Day One - San Antonio

highlights from day 1:

-Ice cream sold out of vending machines...outside. -Morning stroll around our side of the base. -Bubbi eating three raw hotdogs in a matter of one minute without me even noticing!

-45 minute walk (ONE WAY) to and from the pool at 12:30 in the 102 degree weather

-Kenner and Bubbi marveling at all the old planes that are now statues on the base.

-Kenner teaching Bubbi his colors by saying, "Bubbi if you get this color right, then you are my best friend. If you don't, you aren't my best friend." He was an on-again/off-again friend all day long.

-Kenner meeting a friend Victor at the pool. -Kenner putting his whole head in the water. He wanted Bubbi to stay in the pool so he could look at his feet under water. Bubbi thought he wanted to get his feet, so everytime Kenner requested this...Bubbi ran out as quickly as he could.

-Covered baby pool, so the boys didn't get fried.

-Kenner retelling his pool experience to his dad. When Casey asked Kenner what his friend's name was, Kenner paused, thought about it and then said, "I'm going to call him Ben." (SO FUNNY!)

-Eating at Taco Cabana...more festive Amigos. -Shopping at Academy (smaller type of store like Scheel's)

-Adding a Coleman Crockpot to our camping gear.

-Finishing a fun evening with Daddy with an ice cream treat at Sonic.

San Antonio

For those of you that aren't aware, Casey had to come to San Antonio to take class at the Air Force BAse for two weeks. The boys and I decided to come and tag along. I wasn't sure what to expect, so far it has exceeded all my expectations. Except for the fact that shopping with coupons and living frugally is so hard on a vacation!



I thought the commisary would be much better deals...but not really! I also realized that shopping with another person throws me and my boys off. I experienced this in Minnesota with Grandpa and last night with Casey. I think that the boys have another person to attend to...so they are even more crazy. Just made for a very interesting trip.



Kenner keeps freaking out every time he sees an Air Force Guy. He says (in a very loud voice), "Look, Look an AIR FORCE GUY." He said this about every other second while we were shopping...it was funny at first:) We have a microwave, refridgerator, bed, TV, DVD, and share a bathroom. FREE laundry in a building across the parking lot. Good thing I am prepared with Pampered Chef things...we can make quite a bit of things in our microwave with all my fun tools. Well off to get ready to check out the base that we can walk to (it is quite large!)
Our Hotel
As you can see we had several buildings that looked like ours.

View from our Hotel room.

fun, but bummed

I am loving being in San Antonio, but bummed when I just found out that I can't load pictures on to this computer?!? We purchased a new laptop last week (cheap at Best Buy!! but a great one!). It was first showcased at Aunt Becca's wedding when in my wedding toast I had her change her facebook status to Married:) I thought it had a place to insert my SD disc...but can't find it. It isn't the biggest deal though!

For those of you that have tried to call me on my cell phone...we aren't going to answer, because it is roaming. You can still email me if you need us:) Please do email me today so that I have your email on our web-based email.

The trip was extremely long...but great to travel through the night. The boys slept a lot, Casey and I traded seats every hour. One slept while the other drove. We only stopped and got out of the vehicle once at Burger King in Oklahoma. Quite a feat...not sure we will be that lucky on the way home.

I can't say much that San Antonio is pretty...because we have only been on the base. The base isn't in the nicest area and it is so brown down here. Their corn is about shoulder high and all dried up. A huge difference to our NE corn.

Good thing we brought a pack n play down...as we only have one bed. Kenner slept in the PNP and Bubb slept on the floor...I know weird, but that is how like to sleep. We are going to hopefully make it to the pool today. I have a feeling that we will have quite a nice tan when we leave as it is HOT HOT HOT here.

Well enough for this morning, gotta go get breakfast going...cereal in cups:)

Frugal friends Weekly Grocery Deals - Lincoln, NE

Weekly Groceries 7/8/09
Have you seen the coupon clipping section of the Wed paper lately? Have you looked on the back for the article regarding frugal shopping? She has had some great articles to help anyone get started. She has a personal blog: http://www.jillcataldo.com/

Reminder: the Zion church (and many other organizations) save Box Tops, Best Choice, and other bar codes for reimbursement. It is easy to save.

There is also a greater need at the People’s City Mission as well…so if you have a stockpile too high, think of others.

