Christmas Surprises...

Surprise, surprise, I'm blogging!  I'm really starting to believe that I am NOT so good at keeping a blog.  How do people find the time to do everything? HELP! If you have any tips on how to juggle...life.  Let me know.  Yes it's been a while, but here I am (when I should be sleeping) BLOGGING. :)

We have a little tradition in our family to give the kids new (well new to them anyways ;)) Christmas pajamas, books, and ornaments on the night that we decorate the Christmas Tree.  We usually try and do this on December 1st.  This year it didn't happen until the 5th because the HH has had to work A LOT, and we did not want to do it without him.  

We use to give the kids there Pajamas on Christmas Eve but I hated that they didn't get to wear them through the Christmas holiday so we switched over to this way and it has worked great.  The kids love getting a few gifts early and they love wearing their jammies as much as possible. 

 Here's the cute little bunch dressed in their new PJ's with new books in hand.  As you can tell Mr. E is beyond excited about his new book. :)

Mr. C PJ's- Hand-me-downs from his cousin- FREE

Book- One of my old Chapter books-FREE

Mr. E PJ's-Hand-me-down from cousin-FREE

Book-Yard Sale-$1

Miss J PJ's-Yard Sale-.50

Book-Yard Sale- $1

Remember how I wasn't sure what to do for their Christmas ornaments this year? After MUCH thought, I decided on these "I Spy" ornaments.  My Mom had left over clear ornaments that she let me have and I used some of my scrapbooking ribbon that I already had, then went around the house finding things that were small enough to fit in and that described my kiddos. I also printed off small pictures of each of them and small pictures of certain things that they liked plus a small picture of a Nativity and put them in as well.  The kids LOVED them and have taken them off the tree more times then I can count to look at all the fun things in their special ornament.  In fact Miss J already broke hers once.  Thank goodness my Mom had a back-up one for me.  THANKS MOM!!!!

I love these kids so much!    

They make the Holidays that much more fun and their excitement is defiantly contagious.  

Can't wait for Christmas morning!!!

A Second-Hand Birthday

This little girl turned 4 and had a fabulous Birthday.

She could have cared less that all her stuff was Second-Hand.

I love that about kids!!!

Here is the goods...

Mr. C gave her a Dora book that she had wanted for-ev-er.  Found it at a yard sale for $2. :)

Even the Princess wrapping paper was from a Yard Sale. $1.

She loved it and Mr. C received a big, fat, hug.

Mister E gave her a coloring/activity book and crayons.  This girl is a coloring fool and absolutely loved this.  Who cares if it came from DI for $2 and the crayons .50.  Not her!

The HH and I gave her a Snow hat and gloves set that I actually got last year on clearance for $2.74, and this helmet purchased at DI for $1!

We also gave her this cute little scarf that I purchased before my project started form THIS  awesome Girlie!  She makes the cutest stuff ev-er! I got it for half off though $8. We also gave her this scooter that I purchased off of KSL ($10) last year for her birthday, but 3 days before her Birthday (last year) she  decided she wanted a STAGE.  yeah, that's right a STAGE to dance and sing on. :) Since her Daddy is the best, he wipped her up one in less then 24 hours using only materials we had lying around the house.  

It came complete with carpet and storage!

The cake was NOT second-hand. ;) But the candles ($1.99 for 4 packs of candles) and the Princess toppers ($1) were purchased from Savers.

Funny story:  

We've been letting Miss J ride her scooter around the house and Mr. C wanted to bring in his scooter from outside and ride it inside too.  

I told him No, because it was dirty.  He said that Miss J's scooter had dirty wheels too. I explained to him that it just looked dirty from having wear on the tires but that I cleaned it up really good before we gave it to her. so now it's clean.  

Then miss J comes scootering into the kitchen like she owns the place and says, in her sassiest voice mind you,    " Yeah, she picked this up from a Yard Sale."  

She thought she was the coolest ever because her scooter was picked up from a YARD SALE. I LOVE it! I love that she still thinks it is cool. Probably won't last into the teenage years though will it?  I guess I won't break her heart by talling her that I bought it off of KSL and not a Yard Sale. ;)

So Many Options, So Little Time...

Christmas is fast approaching and we have a tradition of giving the kids a new Christmas ornament  every year.

Today I realized that I don't have their ornaments yet and that I better get on it since I will be giving Handmade ones(lovingly made by yours truly of course.:)).

I really love to give them ornaments that expresses who they are or what they were 'into' that year.

Here are some options that I found on Pinterest... 

The older two have caught on to my button collection craze.  So I thought this one would be cute.  using buttons in their favorite color.

I love this one!  How precious for Mr. E and his chubby little hand-print.

So cute and so easy! I might be on the hunt for some old wooden puzzle pieces. Anybody have some? :)

This little guy just made me happy.  I thought it could be cute to do it in the kids favorite animal.

