Today's Deals

I wish I would just stop having so much luck at yard sales, so maybe I could stop going!  Last week my friend Amy came over and was telling me how much her boys LOVE their John Deere power wheels tractor.  I told her I'd have to look for Hayden one at a yard sale.  She laughed and said I'd never find one at a yard sale!  They are anywhere from $200-$300 new.

Last night I was browsing Craigslist garage sale listings.  One in Newburgh mentioned a "John Deere Power Wheels Tractor".  I told Kevin I was considering getting it for Hayden for Christmas, but I didn't want to pay more than $75-$100.  Amy told me if it needs a new battery they are $40 and I didn't want to have almost $150 tied up into something like that.  The sale started at 6am and I sent Kevin over to check it out while I stayed home with the kids.  He texted me at 6:04 saying he had left the sale.  I asked if he got it or not.  He said he did and it had the yard cart on the back along with the charger, and the battery worked great.  Then I asked him what he paid for it.  He said, "Guess".  I knew that was a good sign.  I guessed $60.  Here's a picture of it.... what do you think it's worth?!

Well he gave her the asking price on it ----- $30!

What a steal!!!!  Hayden is going to be so excited on Christmas morning.  I know we'll be outside riding it in the freezing temps!  Actually, maybe I will have Kevin get the barn cleaned out enough that he can ride it in there.  For now, it's going to my parents house until closer to Christmas!  Less than 3 months till he gets it.  I'm so excited to give it to him!

At the same sale (I went back later), I bought some fabric and 2 patterns.  They are just small pieces, but I am anxious to play around and learn how to sew.  Maybe sewing will be a new hobby?  My grandma over heard me saying tonight I wanted a basic sewing machine to learn on and she told me she has one I could have!  I can't wait to get it!  Thanks Grandma!  Now if she could just teach me all she knows about sewing I'd be set :)

Feeling Guilty

I went to Old Navy last week when all their women's clearance was an extra half off.  I picked up 3 shirts that totaled about $10 and I just thought, "How can I spend $10 on shirts for me when I don't have all the kids winter clothes bought yet?"  So I put them back and left the mall.  I was given a $10 gift card to JCPenney and I told Kevin I may go look for something for myself.  When I got there, I thought I could probably find some summer clearance things for Allie or Hayden for next year, and that would be a better purchase, so I made my way upstairs and bypassed my section.  Am I the only one that does this?  Why do I feel guilty when it comes to buying things for myself?

In my book I'm reading for my Daughters of the King class, there is a chapter that talks about this!  Lysa (the author of the book) suggested making a list of little things that make your heart happy.  Hey, if Lysa says I can do it, than by gosh I NEED to do it! :)  Here's my list of things (I'm going to continue adding to this!):

1. Chick Fil A lemonade
2. Homemade cookies
3. Walks by the river
4. Libs chocolate
5. Colored ink pens
6. Walking through Hobby Lobby
7. Reading a magazine
8. Getting my wedding ring cleaned
9. Buying a new piece of clothing
10. Bargain shopping (it's an addiction really)

In the book she closes the chapter by saying, "I want to teach my kids that it doesn't mean you are a worldly person if you happen to find a little joy in the things of this world that bring your heart comfort."  And since God made the world and everything in it, why not find some joy in it?  At our monthly budget committee meeting tomorrow, I'm going to talk to Kevin about putting some money back for ourselves, so when we want a little treat, there will be no guilt in it.

*Side note* This guilty feeling is something that must happen after you give birth.  Until I had kids, I never once felt guilty about buying stuff for myself, even if it was very expensive and totally unnecessary.  Maybe my head is telling me to slow down because things like braces and college will be needing funded before I can blink.  Either way, I'm going to start making it a point to do little things for myself AND not feel guilty about it!

