No work

Isla has been so lazy, she hasn't worked! Not really. The problem is she is a 17 month old fire ball. Casting directors apparently won't cast this age if their lives depend on it. I get it. This age is crazy. All this kid does is run around like a crazy person. Anyhow, if you peeps what to see Islas' last picture from her last h&m shoot, click the link below.
Happy Tuesdsay~!






Soft knits for your baby H&M DE

Carpenteria Camping 2011

Yep, that's Starbucks! We are so lame.

Katie, Cassie & Ava. Gatorade Cheers!



Henry and Isla hanging out being cute.



Camping Buddies Sam&Kip. They have a awesome Westfalia. Jeaeellloous!

Isla looks like Casper the ghost, but baby powder is the BEST way to get sand off baby!

Boys checking out the beach scene.

Bff's. Katie & Ava

Lots of chasing after Isla.

We are so lucky to live a stones trow from the pacific ocean. But as a very busy family, we dont "use" it as much as we should. Every year we have a tradition of driving a half-an-hour up the coast and camp at Carpenteria state beach for the annual Avacado Festival. We spend two nights camping and letting the kiddos get dirty and create memories with their friends. But...
 Camping is ALOT of work!!  I mean, having 3 kids and a husband, you basically need to pack the entire house. But we made it. Two whole days in the great outdoors. Only a few minor tantrums from Isla, and the older kids just hung out and did their own thing. We definetly enjoyed the sunshine and the time away from the "daily grind'. It's nice to take off and regroup the family and bond over camp fires and being sardines in the tent.

Patagonia 50% off Coupon giveaway!

Hi Girls. Do I have any Patagonia lovers out there in blog land? Well, my super sweet husband works there and has donated a 50% off coupon that can be used all over the county at ANY Patagonia store!
Wow!! How cool is that??!  You all know how pricy this stuff is.
Hop over to my super sweet blogger friend Lyndsays' blog, and follow the directions to enter.

These can be yours!

Good Luck!!

Weird Week

It has been a weird week.

• Kid number one-sick with fever and stomach bug
• Kid number two -sick with double ear infection
• Kid number three-taking her into the doctor today. The ear infection monster has attacked her too:(
• Me-totally uncharacteristically unmotivated to do ANYTHING!
• Hubs-Normal self.

Good news:

• Kayla from Freckles in April.com blog will be redesigning my blog(that is when I get motivated to answer some questions she has)
• We booked a 5 day cruise during the kiddos fall break. The best part is that it was an UNBELIVABLE deal! I mean crazy cheap!!!
• Had a great Monday Moms Morning with two of the most amazing mommas I know.
• AND THE BEST NEWS IS...ITS FRIDAY!! Have a great weekend!!

Homemade Mac and Cheese~The best recipe i've tried!

This is amazing!! Not for the calorie counters. My kiddos couldn't get enough!

YUMMY!!!

 

Fannie Farmer's Classic Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) packages macaroni
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded good quality
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, buttered

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Cook and drain macaroni according to package directions; set aside.
3. In a large saucepan melt butter.
4. Add flour mixed with salt and pepper, using a whisk to stir until well blended.
5. Pour milk and cream in gradually; stirring constantly.
6. Bring to boiling point and boil 2 minutes (stirring constantly).
7. Reduce heat and cook (stirring constantly) 10 minutes.
8. Add shredded cheddar little by little and simmer an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese melts.
9. Turn off flame.
10. Add macaroni to the saucepan and toss to coat with the cheese sauce.
11. Transfer macaroni to a buttered baking dish.
12. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.

Road Trip To Grandpas

At the end of the summer, we packed up the van and began what ended up being a very expensive and long trip to Grandpas. My hubbys Dad lives 12 hours away which is a LONG way away with 3 kids. We planned quite well. We would take it slow and make it to the halfway mark and camp in Santa Cruz. All was good until...the van broke down!! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Of course as Murphy's law was in full effect, we broke down on the freeway in very HOT weather with scared and screaming kids on a SUNDAY! Thank GOD we had AAA and found our way to a mechanic that informed us that our very stuffed van would not be ready for 2 days. What?? We have to be at Grandpas, we have to get there!
We decided to rent a van, which cost us a mini fortune. We unpacked and repacked the vans. We made our way up there, sans GPS and a DVD for the kids. We lived, we made it and as those lame travel t-shirts say, we drove, we broke down and all we brought back was the bill.





Lots of climbing trees in Santa Cruz

 



WE MADE IT!!

Eureka Zoo



Three generations.






My cute hubby!



Grandpa's Horses

Are we home yet???




    

Frugal Momma Tip for Tuesday-Sept 13th

Wowza! I haven't posted anything since as Tuesday! Where in the heck did the time go?
As promised, I'm sharing one of my many frugal momma tips today. Hope you enjoy.

FRUGAL TIP FOR TUESDAY-September 13

Consign, Consign, Consign

That's right ladies, I consign. Do you consign??
Here is how it goes for me. If I have a event, wedding or any outing that I feel I NEED a new dress or outfit, I start at my closet. No, I don't wear anything in my closet. For peets sake, I want a NEW(to me) outfit.
So, I go threw my closet and choose some jeans, some shirts, a dress and a few pairs of shoes that I don't want or wear. This time I took them to Buffalo Exchange. Buffalo Exchange is awesome and perfect for my impatience today. At Buffalo, you just take your items in, and they give you cash or credit to use that day! Instant happiness!

Here is what I sold:

Here is my NEW to me Nanette Lapore DRESS!

Photo credits to my 7 year old-Ava:)

See girls, I got a super cute NANETTE LAPORE DRESS in exchange for jeans and tops I never wear!
This is how frugal mommas do it!