An Obsession...

CoUpOnS...

I heart using coupons....

Sadly a lot of times if I don't have a coupon I don't buy...

Brett and I went to the store today to buy groceries for the week.. and a few added extras (like always)...  

Our buys for the week and more...

 

we ended up paying only $24.14.

the groceries included... 4 boxes of cereal...one HUGE box of rice.... 2 gallons of milk....porter house steaks.... bread.... hot dog buns... tortillas... cheese... butter... 2 cans of ragu sauce... lunch meat... salsa... bananas... and 3 bags of gummies (brett's pick)... 

Before swiping our 'club' card and giving the lady our coupons our total was $64.64 (scary) but then... it just kept dropping.  It was a great day at the grocery store....

XOXO

...Weekend Plans...

T.G.I.F.


Even though I'm not working full time.... I still look forward to the weekends to spend time with....

the love of my life :)  That guy ^  

(he would kill me if he knew this picture was up here)

This wEeKeND we have plans of.....

this....

....relaxing....

 AND

this...

....Lakers vs. Nuggets.....

 AND

birthday dinner at...

(Gregg's birthday)

an old fashion ice cream palour...

Don't forget to check back for updates!   

XOXO

::Menu Planning::

Before I get to the title of my post I must confess..
i  WANT something sWeEt.... less than a week in... oh my... I can do this... I can do this...


So....
I hate coming home late and wondering what to make for dinner....It's always a battle....
EVERYTHING is FrOzeN....
We miss OnE inGrediEnt...
Nothing sounds GoOd....
I'm just too LaZy....


So.....


I've decided I'm going to do weekly menu plans.... (They won't be set in stone), but it gives me an idea of what we need.  We usually end up going to the store  or more times a week.... it's RiDiCuLOuS! So I'll make the menu the week before and list of things we need. 


This week on the Menu:


Monday: Taco Salads
Tuesday: Sloppy Joe's, Chips, and Carrots
Wednesday: Make your own Calzone, Salad
Thursday: Pork Chops, Rice, Broccoli
Friday: Leftovers, take-out, cereal
Saturday: Grilled Cheese, Soup
Sunday: We're going to the LaKerS vs. NuGgEtS game....


We're both busy up and running again with sports.... Brett has no days off from school till Spring Break (Easter), but school will fly by with sports. 


This post wouldn't be complete without Miss Bentley....

XOXO

...40 Days and counting...

Lent is upon us...40 days of giving something up... while giving up something material doesn't even compare to what was given up for us to save us from our sins it teaches us self-control and self-discipline.  


This Lent season I've decided to give up SUGAR.... Yes this is probably crazy, but what I mean by no sugar is... things I think of sugar.... candy, cake, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, honeynut cheerios, frozen yogurt, ice cream, hot chocolate, anything else I would consider "sweet".  


So here goes nothing.... 40 days and counting....

XOXO

Happy (late) Valentine's Day!

I really wanted to get a blog in yesterday, but time just slipped.... Before I get to Valentine's day and another special thing I must tell you that my JV girls WON their last game of the season.  So, as a JV team we ended 2-1  :)  I could not be happier! I just wanted to scream when they won.  They played with so much heart and love for the game.  It was so much fun.... Thanks girls!


Next up for Brett and I are Tennis and Softball.... yes softball too, we got asked to help.... we're kind of tag teaming it.... Tennis is my first commitment and football is Brett's and we'll tag team softball when we need to.  So another busy few months.... 


We hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's day!  We enjoyed time with friends, each other, and the 70* weather.... We had a party to go to with some people from school so I ventured to make Candy Sushi.... Here is the product!  

The goodies...

The STICKY mess...

The FINISH product....

Another view... (forgive me for the blurriness...)

XOXO

Candy Pizza!

First of all welcome to our new blog.  I thought I would transfer everything from our old blog to our new blog. The new blog will be easier for me manage and more colorful.   I hope you all enjoy! 

We have our last varsity basketball game tonight and one last JV game tomorrow.  It's hard to believe the season is over.  

So, yesterday I came across the idea of a Candy Pizza... it looked really good... So, today, I tried to make my own (with a twist).  

The ingredients for the crust, sauce, and toppings: 

The CRUST ready for the oven. 

The SAUCE and my TOPPINGS of choice.

20 Minutes after start... CANDY PIZZA

Wanna a bite?

If you want the recipe let me know... I haven't tried it yet, but doesn't it look AMAZING?! 