New Shoes

I was anxious all morning waiting to take Allie to her Orthopedic Surgeon.  Dr. Deppe has been wonderful and I really think he's done a great job with Allie.  I had in the back of my mind she could come home in casts today.  Of course, I was praying that wouldn't be the case, but last night I let her take an extra long bath (since she can't take a bath when she has casts), and I put her in a dress for her appointment today (b/c finding pants that fit over casts is virtually impossible!).  I had prepared myself for whatever news he delivered.  Just so happens, he only had good news for me today!  He said her feet look great.  They are still slightly turned it, but they are still very flexible and now is the time to let her wear normal tennis shoes and see how her feet grow (hoping that they will grow straight!).  Another big change, she doesn't have to wear her corrective shoes to bed anymore.  He told me she could wear the pair she has until she outgrows them, so I plan on doing that.  Our next appointment will be the middle of January, unless I see a noticeable change that requires a sooner visit. 

To celebrate the good news, I took Allie into Rieckens to get her a new pair of regular tennis shoes!  Kevin and I decided months ago that we will always spend the extra money to get Allie the top of the line shoes to support her feet.  So, here's what we bought...

 

I think they will look cute with jeans :)  All her other shoes have tied, so she is fascinated with the velcro.  She also took off running in the store, so I think she will have no problem breaking them in!

Coffee Day!

It's National Coffee Day!  I am not a coffee drinker and probably never will be.  But, to celebrate, I may use one of my Starbucks giftcards and get my favorite drink there - a zebra peppermint hot chocolate.  If you've never tried one, you really should!  It's like a sweet hot dessert in drink form.  (Not all the Starbucks make them good.  The one on Burkhardt, in front of Target, always seems to get it right though.)  Happy Drinking!

Blessings

I know this post may annoy people or cause them to roll their eyes, but I feel the need to post about it anyways!  So here goes...

While growing up my parents always told me I needed to give some money to the church, and I did, but not faithfully.  When I got married, Kevin and I disagreed about how much money to give to the church.  To not cause an argument, we'd just give about $20 every week.  About the time I had Hayden, our church did a series on Financial Freedom and we read through the book ABC's of Financial Freedom.  It is a wonderful book!  I knew the only way to get Kevin on the same page was for him to read the book too.  After he read it, there were no arguments, and we both agreed we needed to give at least 10% of our income back to the church.

All the people that say, "That's not possible to do these days" or, "I work too hard for my money to just give it away" well, I disagree.  Here's a true story.  When we made our 1st budget after reading this book, the first thing I did was take 10% of our income out for the church, then gas and food, then bills and so on.  When we got towards the end of the week, I realized Hayden would need more diapers before the week was over and I had no money for them.  That night Kevin's mom stopped by to see Hayden and had in hand a box of diapers she just picked up.  The next morning my mom came by and had a box of diapers for Hayden too.  I had asked no one for diapers.  No one, not even Kevin (I didn't want him to think our budget failed the first week!) knew I was freaking out about coming up with the money for diapers, but God provided for us.

If you take God's money out of your check every week before it can get spent on non-sense (extra trips to Walmart, a fast food meal, a quick trip to Starbucks, etc), I know you'll be blessed.  In fact, that's what the bible promises.  Click here for more bible truths about money. 
Deuteronomy 15:10
You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.

Here's another story.  That same year we started tithing, we talked about what we were going to do with our tax refund check.  Anticipating a big return, we planned on paying off one of our debts that was about $5000.  Our refund was, lets just say, not what we were expecting!  We still planned to tithe 10% of the money we were to get back, then learned Kevin was going to get a nice bonus that year.  It got us to about $4400 to pay towards our debt.  Days later I got a check in the mail from our mortgage company.  It had a letter attached saying something about them over charging us and guess what the amount was we got back.  Yea, about $700, so once we tithed out of that, we were able to pay off our debt. Stuff like that doesn't just happen!

We've been faithful in doing what God asked us to do, and he's continued to bless our socks off.  Our house and how we acquired it is another story of being blessed.  Allie's ears being "perfect", my kidney stone surgery being cancelled, Kevin calling last night to tell me about another "bonus" check we'll get this year, I could go on and on with examples.  In fact, I've decided to start a "blessings" journal to record all the things God has blessed us with.

Let me remind you, we are a single income family.  Money is always tight.  It's just forced us to look outside the box and see where we can save money.  It has also made us reprioritize and see what "extras" we could could cut out.  If you feel like you can't get ahead, or other people around you are being blessed but you aren't, try the tithe! 

