A little Christmas post...

I have a TON of Christmas pictures to sort through, but here, in no particular order, is a sampling of Silas and Titus opening presents - a concept that actually clicked for both of them this year!

Hi my name is Elizabeth and I am addicted to coupons

I promised a couple of my friends that I would share a little bit about my couponing adventures (yes, couponing is a verb for me now), so I'm going to use this blog post to tell you about a few of the ways I've discovered lately to save money and earn free stuff. Feel free to read on if you're interested! If you're just here for pictures of your cute grandsons/nephews/favorite little kiddos, tune in again tomorrow. :)

"Couponing" is not just about clipping coupons (or printing them or loading them onto your store loyalty card, which are also popular options today)... it's about getting the best possible price on every item your family uses. Some people think coupons are just for the fancy brand name products they never buy anyway. While it's true that a lot of coupons are for frozen dinners and boxed items like hamburger helper that we never use, I've found plenty of coupons for common things like cream cheese, yogurt, butter, cereal, bbq sauce, salad dressing, fruit snacks, canned vegetables, and even flour and sugar! Aren't the generics of these things cheaper you ask? Yes, at the normal price they are. The trick to couponing is waiting til these items are on sale, then swooping in with two, three, or ten coupons (and "doubling" them if possible by using them at Albertson's, which frequently doubles coupons to $1, and Safeway, which doubles them up to $.50) then buying as many as you will need for a couple months. This is known as stockpiling. For example, flour is normally $2 for a 5lb bag at Winco. It recently went on sale at Safeway for $1.50. I had a $.50 off coupon which Safeway doubled, so I got four bags of flour for $.50 each. That means I saved $6 buying all my flour right then instead of at Winco as I needed it.

It took several months of reading couponing blogs like frugallivingnw and thekrazycouponlady before I finally got inspired enough to try a few things on my own. I started small by just couponing at Safeway, where I liked to shop anyway, then branched out to Albertson's, then Rite Aid and occassionally Fred Meyer. Others have had good success with Walmart, Target, and Walgreens as well, but since I live at least 15 minutes away from all these stores, I choose not to shop a different store each day just to save a few bucks. I pick one store each week to do most of my couponing at. I like Safeway because they take coupons you clip from the newspaper, as well as ones you print from coupons.com - and my favorite feature is loading coupons directly onto my Club Card at cellfire and shortcuts. Then your coupons automatically come off when you buy the product. Another reason I prefer Safeway is that once a month they print a coupon in the newspaper for $10 off your $50 purchase. I spend around $50 a week in groceries, so this is perfect for me. One time, after my Safeway Club Card discounts, coupons, and the $10 off coupon, I purchased $160 worth of groceries for $50, and received a voucher for $10 at Kohl's ($10 minimum purchase, so I got a great price on a sweater).

When you plan your coupons right, you can often get items for free or very cheap. I recently paid $.10 for a box of bisquick, got a free pack of Caprisuns, and got several free tubes of Pillsbury crescent rolls. The couponing blogs also tell you when stores or companies are running a promotion where you just plain get an item for free. By becoming a "facebook fan" of several companies recently, I have received a free pint of Starbucks ice cream, a free box of chocolate-dipped fruit from Edible Arrangements, and a free pint of creamer from International Delight.

So far I've been saving about $40 to $50 a month off our grocery bill. Like I said, I am not as into it as some--those who get 6 or 7 Sunday papers and will buy 10 or 20 of something with their coupon when it goes on sale. Some people have cut their groceries bills in half. But I'm still getting into it, so we'll see. :)

When it comes to household products, the trick to stores like Rite Aid and Walgreens is their rebate programs. I only do Rite Aid right now, and I got started by transferring a prescription, which earned me a $25 gift card. Then, I purchased about $25 worth of items, used the $5 off a $25 purchase coupon which is available almost all the time, and several coupons to bring my total under $15, while being able to pay with the gift card. Rite Aid puts out a list of 30 or so different things each month that have a rebate tied to them, and I get whichever of those interest me. So each time I make a purchase, I usually earn $10 to $15 in rebates. They send a check in the mail, and I use that for my next purchase--basically, "rolling" each rebate check into the next purchase and never really spending any money.

Couponing definitely takes time and planning--I probably spend at least 5 hours a month printing, clipping, and loading coupons and planning my shopping trips. So is the savings worth it? If you calculate it out to see what I earn per hour, probably not. But, I enjoy it and it's something I can do on the laptop while I sit and supervise the kids, so it works for me.

Through the couponing blogs I follow, I've also jumped on board with a few other ways to get free stuff:

1. bzzagent.com - Some of you have probably gotten free samples handed to you in the past few months. Bzzagent is a word-of-mouth marketing program that sends you free samples of new products and in exchange, you go on their site and post your opinions of the products. They usually send enough to share with your friends, and you report your friends' opinions as well. When you first join, you have to work a little bit to move up their "honeycomb ladder" (yes everything has a major "bee" theme) by posting some opinions and reviews of products you've used in the past, but once you start getting offered free samples, it's easy... in the past six months I've received free samples of soap, acne treatment, baby shampoo, cold medicine, and mascara. As long as I report back with my opinion, they keep sending me free stuff.