All my kids really LOVE books even Mr. E who is my 1 1/2 year old.  He follows me a round with books in his hands all day.  It is so cute.  The best part is is when he'll try and wiggle into your lap even if your not sitting down, but if your holding one of his books then it's a MUST for him to be sitting on your lap.  Have I mentioned that I love that kid?  Well, I DO! Thought this ornament would be great to describe him this year.

So there are some of my choices.  Not sure which ones I'll use or maybe I won't use any of them.  I don't know, what do you think?  Do you have any cute ideas for some?  I need to have them done by Dec 1st!  Wowzers! (Yes that is a word.;))

This little girl has a Birthday coming up.  That means they'll be a birthday post all about her and her fun Second-hand gifts. :)

Park City Shopping with the GIRLS

This past weekend I went with my Sisters, Mom, and Grandma to Park City for our annual Girls Shopping trip.  We have been doing it since I was in college and that's a long time people.  11 years! It is always so much fun and this year was NO exception.
 

 All us girls (minus my sister Tiff who was out supporting her son who plays football for Dixie.  We MISSED you Tiff!) eating out after a long day of ...shopping. :)  You might wonder how I did this.  Well you see I was the one that would give opinions at the dressing room, push the cart, and "Oh, and Aw" at all their great finds, or I would go back to the condo early and relax/fix dinner.  It was so fun! Plus I haven't been in 'real' stores in such a LONG time that it was fun to go see all the cute stuff even if I didn't buy anything. We went in to Nordstrom Rack  and I was overwhelmed with all the cute stuff.  Every where I looked I saw amazingly great stuff, and I didn't even have to dig through a bunch of crap to find it. But what's the fun in that, right. ;)

A few of us also hit up a Savers on our way up to P.C. I found some great finds.

I've been looking for a life jacket all summer for my 6 year old and could never find one.  This one is going to be great for next year and only $2.99. AMAZING!!!!

My little 1 1/2 year old is OBSESSED with books.  I picked up these 2 for him for .69 each. They are both in mint condition. Also a 2 pack of crayons in like-new condition for .99. I can never have enough of these at my house.  Plus stick them with a coloring book and voila

you have a instant gift. 

Cute little vest for my girl- $1.49

shirt and pants for Mister E-$5 for the pair.

This was my favorite find of the day.  When we pulled up to Savers I told everyone that I was looking for this book, and I can't believe that I actually I found it!  What are the chances? I spent a day reading while everyone else went and shopped.  It was so nice to just sit and read! I finished it in less then 24 hrs and I loved it.  If you want a good, clean, book to read or for your daughters to read this is it!  It was so cute. Oh, and I only paid $2 for it. :) 

My sister also found her cute outfit at Savers.  She is the one with the cute Turquoise head wrap on. Her pants were even half off and ended up being $3!!!!! I can't remember what the shirt cost but I'm sure it was a great deal. ;)

We of course hit up the Bath and Body store.  I love that store and all the YUMMY smells.  I did buy from there since soaps and lotion are on my list of things I can buy new.  This was the first time buying there since I started the project though, but I got the sweetest deal.  I got 9 soaps and the yummiest orange ginger lotion (the nice kind in the glass jar) all for $21!  I had 2 coupons that they let me combine!  Score!

I also bought some tights for my little girl which I think would be considered socks, which are on my list of  "can buy new" items. Last month I almost bought the exact same ones for 9 bucks a pop, but I got these ones for $3.50!  So happy to have tights that actually fit my daughter!  I've been squeezing her into ones that were a size (or two) too small.  Poor girl!

This was us at the end of the trip.  We've taken these pictures every year and it's fun to see all of our stuff together, jammed on one bed.  This year was actually way less then we usually have. :)

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Good: I GOT A CAMERA! Yeah that's right, I finally got a camera.  Yes it is used, and yes it is AWESOME!  Thanks to Mr. Erik Johnson who's camera it was before ours and who so generously gave us his old camera (that is not really old at all) he only had it for a few months, but he got the new fancy, shmancy iPHONE and so passed the love on to us.  He wouldn't take any payment (HOW NICE IS HE!!!!), but I did manage to email him a little itunes gift card so he can get some sweet apps for his new phone.  THANK YOU AGAIN ERIK THAT WAS WAAAAAAAAAY tooooooo nice! 

The Bad: I've been dealing with a massive sinus infection for-ev-er but has recently gotten really, really bad (I almost made the HH take me to the ER in the middle of the night).  I'm on the mend now, but only after spending $260 US dollars just on antibiotics alone!  That is NOT being THRIFTY.  I have to say that it was worth it though, the pain is gone and I can function once again. I just prayer that it's gone for awhile now.