My achy body this morning was a sign telling me I was getting sick, I just didn't listen!  I did 2 loads of laundry, planted my mums, did dishes, and all the other normal mom/wife duties I do everyday.  At 2 o'clock I felt like death and put both kids down for a nap and tried to take one myself.  That sweet husband of mine made chili for us while I rested.  I couldn't sleep because I was so cold.  About 3:30 Kevin came in to tell me he was leaving for work.  Hayden hadn't fallen asleep so I told him to come hang out with me.  He asked if I wanted him to sing me a song so I'd feel better.  Of course I said yes.  Then he gave me a kiss and told me he just really loves me so much.  And for some reason (maybe a combination of hormones and germs) I started crying.  Hayden asked what was wrong.  I told him maybe we should just say a prayer tonight that mommy feels better.  He suggested we say one right now - melt my heart again!  So we did, and I cried some more.  After that I got up and took my temp, and I did in fact have a fever.  My dad delivered some Advil (I had used all my Tylenol earlier today) and I think I have enough life in me to finish out the rest of the day!  We prayed for God-given strength to get through the rest of the day and he's sending me waves of it :)

On a mischievous note, Allie learned how to climb on the couch today.  That little stinker.  I just hope she learns how to get down gracefully so she doesn't have lots of spills on the hardwood.  I also did a little photo shoot with her this morning.  When I found out Allie was a girl, I had 3 things on my brain: Pandas, Hairbows, & baby Uggs.  Today she modeled some pink Emu's and a fancy new headband. 

She liked the lion, and didn't like it when I took it away.

Pink Emus

Wanting her lion back.

Look at those little pink lips!

She was telling her bubby seomthing.

Hayden brought my photo prop in the kitchen and said he wanted his picture taken too. 

Sore

I just wanted to stay in bed all day with the heating pad!  Yesterday I did a short version of my new workout then made and packaged 800 cookies.  I ended up standing in the kitchen almost 9 hours.  My gosh I'm sore!  You wouldn't think it would hurt your arm making cookies, but my right upper arm is so sore - Darn you cookie scoop!  And those squats I did yesterday - My thighs are saying owwie! 

I googled home remedies for sore muscles.  Some suggested apple cider vinegar, other suggested creams, but I didn't have either, so I took a tylenol.  Here's to hoping it kicks in soon so I'm not worthless all day!

*Also, my hubby watched the kids the entire day yesterday!  Everyone survived :) A special thanks to him for letting me get so much work done!*

Bunnies

We found a new favorite "treat" at our house - Annie's bunny snacks!  My personal favorite is the cheddar/pretzel mix.  They also make some macaroni and cheese box mixes but we haven't tried them.  The company uses organic or all-natural ingredients which makes me feel like they aren't as bad as the goldfish or some of the other snacky things we eat.  Both of my kids love the bunny grahams.  These are a hair more pricey than the goldfish/teddy grahams but I think they are more tastey :) 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I've been on a chocolate kick the last several days and one thing on my list to make was chocolate chip cookies!  I used the Toll house recipe on the back of the package (actually I looked it up online because I bought Aldi chocolate chips).  I measured everything out and let Hayden dump it all in the mixer.  They turned out great!  In fact, they are so good I may have to freeze the leftovers so I stop eating them!

Hayden says...

I started off my morning by Hayden saying, "I just really love you.  Really!  Really!"

Cute pic

Allie is looking so long and skinny these days - not to mention she has some killer blue eyes.  I liked this picture of her, just wish Hayden's eyes were open!

 I look at my kids all the time and think, "Man, those are some cute kids!"  They are, aren't they?!

I didn't spend much time blogging tonight because I just bought a new book about nutrition and exercise and I've spent my evening reading it.  I'm going to try the program for a week or 2 and let you all know how I'm liking it!  It's supposed to be 90 mins of working out a week plus eating healthier foods and you're supposed to get more toned! Sounds good to me! :)

Sweet Halloween

I have been scouring yard sales and consignment shops looking for a Halloween costume for Allie.  I just hate paying $20+ for a costume she is only going to wear a couple hours.  I had my eye on this super cute one from Old Navy....

