Camp Fire and Bed

We are almost set up around the campsite. I am continuing to make changes to help with organization and the flow of the mornings. I am already really enjoying how simple and easy this should be. The kids are having a blast playing outside and we have enjoyed nightly bike rides through the campground. Matt, however; is exhausted. He has spent each day and evening at the house trying to organize and pack misc. things and then driving to the storage unit and playing tetris with out belongs in the units.

Next week, I will take pictures of some of the cool things we have done around the camper to make this all work. 

Matt and Logan Friday Night at the Campfire. Logan was wearing rain boots in the grass and then he got cold so he came to the fire with his robe and then decided he needed sunglasses because it was too bright!!

Emma and Logan playing "camping" in the empty site next door

Logan and Emma hanging out in their bunk. I created a separator by taking a room darkening curtain and velcrowed it to the ceiling. And the kids each have their color sheets to lay on. We also hung curtains to separate their space from the living area in the evening. (and to hide any mess below) The children each have a night lite and a fan to help with white noise. Still a work in progress though.

Moving Day

The day finally came that we moved into the camper. Of course, the morning off it was POURING down rain. But by the time we loaded every last thing the rain had stopped enough for us to move out.

Once we arrived at the campground and Matt hooked us all up and leveled everything out I began to unload to back so I could get to work on the inside. I was very excited to get started on the storgage/play area of the trailer. This is definately a work in progress. I will post better pictures next week. On the left side is a cupboard that I am using for more totes of canned food and misc. things. Logan is digging the cars mat to play with and Emma likes having a little desk area with her lamp.

After picking Emma up from school and doing more around the house we headed to the campground for our first meal as a family.

Still Packing the House

We are still busy packing the house and about to start filing the storage unit. As I have spent the last few weeks packing the items we don't even touch it has made me really start to think about the items we really should sell!! As the last week has ended I will say I have opened 2 boxes to get out shoes and a sweater I did not mean to pack. I wonder how often that will happen?

I thought I would post a few of my favorite pictures from our camping trips in 2011.

Logan got so much comfortable watching Cars 2 by the fire he feel fast asleep.

Daddy and Logan playing Lego's on the camper floor.

Logan and Emma playing Cars on the carpet outside the camper

This was back at Thanksgiving and I was making the mashed potatoes.



Living in Our Camper

Soooo, the big move is about to happen. Long story short, Matt has turned me into a camping fool. After camping every other weekend from March 2011 until July 2011 when we purchased our 33 foot 2011 Gulf Stream Track and Field Toy Hauler. And from August 2011 until February 2012 we have continued to camp every other weekend. This last October we began discussing and considering living in our camper once we received Army orders for the Summer ILE course in August. Well, we received orders... and our move in to our camper date is March 13th.

Camper Camping

Our Camper!!! While this picture is a little cluttered this is our home. It is all ours and I LOVE it!!!

The kids have been sleeping on the queen size electronic bunk beds. Well, we will be removing the top bunk mattress and putting the top bunk all the way to the ceiling and replacing the mattress on the lower bunk with our queen size mattress ( for adding comfort) and having the children share the bed and raising the lower bunk half way up the wall. By doing this, we will create space below the bunk for a portable cabinet, storage for bins, plastic drawers for clothes, and a rolling cart to be moved into kitchen for counter space.

For the cabinets, Matt has added shelves for additional food storage and I will use the collapsible bins for additional storage for food, toiletries, and toys.

There is also a portable table that folds out to use as a dining table. We will be using folding tables for breakfast and will eat outside under awning on picnic table whenever possible.

The camper kitchen is equipped with a 3 burner stove and oven. As well as a little cabinet space, microwave and small fridge. My Mountain Man, has helped pick out wire shelves and re-purposed shoe shelving to go under the stove for additional pots and pans space. I will; of course, be using More collapsible bins for the tops the cabinets to store whatever needs to be stowed. We will be bringing our deep freezer filled with Venison  (What camper doesn't have Deer Meat!!) as well as a beverage fridge. 

The back room of the Camper has a full size bed ( we will be using Emma's mattress) and also has the bathroom with a shower, toilet, and vanity. The next storage assignment is to create easy storage for Matt's clothes and my own. The bed lifts to reveal a large area we can put totes or drawers. (The possibilities are endless!!!)

Add here is a picture of our 6 X 10 trailer which while be converted into our laundry room, and wardrobe boxes storage.

I THINK WE CAN DO THIS!!!

way behind

Now that school is over for both the kids and I for the summer, I have decided one project I wish to accomplish will be blogs and photos. I have not printed or created photo albums since December of 2009!! I am a little behind. So here is the start of what hopefully will be many many blog pictures. So may just be pictures as I start to sort thru the summer photos.

Emma has short hair

Emma decided to have her hair cut off this time and she loves it. It curls under in the back a little and looks adorable. Emma's hair is so baby soft and she does not like to have it up in a pony tail so this seems to be the easiest thing to do now.

Happy Valentine's Day

The kids had a Great Valentine's Day. They woke up and found Wonka Heart boxes full of chocolate!! Emma had a party at school that day while Logan went to day care for a few hours. The evening ended with 2 kids that had had wayyyy toooo much candy and ended up in bed a little early!!

Valentine's from Great Grandparents Baker

Emma and Logan get so excited when they receive mail. Logan was so excited to see his treat for a Valentine gift. When I asked Emma if she would like to go to the store she said that she is saving it. Logan; on the other hand, wanted to leave right away!!

Bingo Night at Emma's School

Emma's school did a Bingo Night/Chick Fil A fundraiser and we had a blast!! The kids enjoyed playing with friends while we tried to hear the Bingo numbers being called. Emma even won 10 tickets for Pickles and Popcorn. (That is the PTO's weekly treat sale). It was a nice family night that we ended with ice cream.

