Christmas pictures...sorry they are late!

My in-laws didn't make it until late Christmas day do to the bad weather here in Texas.  So here is what our Christmas morning looked like....

Our tree fill with gifts!

The cookie and milk.

Okay so this was the night before..."Santa" putting together a skateboard ramp.

My girl Lucy with her Christmas bow.

My three boys.

I love this picture of Preston.

Jackson getting his Ben Ten Omnitrix.

More gifts!

Josh with his new shirt...look at all the gifts to his left.

My gift from my sister Beth.

Well that is a sample of our Christmas.  I hope you all had a great Christmas and a great New Years!!

It's our Anniversary!!

This was our Engagement picture.  I was four months pregnant with Mr. Jackson.  I got pregnant with Jackson a month after we got Engaged!  He was a big Surprise!!

The two of us got married in downtown Charleston, SC.  Two days before we got married I tried on my dress and I couldn't get it zipped!!  So we had to run out and get a dress that would fit...I guess that's what happens when you are almost six months pregnant!  We had a great time and ate at our favorite restaurant The Boathouse on Isle of Palms...the next day we had both families get together for a small party.  We didn't have the money to go on a honeymoon...still wanting to go on one, but the money still isn't there.  We have had our ups and downs, but it has been a great five years!  I love you babe and I pray that we have another 50 great years together!!

FREE Fresco Taco!!

Hurry and grab this coupon while it lasts!  No other purchase is required and is only good for the first million who print.

Thanks to Hip2save.com who spotted this first:)

A few great Christmas ideas....for next year!

So every year the boys and I make a new homemade Christmas ornament.  I just found this idea of a Time Capsule Ornament!  Isn't this cool...I am totally doing this next year!  Sorry grandparents try to forget that I said that. 

Growth Tree

So I am not a big fan of hanging a growth chart all year around because it never gets used.  However, I think this is a really fun idea.

I love the idea of being able to add on ornaments every year with the kids height on them.  Check out how to make is here. 

One last idea for next year

Wishing Spool

If you haven't noticed I like to reflect on how we change from year to year.  I really like this idea because without pictures of past Christmas's I would have no idea what we got and what year we got it.  Sad I know, but after having my boys my memory gone to you know what!  

I hope you all have a great Christmas Week!

Wrapping and more wrapping!

Well I finally got almost all my gifts wrapped!  I have a few more to go...and one big one that I need to find a big bag for.  It took me a lot longer than I wanted it to take...mostly because I had to start and then stop because of my boys.  I want to put them under the tree but I am worried that my little ones will not be able to avoid the temptation, so for now they will be on the top shelves in my laundry room. 

Here are my two little ones!  I took this picture in our living room.  All I did was dress them in matching colors, and hang up a blanket that went with the color schema.  And do some praying that the would want to please photo shoot...well and tell them that they could use the camera when we were done to take a few pictures themselves.  I think it turned out pretty good and I even made copies for Christmas gifts!  I hope you all had a great weekend:)

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

Well here she is in all her glory!   Our Christmas tree is full of memories...you see our theme is family and friends.  All the ornaments on the tree were either given to us, bought for each other, and/or represent a time in our lives.  Well I guess the candy canes that I added yesterday do not count, but you get the picture.
It is really hard not to buy cute ornaments that I see, but I really love the tradition we have started.  Plus who to say in a few years I don't add a second big tree.  Enjoy the closeups of some of my favorites!

This is my first Christmas ornament!  I love it!!