Well, tonight, in a moment of weakness, I talked myself into buying this one for her!  I was thinking about all the money I have saved on buying her clothes used, and I thought that I'd bought Hayden a few nice Halloween costumes in the past, so Allie deserved one too.... and she does.  I just hope I don't get buyers remorse!

I planned on Hayden being a puppy dog (a costume I bought 2 years ago, that he never wore, that still fits), but now I think it would be cute to dress him up like a chef/baker and Allie could be the cupcake.  Cute, right?  We'll see if I can find a cheap kids apron and chefs hat.  And I have to run the idea by Kevin and hope he approves :)  Either way, it will be a sweet Halloween!

Video of Allie

Allie LOVES books.  Her favorites are ones with pictures of animals.  She loves being read to.  I think I could do it for hours and she'd be just fine with that.  As I said a few posts ago, the girl says puppy dog more times a day than I can count.  Here's a 3 minute segment from our day and I counted her saying puppy dog 30 times!

"Perfect"

I love Wednesdays.  Every week I get to go to Daughters of The King and meet with so many wonderful moms that just inspire the heck out of me!  I was bummed to have to miss about half of the class today, but I had to take Allie to her ENT, Dr. Wahle. 

June 15th Allie had an appointment with him.  She had a tympanogram and it showed both ears were full of fluid.  He said she needed surgery.  We scheduled it for July 8th.  I know getting tubes isn't a huge deal, but I hated for her to have it done.  The 3 weeks we had to prepare for surgery, Allie's personality really changed!  She was just so happy, so talkitive, and I thought maybe she was losing the fluid in her ears and was starting to feel better.  I called Dr. Wahle's office and asked if we could repeat the tympanogram before the surgery.  The nurse called back and said that was fine, and Allie went in the next day to repeat the test.  Dr. Wahle called me a day later and told me the results were better, but still abnormal.  He gave me 2 options.  I could cancel the surgery and have the test repeated in 2-3 months, or we could proceed with the tubes since her ears still weren't perfect.  Something in me said "just wait" so that's what I told him I wanted to do. 

Allie caught a cold Sunday and I felt so defeated.  She had been healthy for 3 months!  I told Dr. Wahle as soon as he came in that she had a cold, and I was afraid of what he was going to say.  He looked in her right ear, then her left ear and said one word, "Perfect".  Then he went to explain that he wanted to see perfect ears.  He didn't even need to do the tympanogram because he could see perfectly there was no fluid built up.  Then he told me I made a good choice on waiting on the surgery.  It's nice to have a doctor tell you that you made the right decision! 

For now, no tubes.  If she gets 2-3 ear infections this winter than we'll have to re-evaluate.  We prayed every night for those ears to drain their fluid and I love that God answers my prayers! 

Here's a kid update:

Allie says "Duppy Da" (Puppy Dog) about 5,000 times a day.  I'm not exaggerating.  She talks ALL day! The more her little personality develops, the more I love her!

My mom always told me she hoped I had a daughter just like me... and I did. :)  Mom said I did this all the time when I was her age.

Hayden looked like such a stud muffin on Sunday for church.  The flannel shirt was Target clearance last year for $2 and the pants were a $3 yard sale find!  And he's so shy infront of the camera...

Give me S'more Bars!

I love love love s'mores.  (Did you all see my post this past weekend saying I ate 4 s'mores at our family cookout on Friday night?!  So, that's proof I love them!)  I've tried several s'more recipes and frankly, I haven't had a bad one yet!  This one is just as yummy as any I have tried.

I was afraid the crust would dry and crumble, but it stayed so moist and chewy.  It didn't scream s'more, it tasted more like a glorified chocolate chip cookie, but definitely worth trying if you're a sweet lover like myself.  Maybe I should eat another while I type this recipe out?