The Ugly: The ugly truth is, is that even after having a camera, and being over my sinus infection I probably will still be a slacker at blogging.  I'm SO SORRY!     I actually have a ton of stuff that I can blog about and I hope to somewhat catch up or maybe not, maybe I'll just start from here, or perhaps a little bit of both. :)  We shall see.

The Good: I'm still rockin' my project and have not bought anything new (except for those on the list ex: socks, undies, and such) even with a shopping trip to Park City (that post coming next). Yesterday I was at Wal Mart doing a little grocery shopping, and I was picking up some toys for my mother-in-law to give as gifts and it made me have anxiety having them in my cart and seeing the cashier scanning them in. I was a sweaty mess when I left there.  I felt like I was breaking the law or something. I think there is something wrong with me...



The Bad: It was recently my birthday and my sweet Sister-in-law's bought me a really cute shirt that was too small (I'm flattered that they think I'm that small though. :))  So I had to go exchange it at the "MALL". I had my 3 year daughter with me and when we walked in she said, "Wow! What is this store?!" She was seriously amazed at how awesome this huge store was. Then I got to thinking that it has been a really long time since she had been in a "MALL" and probably doesn't even remember the last time we were in one. LOL. On the other hand she knows her way around D.I., and Savers like it's the back of her hand. I was kinda feeling bad for her though.  Then I remembered when I was first married and didn't have kids yet.  I went to a Church function that had a guest speaker there and she was talking about avoiding debt.  She made the comment that her daughter had never been in a 'real' store until she was 8 and that was to buy her baptism dress. I remember thinking how sad for that little girl. I truly felt bad for her and thought WOW they must be so poor. Now that I think back on it, I'm not sad for that little girl anymore, but for me back then.  I didn't get it! I had to go through some rough patches and huge eye-opener experiences to realize how truly SMART/RICH that lady was.  Now I'm sure she is debt free including her house, and able to buy things that they not only need but want without putting it on credit cards or worrying about where they will get the money.  Oh, man I envy that piece of mind she has. We are getting closer to that goal though, and I just pray that I have learned my lesson and will never feel bad for anyone who hasn't ever been in a mall before.  Go to a THRIFT SHOP they are SO much MORE FUN!!!! 

The Ugly: How was everyone's Halloween?  Ours was great! We used costumes that we already had or that I got at a Yard Sale so it was cheap, cheap, cheap!  I only had to buy 1 bag of candy and used the rest that I got from a Yard Sale. (Don't remember? Go HERE). AWESOME!   

Mr. Incredible-Purchased last year for $5

Lady Bug-Purchased 2 years ago $2 (that include the skirt!)

Mr. Monkey-Everyone of my kids has worn this at least once. It's working on it's 6th Halloween. :) 

Flapper Girl-Bought at a Yard Sale for $2. (this is where the ugly comes in) The wig was part of that! Is it so gross to buy wigs from a Yard Sale? Oh, well I did and as far as I know I don't have lice, but now my head is starting to itch just thinking about it...oh great! ;)

Has it really been that long?

It  REALLY has! 

I had someone come up to me the other day and asked why I haven't updated my blog and if I am still doing my project.  The answer to the first one is...I am seriously SO busy and with doing this project I'm even MORE busy, digging through thrift shops for that perfect gift, clothes for my kids, and household items that we need, or I'm hand-making the gifts which take A LOT more time then running to the Mart and picking something up.  So you see something has to give and I'm NOT willing to let it be my family or my house so (sigh) it's my blog.  PLUS I still don't have a camera and so that makes for BORING posts.  But YES I am still doing my project!  Can you believe it?  I've almost made it half way!  HOORAY for me!  I'd lie if I said that it's not starting to give me anxiety though, especially with Christmas looming around the corner.  CHRISTMAS!!!  What was I thinking?  It will be good though.  I honestly almost have my kiddos done with already except for my 6 year old who has informed me that he wants one of these...

Spy Gear Spy Video TRAKR

Any of you have one of these in mint condition that you want to sale me?  I'd LOVE you forever, and ever! :) 

So sorry about the LOOOOOOOONG absent I'll try and do better.  Hopefully I'll get a camera soon and can show you my fun second-hand finds that I got for my 30th birthday.  Nothing big but I am excited about them! LOVES!

School Clothes and Hand-me-downs

Little Miss J started Pre-School and she is looking pretty darn cute in her second-hand finds.

Shirt: $3 (Old Navy)

Skirt: $4 (Old Navy)

Shoes: Free (Carters)

Back Pack: $3 (Osh Gosh)-this was purchased a year ago before my project at the store.  Great Deal though!

 

These are the cutest shoes! Miss J loves them and now wants to wear them with everything.  They were a hand-me-down from her cousin.

  

Her pile of school clothes either purchased second-hand or hand-me-downs.  That is probably $20 spent.  AWESOME! Yes?  YES!