Lincoln websites for the latest grocery deals – www.toopoortoeat.blogspot.com or www.chicksdigdeals.blogspot.com

Rhiannon

Hyvee
Blueberries 1.48 pint
Boneless Skinless chicken Breasts 4.77 3 lb bag
HyVee Sliced Bacon 12-16 oz or Sausage 1.99
HyVee Whole chicken .88 lb
Kellogg’s Cereal 1.99 11-14.5 oz
Bananas .49 lb
Broccoli .99 each
Celery .88 each
Barilla Pasta 12-16 oz .99
Doritos/Ruffles Chips 2.00 9-14.5 oz
Hunt’s Spaghetti Sauce .88
HyVee Butter 1.48 lb
HyVee Twin Pops 2.00 20 ct (Brings me back a couple years)
HyVee Mac and cheese .29 7.25 oz

HyVee Online
Nothing too exciting, except that they organize their coupons nicely online to match with other stores adsJ

RUSS’s MARKET
Best Choice Frozen Lemonade/Limeade .39 12 oz
Russ’s Market White Bread .99
½ Gallon Meadow Gold Milk.99
California Strawberries 4.48 4 lbs

Treat of the week
July 08
Produce Department - Black Plums

SunMart
Did see anything too spectacular. Most of their items were a better deal else where.

SUPER SAVER
93% Ground Beef 1.78 (10 lb tubes)
Kemp’s Ice Cream 2.96 140 oz pail (SAVE YOUR PAIL FOR ME…we need them for our school carnivalJ)
Bing Cherries 11.98 11 lb box – note to self: Canned Cherries are 2.82 at Walmart
Bulk Boneless Chicken Breast 1.98 lb (10 lb pack)
Oscar Meyer Wieners .88 16 oz
Hillshire Farm Deli Selects .98 5 oz
Martha Gooch Pasta 1.33 24 oz
Kellogg’s Cereal 1.98 12-14 oz (coupons online?)
Baby Carrots .77 1lb
Meadow Gold Yogurt .35 6 oz
Pack o Meat Sale – Check prices
CASH SAVERS
Cheese Nips .98
Robert’s Flavored Milk 1.24 ½ Gallon (coupons from Sunday paper)
Fresh Squash .78 each (we have been slicing these up and grilling them…yum!)

Save Mart
Our Family Lg Eggs 18 1.09
Liberty Gold Peaches 1.38 29 oz can

#4 Birthday in Hebron

Kenner's Bike Cake made out of cake and fondant. No I am not (yet) a Food Network Star...but I tried. It was fu, but took a long time to make.
Birthday boy with his real cake.

Kenner and his favorite friend, Emily! We love you Emily! Daddy and Bubbi in the pool having fun.

We finally get to roast hot dogs and marshmellows...in Grandpa Pat's fire.

Fourth of July Fun

Kenner and Bubbi are into taking my camera and taking pictures. This is just one of many that I have failed to post...I think it is so funny though! I had to post! Bubbi is probably saying, "Mommy said no pictures." Bubbi and Daddy lighting fireworks.

Look at the size of that sparkler...they sure have grown since I was little!

Where's Bubbi? Bubbi playing around with Daddy as we watch the fireworks. Our Red White and Blue Family!

The Blue's Brothers...except Bubbi has his shades on upside down! Mommy and Aunt Becca...I thought I was tan...but guess not!

Grandma and Great Grandma Jan cleaning up after a great 4th BBQ.

Bride to Be Aunt Becca, Bubbi, and Great Grandpa Jimmy Bubbi in Kenner's Mr. Firecracker hat.

Great Grandma Jackie and Bubbi eating candy and watching the parade.

My mom, Bubbi, Aunt Kelli and Grandma Carlece watching Mr. Firecracker.

Bubbi got to put on a fire helmet. Thank Lyle!

Mr. Firecracker 2009

Every 4th of July the Women's Achievement Club sponsors the "Little Mr. and Miss Firecracker" Pagent. The only stipulation is that they are 4 (4th of July...get it?). My Aunt Kelli had the outift made for her son (who is a Senior this year), except for the hat. I made the hat on Friday with the help of advice from my Grandma Jan. I was pretty proud of myself...as this is the first 3D object I have made with my sewing machine. The closest thing to 3D was a pillow:) Here he is with his number before the big pagent. He was asked some difficult questions like - Why are you wearing red, white, and blue? Answer: I don't know. What is your favorite game to play? Answer: Hide and Seek. What is your favorite ice cream? Answer: Superman (yes this is flavor in Minnesota!)

The winners and all the contestants.

The banner for the car.

