I can't bring the family out here w/me, but I can bring my favorite foods they make!

I didn't want to miss out Dad's pickled eggs, he makes them every Thanksgiving, so I pulled out the recipe he gave me and got to work!

3 Cans Red Beats 1 1/2 Cups white vinegar 3 tbsp Salt 1 1/2 cups sugar 3 tbsp Pickling Spices 1 Large onion (Sliced into rings) 18 eggs (Hardboiled and peeled) In medium size sauce pan mix red beat juice, vinegar, salt, sugar, and pickling spices. Heat to a boil. In large jar put in onions, then beats, then eggs. When sauce boils, pour over top of onions, beats, eggs...let sit for 2 hours, then refrigerate. Best to let sit/soak in fridge for 1 to 2 days ...

I can NOT wait to taste them! I hope they taste like Dad's! Here were my steps today ...

Step 1: Pull out badly written recipe - from my newly made recipe binder. Use Morse code to figure out and wonder to self who Karen Shumate is ~ my dad's name is William. Snip. Pull. Tug. Begin.

Step 2: Remove rather large dog from kitchen so I can walk back and forth from counter to counter. Open w/can opener. Pour. Measure. Stir.

Step 3: Scream at kids AND dog to get out of the kitchen. Use sauce pan big enough so you do not have to wipe off pink splatter marks for the next 4 weeks. Mix. Boil.

Step 4: Screw it and mix all together - I'm sure it will turn out in the end. Throw pans in sink. Wash hands. Wipe pink splatter from face. Pick up hair balls that pulled out of dog when stepped on. Call in kids to apologize for the wicked witch that yelled at them over something they won't even eat. Sit and wait.

8 years ago ...

on November 23rd, Black Friday to be exact, my little BooBoo was born! Happy Birthday, Kristopher!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Approximately 8 months old...


1 1/2 years old

First day of Kindergarten, age 5

First year of soccer, age 5Kris now ...

Cheap diapers, if you can stand going out on Black Friday!

I know many of my readers have babies and/or are going to have a baby ...well, here is a deal that even if you aren't a 'couponer' you can do :)

Please note, limit is 3 per customer (have a friend? Take them!) ... valid on Black Friday only from 12am to 1pm!

Buy 2 Fisher Price Happy Days Diapers at $5 per 23 to 50-count package
(limit 3, must buy at least 2 to get this price--available from 12 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Black Friday)
Use 2 $2/1 coupons here
$3 per package after coupons

That is a great deal on diapers!

Good thing these were cheap...

My pride and joy shoes are Sketchers flip flops. I have a 'collection' of 5 (now 4) pairs and wear them all the time. I found these latest ones for under $8 shipped ...

I was taking pictures of the kids today in the snow, while wearing my flip flops, and had to take my shoes off before coming in...I left them on the porch.

I take the dog out to pee and find this:


He's lucky these were cheap ... not to mention lucky he is cute.

So, my puppy now has a name brand chew toy.

FREEEEEE I said FREEEEEEEEE

Here are 2 wonderful freebies! I had to share :) Thanks goes to moneysavingmom!

Free photo ornament:
Here's how to get a free custom photo Christmas ornament:
::Go here and login in or sign up. Then click on "Photo Gifts" and then on "Ornaments".

::Choose between the two ornaments which are $12.99 and create your custom photo ornament. Only the $12.99 ornaments work for this promo code so be sure that is the price of what you add to your cart otherwise it won't work.

::Go to checkout and use promo code mallornament and it should take your total down to $0.00.

::Checkout paying nothing for your free ornament!

If you place a separate order you can get 50 FREE photo cards:
Order 50 4x8 photo cards. Once you put them in the cart, use the code newbaby at checkout and you should get the cards for free--including free shipping! You must create an account to use the code.

Have fun!

Walmart and the savings to be had!

I really do not like Walmart...never have, but here in Colorado, I have very little choice of where I can shop. At least the cashiers are friendly, unlike in my 'old' hometown!

