2 jars Skippy peanut butter
Rice Krispies
Corn Flakes
2 packs Bic pens (free)
Garnier Fructis Shampoo and Conditioner
Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner
Aqua Fresh Advanced Toothpaste

Walgreens-
They offer extra bucks that you can spend on next visit on some items. I bought items that gave me those and also used mfg coupons.
$35 bought-
2 Ragu
3 Skippy
2 Keebler Butter Crackers
2 Keebler Fudge Stripe Cookies
2 Gum Toothrushes (free)
2 jellos
2 Bounty paper towels
2 Suave deodorants
1 mayo
2 Frosted Flakes
1 Special K with Berries

CVS-
This was the best. I signed up for e-mail deals and got another $5 off. Spent $10 after coupons (actually $5 after e-mail deal)
2 Kraft Easy Mac boxes
Pack of pens
Pack of pencils
Frosted Flakes
Raisin Bran
Special K with Berries
1 gallon milk
Special K with fruit and yogurt
2 filler papers (pull out notebook type)


One thing I realize is to plan meals around good deals, buy only what you (or your children or grandchildren) will eat. You save more as you do it longer because you have more coupons.

Anyway I think it is worth doing and I will see more for my money the more I do it!

Internet sites:
the grocerygame.com
frugallivingnw.com
becentsable.blogspot.com
krazycouponlady.blogspot.com

Nursery

I've been a member to the LDS church my entire life and have never had a calling in nursery. Until now. I actually don't mind being in there at all, the kids are so cute and I've always thought it should be someone my age, not someone with little ones at home every day. I am not the leader, just a worker. There are 4 of us but 2 are not too dependable. Today we had 16 little ones and it was a little chaotic. One of the workers has an 8 week old baby so she was busy with him a lot. One child has to be held the ENTIRE time and 3-4 others had meltdowns today so they had to be one on one. I heard it was crazier than usual though so maybe it will get better. Any ideas out there for fun group activities, songs, etc. for little ones 18 mo.-3 years? Any suggestions for how you've seen nurseries run? I thought the leader would be more organized but she isn't. I don't want to step on her toes but I'm sure it would run better with better organization. Hopefully, she'll be on top of the game better next week. I'm getting on the internet next for ideas!