ThAnKs ShErRiE aNd MaDdiE!

Sherrie and Maddie gave Olivia a build a bear gift certificate for Christmas! The kiddos had a great time using them! Thanks so much!

McCormick Stillman Railroad Park

We had fun going to The McCormick Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale. Sooo fun to do while the weather is nice!

Mom, Let's Make THIS!

So, lately Zach has been trying to get me to help him build one of things that are pictured on the box of tinker toys. I hate projects like this, (it kills me to spend an hour on something and destroy it after you are done!) I finally caved. I talked him into the least elaborate thing I could find pictured...the windmill. (You know he really wanted to build the life sized race car:) He was so proud of it! It actually turned out to be a fun little project for Zach and me to do together while Olivia was at school and Jake was napping!

zOo FuN!

We met up with a couple of our friends at the Zoo last week! We had a great time and thankfully no one got lost. Olivia was especially worried I would lose Zach without her watchful eye going with us! She even graciously offered to stay home from school so she could "help".

I had to borrow/steal all of these pics, I am (still) having trouble getting pictures from my camera to the blog.

"Cost Reducing Measures"

The phrase "cost reducing measures" is a phrase that drives fear into a Banner Health employees heart. My job "announces" ways they are going to save money on a special website that is updated regularly with new and brilliant money saving plans. I have to laugh, because as you sign onto the computer at work at the top of the screen there is frequently a note that says "Check Out The Latest Edition of Cost Reducing Measures!" like it is something exciting or that we look forward to reading. Some of the measures have been things like people getting laid off (thankfully everyone I know who's job was eliminated has been offered positions elsewhere), to things that even I have noticed in the past as frivolous money spending like employees punching in the moment they walk in the door (even when they are 20 minutes early), to senior employees losing paid time off hours (being a "veteran" there, I would NEVER agree to that one:).

So, I have decided to cut frivolous spending out of our lives and have instituted some cost reducing measures at home. It only feels right with how many people I know that are hurting right now. Since I don't have my own website (other than this) I am going to announce some of my cost reducing measures to the world in typical Banner Health style.

1. We have switched from Crystal Light brand to Walmart brand drink mix. It is not so bad!

2. We eat out far less often than we used to.

3. I will only shop at Walmart or on base.

4. I have started cutting coupons, now I just need to remember to use them!

5. I research out each week where milk will be on sale, and make sure to stop there and load up!

6. I ask myself "Is this a want, or a need?" There is a rhyme,( I am not even sure if I say it right!) that I keep saying over and over in my head "Fix it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!" It is my cost reducing measures motto!

As Banner health says on it's Cost Reducing Website "Check back often for the next edition of Cost Reducing Measures!"

Disclaimer: I love Banner Health, and with the economy being so bad I am more thankful for my job than I have ever been before! I am not being critical! I am a little disappointed that for the first time in years I have put an effort forward in becoming an "exceeds expectations employee" and actually jumped through a few hoops required to get a 5% raise, and found out raises were cut and we will all get the same raise regardless of our performance. But when it comes down to it, I am happy to forfeit some PTO and a raise if it means saving someones job! It is a scary world right now, isn't it! So, my dear friends..."Fix it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!"

I Have A Confession!

I am ready to confess to world that I have a slight obsession with Britney Spears. Shocking, I know. Well I have been dying to go to the concert, but the adult in me, was trying to keep the inner 13 year old bottled up!

After a tough week I decided this morning to treat myself. The tickets were almost sold out. I will be there amongst all of the tweens, with my binoculars and a date!

Jesus Wants ZACH for a Sunbeam!

Zachary went to Sunbeams today! I can't believe how fast you are growing up little buddy!

I've had much anxiety about Zachary being a Sunbeam, mostly because the reverence expectations for the primary children in our ward are a little high for a three year old with Zach's energy level. I was thinking I might need to get him a prescription for Valium before sending him today, but then I thought what the heck, I'll take it for him! Just Kidding! I peeked in a few times, and it seemed to be going just fine (in my opinion)! Hope you have a great year in primary Zachary!