I decided to make a list of the deals at Walmart that I found by reading a mass of blogs. I pulled out all the coupons I needed for the trip and set out w/4 kids (1 extra) in tow. Oh, now, give me a break, it was a rainy day, I knew the kids needed something to do! ;)

I purchased a total of 54 items ... the total before coupons was: $73.00 ... after all my coupons were deducted, I paid: $41.00. That averages to about .76 cents per item. I'll list the items, if you want to know what coupons I used, let me know and I'll tell Or, come visit at www.ourcouponhome.com for the Walmart forum, and find them.

The price is pre-coupon price...

Milk - $2.27 (no coupon)
Bread - $1.38 (no coupon)
Lunch Meat (Hillshire Farm) - $3.00 (No coupon)
2 Spaghetti O's - .88 (no coupon)
4 pks - Great Value Noodles - $1.00 (no coupon)
4 pks McCormick Brown Gravy - .50
2 Welch's Sparkling Juice - $2.97
1 Honey Bunch's of Oats - $2.50
2 Reach Floss - $1.12
2 Frozen Healthy Choice Dinners - $1.88 & 2.00
3 Danimals Crush cups - $2.12
6 pouches Starkist tuna - $1.00
2 Starkist tuna to go kits - $1.67
10 pks Kotex Lightday pads (20 ct) - $1.00
1 Axe Trial body wash - $.97 (no coupon)
1 Bod Spray - $.97 (no coupon)
1 Hot wheels car - $.97 (no coupon)
2 McCormick Taco Seasoning - .50 (no coupon)
1 Boys T-shirt - $1.00 (no coupon)
1 Boys Shorts - $1.00 (no coupon)
2 Halloween Chip's Ahoy - $1.50 (no coupon)
1 Great Value Chips - $1.75 (no coupon)
1 Great Value Cheetos - $1.38 (no coupon)
2 Frozen Mac/Cheese Meals - $1.08 (no coupon)

For the record, the kids were rewarded for their time ... we went to the duck pond to feed the ducks...on this cold rainy day :)

The 1st Visitors!

Our first house guests, my sister and nieces, came to visit over Halloween weekend ... I was overly due for seeing some people I knew, but anxious about my first ever house guests! I found things to clean that I don't think I've ever cleaned before ...

Much to our surprise Denver, where they were flying into, had a major snowstorm. In OCTOBER who would have thought this would happen? Kristi and I searched the web about the storm and roads and finally she made a decision to just go ahead with it and come. I had a 2 hour drive to the airport and I was going to get there no matter what! Thankfully, I took Frank's car for the 4wd ... which I had to use on a major highway in Denver! My van would never have made it ( I would have walked to get there if I had to). After 4 hours (3 driving and 1 sitting in traffic due to an accident) I made it to the airport and received the hugs I so desperately needed!

Being they are from Florida, I think they were a bit cold when we got outside...but my nieces loved seeing the snow! We only got about 2 inches in my town, so they were a bit dissappointed, but they did find some to build a leafy snowman:
(Sasha and Kristopher, cousins)

As the weekend went on, the weather warmed up, not near what they are used to, but enough to enjoy being outside ...

Halloween was a mess of costumes and candy ... and a load of fun for the kids. The girls all dressed as Cowgirls and looked just gorgeous!



My boys, well, they are boys ~ I think I can call them gorgeous as well!?


I have to admit, Colorado is just gorgeous! I was so excited to show my sister all the mountains! We even went to visit Royal Gorge and flew on a Skycoaster 1300ft up over it...yes, Jakob, my sister and I flew over the Gorge!


What a thrill!! I calmly FORCED myself to do it! After having a near freak out on the bridge that goes over the Gorge, I can't believe I did it ... but glad I did!

The visit was awesome ... Koda, the dog, barked at my sister for 3 days and my niece for 4 days, but other than that, I had a blast and can't wait for them to come again!!

Join me...

at www.ourcouponhome.com ............... check out all the freebies, internet deals, internet printable coupons, store deals w/and w/out coupons etc.

All kinds of talks going on...couponing, what's for dinner, your household cleaning list, your kids, or just plain ole' chit chat about nothing at all, we got it!!!