 

This outfit cost me .20 cents.  it is really cute with her black boots that she got from her cousin who  grew out of them.  LOVE HAND-ME-DOWNS!

I really, really do love hand-me-downs!  They are absolutely the best and one of the many benefits of coming from a large family.  I have 2 brothers and 4 sisters. :)  I'm the 5th child and so I have plenty of nieces and nephews that are older then my kids, and my Sisters are more then generous when passing the 'grown out of' clothes down to my kiddos. I lucked out!

Here are a few more of my favorite hand-me-downs that I recently got....

Cutest coat (Old Navy)! Love the faux fur around the hood.

Cutest little preppy outfit (GAP), perfect for school!

Saturday I didn't go Yard Selling but I still seemed to come home with a car full of stuff.  HAND-ME-DOWNS!  :)

Thanks Jen and Angie for dressing my kids and for having such great taste in clothes!!!  Love YOU!!!

Getting Our Thrift On.

Last week I took one of the girls in my ward to a Local Thrift Shop to show her how inexpensive and awesome Thrift Shopping can be.  She is a poor college student and was complaining that she needed new clothes (mostly shirts) but had no money.  Well this is what we found.  She didn't buy all these but I made her pose for a picture in them all anyways.  She was SUPER thrilled. :)

She did NOT buy this one. I love how she is so happy about me taking her picture. LOL!

She bought this one.

She also bought this one. 

No not this one.

This one was my favorite!  The green looked so good on her and love the style of it.

This one had a really cute tie that went around the waist, but it wasn't her 'style'.  She didn't get it.

This one fit funny so she didn't get it either.

So she got 3 shirts for $16.00.  Which actually was kinda pricey for Thrift Shopping, but still a LOT LESS expensive then her shopping spree in the mall the week before.  The shirt she wore to go shopping with me cost her $20. 

What do you think about Thrift Store 'Clothes' Shopping?

Weekend Finds!

Are you ready for this?  Brace yourself!  I left the house with $25 and this is what I came home with...

Books!  Awesome, awesome books.  I'm a huge sucker when it comes to books.  I actually got 4 other ones also that are not in this picture.  The ones in the pictures are so great for beginner readers and readers transitioning into chapter books.  Love them! 

Books in picture cost...$.00.  Other 4 books cost $1 for the 4.

 

Little Miss J got hooked up with this adorable little chair.  The kids both did reading this past Summer but we never made it to the Library to turn in their charts and get ptizes so this is what she got for her reading prices.  Guess how much it cost me? $0 :)

3 pairs of Old Navy shorts for Mister C to add to his pile of school clothes.  He loves that they have the stretchy waist.  Happy kid=Happy Mom.  These were also FREE.

Big stack of plan white legal size paper.  For what you ask? Art projects...lots and lots of art projects. :) My kiddos are constantly coming and getting paper from our printer.  Now they have their own little pile to use.

Paper-$1 for the whole pile

 

I picked up a pack of 6 baby bibs (not the baby)!  Thay are brand spanking new, and where muchly needed.  My old ones had been through 2 kids...you can imagine.
Bibs-$2 for 6

Mister C learned to ride his bike without training wheels this summer and has been living on his bike ever since.  Saddly he was still cruising around on this bike (pictured above) that he got when he was 2 1/2.  He is now six and tall for his age.  It was time for a new bike. :)  I'd been looking for the past month on KSL but hadn't found anything in our price range that was close enough to drive and pick-up.  So I made it a goal to find one Yard Selling last Saturday.  But was striking out left and right. :(  Then my sweet friend called and said that they were just going to take a load to DI and if I wanted anything to come back and take it...FOR FREEEEEEEEE.  Oh, and guess what they had......a BIKE! :)

This bike!  Isn't so cute.  I love that it's a little beach cruiser.  So cute! This was his prize for the reading he did for the summer.  Mister C was beyond happy!  It doesn'e end there though.  I sent the HH to a Yard Sale to check-out a set of Kid golf clubs and the bag to go with it.  He bought the golf Clubs and this bike.....

So now Mister C has really thought that he has died and gone to heaven. :)  This one is bigger though and still a little hard for him to ride.  He can grow into that one, and now we'll have back up for when he has friends over.   The cruiser bike is perfect for him right now though. 

Cruiser Bike- FREE

Huffy Bike-$10

Kid Golf Club Set w/ Bag-$10

Snow clothes-FREE

Tricycle for Mister E-FREE

Cute little Princess Pens.  These are going to be GREAT for gifts.

Pens-$2 for 5

Brown Leather Chest-FREE

As you can see I pretty much got HOOKED-UP by my friend with the trailer full of stuff she was taking to DI. I am not against hand-me-downs. :)  Everything that was FREE came from her.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!