My $1.56 Shopping Trip!

Albertsons was having a double coupon day today so I had to run over to see what kind of deals I could get. I was so excited when I returned home. I was able to get 5 boxes of Keebler crackers, 5 Colgate toothpastes, 10 Clorox to go packs, and 2 three packs of ivory soaps all for $1.56. Normally when it comes to doublers I only grab the free deals, but I thought I would pay a little for the crackers since Elai has been going through so many. On my was home from Albertsons I stopped by Walgreens and got 4 (1 is not pictured because Zech opened them the moment I got home) large bags of M&Ms without paying anything out of pocket. Santa also got stocking stuffers! Overall I would say today was a great day for bargains. The only problem I ran into was that the stores weren't completely stocked so I couldn't get everything I was hoping for.

FHE-Ginger Bread Train

As I was thinking of a FHE activity to do tonight, I realized I don't think I had ever made a ginger bread house before. So I decided I have went too many years without this Christmas activity in my life and ran to the store for a kit. While I didn't end up buying a house, I did get a train kit.

Though neither Zech nor I are professional decorators by any means, we had a great time.

Elai enjoyed the candy

Don't judge me, I already know I am huge

Elai realizing the train smelled

Zech hard at work decorating

Tada! The finished project!

two is better then one

especially when it comes to toothbrushes!!!

My BIG Helper

Elai has turned into such a big helper. All I have to do is place a hamper next to the washer and he will completely load it for me. Then if I open the washer and dryer doors he will switch the clothes over for me.

I just think his wanting to be independent is adorable . He is turning into such a little man. I'm thinking I better take advantage of him liking to do the laundry for I don't for see it lasting forever.

It's cold outside!

Which means it's time for a little Father-Son bonding time.

Need I say more?

Lack of Motivation!

Okay seriously, I have no motivation these days. All I want to do is sit in my chair with my feet up. However with a 20 month old running around that doesn't happen. I have just today realized that I am now 30 weeks pregnant which means I am way behind schedule. With Christmas approaching so quickly I am worried that I won't be able to get everything done. So I am just going to worry about one thing at a time. I sat down today and made my to do list and happily I was able to get two things done today. It's the small steps that count right? Well after making my list I realized I don't really have that much to get done, I just had no plan. So here we are moving forward...first up shopping for Thanksgiving Dinner.

An update

Well a lot has been going on here in the Rios house. First off all we found out we are having a baby girl, but I think all of you already know that. We will name her Josie Faye and she is expected to come at the end of Jan. We had a little bit of a scare a few months ago when I went in for my ultrasound. It showed that one of the ventricular in her brain was enlarged which can cause too much cerebral spinal fluid on the brain. This can lead to mental retardation. So after a lot of worrying and fasting and praying we have found out that there was a mistake in the original measurement and the ventricular is not enlarged. And boy were we thankful for that news.

Elai has been growing up so fast. He talks so much and loves helping with chores. I am amazed everyday at what he has learned. He and I have been doing "Tot School" Monday thru Thursday. Basically it is just a time where him and I can have some interactive playing and I can teach him basic things. He is picking up everything so fast.

As you all know Zech took the MCAT this summer and has applied for Medical School. He was just asked to come for his first interview in Salt Lake City. So during the first week of December he will make his way there but we probably won't hear back until the spring. I am so proud of him, he has been working so hard.

Other then that we are just trying to get things in order for when Josie comes. I have been preparing meals and stock piling the freezer. I have lost all interest in everything lately. All I want to do is relax and spend these last few months before Josie gets here having quality time with Elai.

Tot School!

This week has been full of new and interesting things. We have officially incorporated Tot School! I have been meaning to do this for some time but now we are officially off and going. We are loving every minute of it. It has been so fun to watch Elai already grasp all the new concepts that are being thrown his way.

For now we aren't getting to carried away we are just doing three learning activities a day, music/song time, and reading time. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful little boy in my life. He makes me smile everyday. I am excited for this new adventure and for Elai to learn new things.

Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday we had the chance to go to the local pumpkin patch and corn maze. It was alot of fun. Zech was so excited about picking out pumpkins. We got one that represents all of us, we even got one for Josie (pictures of the pumpkins to come later).

I feel especially blessed at this point in my life. I have a wonderful husband who is up for all our family outings and a great sister that is close by. Thanks for the wonderful time.

Happy Birthday Zech!

We had a great time celebrating Zech's 24th Birthday today. Normally we would have had a big party but because I haven't been feeling so great lately, Zech settled for dinner with a few friends. His one request...

Blackforest cupcakes.

I think Zech found a new favorite.

Homecoming Parade

Last weekend the weather was nice so we decided to head over to watch the ISU Homecoming Parade. We all had a great time.

Elai really enjoyed all the music.

And he thought that the mini water bottles being handed out were the best thing on earth.

Simplot was handing out potatoes.

My nephew collected enough candy that I'm thinking he doesn't need to go trick or treating.

It was a great time. We are trying to soak up all of the good weather while it is still here. This past week it has been in the 90s everyday so I'm starting to wonder what happened to fall?

It's Here!

I am so excited that fall is here. It is my favorite season. I love everything about it, the pretty colors, leaves changing, leave piles, wearing jackets, the cool crisp air, and of course the great food.

Things to do now that it's fall:

Hang wreath on door

Make Pumpkin chocolate chip bread

Go check out some kids books on fall

Make some soup

end to a great summer

Though glad to be home, we are sad that we had to leave Herman Lake. After spending the whole summer there, we have grown to love it and made some great memories. Here are a few pictures we were able to take this summer (once again I couldn't keep track of my camera).

Above is a picture of the main house. The lake was only about 100ft away. It had a great rustic feel to it. Over to the right about 200ft was a little bunkhouse.

This summer Elai discovered he really likes watermelon. Between him and Deon they probably ate about three watermelons a week.

It was so great being so close to family and getting to see them all summer. Here are a few pictures of Elai at my parents house on the trampoline. You may notice his headband. Maybe he should have been a girl, he loves wearing them.

While at Zech's parents house Nathan showed us a stash of really funny looking hats. Zechary thought he was a farmer. It was really fun. Zech, Elai, Nathan and I wore them all day long while nobody else was home.

We were able to spend a lot of time outdoors this summer hiking a camping.

On our first hiking trip Zechary walked straight into a mud hole. Truly funny if I do say so myself.

Another first for Elai was getting to ride the motorcycle with dad. He loved it, my family would be proud.

We had a great summer and were sad to leave, however excited to get back to Pocatello and back to our normal lives. Zech has already started his last year of school. He has been busy applying for medical schools which has been an interesting experience. He should know by spring time if he is excepted so until then we are just wishing and hoping.

Mud Puddles

This summer Elai got to experience many new things. His favorite??? Mud Puddles. He had so much fun playing in the dirty water and we had just as much fun watching him.

Summer Update

We are having a great summer here in Northern Idaho. It has been great to just spend time as a family and get to relax a bit. Zechary took his MCAT test about a month ago and we are still waiting for the results. We had a great visit with some of our friends from Pocatello, but I am really starting to miss being there. We also had a great few days with my dad. It is so nice being close to our families. I lost my camera so we haven't been able to take many pictures. Elai loves the lake house. He thinks the beach is awesome. That's about it though. We are still plugging away and trying to enjoy life.