2. swagbucks.com - this is probably the most effortless way to earn free stuff. Swagbucks is a search engine, powered by Google and Ask.com, and through advertising they are able to give their users credit for searching. So, a few times a day I will search through them instead of using Google or Yahoo and earn what they call "swag bucks." These are redeemable for a ton of different prizes, but the best and most popular option is the $5 amazon e-gift card, which is 45 swag bucks. You typically earn 2-3 swag bucks a day with normal searching, and there are other ways to earn including completing special offers and watching their blog or twitter feed for special codes. Firefox's browser has a little search engine option list up in the right top corner, and I just have this set to swag bucks, and use that to do most of my internet searches. So, with not much effort, I've been earning a $5 amazon e-gift card about every two weeks. This has translated into about $60 of free stuff bought on amazon in the past six months. The one difference I've found between search results from swagbucks and search results from Google is that the advertisements are at the top of your search results with swagbucks instead of in that side column like Google's are. If you don't mind that nuisance, it's a pretty good deal. If this sounds like something for you, join here and start with 3 swag bucks. It's free and you can walk away from it if it doesn't work out. :)

3. Walmart, Costco, and other companies are always offering free samples of products. The couponing blogs alert you to these deals so you simply click the link and sign up! I think this probably translates into more junk mail, but that doesn't bother me (I recycle it) and I love getting a free sample or two in the mail each week. I've gotten diapers, granola bars, cereal, girl stuff ;), toothpaste and floss, shampoo, and a bunch of other stuff I can't even remember.

That about covers it. Comment if you have questions. :) Tomorrow we'll be back to your regularly scheduled programming with pictures of my kids opening their Christmas presents.

A Christmas note from Silas...

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." ~ Luke 2:14

Merry Christmas from the Jones Family!

A couple attempts at a family picture.... our one-year-old doesn't really like to smile on command, so he either looks goofy or pouty.

Singing at church

Silas got to go up on stage in "big church" with his Sunday School class and sing some Christmas songs. I was impressed that he stayed with the group and even kept his little sheep ears on the whole time - until they walked off the stage, and then he ripped them off. He even got into some of the clapping. It was pretty cute.

Christmas Train Ride

We found a really cute kids' train ride near us, so I decided to take the boys one day last week. It was a little Elf Village, and the engine, where Silas sat at first, had a little whistle button that he could push to make the whistle blow. Silas absolutely loved the train, and cried really hard when we finally left (after he got like 5 trips around the track!). He only cracked a smile a couple times, the rest of the time he was just sitting there mesmerized. I honestly think he could have ridden it for a couple hours. We'll definitely have to go back next year.


Next year Titus should be big enough to ride in the engine with brother...


The little village scenery - really cute...
Silas took his last ride in the caboose...

Christmas Tree Decorating

Merry Christmas blog readers - I have a post planned for you every day this week!

Here are the boys decorating our Christmas tree. We then had to put the tree way up high on top the fireplace so Titus wouldn't knock it over.


Silas got to put the angel on top.

Five Years

We got to run away from the kids last weekend for our 5-year anniversary. We spent two nights at the beautiful Skamania Lodge in the Columbia Gorge where we ate some incredible food, slept in, watched movies, and generally enjoyed a lot of peace and quiet! I intended to take a lot of pictures, but unfortunately almost every time I remembered I had a camera it was too late. So I only have two pictures to share:

All dressed up for dinner Friday night....


I wish I had more pictures of the food there, it was amazing. Friday night's seafood buffet featured king crab legs, clams, mussels, grilled salmon, prime rib, tortellini pasta, cold salads, cheeses and meats, and a huge dessert spread. I had to select just a few:


The boys stayed with my parents, where they got completely spoiled, of course. I don't think they really missed us that much, and honestly I only missed them a little. :) We're already scheming for another trip next year!

Ssshhh....

...don't tell your kids, but we know where Santa Claus lives!


Titus actually didn't recognize Grandpa and was kinda panicking.

Yes, the beard is real.

Ready for Game Day!

New Bunkbed!

Silas is very excited about his new bunk bed. He fell off the bottom bunk on his second night so we switched him over to the trundle for a while longer, but he still loves playing on the bottom bunk and is constantly asking to go up on the top bunk. We keep telling him he has to get bigger. He's working hard at that too - he's grown 2 inches in the past 5 months, and is now a full 3 feet tall!


If you're in the market for a set of bunk beds that will stand up to teenage boys (Matt only wanted to make this purchase once, so they need to last!) check out this: http://www.bunkbedswest.com/

We are very impressed with the quality of this bed--if you can't tell from the picture, it is SOLID! And, it was priced similar to a furniture store, even though we've found that actual furniture store bunk beds are not that much sturdier than the Walmart/Target version. If you want to see it in person, Silas invites you to come on over and jump on it with him! :)

Family Reunion

Last month we got together with Matt's grandparents, parents, sister, brother, and their families for a little Jones family reunion in Seaside. Silas and Titus had a blast playing with their cousins (Silas still asks me "See cousins next week?" because I was telling him that before we left). They went to the pool at least once a day since there was a great kiddie pool at the condos where we stayed.


