Mom- I Hit the Jackpot at School!

Hyrum was so excited when I picked him up today from school. He told me that he had hit the jackpot and that I was going to be so happy. I was thinking that maybe he was going to show me some test results or something he did in GATE, but boy was I wrong. He opened his backpack and showed me it was full of coupons! Apparently his class was working on collages in art class and while he was working on it he was sifting through all of the papers for coupons. I asked a few questions and found out that he told everyone that his mom loves coupons and a few of his classmates even started helping him look. He said that a girl named Mary found a lot and even his art teacher gave him a few! On the drive home he exclaimed, "Hey mom, could you take us to McDonalds, I got a coupon in here for a free 12 oz Mango Pineapple smoothie!" I LOVE my Hyrum and I told him so! Now, if only there was a coupon for a root canal in there.

Maynerich Family Reunion

We spent the weekend at the Maynerich Family Reunion in Bloomfield, New Mexico. We had a great time and are already looking forward to next year. I was fighting a tooth abscess the whole time but luckily I had a round of pain meds and antibiotics in my toiletry bag just in case (after my fourth abscess I begged the dentist for them so I would not be stuck in the ER on a Sunday morning again. I was hoping I would never have to use them but alas, I am not so lucky). The morning after we got back I was on my way to Albuquerque for my 5th root canal.


The kids had so much fun running around with all of the other kids. Nathan is still recovery from such a wild weekend. He is probably going to take naps all week. The hotel was a big hit with the kids too as they loved swimming in the pool and having a room that opened up to Grandma's and Grandpa's.

Brad the Birthday Boy!

We spent the weekend in Bloomfield, New Mexico at the Maynerich Family Reunion. We had a great time and I will post pictures soon. I just wanted to do a quick post in honor of my birthday boy. He had no problem sharing his birthday weekend with loads of family especially because he was treated to a great birthday lunch. Happy 34th Bradley!

After School

The kids have survived eight whole days of school. They are off to a great start and they all claim to like their teachers and going to school. They are all tired after school and they get to rest and have free time for a while before I have them get their homework done. Natalie usually climbs in bed for about twenty minutes to recharge and watch cartoons. The boys get a snack and then get out the video games. Nathan loves to have his siblings come home but does not like to go get them as it is exactly the time of day that he gets tired and wants to rest. Yesterday I told him it was time to go get the kids and he said, "no thanks!" He is fun to run errands with and I am beside myself with just having one kid at home. When Harker was little Brad stayed home with him while I was at work and then went to school at night. I have never had just one at home and it is quite a different experience. I took him to splash time at the aquatic center one morning and he could not believe he had mommy all to himself. Every time he came down the slide he would give me a hug and tell me, "I love you mommy!" I am thinking we will be going back soon. He is so funny and really starting to notice his surroundings. That is not always such a good thing. He told me at church, "That lady has a weird face!" and at the store he noticed a lady that was really overweight and exclaimed, "Mommy, that lady has too much body!"

First Day of School!

My kiddos were very excited for school to start. They packed up their backpacks last night and hug them on the hall tree with great anticipation. Actually, Natalie wore her "pack-pack" all evening and was so upset when we went on a walk and told her she had to leave it at home. This morning they were up early and Natalie was so excited that it was finally time for her to go to Kindergarten. We all went to the school to see them off this morning although I don't think Harker (5th) and Hyrum (3rd) needed us at all. They are old pros and were excited to see their friends again. Natalie did so well, she put her stuff away, put her name tag on and sat down at her desk. I am proud to say that I held the tears until I was out of the school. Nathan and I have spent the day running errands and cleaning house. He knows Natalie is at school and I know he misses her but hasn't had time to think about it. It is almost time to pick them up, I hope to have three good reports.

89% Savings!

Ok, I have really been having fun with this couponing thing and I beat my best yesterday. I bought twelve boxes of cereal and eight boxes of cereal bars for $8.30. I don't think I'm ready for a tv show or anything but it sure was fun!

Mangum Family Reunion

Last Saturday we went to Nutrioso, AZ to a Mangum Reunion. It was a good time and the kids loved running around outside with all of their new friends. There was a big pavilion with a small stage were the girls spent most of the day performing various dances and cheers. It was really cute.

Rainy Days

We have had a lot of rain lately, perfect for cooling us down and pulling weeds. Natalie and Nathan always ask to go play in the rain and sometimes they get lucky.

Natalie's Five!

My baby girl turned five yesterday! She wanted all things Hello Kitty and that is what she got. She decorated her cake all by herself and "wrote" out her own invitations. She wore her "party dress" to church and was recognized by the Primary and her class too! She had a great day, I love my little five year old.

Cheer Camp

Natalie attended cheer camp last week. Two of my miamaids are cheerleaders and asked me if Natalie could attend cheer camp. They put on this camp each year as a fund raiser. Natalie was excited about it so I signed her up. It was three hours a day for four days. I had intended for it to be good practice for her going to Kindergarten this year but it was really practice for me! It is so hard for me to send off my kiddos. Anyway, she did really well and had a great time. At the end of the camp they put on a performance. Natalie was in the youngest group and they did a cheer and a dance to a Justin Bieber Song. Tear- the beginning of the end. She waved to me a few times from the gym floor and I admit it, more tears. Good thing I had Nathan and Hyrum with me for some comic relief. They are goofs, Hyrum was embarrassed to be in a gym full of so many girls. We went to DQ afterwards to celebrate a great experience for us both.

Vacation Odds and Ends

I just thought I would add a few more pictures to round out our vacation entries. We had a super time!

Disneyland!!!

During our week in Palm Desert we took one day and headed off to Disneyland. It was the first time for my kiddos and they were so excited. We made many family memories and the whole day was one adventure after another. Space Mountain, The Tea Cups, Pirates of the Caribbean, and It's a Small World were our favorite rides. The Parade was so fun and the Fireworks were amazing, complete with Tinkerbell and Dumbo flying over Cinderella's Castle. We ate at the restaurant that the pirate ride passes through,and the food was sooo good. We also enjoyed Dole Pineapple ice cream and it tasted just like it did in Hawaii! Natalie and Nathan got mouse ears and Harker and Hyrum picked out backpacks that we had their names embroidered on. We did not leave the park until after 11pm and did not get to bed until 2 in the morning. It was a day to remember!