Cutting our grocery bill

I started loosely following along this Dave Ramsey budgeting facebook group I decided we needed to cut our grocery bill it was creeping around $1,200 to $1,500 a month my first step was to get organized I made a meal list for ideas for dinners that we normally eat...my next step was to assign a certain type of meal to each day of the week step 3. I chose 14 meals of my dinner list and went shopping with this method I trimmed a couple hundred dollars off the other other thing I did was switched to cash only for groceries set an amount take it out in cash and then that is it no swiping your debit card for overages and spur of the moment impulse buys...I highly suggest store rewards cards and coupons for items that you normally purchase in total I trimmed about $600 off my bill when I am serious and stick to my plan...part of my plan was to do this to free up money to add to savings for a upcoming trip I am planning shhh its a surprise trip ...

Cooker Girl

I know I shouldn't be surprised by the talents of my girls but I have to say my 6 year old being able to roast a duck by herself and it to come out edible and actually delicious was an proud mom moment. Belle seasoned, rubbed, loved, stuffed and roasted this duck all on her own....so proud of her!!

Belle and her sisters sharing in the proud joy of Belles accomplishment..

Sweet Sixteen Formal and Black light Neon Party

I spent a year planning this epic party a formal sweet sixteen with a fancy dress for mom & dad followed by a Glow neon splatter party for Sophia and her friends to enjoy black lights, neon colors...candy bar, taco bar of course awesome cupcakes made from our fellow Army wife who is awesome and never disappoints...

candy bar and cupcakes sugar high galore 

 I decided a Colorful neon photo booth would be fun staged in between formal side and the blacklight neon flashing dancing side with cool props and an easy inexpensive background this party probably was the best one I pooled off...

 Sophia and her boyfriend Jordan

 Sophia and her proud Big Poppa

Happy Sweet Sixteen Sophia & guests...

WOW I guess you can call us Nana and Big Poppa?

Well our oldest daughter Kate hit us with a bombshell a few months ago I am still processing this news anyone who knows me my daughters husband is labeled special in my book and by special I don't mean in a positive or flattering way I had been holding out hope that he was phase on our daughters life that she would grow out of we can still hope I don't see her see spending the rest of her life saddled with his loser ways..but I am getting a grandson out of the deal and will always be there for Kate and our future grandson..

My nana and aunt Dee made a surprise trip down for Kate's baby shower to represent the family since we are over in Germany...

Just because I don't like the donor dad doesn't mean we won't take care of our little guy..Baby hoard #1 

UMMMM MINION & Sophia Sweet Sixteen

What do you give a wonderfully sweet sixteen Sophia?? well she asked for a minion I asked her if her sisters don't count they are short?? she replied no so once again I placed a cake order from an awesome fellow Army wife she asked what I envisioned this time I told her I needed a Minion cake that could be cuddled and boy once again no disappointments here this cake was epic and amazing. Happy Sweet Sixteen to Sophia later this month we are throwing her a formal Sweet Sixteen Party blog and photos to follow 

Sophia and her new BFF she totally did not want to eat him and pretty much decided that if she could have a real minion she would...

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...........Big Poppa Bday

Happy Birthday to the man who keeps me laughing he does so many wonderful things for our family I decided to order him this totally awesome cake from a fellow Army wife I asked for TMNT sitting on a pizza box and the cake came out perfect ...so happy and Pachenko was happily surprised 

Summer time dining

Meeting friends for a farewell dinner at Best Pizza of course we will be partaking of the totally awesome massive delicious Monster Pizza it is a thing of yummy beauty. 

Summer beauties don't be fooled by the cuddling they are actually hovering and trying to avoid the flies and bees that were dive bombing us through out our meal 

This photo here needs to be printed since Horatio declares her hatred of her little sister Belle on a daily basis..

Happy 38th Birthday to me..

What is the perfect way to ring in my 38th year of life Happy Birthday to me 

 White Chocolate Latte

Totally awesome Jaws cake cake and sign made by a friend and my awesome daughter Jules added blood and a monster high doll arm because that is how awesome Jaws is...

A waffle from Cafe Bohne with whipped cream and fresh warm berries 

Livie turns EIGHT...

Happy Birthday to our silly, funny, crazy, dancing, singing, joking future America's Got Talent winner..

Jules home from college May 2013

So thankful that Jules came home from college for a visit sister time is always funny I love seeing the photos that they take with Jules silly faces, laughter, smiles, friendship and so much love