The Ranch

For the 4th of July, Ben and I headed out to Cody, Wyoming . . . the new homestead of Ben's parents.  Ben flew out to Boise a few days before the 4th to help drive one of the moving trucks. I drove out to Idaho Falls by myself with the kiddos :) . . . the next day to meet up with the rest of his family and then drive in tandem to Cody.  This trip was so much fun and I am anxious to get back out there!

We stopped at Old Faithful in Yellowstone.  

Here is a 4 generation picture.  We have Heard Fales, David Fales, Ben Fales and Austin Fales (who rolled over for the first time on this trip)!

My girls LOVED the horses.  All they wanted to do was go out and ride horses.  And Ben . . . what can I say?  What a good lookin' cowboy!

On the 4th we went to the Cody parade, where David's cousin was the honored citizen.  

That night we went to the rodeo.  

Anyone familiar with Robert Duvall?  He has been in so many movies.  For example, Kicking and Screaming, Secondhand Lions . . . anyway, he just happened to be in the parking lot at the stadium.  I am so sad we didn't get a picture to prove this "claim to fame", but Ben went and shook his hand and talked to him for a few minutes.

We had a great time.  Thanks Fales family!

.96 cents

Check out what I was able to get at Albertson's last week for only $.96 cents!  

Several people have asked me how I do this "fugal shopping".  All I have done so far is use coupons from the Sunday paper and from the internet.  There are a few blogs on my side bar that are great at posting coupon match ups.  I don't actually take the time myself to look for coupons/sales on my own.  I check out these blogs, see what they match up, and then decide if it's for me.    Grocerysmarts is also a great resource.  

As for the savings above, I was able to buy those things for only $.96 cents because I had coupons for the milk and yogurt.  I had double value coupons from Albertson's where they will double the value of your manufacturer coupon up to $1.00.  I also had a $10 catalina (a coupon that can be used like cash).   I got that catalina coupon because a week or two ago,  Albertson's had a sale where if you buy $25 worth of certain products, you will get $10 back (as a coupon to be used on your next visit).  I did this and stocked up on peanut butter and salad dressing and some other food items that we could use.  This was a GREAT sale by the way.   Anyways, I still had my $10 catalina to use, and so once I applied this to my shopping visit above, along with the other coupons I had, I only had to pay $.96 cents TOTAL for all pictured above!

Abby Turns 8

Abby turned 8 on June 22nd!   I can't believe I have an 8 year old. (I guess every year I will be unable to believe that I have a daughter her age)  Where does the time go?

Thanks to a Wilton cake decorating class, my cakes are looking considerably better than before!  

Abby wanted a "breakfast party".  So the Saturday before her birthday, her friends came over and had a sugar feast.  Pancakes, strawberries, whip cream . . . eggs and bacon . . . and ice cream cake!

Abby is so good at planning things.  She had this party planned for weeks.  Abby thinks of the games she wants to play, and even the time and order she wants to play them.  She had written down an itinerary for me the day before . . . so I'll know what to do:)

Happy Birthday Abby!

Grassy's Funeral

Halle found a praying mantis in our yard two days ago.  She picked it up and made it her pet Grassy.  He lost a leg yesterday (we think Gwen might have pulled it off) and then he died today . . . or maybe last night.   She has been SOOOO sad about this!  Halle has been crying and crying.  

We buried him in our back yard.  This seemed to help her feel better.  Good thing this wasn't a dog or some animal where more investment and attachments happen!  I don't know what I would do!  It made me sad to see her so sad.   

Tonight before bed, Halle said, "I can't wait until I die.  Then I will see Grassy again."

EMBA Class of 2011

Congratulations to Ben!  He has been accepted into the BYU Executive MBA program!  He will start school the beginning of August.  We probably won't see him much for the next two years . . . as we will be adding this to his already busy schedule with work, church calling, and family.  I have to admit, I am a little scared . . . with 4 kids . . . but we feel good about this and I am sure in the end it will be worth it!

Y Mountain

We hiked "the Y" yesterday! I don't think I have done that for 10 years . . . maybe more. It was more uphill than I remember . . . but then it is a mountain . . . so I'm not quite sure what I was expecting.  My legs are feeling it today!

We had fun. The girls loved it and and like being able to say that they have been to the top of the "Y".

Today's Best Quote from Halle

"I can't eat the crust on my sandwich . . . it makes a bone in my back hurt. It started hurting when I started eating the crust, so I think I CAN'T eat it!"