Whew! Still Got It!

We haven't couponed in a while for a variety of reasons including it takes a decent amount of prep work, our printer's been broken, shopping with kids and a plan doesn't go together well, and I've run out of extra "food" room!  But we're down to 6 boxed of cereal (which we actually don't eat that often!) and Gabe was getting nervous ;-)  So, I saw an "ok" deal on cereal at Albies and thought I'd give it a go.  Then I saw in their ad that they were rounding coupons up to $1, and thought "Let's do this!"  (I hate all those little "$.40 off 4" and such coupons, but make it $1?  YES MA'AM!) 

So we went last night after karate- and did fairly well!  Gabe was happy, even though I only added 6 boxes of cereal to the stash.  I found lots of other good deals (though prices have really gone up since my last trip!  $2.19 for a can of cream of chicken soup?  Yikes! But I got it for .75, so I'm breathing again ;-)

I'll try to get back to blogging- life is just amazing lately, but along with the fun stuff comes a lack of down time... and what down time I have I use for Knitting!  Yay!

Christmas Gifts and Pretty Sure He never saw this coming...

 Melia looked all through her new molding book before she decided to do something else :-)  Without any instructions, I think it turned out all right! 

 Our first completed batch of cake pops!

And I really don't think in all of Gabe's wildest imaginings that his deer would ever become the girls' dress-up "toy."  Ever. 

Please Pray

Please pray for the Clarks, Harrises, and everyone who knew Katie Clark.  I am just reeling this morning with the news that a sweet sweet friend from Costco has died.  It just seems so surreal...  But I'm so glad I know that she knows Jesus.

Big Resolutions, and a funny quote

Our (my, but I can't do it alone) main resolution is to simplify our lives by decluttering.  I know I've said that before... but we are both unorganized and scatterbrained, so I feel like if I could choose one area of our lives that would effect all the others, this would be it.  We would save money and time and energy by not having so much stuff!  And being able to find the important stuff we have!  I'm hoping to fit in a date night soon so we can really make some goals and hard plans... cause baby is only 18 weeks away! 

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Yesterday the toothpaste moved from the kids' bathroom to a kitchen cupboard (thanks to a post by Tammy a while back) because I caught Melia with a mouthful of it... just because she liked it.  (Another reason they really shouldn't make it taste so good...)  Thankfully, she hadn't swallowed any of it, but she really had a lot in there.  After reiterating to Gabe this particular event, he said "She needs a swat every time she forgets to think."  I thought that was awesome... Although if you have any suggestions about lack of "thinking" punishments/consequences, I'd love to hear them.  I was completely lost as to how to respond to this incident, since she knows not to swallow the toothpaste...  and while Gabe's thought was accurate, we totally recognize that sometimes swatting is not the answer.  (Emphasis on sometimes :-)

Sorry Lady... And a Christmas Prayer funny

I think we bothered a lady at the store today...

She was a nice, grandmotherly type, and she asked my kids if Santa was going to visit our house very soon.  Kiera told her right up front "Santa's not real!" 

I tried to soften it a little by saying "But Mommy and Daddy put presents under the tree..."  But she was already disturbed.  She said "Oh, well... Happy Holidays," with a not-so-happy look on her face.   I made sure to say "Merry Christmas!" as she walked away.

Just another moment feeling awkward because we choose to do our parenting thing differently.  

Oh well~  Merry Christmas!!  *grin*
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The other night, while praying...
Melia:  "And Jesus, thank you that we just don't celebrate a tree at Christmas, or presents, or Rudolph, or Santa, or Satan, but we celebrate how you came to earth to die for our sins..."

And Kiera:  "Jesus, thank you that you came and died for our sins on Christmas..."

We were really having to hold in the giggles that night!  But at least they're getting it, right?!!

Isaac's first Christmas, Sick- 2011

I thought I would photograph Isaac opening his gifts from the Elliott side so everyone can see how he loved his presents :-)

 Wooden sound puzzle from Great-Gma Elliott

Tool set from Ken and Brenda

 Buildable Big Truck from Sissy (part of the kids' exchange)

Fire Truck Track Puzzle from Roy and Lois

Adventurer Rig from Great-Gma Elliott



Video Game Portraits

Isaac did this all on his own... Which was hilarious because he looked so much like his Daddy with the headphones and video game controller (except, Gabe pointed out when I posted it on FB, that Gabe does NOT sit on the couch in his underwear- Just clarifying!)

And of course, when I HAD to take his picture, then I absolutely HAD to take everyone else's picture too.

And I'm glad I did, cause they turned out pretty cute too!

My Decorator

Kiera decorated the house for me yesterday.  She was giggling to herself, and I asked her what was so funny... this is what I found...

She said something along the lines of "it already feels like a party!" 

"I think it's time to break out those Christmas decorations Gabe!  Gabe?  Gabe...  Hon, where is it in the barn that you stashed those??"

Isaac's Artistic Talent

I am thankful the toothpaste is peppermint flavored... otherwise who knows how much he'd have eaten!  But he came running to me saying his tongue was "HOT!"

Isaac, practicing his cutting skills with monkey scissors :-)

A little mixin' in the kitchen...Edited...

I finally got around to remembering to buy the ingredients for Russian Tea, which Mom and Dad introduced the kids to while they were camping and we were in Utah!  I happened to have a little jar at home, but that was QUICKLY emptied by my two little addicts!

We seriously laughed at Melia's goofy head tilt in this shot!

And Kiera was adamant that I show her Wenatchee Wild tattoo in this one... SO attractive, I know!  ;-)

Added Note:  For the record, Isaac loves it too.  This morning I found him dipping a spoon into the jar and licking off the powder.  He's pretty hardcore.  :-)