XOXO

::: 13.1 :::

So I did it!!
My first 1/2 Marathon... Surf City Huntington Beach 1/2 Marathon...
Something I've always wanted to do, but never really have had the time or the nice weather to train.  Moving to California I knew I had to complete one of the things on my '30 things to do before I'm 30' list and I had to 2 people who inspired me to do so.  First off I couldn't use the excuse of bad weather and hating to run on a treadmill since it is always (mostly) sunny.  Also, last year one of my students mothers found a tumor in her brain.  She was a runner.  I always admire runners, but she much more than a runner.  When I found out she was going to have to have surgery and therapy I knew she would get back into running as soon as she could.  Sure enough I would see on Facebook she was out running 10 miles or 6 miles.  And I knew if she could overcome all that she has been through and keep running.  I could sure run.  She has just inspired me in more ways than I think she will ever know.  Lastly, my cousin, Amy, I have always always looked up to her... She is one of the most amazing people I know.  Growing up I always wanted to be like her. She is a runner too.  So I had to be a runner too, right? Ok maybe not, but she encouraged me, believed in me, and ran across the start line with me. There is not another person I would have wanted with me at the start of the race as I was standing there so nervous... She stood there told me it was all going to ok.  She was right... like always. Thank you, Amy!
I had so much fun and as crazy as it sounds can't wait for another one.  I had a goal of finishing in 2 hours and 20 minutes... I CRUSHED that time.... 2 hours and 3 minutes!  My next goal under 2 hours.  Just a few pictures... Enjoy!  xoxo

Football Banquet

February 4th, 2010
So as I mentioned last post we had the football banquet last weekend.  The night turned out really well.  The guys had such a good/hard season and to see most of the players letter and get awards was a great night.  Like everyone knows this was the first football team EVER at Crean Lutheran South High School.  Only good things are to come.
Once again we've had a busy busy week. Basketball games, team dinners, runs, and trying to enjoy some sleep.  Soon it will come to a slow down and we'll be missing early, early mornings... missing late nights... and our teams.
Well, I really am just rabbling on so... until next time... xoxo
GO SAINTS!!!

Basketball... Dances... Football...

January 31st, 2010
That is what our weekend has looked like.  We don't have too much to update on, but I did want to give a shout out to the CLS JV Girls Basketball team... This year we have 12 girls out for basketball... too many for 1 team, but not enough for 2 teams.  The head coach set up a few JV games so the girls don't get much playing time in the varsity games could get some experience and play time.  I have had the privilege to coach the JV team at the games.  Wednesday we played our second JV game and won!  So proud of the girls.  It is a true to joy watch them play... they have so much fun!
Friday night we had varsity games... They did not turn out the way we hoped, but both games were good to watch.  Saturday, Brett and I chaperoned the winter formal for school.  It was fun seeing all the students dressed up.  Today we have the football banquet.
One week from today I will be running my first half-marathon... and yesterday and today I have a sore throat.... pray for me!!  We ran 10 miles on Friday... my last big run before the "big" day and I felt fine... I just hope to get rid of this sickness.
Love from the West Coast.... XOXO
Here's a picture of my girls at the beginning of the season in Lake Arrowhead....

...Crafts...

January 27th, 2009


So as I promised when my computer was back up and running I would put pictures up of some things I'm made for Valentine's Day.  I hope you all enjoy!! Maybe next year I'll open a shop or take orders :)  just kidding... We have a busy busy weekend.... basketball.... high school dance... and football banquet... followed by a week of 3 games, but we enjoy it all.  xoxo

quick one...

January 25th, 2009


Just a quick note.... 
I really want to get pictures up of some other Valentine's Day crafts I've been working on, but my computer is sick...(working on getting it better so I can upload photos).  
But... the exciting news.... the Brett's basketball team won their first ever boys league game on Friday night 72-70.  It was such a fun game to watch... they played very well.  Everyone was ready for a league win and they did it!  Congrats!!!!!  So proud of all the boys and coaches!!
We survived the rain... although more is suppose to come Tuesday.  We had a very nice weekend... even got to run the boardwalk at Newport beach :)   
When I get my computer back up I will post pictures!!!  Love to all.... xoxo