The parade! Casey was taking these pictures, because I was playing sand volleyball (which we won). I did see Kenner in the parade, but I didn't have my camera. Look at Kenner's reaction when he realized he saw his Daddy! Priceless!

15,000 hits

A little crazy to think that I have hit 15,000 hits with my blog. I guess I can take out 10,000 for Aunt Annie who thinks I update it every two seconds:) Just kidding Annie!

It's official...we now have an actual bike.

I didn't want to 1) pay someone to put the bikes together for $25 and 2) wait 24 hours in Lincoln for someone to put them together. So Grandpa Jim and I tried...and were successful. VERY EASY!!!! We are sure glad we didn't pay someone. Note to self: You can easily put a bike together without many special tools. All we had to do was put the front wheel, handbars, and seat on...easy!

Thanks Granda Jimmy!

Patton still hasn't quite gotten the hang of break versus pedal...but he will. We rode from Grandpa Jim and Grandma Jan's house to Grandma Carlece and Grandpa Pat's house. Long haul, but a good chance to learn the ropes of riding a bike without stopping.

Here is Grandpa Carlece teaching Bubbi Grandpa Jimmy with the final touches to Kenner's bike. Watch out Sprague Drivers...they will be coming home with us on Sunday night! When we got home we were suprised by this cute little puppy on my parent's patio. The owner quickly found him, but not in enough time to get some love and a few cookies from Grandma Carlece and two boys.

Swimming Lessons

Well swimming lessons were going well, until Mommy forced Kenner to go down the slide. Bad Mommy! Patton did it, so I thought Kenner should as well. Patton loved it, but Kenner said, "I HATE the slide." They even went with Jenna, our cousin and swim instructor. They have learned a lot and have one more day.

Birthday at Red Robin

We learned how to ride our new bike...while still in Toys R Us! Way to go Kenner! The day after the actual birthday, Grandma Carlece, Aunt Kendra and Uncle Trevor, and Aunt Becca were in town to go to Kenner's favorite restaurant...Red Robin. It was his favorite restaurant until he figured out that on Tuesday nights the actual Red Robin makes his appearance. Not a fan!

The Red Robin crew sang to him, which he did like, because Red didn't come along.

Can you guess who is appearing at this point in the night? Yep Red!

Garden Gone Mad!

I have only done a garden for two years (counting this year), so I don't know what to expect...but I didn't expect to have such a MASSIVE crop so soon! I have three enormous tomatoes (red ALREADY) and a ton of peas. My thoughts about planting peas were successful. I thought it would be an excellent way for my boys to help me find them in the garden and eat them right away. We call them veggie snacks vs fruit snacks:)

updating

For those of you that are confused...I am updating while it is happening in Hebron while the boys are taking a nap. Better use of my time and I can actually document things. I really need to do this at home...but some how gardening/laundry/cleaning up the house get in the way!

Happy 4th Birthday (Actual day)

Happy 4th Birthday Kenner! Grandpa and Grandpa Elge came along with Uncle Levi to our house for cake on his actual birthday. I didn't plan any thing for this actual birthday, because I knew we were going to Hebron for the 4th and we could do something down there. I wasn't going to make a cake...but I was told to (by the birthday boy). I am going to try to make a better cake with fondant (like Ace of Cakes or the Food Network), but this was just made up on the spot. I am NOT a fan of fondant...yuck! Kenner loved his "bike" wheel cake though. Fishing poles from Daddy

4 spankens (sp?) from Daddy...he didn't think they were too fun though!

Gramma Kelly!

Marker Beards

This moment was almost missed (aka not photographed) had it not been for Daddy's prompt to get the camera before I washed them up. They were coloring before church on Sunday. I did have paper out...but their imaginations led them to make black beards on themselves. Lovely yes!

Funny Stories

I really wish I had my camera or thought about it at the time of this story...but didn't.

We had a glorious time in Minnesota with my grandparents. My boys LOVED helping Grandpa in every thing that he did from filling the bird feeders to cleaning toilets...yes cleaning toilets. Kenner is BIG into doing chores these days, because he is earning enough money for a bike.

As Grandpa and Kenner with toilet cleaning supplies in tow were headed to the bathroom, I said, "I am not sure I want Kenner to know how to do that Grandpa." He laughed and said, "You're right...they do learn rather quickly." But we both brushed it off, as neither of us thought he would ever try to clean a toilet!?!?

Well last week, I found our first floor toilet cleaned by Kenner. It was okay though, because I left the new flushable toilet cleaner on the cleaner wand. I caught him as he was trying to get the flushable cleaner off the wand. No problem!