They are currently running a new members contest! Come check it out ... see what it's about!

www.ourcouponhome.com Please use me, Kerri as the referral!!

HI HO HI HO ...

it's off to a new coupon site I go!!

www.ourcouponhome.com just opened their internet doors today!! I'm so excited about this that I wanted to share with everyone!!

We've been behind the scenes getting it all ready to debut. Kurt, Steph and Steph are the 'owners' of the site and are just wonderful! They are very outgoing and CARING!!

There are deals posted, regular chat forums, or just news to read. Learn how to coupon, get a heads up on deals at your local stores, or just come to see me!!

I'm there as IRREK (that is Kerri backwards in case you didn't notice) ... hope to see you there!!

www.ourcouponhome.com

Happy 4th birthday to my baby!

Official Birthday 9/20/05

1st Birthday 9/20/06

2nd Birthday 9/20/07

3rd Birthday 9/20/08

4th Birthday 9/20/09

My little Princess is growing so fast...soon she'll not want me around...but I know, later, she'll be my best friend.

9/11 ~~ 8 years ...

Amazing how fast time passes! 8 years ... just amazing.

I'm just going to link you to what I blogged about last year ... click here

Do you have a story? Memories? Link me....or share here.

Introducing ...

Kodiak (AKA Koda) ...
5 mths old
40 lbs



So, yeah, we got a dog. Honestly we just went to LOOK at the puppies. Never intended on bringing one home even though we called the landlord just to ask, just in case.

I'm such a sucker for animals!! Koda is so far a wonderful dog! He is outside during the days and in the garage sleeping at night. He loves the kids, especially Jake, and hasn't growled or snapped at them...in fact, I can't even say he has jumped on them. He seems content on laying outside chewing a chew bone or running up and down the yard w/Juliana or Kris, or going for walks with Jake. I hope he keeps it up! What a beautiful BIG dog!

A total new beginning for the boys ...

So, here we are, just about 4 weeks into our new lives and we are adjusting quite well. The kids are keeping me really busy, physically and mentally, that I have no time to worry or think of things that bring me down. I just wish I could say the same for my mom & dad and my mother-in-law and father-in-law.

(hanging in our new home)

The boys started school 2 weeks ago. In our little town, there is only 1 elementary school, 3 teachers per grade, so even though the school is larger than where they went before (Falling Spring), we didn't have a choice. We did attend the Open House and all 4 of us were a bit lost, not only in the school, but in the 'faces' as well. Really sad that I didn't see my friends I grew up w/their kids, or the neighbors of my in-laws that my kids grew up with. So, we sat alone, but together, that works just fine for now.

The first day of school was only 3 hours. The entire morning I paced and worried about them. I worried about them making friends or hating their teachers or not being able to find their bus (They don't number the buses here! You go by the driver!). Well, good news, they found their bus, they LOVE their teachers, and have made numerous friends. Kids are resilient aren't they!? Of course I have some first day of school pictures!







A total new beginning ... my boys did GREAT!

GREEN!

When we came out to visit in April, it was so brown! I remember living in Wyoming and missing the East Coast and all the green ... I didn't want that again, it was so ugly, so depressing!

Driving into our new (little!) town I was pleasantly surprised that it was GREEN!

Ahhh man, Jake, you stink!

The drive went better than I thought. At the last minute my brother-in-law, Joe, decided to come see the area (possible job opportunity for him, which, by the way, he is moving here! Yeah!) and drove out Frank's car for us. The car would have gone freight, but this saved the company some money AND added extra room for us, thankfully!

The drive was really uneventful...the first day was tough, I was so worried about the cats (Petey meowed for hours and wouldn't relax even though he was sedated), upset about leaving, and well, just worried in general. We made it through that day and the cats did awesome in the hotel room, so I was able to finally relax.

(Just had to share this picture ... never would I own WHITE sheets and comforter w/a black cat. LOL)


Every day was about the same, we drove for hours, stopped and peed, drove for hours, stopped at a hotel ... ate. The 10 year old kept his daddy awake, by stinking up the van and Ana slept 1 x the entire 4 days! Kris was with his Uncle in the other car and from what I understand, slept a lot!