Days off= Rain, Crafts, and Pasta

January 20th, 2010
Sorry I am so late on a blog and catching you all up with the happenings of us.  But I must admit our lives have been consumed with basketball lately.  Both of us have been busy with 2/3 games of league play a week... late nights and early mornings (practice) makes me just want to just relax on our days off.  This could mean falling asleep before 9pm :) .  
Today on the other hand I got a day off to relax.  I have been subbing like crazy, also.  But today was all about crafts, rain, and pasta.  I love decorations and decorating the house with different things for the holiday or season coming out... on of my favorite things to do :) .  One day I know I'll have tubs full just like my Aunt Lois.  I've also felt crafty lately so I decided to make a Valentine decoration today.  I must say... I LOVE the way it turned out. (see pictures below)  
While decorating is only one passion of mine the other is cooking.  So today I took the time to make some homemade noodles for dinner tomorrow night.  I can't wait!  (you can imagine by the pictures how good it will taste).
Since Sunday night here in "sunny" SoCal it has been raining...... YES... I am shocked too :) .  Ok not really, but it does put a damper on 1/2 marathon training and long walks with Bentley.  Today a "big" storm hit.... Tornado Warnings.... never would I ever imagine a tornado hitting in  CALIFORNIA, but today in Seal Beach, CA and tornado touched down.... While I sit here listing to the rain fall now I'm thankful for it, too, it's refreshing.  
Miss you all.... xoxo 

Yummy, Yummy, Yummy, tomorrow you will be in my tummy.  

My Valentine decoration... "xoxo"  

Thawed Out

January 11th, 2010
Hey everyone!  We (I) have finally thawed out from the Minnesota wedding with 70 plus temperatures all week.  While I loved seeing the snow and being cold for a little bit. I've realized how blessed I am right now to be able to not have to bundle up every time I got outside or being able to run outside in general.  
Brett and I are back into the grind of things.... I subbed EVERYDAY last week... and working my way to EVERYDAY this week.  I love it though, no complaints.  I love the school, the students, and the staff.  We had a BUSY week of basketball when we got home.  Two games and practices.... both games... well... ended not in our favor, but it's a learning experience.  Between all the craziness we were able to fit in two more basketball games.  My cousins, Jack and Ben, both had games on Saturday.  So fun!
This week we have two games also, Friday and Saturday night, but we have games to scout and I have a JV game to coach.  So another busy week/weekend.  Pretty much our story till the middle of February, but we love it!  
I "borrowed" most of these pictures from other people at the wedding, but thought you might enjoy another slideshow of our trip to MN.  Which we can't wait to go back to in the summer and going BOATING!!  ** Hint Hint Rudolph family :)  
Hope everyone else is back into the routine of normalcy after the holidays! Miss you all...XOXO

Minnesota...

January 6th, 2010
Happy New Year!! It's hard to believe it's 2010... it seem so surreal to me as I can still remember ringing in 2000, 10 years ago.  
School and basketball are both back in full swing... Both teams had their first league game and home game last night.  Boy and girls did not fair well... although, they played well... neither team could pull out a win.  Thinking I would get a few days off from subbing this week, being the first week back after break... I was wrong... I've subbed everyday so far! (So, still need to catch up on unpacking and things).
Over Christmas break Brett and I got to take a vacation to the Arctic (or so that's where I thought we were).  But we really were only in Minnesota.  We went up to Minnesota from Brett's brother, Karl, wedding.  We were able to spend 4 days up there bumming around with family and enjoying the winter.  
With temperatures barely reaching 10 degrees I was in for a shock.  I had never been somewhere so cold.  Despite the extremely cold weather we enjoyed Mall of America, Ice Fishing, Family, and Ice Skating (outside).  
It was so great to see a lot of Brett's family.  It's so big.  I love it.  So many cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.  never a dull moment that's for sure.  
We are so happy for Karl and Sarah!! (the whole reason we went to MN... the Wedding!)  The wedding was beautiful and a wonderful time (and cold).  
We hope the  all of you have a blessed New Year.  Enjoy these pictures from MN.  (I don't have any from the wedding on my camera :( )  oops..
xoxo

Christmas 2009

December 27th, 2009
Some pictures from last week.  My mom came to visit for Christmas and we had a blast.  I will update more later, but we are soon heading to MN for Karl (Brett's brother) and Sarah's wedding! We hope everyone had a BLESSED Christmas! xoxo

Last day of school 2009

December 18th, 2009

So, I've been subbing this whole past week at Crean, because a teacher just recently got married.   I have also had 3 basketball games this week.  I am READY for a 2 week break!! I don't really have any exciting news I just felt like blogging.
The girls have been in a basketball tournament this week.  They went 1-2 and will play for 5th place on Saturday.  The boys start a tournament today and play through Tuesday.
My mom comes on Tuesday and I'm so excited.... I'm so excited to spend Christmas in CA.  Here is a picture from the tournament the boys won last weekend!!