*Makes 9X13-inch pan of bars

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
16 tablespoons (2 sticks) butter, softened to room temperature
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs
2 cups marshmallow topping, like Marshmallow Fluff or Creme
2 cups milk or semisweet chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate chips)

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9X13-inch pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the 2 short sides. Grease the foil with cooking spray and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar until light, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture, mixing until combined. Divide the dough in half. Press half into the bottom of the prepared pan until the dough is evenly flattened. Dollop the marshmallow topping on top of the cookie base and gently spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.
Scatter the remaining dough over the top in clumps. Don’t worry about completely covering the top, the marshmallow and chocolate chips should peek through. Bake the bars until golden brown, about 30-32 minutes. Cool completely. Remove the bars from the pan using the foil overhangs. Cut into bars and serve.
Recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe

**Note** I used all Aldi brand products for this recipe and it was delicious.  You don't have to spend big bucks on name brand ingredients to get delicious results!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip

For two or three years my sister Whitney and my BFF Whitney have told me I needed to try pumpkin chocolate chip bread.  I love pumpkin cake, but I just couldn't imagine chocolate with my pumpkin.  Eww.  Well, in the spirit of fall, I decided to make some for my dinner get together tonight :)  The recipe calls for 2 loaf pans, but I just love mini desserts, so I made them into little baby bundt cakes instead. I actually made this recipe two times in the last 12 hours because the first time I forgot the sugar (uuuggghhh)!  I don't think I've ever made such a big "oops" and it definitely didn't taste the same with out that major ingredient!

The verdict:  Oh My Gosh.  What have I been missing?  The 2 flavors compliment each other so well... I love this!

I got the recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

*Makes 2 (9X5-inch loaves) or 3 (8X4-inch loaves)

2 ½ cups white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
3 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1 cup canola or vegetable oil
4 large eggs
2/3 cup water
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9×5-inch loaf pans or three 8×4-inch loaf pans.
In a large bowl, mix flours, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together canned pumpkin, oil, eggs and 2/3 cup water until well combined and stir into dry ingredients, just until the dry ingredients are moistened and no dry streaks remain. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour batter in prepared pans.
Bake the bread for 60 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the bread from the oven and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Run a knife gently around the edge of the bread and turn the bread out, right side up, onto a wire rack to cool completely.
This bread freezes beautifully. After cooling, wrap the bread in a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of tin foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Any other fall desserts I've been missing out on that I need to try?!  If the recipe includes fish I'm not interested :)

"The Way"

Hayden was just in his room singing  "Na Na Na Na Na Jesus - Na Na Na Na Na Jesus".  He must be a fan of Jeremy Camps song "The Way".  I get into it too :)  Here it is if you want to join our singing party!

The Way

Dress Obsession

You would never know this from looking at my closet, but I'm obsessed with dresses and skirts.  I really don't have many, but if I could replace my entire wardrobe with them, I would do it without thinking twice.

I love this mental image I have of a housewife wearing a dress and apron.  I would SO do that!  I think dresses/skirts are super comfortable and flattering.  I really want to get a sewing machine in the near future and learn how to sew.  I'd love to make my own dresses (maybe little matching ones for Allie?),  Here are some cute fall styles I've come across.

Little Victory

I have a tub of clothes that have sat in my closet for years.  I had them marked as my "skinny" clothes and I just couldn't bring myself to get rid of them.  The last 2 months or so I've been faithfully working out on my elliptical about 4 days a week.  It's not always easy to do, but I motivate myself by telling myself, "I can do anything for 15 minutes".  (I got my inspiration from Mrs. Angela Coffman over at Grocery Shrink - does every one of my posts pertain to her?  I feel like it does! Ha!)

All the jeans in my closet I've been wearing were getting a little loose.  I opened up my skinny clothes container and pulled out a pair of size 4 Gap jeans I haven't worn since before I was pregnant with Hayden.  Aaaaand they fit like a glove.  I forgot how much I liked them!  I think in celebration I should go buy another pair :)  I need to look for a used pair though... $70 for a pair of jeans just isn't happening anymore!

I have been doing Weight Watchers for the last 2 months too.  (Just hit "lifetime" status on Friday whoop whoop.)  The combination of making better food choices (most of the time) and working out has been the trick for me!  What are you putting off that you could (slowly) accomplish with just 15 minutes a day?  Do it!  You'll be glad you did!

The Other Cat

Let me start by saying, I do love Holeshot.  Maybe not as much as my Hair Bear (Harry), but if anything ever happened to him I'd be very upset. 