We also took them on a little train ride which Silas loved. He just stared in amazement. Matt had to take him again.


This is Matt with his brother, sister, and dad. Silas thought cleaning up was more important than taking pictures.


Us...

The whole gang...

Two peas in different pods

If I hadn't been there for both of their births, I think I would have to wonder if these guys were really brothers.

Silas is quiet, thoughtful, and somewhat obsessive-compulsive when it comes to things being in order. If one cheerio or raisin falls to the floor or in his chair at breakfast, he can't continue eating until you come over and help him find it. If he has something to say, he will repeat it incessantly until you confirm what he's said.
Silas: "The sun went night-night... yeah, the sun went night-night.... the sun went night-night!"
Me: "Yes, Silas, the sun went night-night."

However, if nobody is in the room, he has to edify himself....
Silas: "I went pee-pee in the potty. Did Silas do a good job?"
Silas, in a slightly higher voice: "Yes, you did do a good job!"

He's also very sensitive... he was driving his toy car (the kind you sit inside) around at our indoor park the other day and he ran it into a wall. He hopped out, ran around to the bumper, gave the car a kiss, and said, "it's all better!"

Silas can't go to bed with out his covers just so, and you must make sure his head is placed on the pillow. If the leg of his pajamas is tucked under his foot after you put them on, he will hop around on one foot, saying "fix it, fix it!" until you pull the fabric up around his ankle. He can sit in his chair at the table for an hour or more, just driving his trucks around.


Titus, on the other hand, is loud, reckless, and tough - basically, he is a bulldozer. If you build it, he will knock it over. Or, if you're anywhere near his size, he'll knock you over with a big bear hug. He likes to ram his head into people while giggling, and when he falls down he can usually brush it off in about 2 seconds. And, even when something really does hurt, once he recovers, he'll try it again!

He eats as much as, if not more than, his brother at every meal, and makes a total mess while doing it. When he gets food set in front of him, he shoves one handful in his mouth and knocks another handful to the floor in his excitement. He usually goes through three outfits a day.

If I let Titus out of my sight for more than a minute he's usually up on top of something. Finding him on top of my dining room table has become a daily occurrence. I moved the chairs into the kitchen, and then he pushed one over to the counter and used it to scale the counter top. So I put the chair in the living room and he used it to climb my bookcase. Really, nothing is safe around him unless it's locked or eight feet high.


So, life is never dull around here - you'll understand why I have a hard time finding a spare moment to blog. But I'm going to work on catching up with blogging about our fall adventures so far.

Pumpkin Patch

This year both boys got to pick out pumpkins. Silas, of course, tried the biggest one he saw first, but after a few attempts he was happy to find one more his size. Titus stared at his very intently... I think he was trying to figure out if he could eat it.

More One-Year-Old Titus

Some photos of my crazy lovable one-year-old, courtesy of Aunt Danae.

Brothers

One of the perks (at least in my mind) of having two kids of the same gender is dressing them in matching outfits. I think the females in our family agree....

Glow-in-the-dark pajamas from Grandma Kaye (Silas is learning his bones)

Handmade sweaters from Gramaidi

Ready for Christmas?

I know, it's only the first day of fall, and I'm already thinking about Christmas. I bought my giant tub of hot cocoa mix at the grocery store last week and last night was cold enough to wear my winter pajamas. It's my favorite time of year!

And, I've already started Christmas shopping. I know, I know, but Kohl's had the most adorable clothes on sale and I have a precious 5-month-old baby niece--it's a dangerous combination. But if the people on your Christmas list aren't as easy to shop for, I've got a little suggestion for you. This is a project I worked on last spring, and I think a lot of you out there would really enjoy it (and/or know people who would!)

HOLY BIBLE: MOSAIC is unlike any Bible you’ve ever seen…

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*Both artwork and writings follow the Church calendar throughout the year starting with Advent (Sunday, November 29, 2009).


You can....

* Log onto Amazon and buy a copy today!

* Visit www.HolyBibleMosaic.com and take advantage of all the free downloads.

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Titus turns one!

Weight: 22 lbs
Height: 30 inches

Titus has a bunch of new words like "juice" and "up" and he is walking everywhere. He even pushes himself up and takes off walking without needing to use the couch or anything to get him on his feet. It's crazy! Even crazier, though, is that he still has no teeth. So here's his cute little toothless smile:


At his birthday party last week, he had a little help from brother opening the gifts:


He climbs on top of everything - an a new toy table is no exception:


He loves knocking stuff over:


So, I made his cake a pile of knocked over blocks:


He immediately took a swipe at the cake and stuck a finger full of frosting in his mouth:



I guess my baby is no longer a baby!