This is our first Christmas together ornament.  Josh's mom and dad got this for us from Frankenmuth, Michigan.  To the left is a beaded bell that my great-grandma made...it is not a great picture of it but it is very dear to my heart.  On the right is Jackson's first Christmas ornament (the baby cradle)

At the top there is a Charleston, South Carolina sand dollar and it is painted with the Rainbow Row scene.  Josh and I met in Charleston when we were both in college.  We ended up working together at a horse and carriage company in downtown Charleston.  We walked past this row of houses daily.  Below that is a ceramic girl holding a candle.  This was given to me by my grandma on our Christmas trip to Tennessee.  The whole family...all twelve of us stayed in a log cabin together Christmas 2006.  The snowman was also given to me by my grandma.  Josh and I did not have a Christmas tree until the third Christmas we had together.  We were really poor!  So when we got a tree we did not have any ornaments...so thanks to my grandma she bought us a few and passed some down to us.

 

When I was a little girl we would cut down our tree.  While at the tree farm my grandma and I would look for a birds nest to place in our tree...we thought it was good luck.  So she got me a nest to place in our tree every year!

The Christmas ball looks like it has shredded paper in it, but in fact it is a hundred dollar bill.  My husband was given this as a gag gift from his dad when he was younger.  The santa is another ornament from my grandma on our trip to Tennessee.  To the right of that is a ceramic baseball player.  This is Josh's from when he played little league.

Well I hope you have enjoyed out tree as much as I have!  Check out the other trees at A baby changes everything and visit Simply Sweet Home who is hosting the Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash!

I also added my tree to Today's Creative Blog: Get your craft on...check out all the others! 

A few good deals!

So I found some goodies for you guys!  First Old Navy...this past Saturday I want to get to Old Navy to get some of their 5 dollar fleece jackets but by the time I got there they were all sold out! Little did I know that Old Navy does price matching for up to one week after the original purchase was made!  So now on to this weeks super Saturday deal...Old Navy will have their Cozy Socks on sale for 1 dollar!!!

So if you are wanting to get this socks you can pick them up this week and take your receipt in to Old Navy on Saturday to get the price adjusted.  Also here is a link to a 30% off coupon good through the 19th.

Deal number two.

If you are like me you will be have a few guest over this upcoming holiday and could use some help with the food budget.  Here is a coupon for a BOGO Special K cereal...you will have to register with Special K, but im sure that means that you will get more great offers from them!

Deal Three!

2 dollar Holiday DVD's for the kiddos!  Wal-mart this week will have Curious Gorge a very Monkey Chrstmas and How the Grinch stole Christmas on sale for 5 dollars.  With this 3 dollar off coupon will make this DVD's only 2 dollars! 

Update! Wal-mart currently does not have these two movies on sale.  I went today to get them and they are 13 dollars each.  I will check back on Sunday to see if they go on sale.
And last but not least

Here is a 30% off coupon code good at Kohls.com from December 15th through the 24th.
The code is CHRISTMAS30 
Just enter it at the end then you are checking out and it will take off the 30%.  Happy Shopping!!


I want to thank all the blogs that I pulled this information from

Moms By Heart

Deal Seeking Mom

The Bargain Jargon

Sara The Savvy Shopper

Homemade gifts

So I have decided to join in on a few holiday blog activities.  One of them is the Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash.  Day one started today over at Tatertots and Jello with homemade gifts.  I have made a few this year, and now I wish I would have taken better pictures!  Here are some pictures of what I did....

So I bought these really ugly photo books at CVS for a dollar, and I covered them with scrapbook paper I got at Hobby Lobby.  I filled each with pictures of my boys...sorry the pictures are not that great.

I bought some really cheap Christmas ornaments at Goodwill this year and here is what I did with a few of them.

I wish I could take credit for this idea, but I have seen this on many blogs.  All I did was paint each one of my boys hands, press them on the ball, let them dry, then painted my snowmen faces, and then I sprayed them with a clear coat to protect the paint.  I also put the year on the bottom...I do different kiddo ornaments every year.  This is one of my favorites!

                                                                                                  

Once again I wish this was my idea but I have seen many different versions of these coasters on blogs.

