The Surprise In-N-Out trip!

Well...Chase's favorite place to eat is In-N-Out. And since we've moved to Idaho, that is kinda hard to get to for lunch. Troy and I decided that when you turn 13 you REALLY NEED to have your favorite food. So, we secretly packed up the Tahoe and headed out on Saturday morning on a road trip. The boys thought we were heading to Nevada to pick up some parts for the shop. They were a little disappointed that they were wasting away a Saturday...but weren't they surprised when they saw this instead....!!!My parents and my niece were waiting for us with a birthday cake inside!
Chase enjoying his double doubleChase got the EnV phone from Oma and Poppa....he was soooo EXCITED!!! (Can ya tell?!)Since the closest In-N-Out to us is in Reno, NV we decided to stay the night at Circus Circus and let the kids play some games. They had a blast!

Even saw an acrobatic show...

All in all it was a great weekend! Chase was surprised and we got to spend a little time with my parents and Lani. What fun!

We have an "official" teenager in the house!

We have a TEENAGER in our house!

Tanner made Chase's favorite...cinnamon rolls. This kid sure loves his big brother!

And he gave him a XBox game he's been wanting...

Some Hollister cologne from Oma and Poppa....mmmmm! Lunch out with Dad and Grandpa
Chase loves hot wings and ordered the hottest ones on the menu!
Some buddies over for a little airsoft "war"
and burgers....
Chase has some really neat friends....these guys are great!

Time for cake!
We love you Chase! The past 13 years have been wonderful...you are growing up to be a really neat kid!

Getting Ready for the big 13!

Chase will be turning 13 tomorrow...so today we are getting ready for the big day. We will spend tomorrow shopping with his birthday money, having lunch at a new hot wing place and doing whatever else the birthday boy wants to do before his buddies arrive to celebrate.

We have MANY surprises in store for Chase....but I can't spill the beans quite yet! I will post next week with what we did. Ohhhh, I just can't wait!!!Can't have a birthday without a Birthday Cake...Chase chose chocolate fudge this year...and of course licking the beaters and spatula afterwards!

Albertson's freebies

My friend Carrie gave me her four Albertson's twice savings coupons yesterday and this is what I got last night. Pringles - $1 each used a $1 off 2 coupon and the doubler = FREE
Fiesta Sides - On clearance for $1ea and used a 75cent off coupon and the doubler = $.25ea
Pert - On sale for $1.99 and used a coupon for $1 and doubler = Free
Secret - on Sale for $1.99 and used a coupon for $1.00 and a doubler = Free
Poptarts - on sale for $1 No coupon, but figured I'd make the boys happy!

$17.46 worth of groceries for $1.99 A savings of $15.47 with coupons, Albertsons' Prefered card and bonus buy savings!

Thanks Carrie!

GAMES ~ GAMES ~ GAMES

We love playing games as a family, especially now that the boys are a little older. Lately our new favorite is Dominoes...but we did enjoy a round of Yahtzee this week too. It's important to play games together as a family instead of everyone going off to do their own thing. We get to spend some old fashioned quality time together...usually laughing until we cry!

What games does your family enjoy playing together?

Happy Spring!

It is a beautiful day here, about 70 degrees, and I am lovin' this sunshine! The boys are wearing shorts and I am planning on sitting on the front porch to soak in some rays.

Of course that means the spring cleaning will have to be put aside for a few hours, if not for the rest of the weekend! We are officially on Spring Break as of 1:40 this afternoon...whoo hoo!!!

Happy Spring to you all!

Gas for 73 cents a gallon!!!

Today I got gas for 73 cents a gallon! How...you ask? Well, when you spend a certain amount on groceries at Albertson's you can accumulate money towards a discount on your gas. I earned $1.10 off per gallon! Regular price was $1.83. So, be sure to check the bottom of your receipts! I filled up and got 17.83 gallons for $13.18 that is a savings of $19.62!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Chase with his St. Paddy's day outfit...

and Tanner with his!

Oatmeal with green sprinkles...
The pistachio muffins Chase made yesterday....yum!

This is what we found in every toilet this morning!

Those darn leprechauns really need to remember to flush!

Are you ready for St. Patty's Day?

I have the breakfast area all set up for the boys breakfast. Chase baked some pistachio muffins for breakfast tomorrow and we will also have green milk, green oatmeal and green grapes! My mom sent us a box full of St. Patrick's day goodies...

This is what I found inside for me!

Lime Grove Colonial Candle

Festive napkins, lotion and body wash, 3 more candles, fun socks, Irish soda bread mix, pistachio pudding, clover kit and various golden coins, confetti and beads to decorate with.

She also sent the boys some goodies...but they can't see those till tomorrow!

We will be having corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and that Irish soda bread for dinner. What is your family's traditional meal on St. Patricks Day? Don't forget to wear green...or you'll get pinched!

Today's Deals...

Albertsons
Purex detergent: Regular price $6.75 ea. They were on sale for 3 for $10. I used the instore coupon next to them for $3 off and my double coupon for another $1 off. I got all three for $6 !

Pringles: Regular price $1.09ea. On sale for $1 each. I used a $1 off 2 coupon and my double coupon for another $1 off, so I got them both FREE!

Mc Cormick Seasoning: Regular price $2.99. On sale for $2, used my $1 off coupon and my double coupon to get it FREE!

Walgreen's
First I purchased this:
Listerine, Reach floss and Reach toothbrushes at 3 for $9. Then I used a $3 manufacturer coupon to make them $6. Then a Register Reward printed out for $6.00. So it's like getting all three items for FREE!
Total out of pocket for this...$6.54 (Total saved $6.77)

Second, I used the $6 Register Reward from the first purchase to buy:
Royal Gelatin: 5 for $1 (used coupon in the ad)
Bottled Water : Regular price = $4.99 I got it for $2.99 (used coupon in the ad)
Plastic spoons: on clearance for 25cents
M & M's: On sale for 2 for $5, I used a $1 coupon and a $1 store coupon to make them $1.50 ea
Colgate: On sale for 99 cents and I used a 75 cent coupon = 24cents!
Total out of pocket for this...$2.10 (Total Saved $14.83)

This is FUN! I follow Thrifty Mom and Krazy Coupon Lady. You'll find their sites over on my blog list. Try it...you'll be hooked!