Star Student of the Month

Our little girl received Star Student of the month for Self-less acts. We are so proud of her!! They did a little ceremony for all the children and then gave them a few little gifts.

Busy Busy Busy

I am still around and still trying to get this couponing thing down. Because we have put ourselves on a strict grocery budget I am really trying to make good decisions in regards to coupons and the need for the product. I have found my best deals at Publix. Every week they offer Buy 1 get one free deals and you only have to buy 1 to get the product 1/2 off. And then pair that will a manufacturers or a store coupon and it may be next to free. Most Publix take Target coupons as well. So one deal the other day was Mayo for $1.99 with a $1.00 target coupon and a .75 cent manufacturers coupon made the Mayo .24 cents!! Like I said I am really trying to decide what we need. I have also set limits on what I will spend per item. But, like the deal above it is hard to pass up buying something when the deal is so good!!

The kids are well. We are so lucky to live in a neighborhood with lots of kids. There is a set of 5 year old twins that love to play with Emma and Logan. Emma will quickly finish her homework after school so she can play outside.

We are also looking forward to hosting my mom and dad in a short 4 weeks!! I am very anxious to have a chance to visit and connect with my mom again. It has been so long since we have had a chance to just veg out and talk. We are hoping to sneak a quick over night trip to Savannah and maybe try out the Paula Dean and Son's restaurant.

Well, I have spent way too much time on coupons and not enough time on homework this AM. Must get myself motivated:)

Publix Weekly Couponing Deals

Every week one of our local grocery stores; Publix, has great deals they put out. I have been search in the ads and online coupons to find the best deals. Today I saved $36.43 and this is how I did it!!!!

2 packages of Uncle Ben's Rice total spent $1.99

Buy 1 Get 1 Free

2 cans of Del Monte French Style Beans total spent $1.29

buy 1 get 1 free

2 packages Ronzoni Pasta total spent $1.39

4 cartons of beef/chicken broth total spent $5.20

buy 1 get one free (2) times

2 Welch's grape juice total spent 1.25

buy 1 get 1 free

(2) $1.00 coupons

3 packages Jello pudding snacks (6 pack refrigerated ones) total spent $4.30

3 for $6.00

$1.00 2 packages

.35 cents off 1 package and than doubled

1 bottle of fat free vanilla coffee mate total spent .50 cents

$1.00 off coupon

2 packages of Thomas English muffins total spent $3.69

buy 1 get 1 free

2 boxes of Cheerios total spent $3.29

buy 1 get 1 free

$1.00 coupons

2 boxes Aunt Jemina Waffles total spent $1.29

buy 1 get 1 free

$1.00 coupon

2 jars of smuckers jams total spent $2.29

buy1 get 1 free

$1.00 coupon

All for $28.47

Couponing

I have decided to start couponing. I have always tried too but was never very good. So one of my many New Years Resolutions is to cut back on my grocery bill. I am also going into this with a mind set of "Do I need this item" I have made some pretty good deals so far.

Today I went to the Winn-Dixie and got:

3 boxes of special K

1 box of Special K snack bars

gallon of milk

2 yogurts

1 cranberry juice

20 yoplaits

banana's

2 Ronzoni pasta's

4 cans of Progresso soup

2 bags of Caribou coffee

all for less that $30. That is a savings of $42 dollars!!!

My next trip was to the CVS to figure out the "Drugstore Game" The game is to find and buy items that will give you "extra care bucks". To start this I bought 1 thing of Recesses dots and a Snickers for $2.59. I got $2.59 cents in Extra care bugs that I can use on my next CVS trip. (these are printed on the receipt so be sure to save receipts)

Since I am just started I have not been to Walreens or Rite Aid yet, but they have the same kind of deals. Stay tuned to for more......savings!!!

Emma's last Gymnastics class (for now)

Emma has decided she would like to try dance again. So we finished gymnastics and will wait for the next Jazz/Tap class here on Post. Hopefully a opening will open soon!!

Go Ducks

Red Nose 1/2 Marathon

I ran the Red Nose 1/2 Marathon!! This was my 2nd half-marathon and it was pretty crappy. I had been doing my long runs but nothing else. I felt prepared but not where I wanted to be. The run was super cold but I did it. I ran 13.1 miles with my family meeting me twice along the way. Matt was so great to drive over early and wait until I passed and then drove up to the next stopping point. I think I am ready for some shorter runs:)

Special Day with old and new friends.

Matt has a good friend, Gil that he knew in high school. We have kept in touch over the years but never got together. We were so excited to be able to drive to Fort Rucker to met Gil and his family. They have a daughter; Bella, who is 5 years old. The kids had a great time playing!!

New Years Day

Michelle planned a special New Years Day Celebration for the kids. She hosted us from 11 Am to 1 PM for pizza and lots of desserts. The kids played a few games and enjoyed lots of food. My favorite was the sparkler dessert. It was layered cupcakes with strawberries and whip cream with a sparkler on top!!

New Years Eve

We hosted a impromptu New Years Eve bash this year. We invited all the neighbors and my bestie; Michelle. We had 12 adults and 8 kids and 1 dog over. We had a great time. We started the evening playing Xbox Kinect Dance Central. This was a great ice breaker. It got us all laughing and opened up conversations. The night was warm and the kids were being GREAT!!! We spent most of the evening sitting around a fire while the kids played video games inside. The night ended shortly after midnight. All the kids made it to 12. Even Logan, who did go to bed at 11:00 PM heard the kids getting wild about 5 till and came down just in time to bring in 2011!!!