Weekend in ATL

For Valentine's Day Michael got me tickets to see Mary Poppins.  I was so excited about seeing this.  I had been talking about (hinting) that I wanted to see it and surprise - he got tickets for us!

It was so much fun. Its a little different than the actual movie but the songs are the same and they have added some new ones.  If it ever comes to your town - go see it!

Since we were in Atlanta for the day we decided to contact the Georgia Mayfield's and see if they wanted to get together.  Little did we know it was Abel's birthday party.  So, they invited us down and we had a blast.  Derek, Rebecca and Abel live at the Rock Ranch where they run a Winshape Home.  We were so excited to get to go and check out their new home, the ranch and celebrate Abel's 4th birthday!

 

We had such a fun time - seeing family and playing all day!  As you read in my previous post - there were lots of kids around to play with!

 

Playing on the trampoline with little Miss Harper

Riding in the back of the truck with Sarah

 

Molly

Abel had a Candy Land birthday!

Abel loved his new ninja turtle mask and decided to have a battle with Michael.

Michael tried to take down the ninja turtle....

 But alas, the ninja won and took down the bad guy!

 

After we partied - we all went fishing.  I had not been fishing since I was a little kid.  We had so much fun!

Everyone got in on the fishing...even Harper and Abel

 

It was then time to conquer the pillow!  A giant blow up trampoline.  After I tore my ACL in high school, I have sworn off any type of trampoline but Michael got in on it with the kids - the little ones and the big ones! 

 

 Who knew I was married to a gymnast?!

 

 

Needless to say we had a blast at the Rock Ranch!  We were exhausted when we left but our hearts were full to see our family and have such a fun Saturday!  Thanks Georgia Mayfield's for letting us in on the celebration and fun!

Couponing...

One goal I had as a newlywed was saving $ and learning to coupon.  My dad has been couponing for years and I never appreciated  the savings that he got until I got on my own and started paying my own bills.  So, I sat down with our friend, Jen, who is a coupon queen to learn how to shop at Publix.  This girl knows her stuff!  She has saved so much $ over the past couple of years and I wanted to do the same for our family.

I have gone on 2 trips now and feel very good about my progress.  Now, I am nowhere near the savings that Jen has but I am getting there.  My first trip I bought 52 items for $62 ($55 without tax).  I was pumped!!  My second trip I bought 23 items for $30.  Now these items have been chicken, cleaning supplies, noodles, rice - lots of staples we use.

Jen suggested I go to two websites - southernsavers.com  and Iheartpublix.com.  This week Southern Savers has a coupon how to coupon series - so I thought I'd share it.  Enjoy and happy shopping!

http://www.southernsavers.com/2013/04/getting-started-couponing-one-step-at-a-time-buy-whats-on-sale

http://www.southernsavers.com/2013/04/getting-started-couponing-one-step-at-a-time-sale-cycles-stocking-up

http://www.southernsavers.com/2013/04/getting-started-couponing-one-step-at-a-time-items-with-non-traditional-sale-cycles/

http://www.southernsavers.com/2013/04/getting-started-couponing-one-step-at-a-time-gathering-coupons/

http://www.southernsavers.com/2013/04/getting-started-one-step-at-a-time-never-miss-a-great-coupon/

http://www.southernsavers.com/2013/04/getting-started-couponing-one-step-at-a-time-organizing-coupons/

http://www.southernsavers.com/2013/04/getting-started-couponing-one-step-at-a-time-diy-coupon-organizers/

http://www.southernsavers.com/2013/04/getting-started-couponing-one-step-at-a-time-top-hurdles-to-saving/

Celebrations

Still catching up from the past couple of months (shocker).

In March we celebrated my birthday - lots of fun with family, friends and co-workers!  I am so thankful for the people the Lord has placed in my life.  I am one blessed girl!

I never diet in March for a reason...lots o cake!

Cake #1 at my dads!

Cake #2 - the friends get together cake

Cake #3 - the office cake

celebrating at my dad's

Tracy always wraps her birthday gifts in foil

Celebrating with friends...

nice photo bomb guys!

We then turned to April where we celebrated Candice turning 30 and Brandon turning 9.  

 

We celebrated the "dirty 30" for Candice!  Welcome to the club!

Candice found this old school camera - gosh how times have changed!

Its so hard to believe this guy is 9.  He has brought so much joy into our lives the past 8 years he has been a part of our family.  I am so thankful the Lord placed it on Tracy's heart for foster care and adoption.  He is one loved guy!

 

Happy Birthday Brandon and Candice!

 

 The day we celebrated birthdays was also Easter.  We had an Easter egg hunt for B & E. Its always so fun watching them and it brings back so many memories for me.  I remember hunting Easter eggs with my cousins at my aunt's house every year.  Fun times!

 

 It was then time for Brandon and Ella to turn the table and hide the eggs and let the uncles hunt them.  So, the race for the best continued...

Chase left the running up to Michael and Ronald :)

 Great times celebrating!