Tommy June's 1st Birthday

Happy Birthday!!!!!





1 year ago today.... I was up all night with caster oil induced contractions. Only to find out the next morning at my scheduled induction (I was a week late ;)) that I was still at a 3 (at 7am). BOO! They broke my water and we let the waiting/walking/bathing begin. After a few hours they started me on pit. Which for any of you other mothers out there who have natural childbirths knows that this TOTALLY sucks. But... we did what we had to do! I was exhausted by the time it came time to push but luckily it didn't take too much to get her here. She had the cord wrapped around her neck a couple times, but Dr. Lovelace was a miracle and everything went awesome. She was 8lbs 10ozs & gorgeous. Mike and my mom coached me through it while we enjoyed Twayne & Vicki's company and had Aubri there taking pictures, Andra video taping, and Auna was there being the boy's Nanny. It's always a party in our delivery rooms;)

Tommy came into the world wide eyed and strong!!! We teased that she came out crawling... but she really was (advanced?) She held her head up and looked right at you! I feel a little cheated, because she really never felt quite so babyish. I can't tell you how many times I found myself seeing a stranger from across the store giving me a weird grin and waving only to figure out it was Tommy that caught their attention. From just weeks old she would do this. Find someone and just smile. We get stopped everywhere we go because of how friendly she is.



I for sure thought that Tommy would be my earliest to walk. Riggin took his first steps at 9 1/2 mo, Wylie at 8 1/2 mo.... and both were walking at 10. Tommy, on the other hand has yet to do so.

She loves here brothers. Riggin is so good with her. Loves to play & make her laugh! And Wylie shares his toys with no one but her. I know I've said this before, but where else can I brag like this? I am blessed! I love my life! I love my kids! I love my husband! As crazy as life gets... I'm glad it's crazy!




Tommy in her Birthday Dress! Thank you Mud & Fawn! It's perfect!

Call Me The Quopon Queen!

I DID IT!!! I sat down late last night and printed out my very first set of coupons! I decided to give this thing a try and really try to do it RIGHT! I'd heard Albertsons was doing another big sale and for every $30 spent on select items, they'd print you $15 credit at the check out. Another blog told me to go to pinchingyourpennies.com and after an easy & free registry I found an Idaho forum and printed spreadsheets that other women in Idaho had prepared to go shopping with. They did their work! It was so easy! They had links to all the coupons and had broken it down to how many items of what you had to buy to get better deals.... Anyway, I spent 2 hours on the computer last night & 2 hours in the store today.....AND.....
I bought....
21 packs of diapers (not my brand, but at this price... why not?)
15 boxes of cereal
6 lbs of butter
4 lbs of cheese
2 dozen eggs
6 grapefruits
10 lbs of potatoes
6 packs of 6pck kids yoplait
2 packs of gogurts
4 boxes of blueberry muffin mix
1 pack of wipes
2 pints ben & jerry's
&
1 9lb spiral cut ham

For a total of $472.12 (before my preferred savings, manufacturers coupons, & store coupons)....
I paid only $130.15. ($341.97 worth of savings;))

Oh, and they were soooooo nice to me. I was way nervous! I almost felt like I was stealing.... but everyone was so helpful and patient.... totally worth it.
The pampers aren't pictured because they were all out. I prepaid for them today though to get all my savings, and they're going to call me when they get in.




P.S. That pampers aren't labeled as a real good deal. You have to buy the ones marked 2/20. Buy 3 at a time..... and at check out they will print you $20 ($15 on any grocery, $5 on baby products) in store credit.

Merry Christmas

1st Bus Ride

Yay! Riggin went on his 1st field trip last week. They went to the Boise Art Museum & road the bus for the very first time. Later that night he got to perform in the school Christmas Program. BIG day! My baby is growing up!

Happy Thanksgiving

We've been really blessed to alternate every other year between the Stones & the Walkers for Thanksgiving. We're all on the same schedule and this year we were with the Walkers. Mom & Dad have made it a tradition to get away for the holiday and Sun Valley has been the favorite location. Thank you Dad & Mom!

Happy Birthday ASHLEE JUNE!!!

I know what you are thinking...Holy Crap she is hot! But no, that is not the reason I am posting this but if you did look up the word LUCKY in the dictionary... there would be a picture of me.

So Yep, Ashlee's birthday is one day after Wylie's. The dust doesn't even get a chance to settle around our house, we just wake up and do it all over again. So I would like to take this time to celebrate my best friend.





Ashlee does all of the thankless work in our family and does it willingly. Sure she has her moments where she is ready to be committed, but who doesn't. The kids and I are so lucky to have a wife and mother who puts us first. Our family wouldn't work with out you.





Ashlee has been my biggest supporter in life; whether it was trying to be a bull rider or a wrestling coach she has always showed up with words of encouragement and cheered me on.





Ashlee loves to serve people. I know innately women are nurturers, but I am in awe of Ashlee and how unselfish she is with her time and my money (J/K Kinda). Our good friend was bed ridden with her pregnancy and it was all I could do to keep Ashlee from moving in to see to her needs. Word to the wise... she is just as loyal too, no trash talking the ones she loves.





Ashlee still has her adventurous side as well. The kids have toned her down a little, but she is a wicked wake surfer and she still plays football in our annual Turkey Bowl, she doesn't like to sit on the sidelines. Here she is tubing jumping over me on this sweet jump we built. So long as it isn't life threatening she is in. I think they say...Couples that play together stay together...or something like that. It's true!








I know it is your Birthday Ashlee and I am supposed to give you gifts, but you give me the greatest gifts everyday. You are the mother of my children, my eternal companion, my best friend and the love of my life. So Happy Birthday from your biggest cheerleader, but don't make me put on the uniform again. Love ya babe.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WYLIE

I LOVE this guy! What a tease! He is fun, happy, loves to play & has the BEST smile in the world! I CAN'T believe he's 3! In some ways, he seems to be 5... and in other ways, it feels like he was just born yesterday. He is however, a very mature 3 year old. My favorite Wylie Lines are....
"Mommy, I hold you?" All the time, he wants to be held... LOVE IT!!! Cuddle Bug!
"Hey Mommy (or Daddy) I wike you!" Nothing is better-

He loves his spite(sprite)& seecle(motorcycle)

From the time he could smile (5 weeks old) I was stopped countless times in the grocery store or wherever by strangers commenting on what a friendly baby he was... he would get eye contact and just GRIN! Wylie makes friend wherever he goes and LOVES attention.
He tests me... BUT he really is fun! I love him I love him I love him and I am so grateful to be his mother.

P.S. Save the 'really, 3 hair colors in one year?' comments. We all end up ruining our kids one way or another.