A short update

December 15th, 2009


A short update on the past week basketball events.... since that's about all we do these days :). Both the boys team and girls team competed in a tournament this past week.  I mentioned the boys were playing for the Championship and the girls were playing for the constaltion championship.  
The boys pulled out a huge Win over Liberty Christian to win the schools first ever Championship in anything!!! It was a great game to watch they blew the other team out of the water!  The girls also won!! They played a tough battle.  The other team had girls much bigger than us, but we pulled out with the win!
We are very proud of our teams!!  Today the girls start another tournament and on Friday the boys start one!  
I'll keep you updated!!!   xoxo

Tis' the Season

December 11th, 2009
Even though I just posted pictures of "fall" and it doesn't exactly feel like Christmas in 60* weather I'm still proud of our tree.  :)  (Pictures posted below).  
We have been extremely busy lately, I feel like Brett and I barely see each other.  We've both been busy with basketball games and tournaments.  A little update on our seasons:  my girls team is 2-2 (should be 3-1), but we had an ugly game.  Besides the "ugly" game the girls have been doing great! I have a blast with the girls and they are so fun and easy to coach.  They are a great group!  We are playing in tournament this week, which we are 1-1 playing for 5th place tomorrow and are in another tournament that starts next week.  
The boys team has also been doing REALLY well. They had a rough first lost, but since then they've been going strong.  Brett finally got his first win as a coach at CLS.  Actually he has a few now :).  They are playing in the same tournament as us this week and are playing in the CHAMPIONSHIP game tomorrow night! Super happy and excited for him and the team! 
As for our life out in SoCal... It's busy :)  and we've been loving every minute of it.  We will be staying out here for Christmas and starting our own traditions... picnic on the beach Christmas day, etc. :)  My mom is also coming out and SO excited she is! We hope all is well with everyone! Try to stay warm!! XOXO
 Our first REAL Christmas Tree :) So Charlie Brown and I LOVE it!!!!!!!!!

We have Fall too..

December 2nd, 2009


It just comes in December :)   Yesterday, after school Brett and I came home took Bentley on a walk and enjoyed the "Fall Weather" SoCal had to offer. Enjoy!

Turkey Trot on Turkey Day... Brett's Birthday

November 29th, 2009


Happy (late) Thanksgiving!! We hope you all were able to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with yummy food, friends, and family.  This year was different for us our first time not "going home" for a holiday, but we are so blessed to have family right here in Sunny SoCal :)
My Thanksgiving started off with a 6.4 mile run.... I accomplished my first 10K!! I was amazed by how many people there were running the 10K (it was sold out).  My number one cheerleader did a great a job... I love you, Brett.  We were blessed to be able to spend Thanksgiving with my Aunt, Uncle, and Clan of Cousins with all the Thanksgiving norms.

  SO many people...  

About the mile 5... still going strong

 I'm DONE!  

My #1 Cheerleader!!

Today, November 29th, Brett has officially entered the world of 24!
  I LOVE YOU!!

We have our first basketball games this week.... Go Saints! Until next time.... xoxo

A Week or more in review...

November 26th, 2009


Since basketball has started Brett and I have both been extremely busy!  We have practice every morning at 6:15 a.m.  I have also been subbing a lot.... pretty much 3 or 4 times a week... mostly at Brett's school. I have really enjoyed this opportunity to coach and be able to see the girls at school on a regular basis.  
I had a wonderful birthday and was blessed to have been able to spend it with my two little cousins.  My cousins, Amy and Gregg, went out of town for a few days so Brett and I played "house" with Ben and Jack.  I think we had a little bit too much fun! (See pictures below).  
A recap of our few days with the boys... My birthday was a blast... We each made individual pizzas.... Followed by Swirls (of course, a frozen yogurt shop) Ben had his last soccer game of the season... He scored TWO goals!! Way to go Ben! We were also lucky enough for my Aunt and Uncle to take the birthday trio (Jack, Brett and myself) to Medival Times... We had so much fun! 
After our few days with the boys we were able to enjoy a few days in Palm Desert.  We had the Pacific Southwest Lutheran Educator Conference.  It was a GREAT time... We got to know some of the other staff better and were able to relax in a beautiful resort.  
Enjoy the pictures!
 The Pizza in the makings....














 Jack's Pizza Pineapple and Cheese.

Ben's Pizza cheese and Canadian Bacon!

Waiting for Medival Times!

Awesome Job Ben!!

Yes we are this cool!

Group shot!

 The BEAUTIFUL Palm Desert!