Here is what you need to make these:

-small ceramic tiles (I got mine at Lowe's for 28 cents each)

-scrapbook paper

-Mod Podge

-hot glue gun

-cork backing

I cut the scrapbook paper a little smaller than the square and then Mod Podged it to the tile.  Then I Mod Podged the top of the paper.  I let it dry over night then I did another layer of  Mod Podge on top.  Once dry I hot glued the cut cork to the bottom of the tile (I wish I had a picture of this)...the cork was cut to be about the same size as the scrapbook paper.  I really like the way they turned out, but I could change one thing I would use fine sandpaper on the edges before I mod Podged the top.

Here is a link to the Holly Bloggy Bash....check it out!

Also check out The Girl Creative to see some more cool homemade ideas! 

Free Batteries

Last night I went to Target and used this Rayovac coupon 
The four packs are located in the dollar section in the store. When you go to print go to print preview first and change the scale to 100%.  If you dont the coupon will be really small. 

Who loves King's Hawaiian bread??

If you love Hawaiian bread click here to get a coupon and click on the special offersbutton!  Personally I really like King's brand the best...I tried Walmart's version of Hawaiian bread and I thought it was really bad.  The King's site also has some great entertaining tips!

A fellow blogger needs our help!

Cupcakes and Corsets is having a blog Holiday gift basket raffle.  The money raised is going to go towards gifts for families over at wishuponahero.com  The baskets are going to be filled with goodies from Etsy stores!  So head over to her blog and get some tickets to support a fellow blogger!

Free Outback Blooming Onion

My husband and I really love Outback Steakhouse!  Become a fan of Outback on facebook and get a coupon to get a free blooming onion with the purchase of a meal.  Click here to become a fan. 
Thanks to Mom By Heart for finding this deal!

Glitter, Glitter, and more Glitter!

Christmas is in full swing at the Grover house!  I have been decorating and creating day after day.  I did not have many decoration other than my tree and a few hand me downs...so this year I was determined to get my house decked out.  After all Christmas is my favorite holiday!  I look forward to sharing my pictures with you, but they will have to wait until after Wednesday do to my college finals!!  I have a great week everyone:)

Movie Night

Tonight my husband and I watched the New Moon movie.  I have to say that I thought it was pretty good, but there were some cheesy and slow parts.  If you have not seen any of the Twilight movies the main actors are Kristen Stewart who plays Bella Swan, Taylor Lautner who plays Jacob Black, and Robert Pattinson who plays Edward Cullen.  If you have not seen Twilight I suggest watching that before seeing New Moon as you will understand the movie better.  

I am not a "crazy fan" but I do enjoy watching the movies.  I get drawn into the love story and really what girl wouldn't!  Who doesn't want two good looking guys fight over them.  I will say that the character Jacob is definitely taken advantage of throughout the movie...super sweet event though he is a werewolf.  I do not think he will be so sweet in the next movie though!!  Overall I did enjoyed the abs, and love story in New Moon.  The main three played there parts very well, and whether you are a fan of Jacob or of Edward you will enjoy this movie!

 I give this move three and a half stars!

The twelve days of Christmas

I wanted to share this great offer I found at Whataburger...if you sign up here you will get coupons for FREE food in your email every other day until December 24th!  The coupon could be anything from a burger, to one of there yummy shakes.  Happy eating!

Bath and Body Works

If your like me you love Bath and Body Works! They have great products and have even better sales.  I have a great coupon to share with you.  Click here to get a free product with any ten dollar purchuase!
I hope you can find something great for yourself or for someone on your chirstmas list.

PhotoWorks FREE Presonalized Photo albums!!

Hey everyone head over to PhotoWorks site and click on the As seen on Tv button on the right hand side of the home page. This will take you to where you can make your book.  This is almost a 50 dollar value (shipping is free also). Don't wait to long to take advantage of this offer its only for the first 25,000 people!
When checking out use the code BONNIE

HP

Starting today Monday, November 23rd--Jolly Mom will be giving away an HP TouchSmart 600! HP graciously chose Jolly Mom as one of nine blogs who will be giving one away. If you've never heard of the HP TouchSmart 600, you will be blown away by the features of this computer.