(Only time Ana slept ... only time Kris was in our van w/us)


The 3rd day, we decided to stop at my sister-in-laws, Maria, to see her and the family. We only had to drive 3 hours that day, which was a nice break. Maria was a great hostess! I love her Mexican cooking!!! The cousins got along great and the cats liked hiding in strange places ...













The last day of driving was filled with excitement! We were finally going to see our new home! The drive started out like all the rest of the days ... including Jake passing gas. It got so bad that I finally had to step in ... "Ahhh man, Jake, you stink! Knock it off right now or you're grounded!" Jake swore up and down it wasn't him! We kept blaming him ...... then it hit me. CATS.

Ever try cleaning out a dog crate with a wad of poop in the blanket while 2 cats try to climb out along side a highway?

"See you later..."

suck. Plain and simple, they just suck. So, mom and dad decided to throw us a "See you later" party. The parties that my parents 'throw' I like to call "drunk fest" only because I get to drink and my kids get to run wild while mommy is drinking ... of course they are safe, how dare you suggest otherwise ;) ... when I drink, I'm actually more aware. LOL Ok, so, Didi and Pap are there along w/numerous other mom/dad's and grandparents.

Anyway ... the party was wonderful, even with having to say 'see you later' to my family, 2nd family, and friends. However, reassurances from them all made it easier.

Saying "see you later" to mom and dad was much harder. For fear of a 'breakdown' I'm just going to say a few things. My heart hurts because their hearts hurt. (That's all I can say right now)

The in-laws were just as tough to say 'see you later' to. I helps knowing that Frank has other siblings still in town to be there for them. No, nobody can replace my kids, so I'm certain that it was/is hard for both Nanny and Papa...as well as, my kids and myself.

So many things I want to say I will miss. But, I must say "see you later" ... I ran out of tissues. ;)

"Move that truck ... "

What can I say? Well, I can say that it has been one hell of a month. Last month this time we were in PA celebrating Jake's 10th birthday, trying to avoid the inevitable. This month we are jumping feet first into a new life of living ...

The first week in August was mentally exhausting. On Tuesday the packers came and packed my (our) life into boxes, lots and lots of boxes. The next day, they loaded up our life into a United Van Lines truck, leaving the first house that Frank and I bought, empty. Completely, empty. When they pulled the truck away it marked the beginning of our new life. "Move that truck, move that truck" so the Aguirre's can start their new life adventure...

Movie "Staycation" deal! Use at Target for $3 DVD's!

You can read about it here...

and print from here:

There are MANY DVD's for $5 at Target ... some great choices!

(You can also print right from the site, I just linked the PDF for easier access)

Back to school supplies...NOW is the time to buy!!

The last few weeks I've been getting free or cheap school supplies ... I even got 12 rolls of scotch tape for 9 cents each! I know a lot of what I do involves coupons, so, I wanted to bring you some school supply deals w/out the coupons. NOW is the time to buy, even if you don't know what your kids will need.

Walmart ... this has got to be my least favorite place to shop, but deals are deals!

• Notebooks (70-sheet), $0.15
• 2 Pocket Folders, $0.15
• Elmer’s Washable Glue Sticks (2-pk.), $0.25
• Crayola Crayons (24-pk.), $0.25
• Elmer’s Washable Glue (4-oz.), $0.25
• Trapper Notebook (70-sheet), $0.50
• Trapper Folder, $0.50
• Dixon Pencils (24-ct.), $1
• Crayola Colored Pencils (12-ct.), $1
• Crayola Markers (10-ct.), $1
• BIC Cristal Pens (10-pk.), $1
• Expo Dry Erase Markers (2-pk.), $1.50
• BIC Mechanical Pencils (10-pk.), $1.50

They also have 18 gallon plastic totes on sale for $3.50 --- wonderful way to store your school supplies!!

When I find more, I'll post!

"Darth, I am your father..."

I heard Kris yelling at Hayden (the cat) and turned around to see Hayden playing with Kristopher's Darth Vader ... this is the best picture I could get, Hayden was having so much fun!