Ok with that being said, I rarely see Holeshot.  I don't have many pictures of him either.  He IS Kevin's cat.  Holeshot sleeps with Kevin all day (on my side of the bed).  When Kevin wakes up for the day, I usually let Holeshot out to eat and potty.  When he wants back in he goes back to my bed and sleeps until it's time for me to put them out for the night.  He is a big fat cat.  He was not always so obese, but I changed their food a couple months ago, and he's really packed on the pounds.  He only socializes with me when the kids are gone or asleep.  When I do see him, he wants to sleep on top of my couch cushions and I have to knock him off.  He did that to our last couch and deformed the top cushions with all that kitty fat!

 He has a very high pitched, squeaky meow.  I've never heard anything like it.  He loves the outdoors.  I think he wants to be an outside cat, but he's declawed in the front and there are a few tom cats that roam our street and I don't think he could hold his own.  He has a frisky side to him that we don't see often.  When my sis was home this summer, he really enjoyed playing mouse games on her iPad. 















When Kevin starts talking about how great of a cat Holeshot is, I remind him we wouldn't have Holeshot if it wasn't for me throwing a fit.  He found him as a kitten and after a week of taking care of him, he decided to take him to the humane society.  I (of course) grew attached to him and when he dropped him off, that song "Listen to your heart" was playing on the radio and I lost it.  I begged Kevin not to take him, but he did.  The next morning, Kevin went back and picked him up, told the workers he had a change of heart, but he had to pay almost $40 to get him back!

Holeshot wants to sit on your lap (or chest) when he is around, but he doesn't want pet.  Weird, huh?  Harry wants pet ALL the time but doesn't want held.  They compliment each other well.  I couldn't imagine having 2 cats with Harry's needy personality, or 2 cats with Holeshots timid personality.  I am very thankful that both cats put up with our kids so well :)

Christmas Lake Village (CLV) Sale

Hello all :)  We just got home from a fun 24 hour get-away.  We stayed the night at my parents cabin in Christmas Lake Village.  After doing some late night yard sale shopping on Friday, we went back to the cabin and roasted hot dogs and made s'mores.  I think I ate 4 s'mores but who is counting?

We woke up before the sun came up and joined forced with my brother and sister in law this morning.  (BIG thanks to my parents for watching the kids - couldn't have shopped as much as we did if they hadn't helped us out.  And Tyler for driving us 4 around.)  I was, once again, on the hunt for clothes for Hayden.  We didn't realize that lots of the yard sales were open on Friday, so next year we'll be up bright and early Friday shopping.... but, I still managed to find several good things for Hayden.  For $26 I got Hayden 4 pair of jeans, 2 pair of khakis, 1 pair of navy blue dress pants, 1 pair of khaki cords, 6 long sleeve shirts, 2 short sleeve polos for next summer, 1 pair of shorts for next summer, 1 pair of swim trunks for next summer, and a pair of sandals for next summer! Whew! 

My favorite find of the weekend was a twin bed for Allie.  I know it's going to be 9-10 months before she needs it, but it was too good of a deal to pass up.  I have plans for Kevin to repaint it... maybe hot pink :) We also managed to find a yellow and black Jeep stroller and guess who had to have that... (Kevin).  It is actually very nice, practically brand new, and MUCH nicer than the umbrella stroller we have now, I just like giving him a hard time.  Kevin also got a Christmas present.  It's a huge air compressor.  I don't know anything about it, other than it was well over a thousand dollars new and we got it for a fraction of that cost.  He did good.  He also got some tools, which he says he needs.  I am thinking next year it would be cheaper to leave Kevin at home with the kids. 

We're all worn out, but it was worth it. Here's  few pics of the people we shared the weekend with and the goods we brought home!

My brother, sister-in-law, and niece.

My parents

She likes wearing daddy's hat.

Our 3rd (and best) attempt at a family picture.

Kevin's new pride and joy.  The air compressor.

Allie's new bed, laying on it's side, with the drawers out.

I LOVE the longer handles.  I had to bend over to push my old umbrella stroller.

That's my boy!

My favorite of the 2 of them :)

I tell Hayden "Ok, now don't smile" b/c that's the only way he will smile, but Addison actually listens and she was trying not to smile lol.

Clothes for Hayden.