Zing Zang Zoom!

Last Friday we went to the circus! It was the "Zing Zang Zoom" Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey, that was in the energy solutions arena.

Lance almost couldn't come and I am so glad that he got to at the last minute. We had such a great night, with only a few setbacks :)

An hour before the show starts you can go see the animals, the boys were really amazed. Of course Layton was mostly upset that he couldn't ride their horses :)

Parker was really quiet and just sat on our laps to watch, I thought he was just really into it. But a few minuets after this picture he threw up everywhere, then got a fever and slept for about an hour :( poor boy.

Layton was in the silliest mood, he couldn't even talk while the circus was going on, he just pointed around with a big grin on his face. I went to take this picture. and this was the face he kept pulling.

A family picture (for once!) poor Parker was sleeping away.

It was all completely amazing, not just for the kids, but for Lance and I too. I loved everything, but I thought all the elephants were especially cool!

Super Cowboy!

This morning while I was putting laundry away Layton came in wearing this...

I asked who he was, and he said "super cowboy!" . Isn't he the cutest? I thought this was such a classic moment with his undies, cape, cowboy hat, and of course his vacumn (what super cowboy doesn't need a vacumn? ;)

Nap Time

I love nap time, the boys are so sweet, and I can finally get some things done!

I am not big on holding the boys to put them to sleep, but Parker wasn't feeling well and I didn't even know he was asleep until Lance took this picture...

Layton is outgrowing his nap :( if he has one it is hard to get him to sleep at his bedtime, if not he is super grouchy all evening. What to do, what to do ... most days I choose a nap :)

more...

Can anyone tell what I have been doing today?

a few more pages...

... slowly catching up :)

Arts Festival

On Friday we went to the Arts Festival. I have had so many people ask me why I didn't submit anything into the arts contest, and the answer...

I didn't want to. I don't think of myself as an "artist", and I am not into competition.

So anyway, we are observers of the displays and eaters of all the yummy yummy park food. (I drank 3 texas lemonades :).

The boys loved the bird guy, me not so much. Birds don't like me.

They worked so hard buliding houses with these life size lincoln logs. They were both red faced and sweaty, but I couldn't get them to stop.

Layton and I walked around to see all the living pioneer displays, while Parker satyed glued to the lincoln logs and this big puzzle.

Layton loved the slide, and wanted to go on it all day.

Stolen Moments Menu Planning!!!

So I was planing my menu for the week and came across the Stolen Moments Menu Planning website!

It is cheap to begin with, but there is a discount code (frugal) and for $5.95 they send you a menu for the whole month.

But... this is not an cookie cutter menu. You have to fill out a little form about your likes/dislikes and cooking style.

For example I told them:

I like to use a crock pot,

I live in a small town (so no specialty items please),

we have 1/2 a beef in our freezer,

my husband doesn't like mushrooms,

nothing to spicy so my kids can eat everything, etc.

Less than 24 hours later I have a DETAILED menu for the whole month, complete with recipes not just for dinner but sides too, and shopping lists, delivered to my inbox!!!

I am so excited, this is crazy cheap and so so SO helpful to get dinner on the table.

If you want to look into it go to this website and enter password "frugal"

Have fun everyone, I hope this is helpful to get dinner on our tables :) !!!

Got Beef?

Do you know what one of my biggest blessings is?

Beef...

I know, sounds silly. But every year or so we get 1/2 a beef to put in our freezer. It lasts us a little over a year, but on average will feed a family of four for one year. The peace of mind that it gives me is PRICELESS, obviously we get it through my wonderful Dad.

But, I would anyway because:
His beef is certified natural AND graded USDA choice/prime, not a combo that is easy to find.

He started just doing it for our family, then a few friends got word and ordered some, and now he has several requests every year. So this year he kept a whole corral full and is selling them. I know he has most sold, but there are still a few that are unclaimed.

You can order a whole or a half, or get with a friend and order a half and then split it between yourselves.

Seriously, we have so much steak in our freezer it is ridiculous, I am actually trying to find ways to use up, 1 inch thick T-BONE STEAKS, hows that for crazy right?

I just wanted to let you all know about it, because you don't get a better deal AND I want all your husbands eating steak for dinner :)

Call me or my dad (435.979.4307) for more info if anyone is interested!!!

You can visit the KSL ad for more info on pricing, it gets a little confusing with the price per pound and the butcher cost but really it is simple, and my Dad (or I can try :) will explain it all, and give you an average cost!

Labor day weekend Campout!

We decided to take the boys up the canyon for a little campout. We left later than we wanted and of course all the good spots were taken, we still found a spot but it was less than ideal.
The boys couldn't have cared less, they were in heaven and loved the whole experience.

Lance took them fishing,


we roasted marshmallows for smores,


They thought that getting to sleep in the trailer was so much fun,

When we woke up, we had breakfast and they went right back to fishing,

I have a new goal to do more things like this with just our little family, we had so much fun. I am so grateful to live where we do and have these things literally 10 min from home!

Riding with Daddy

Every Friday Lance goes on a ride with my dad and the other guys around that have permits to have cattle on the mountain, to check on them and make sure things are fine.

The last few times he has gone he picks Layton up at 7:30 am (a good hour and a half before his normal wake up time). I wake up Layton around 7 and we get dressed in his "cowboy clothes" and he eats breakfast while he anxiously waits for his daddy to come pick him up.

After Lance comes to get him he rides with them for about an hour, then I drive up to pick him up and come home, (this is not a nice sunday drive by the way, it is about 45 min. one way, and on a super steep and rocky road)

We bought Layton and Parker a little pony, she is super tame and the boys really love her. Layton is always so sad when I come to pick him up.

It really is such a hassle, but Layton loves it and is so proud of himself for riding with the men and being such a big boy!