Spring Break at the Oregon Coast

Here are some photos of our little jaunt to the coast with Emily's family. We stayed at Seaside (compliments of Aunt Megan!) and enjoyed excellent kite flying weather. We also had a few days at Nana and Papa's house. 

Grant flying his dragon kite on the beach in Seaside, Oregon.

Havin a nap...

James will bounce in this thing for hours...until he falls asleep. Then he bounces in his sleep. 

Hand over those coupons and no one gets hurt!

Yes my friends, after months of lurking on blogs with titles like "The Obsessive Shopper," "Thrifty Mama," and "The Krazy Coupon Lady," I too have boldly joined the ranks of the extreme coupon mamas.  The economy/housing market being in the state that it is, we have nary an extra penny to rub together around here, and I am committed to making every cent count to feed my little family.  Plus, it's like, totally addicting y'all!

I mean, I've always been a gal who loves to feel she's gotten a great deal ("You like them?  They were 70% off!), but this extreme couponing thing is a whole 'nother level of deal-getting. Extreme couponing is like visiting another country where everyone gets things for free or almost free and the locals throw around mysterious and exotic-sounding terms like "catalinas" and "BOGOF".  It's like a game--outsmarting the overpriced local grocery stores (yea!), building up my food storage twice as fast (double yea!), and feeling the tremendous satisfaction of a well-fed family.  

Let me warn you though, once you go this route, you will be changed forever.  There are consequences to extreme couponing.  Paying full price for that can of corn Niblets?  No longer an option.  Guilt will inevitably follow if you do.  Be patient, my friends.  Soon those Niblets will be on sale, and along with your coupons, you can enjoy their golden deliciousness for pennys instead of dollars.  You will start to see other shoppers will carts full of food and no coupons and shake your head at the poor fools.  "Should I just go over there and tell him that if he buys one more box of those crackers he will get another free and get a coupon for $10 back on his next purchase?" you will think.  And as you assert your coupon rights with an inexperienced checker you may feel your husband slowly inching away from you like he doesn't know you--but no matter!  The triumph you will feel at getting $100 worth of groceries for $20 will more than make up for that.  It feels almost criminal to get such great deals, but yes--it's totally legal!

So who's with me?  Who with stand with me and boldly shop like no one has shopped before? And if you're not quite ready to take the plunge, can I have your coupons?

Effective this month I am now a Boise State Bronco. I have enrolled in the MBA program at BSU. With any luck, I should graduate in Spring 2011. Because the economy is the way it is, I figure this is the best shelter given the circumstances. Let's hope things improve dramatically by the time I graduate. 

Our Annual Halloween Party 

The competition for the best carving was intense...The Christensen family went home with the coveted 'Golden Sparkle Pumpkin' trophy.

And of course, the food was plentiful and heavenly. 

Photos from the recent past...

Playing NickJr.com in dad's office. 

Catching up with Grandma Bliss...and no she doesn't have purple hair. Bad lighting I suppose.

The chief showing off his creation from pre-school.

Driving home from Utah and Grant needed mom's sunglasses to see the movie. So hip!

The last couple months...

Preschool Activity at the Corn Maze

Midnight snack in the nude (She get's this nasty habit from her mother.)

First snow! They loved it...almost as much as I loved putting all this snow gear on them and having to take it off their crying selves 3.5 minutes after going outside.

If you thought she had too many bows, you're wrong. She doesn't have enough hair!

Brinley (Tanner) and Ella escaped into the garage for a drive.

House for sale! 

Ella's Red Lace Room

Grant's 'Circus' Room

Kids playroom 

Holiday House Boutique Girls

The Housing Market has hit the BOTTOM!

Everyone keeps asking me if we've hit bottom. In Boise, we are seeing homes with multiple cash offers. There are buyers out there. Who are they? Smart! And they don't want everyone to know it. I found this website that my company endorses that give unbiased information on the housing market in the Boise area. I think everyone should use this as a resource for housing and other indicators of the economy in the area.

http://www.newconstructionconsulting.com/

Our Little Monkey...James

He may have a big head, but it sure is a cute one. Here he is in his 'bumbo' chair watching all the action in the kitchen. This activity keeps him tame for hours. James will be 6 months old in a week.