camping...sort of

This past weekend we were going to go camping. We try to go at least once a year and we haven't been this year. I didn't get to go last year, I was very pregnant, so this was going to be our first time this year. But, the weather man told us it was going to rain, and I don't do camping in the rain. I have memories of going camping when I was a kid and it wasn't if it would rain, it was when it would rain. We would pack up camp and then come home and unpack in the front yard so everything could dry off.

We were all pretty bummed about not being able to go this weekend, so we tried to come up with some fun "camp-like" things to do. We had a "camp" dinner, hot dogs, burgers and corn. We made smores. And some how the idea got thrown around to sleep outside. To me that is just crazy. Why would I sleep outside when I can almost see my bed?

But Steve has memories of sleeping outside as a kid. So guess who got volunteered to camp out with the kids? They had a blast. They looked at stars, there were a few that peaked out from the clouds. They even got bit by mosquitoes. These are the things that our kids will remember.

Summer fun

What's a summer without a slip and slide? Well, thanks to Ellyn's cousin she won't have to find out.

something new...

the running joke in our marriage is that we are always learning something new about each other, and when we do we say, "that is our one new thing for the month", like...my husband loves butterfinger candy bars (i knew that) but i didn't know that he hates peanut butter (?). so that was my one new thing i learned about him.

just last night he asked me to rub his feet, i have issues with his feet. i don't like to be in the same room with them. so he knows i will not rub them, but he still asks. and i was kind of rubbing them with my feet and i found out that he is ticklish on his feet. who knew? after almost 13 years of marriage you would think we knew it all.

Who me?

I am Kelsey Anne.

I am a happy baby.

I would never cry or get upset.

I never bury my face in the carpet and cry when mom puts me down.

I never throw a fit when someone takes away a toy that is not for me, like a screwdriver.

With a face like this I always get my way...

right?

(just don't ask mom, she is a little grumpy, i like to wake up at 5am.)

friends, food, fireworks and flour?

This weekend we had a very traditional BBQ. Our house was full of good friends, great food and a very traditional Snyder/Cannon game (if i were a truly good blogger i would know the history of the game and have a great story to tell right about now, but i don't. but i do have some great pictures of the game.)

The Flour Game

1. Firmly pack a mug full of flour

2. Turn mug over onto a plate and gently tap to release flour

3. Place small coin on the top of the flour

4. Each person uses a butter knife to cut away flour without causing the flour to tip and coin to fall

5. If coin falls on your turn, you lose and must pick up the coin with your mouth

6. Everyone laughs and we get great pictures

Be careful Kim, it is starting to tip!

Getting close to the end!

Looks like I lost! Flour doesn't taste too good.

Good job Genia.

Careful Torri,

Hey Andy was that a fun game?

Courtney, I think you got a little something, right there.....

And if you are lucky enough, like our dear friend Matt, you will have your face shoved into the plate of flour by your partner and "loved one".

summer camp

This year both kids went to summer camp. Our church is just one of many who participate in Grace Haven Camp. Andy went to Teen camp and Ellyn went to Jr. Camp. They both had fun and are ready for next year.

I have so many great memories of summer camp, Camp Ponderosa! Now how can I remember the name of the camp I went to when I was 7, but I can't remember where I put my phone?

Oh no! A coupon lady!

As a couponing family (yes family, not just mom!) we are always working to get a great deal. I have to say that this adventure could not be done with out my wonderful husband. He is always on the look out for a deal, a coupon or free item. Take the Jif to-go box. One day in the mail there was this coupon for a free box of take along peanut butter. Steve had seen the deal on a blog, friended Jif on Facebook and got us a great coupon. I took the coupon to Wal-Mart and there you go, free peanut butter. On almost a daily bases he prints me a number of coupons and tells me of the deal of the day. He calls me on Tuesday morning when I am at Wal-Mart doing the double coupon thing to see how it is going. There has been so much said about couponing since that coupon show (if you ask I will tell you how I feel about that show, but that is a later post), we are not an extreme coupon family. We love to get things for free, but there is no need to get 115 bottle of mustard! I get items we will use, in a timely manner. I get things we will need or already use. I have cut our grocery budget in half. So, for the Snyder family couponing does work. And it is work, but it only has to be as much as you want it to be. You can't live your day as if this is the last sale! Or this is the last coupon! Cereal will be on sale again, probably in the next 3 months. And the coupon that just expired, well, most likely there will be the exact same one in Sunday's paper.