Davis v. 39.5

On June 18th, I threw Dave a surprise 1/2 birthday party! He will be 40 in Decemeber so I figured he wouldn't expect a party in June! He was super surprised and we had a really good time that night! Here are some pictures of his party!

Alex

I am always proud of my children, everyday, but at the end of this school year, I'm going to recognize my Alex. He managed to rack up 5 awards for their end of the school year! He got perfect attendence, participant in Battle of the Books, high Recorder unit scores, A Presidential Academic Achievement award, and the Good Citizenship Award for his 5th grade class. Alex is a sweet, sensitive and caring boy who is going to grow up into a wonderful man someday. He has such a big heart, is so willing to care for others, and has no fear when it comes to people who are different from him. Congrats Alex, you made your family very proud today!!

Couponing.....

Ok,
I'll admit it...I have become totally obsessed with couponing lately. I watched that show Extreme Couponing...and I wondered...how do they do that? So with the help of several blogs, and a book called "How to Shop for Free", I have become a couponer. Granted, I don't ever want to be a hoarder, or EVER have a use for 1000 tubes of toothpaste just because they were free, I am a firm believer in saving a buck. I made my lists, gathered my coupons and set out for the store last night. I WAS AMAZED at how much I saved! I bought 91 items, at a total retail value of $275.56, after coupons and price matching I spent 158.96!!! That's a 44% savings! And this was just my first trip ever doing this!!!! I can think of a lot of things to do with that extra $120 bucks!!!! I know this takes some time to sort and get things ready for a trip to the store, but when you are feeding a family of 6, saving money is a GOOD thing!

This is the kids helping me sort coupons for our trip!

Happy Birthday to my baby girl!!! (A little early)

My beautiful daughter will turn 7 years old on Sunday! I'm posting this a little early because we have quite the birthday weekend planned and I'm not sure if I would have any more time to post it! We are starting her birthday celebration with getting her ears pierced tonight! I am a little nervous about how she will handle it, but she's been counting down the days and really wants to go and get it done! Tomorrow, she is having a party at Clara's Closet in Elkhorn, it is a place that does dress-up parties and she went with the fashion show theme. They get their nails and makeup done and then pick out outfits and perform a show! I think I'm looking forward to it as much as she is! Then on Saturday night she is having her best friend Kaelie spend the night for her first sleepover! Then on Sunday we are having the family over for lunch and presents. WHEW!!!! I'm tired just thinking about it....but it will be totally worth it! Here are some tidbits about my daughter right now:

1. She LOVES to read, and is reading at a 4th grade level right now

2. She thinks that life isn't fair since her brothers get to stay up later than her since they are older

3. She hates the rain

4. She has a wonderful flair for the dramatics...(not sure if this is good)

5. She still loves to sit next to people and cuddle, and those moments I still treasure as I know they will become fewer as she gets older

6. She loves to play outside with her brothers and their friends

7. She goes to dance 2 times a week and is the only one in her class that knows the entire dance for her recital and tends to direct while she's there

8. She has the most beautiful hazel eyes just like her daddy

9. She is definitely NOT a morning person

10. She is the smartest, most beautiful, sweetest little girl EVER!!!! (I might be a little biased)

God blessed me with this perfect baby girl and I consider myself so lucky to call her mine!! Happy Birthday Taryn Johanna!!!

Taryn's concert...

Last night was Taryn's first grade music concert. She had her first speaking part!! She did such a fantastic job! At last I have a non-stage fright child! A few pictures to commerate her great job!

Happy 14th Birthday Andrew!!!!

How is it that my precious baby boy is 14 years old?? Only one short year away from being behind the wheel? I am so very blessed to have Andrew as my son. He has struggled and fought his way through pain that no child should ever feel and become the young man I always knew he could be. Don't get me wrong, he is a teenager for sure!!! But, as my Mother-in-Law tells me...he truly is a Mini-Dave!!! He has such a sweet smile and eyes that will get you every time!!! Happy Birthday my son!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Happy Birthday Ethan and Alex!!!! (a little late)

On February 18th, Ethan and Alex celebrated their 11th Birthday!!! How is it possible that my babies are 11? It's hard to believe that 10 years ago I looked at their smiling baby faces and knew that I would love them and carry them in my heart as my own sons. They are truly a blessing in my life! They have the energy that I only wish I could have and such caring hearts! When I hear people talk about them my heart swells with pride that I have such great boys, who never put anyone down, will include everyone in their lives, and who always puts other first. When these boys get older (MUCH older...I'm thinking 30...) some girls are going to be very lucky to have them in their lives! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY BOYS!!!



They each had a friend spend the night...it was a lot of fun!



They got a room remodel for their birthday...



The birthday boys....