About 30 minutes later, the boys were playing in the basement and I was either doing dishes or Becca's wedding video when I heard hurtful cries from the basement. I thought, "What could they have gotten into down there...there isn't anything they can get hurt down there (since I cleaned it)" I decided to investigate. As I climbed down the stairs, I realized that they were in the bathroom. Kenner was sitting by the open door crying and Patton was on the bathroom rug in the bathroom. Kenner said, "I hit my head." Well WHY would Kenner have hit his head? It is because they decided to clean toilet #2 with nothing else but dish soap and orange degreaser. Yes the two more slippery items when put on linoleum (sp?) floor! I didn't have any compassion for them, as I was hysterically laughing. Patton was "perched" on the rug, because he was not able to move without falling on his rump.

There was dish soap and orange degreaser all over the floor. It was quite hillarious!

Frugal Friends Grocery Deals - Lincoln NE

Weekly Groceries 7/1/09
Anyone have a good price on Baked Beans…can share any good deal’s on them this week. They were in every ad, but I didn’t have a reference point.

Have a great 4th (my favorite holiday).

Reminder: the Zion church (and many other organizations) save Box Tops, Best Choice, and other bar codes for reimbursement. It is easy to save.

There is also a greater need at the People’s City Mission as well…so if you have a stockpile too high, think of othersJ

Lincoln websites for the latest grocery deals – www.toopoortoeat.blogspot.com or www.chicksdigdeals.blogspot.com

Rhiannon

Hyvee
Grimmway Farms Baby Carrots .97 16 oz
Betty Crocker Super moist Cake Mix .88 18-19.5 oz
HyVee Cereal 1.48 Bran Flakes, Raisin Bran, Corn Flakes
Cane Sugar 1.88 (match price this at Super Saver with 2.00 off sugar coupon from Sunday paper with 10 koolaid packets!
HyVee Large Eggs .88
Bar S Jumbo Franks .49 16 oz

HyVee Online

RUSS’s MARKET
Oscar Meyer Wieners 16 oz .97
Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping 7.25 oz .99 (fun cheap idea for kids/science experiementJ)
General Mills Cereal $2.50 16-18 oz (coupons on coupons.com TODAY)
Frito Lay Ruffles or Doritos B1G1Free
Best Choice Whipped Topping 8 oz .69
Cream Cheese 1.19 8 oz box (.01 more than Walmart price)
Crystal Farms 8 oz Shredded or Chunk Cheese .99
Oscar Meyer Lean Ham/Turkey/Variety Pack 16 oz 2.49
Pepsi or Coke Products 5 for $12
Coke or Pepsi products .99 2 ltr
Green Seedless Grapes1.48/lb
Cantaloupe 1.28 each

Treat of the week
July 01
Cookie From Bakery

SunMart
Our Family Brats/Italian Sausage 16 oz 2.50
Dole California Strawberries 4.99 4 lbs
Driscoll Red Raspberries 2.50
Kraft Singles B1G1free
Novelty Sale (variety of ice cream treats) 30% off
Deli Fresh Smoked Virginia Ham, honey ham, or cheddar or pepper jack cheese 3.99/lb
Betty Crocker Brownie Mix 1.00 (coupon on coupons.com)
Skinner Pasta 1.00 12-16 pkg
Our Family Crescent Rolls 1.99 6 ct
Our Family Cinnamon Rolls 1.99 Jumbo


SUPER SAVER
Best Choice Ice Cream .98 ½ gallon
Kool-aid Packets 15 for $1.00 (coupon from S paper for 2.00 off sugar when you buy 10 Koolaid packets)
Fresh Blueberries 2.78 18 oz!!!
Avocados .58 each
Vidalia Onions 1.58 (3 lb bag)
Deli Fresh Potato Salad/Macaroni Salad .98 lb
Boston Butt Pork Roast 1.18/lb sold whole only (there are SEVERAL ads about meat…I just LOVE this pork roast smokedJ so that is why I mentioned this one.)
Frito Lay Family Sized Chips 2.96 14-23 oz
Deli Fresh (John Morrell) Turkey Smoked or Oven Roasted 3.98 lb
CASH SAVERS
Robert’s Cottage Cheese 1.47 24 oz

The online coupons aren’t too exciting this week for either Super Saver or Russ’s. Check Chicks Dig Deals though…they work their magic with price matching and using those coupons.

Save Mart
Smart Chicken Boneless Chicken Breasts 1.99 lb