Microsoft and HP collaborated to create best-in-class touch technology that melds the power of Windows 7 with HP’s revolutionary TouchSmart PCs. The HP TouchSmart 600 showcases this technology within its sleek design, HD widescreen, BluRay, adjustable webcam and more. It offers limitless potential for enhancing life at home.
Click here to check out her blog!
This will take you to HP http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/touchsmart/

Here Comes Santa Claus Giveaway!

Jolly Mom and Go Graham Go are hosting a Christmas giveaway party! It starts tomorrow:)  Click on the blog names and it will send you right over to their blogs! Good luck!

Fun things to do with the family!

The Smart Cents Mom has put together a great list of activities that will be going on for the next couple of weeks! Click here to check out her list!

HP TouchSmart 600

Starting next Monday, November 23rd--Jolly Mom will be giving away an HP TouchSmart 600! HP graciously chose Jolly Mom as one of nine blogs who will be giving one away. If you've never heard of the HP TouchSmart 600, you will be blown away by the features of this computer.


Microsoft and HP collaborated to create best-in-class touch technology that melds the power of Windows 7 with HP’s revolutionary TouchSmart PCs. The HP TouchSmart 600 showcases this technology within its sleek design, HD widescreen, BluRay, adjustable webcam and more. It offers limitless potential for enhancing life at home.
Click here to check out her blog!
This will take you to HP http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/touchsmart/

Sample

Hey everyone!
I just got an email with an offer to get a free sample of Aveeno Nourish Hair Care products! I thought you all might want to take advatage of this offer also. Here is the link:
http://www.bzzagent.com/ap/ApHome.do?action=framedetail&ident=free-samples-0-1-2-3

Fall Wreath

This past weekend I wanted to run by one of our thrift stores to see if I could find anything. I did not find much by I did find this Autumn wreath for .69 cents.
It was in okay shape, but I thought I could make it look better! I thought the bear was so cute! Here is a closer picture of the flowers.

As you can see it looks like there were some flowers or something that had fallen off.  I took all the flowers, leaves, and yellow hard glue off!  I found a few clearance fall floral pieces for .39 cents at Micheal's and I was able to reuse the three daisies that were there before hand. It took about an hour to do everything and here is what it looks like now.

I love it!

October

Well it has been an interesting month to say the least!  The boys and I went to Indiana to visit my grandparents for a week.  While we were there I was able to catch up with one of my best friends and spend some much needed time with my grandma playing cards!  My mom and youngest sister Devon came up during the same time.  My mom was having her twenty fifth class reunion.  We all had a GREAT visit! 
**Pictures should be coming** Mom please upload them soon:)

I have been busy with school, but I have really wanted to do some crafts for the upcoming holidays!  The boys both wanted halloween costumes that are not really pre-made, so this gave me the prefect opportunity to get my creative juices going. Of course I didnt think to take pictures of Jackson's but he wanted to be the purple ninja turtle....they do not make a purple ninja turtle costume!  So we bought the red turtle, and I cut the red fabric off and sewed purple on.  I still have to figure out the face mask, but I did get his stick thing all worked out(its the turtles weapon).  As for my Preston he wants to be a robot!  I just started on it last night but its going to be fun putting it all together.  So far I just have the box cut, but I have all the supplies I think I will need. 

My AWANA class is going great!  I have had fun learning and playing with all my cubbies.  We have been learning about the days of creation for the past couple of weeks.  I would post pictures of my class but I do not have the permission from the parents.  Here is my cubbie though.

Not the best picture, but I think he still looks cute.

During this season we like to paint our pumpkins.  When we lived in Florida it was to hot to carve pumpkin because they go bad fast if they are in the heat.  So I have decided to keep with the painting, one because its hot here in Texas, and two its easier for the little ones to be able to paint than it is for them to carve.

I am going to try to update more often, and I have some more fun things to blog about soon!