Thank you, Shutterfly!!

Those who know me, know that I love a good promotion and/or coupon. I just ordered my Christmas cards from Shutterfly with three different promotions .. see below for my savings!

Original price: $160.66

I used the following promotions:

• 50 free cards because of my shutterfly blog post
• Free Shipping (use SHIP25) 
• All cards are 30% off for the next few days 

That said I only spent $32.97, which means I saved $127.69. Use shutterfly now to order your Christmas cards!! Who doesn't like a good deal and one more thing crossed off the Chirstmas to-do list before the end of November. Thank you, shutterfly, for your quality products and good deals this season! 

It's (Almost) That Time of Year Again!

I'm really quite unsure how this year has managed to fly by, but it is quickly drawing to a close!! People who know me well, know that I think of small, small details way in advance. One of those details was our 2010 Christmas card prior to Tyler's departure in July of this year. Yes, I spent the last week of his time at home, asking for a family photo for our Christmas card. Some call me organized, others call me crazy, but it's how I roll. We managed (I think) to get a decent photo, and I am excited to send out our third, wow .. third(!), Christmas card in a few weeks.

Thank goodness I held off on ordering because Shutterfly is having an amazing deal for those who want to promote their good work. I've looked through their collection, and they have something for everyone this year! If you are a blogger you can promote their new cards on your blog and receive 50 free cards .. what a smoking deal! I love a good deal, a good coupon, and a good Christmas card ... why not combine all three?

For my blogging friends, click here to sign up for this great deal! If you want to tell your friends about this great deal, you can share on Twitter or Facebook the following message: Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly at this link .

Dig in and find something wonderful to share holiday cheer this year! Have fun, and thanks Shutterfly!

A Bit Dirty!

Don't get me wrong, Alaska is a very beautiful place, but things are a bit dirty right now. We have had the most bizarre winter thus far, it snows then melts, then freezes at night and repeats. This rather unusual pattern makes for wet, slushy roads during the day ... which leads to a very, very dirty car!! I have contemplated washing the car, had every intention of doing it yesterday and then today, but thank goodness I didn't because it rained both days and created a bigger mess.

This blog is to show the wonderful, beautiful things around me, but today I had to show you a bit of a mess.


My car: 

Bella's Birthday!

Bella turned two last week!! She has had a pretty sweet life thus far, and this week most certainly was nothing less than fabulous. On Monday night her best friend, Boone, came over for an extended sleepover while his Mommy was in the hospital having her first baby, Congrats, J&A! Boone and Bella have the most wonderful time together, and it worked out for me that they tire each other out and sleep well!! We took several walks this week, and I even just let them run outside of our small fence at night when it was too dark to walk. On Wednesday morning, Bella's actual birthday, they were given raw eggs (one a piece) as a special treat. Raw eggs are supposed to help dogs' coats ... Bella loves them!! 

Tyler and Bella, the day we got her.

  
Bella and me at home in Missouri.

Bella and Boone on her birthday. Don't judge my nose-printed door; it is nearly impossible to keep it clean with two pups around.

The Snow is Finally Flying!

We have had small snow showers recently, but the temperatures have been above freezing throughout the day, so the snow melts. Unfortunately, this creates a slippery situation because the melted slush refreezes at night. Today, after a brief morning snow, meltage and rain, and now a more significant snow shower, I believe the snow is here to stay. Throughout the day we have had various forms of precipitation, but I think temperatures have cooled off just enough to make snow and now it is here and sticking!!  

This morning before leaving for a meeting at 9:30. You cannot really see the snow, but you can see how little light we have.

The snow is flying!

Snow, snow, snow! The pictures aren't the best, but you can see the snow!

Neighborhood Pet

My neighborhood has had lots of activity the past few weeks. Yes, children are playing, families are getting in "just one more" bike ride or walk before the big snow falls, but we have some pretty big visitors this fall. MOOSE are everywhere! We have a Mom and baby, a young male and an older male that routinely peruse the neighborhood. They are out during the day, late at night, all the time. I have LOVED seeing these big creatures so much this fall, but they are beginning to get a little too comfortable with their surroundings.

Exhibit A: I was pulling out of my garage and heading out of the neighborhood when this guy was literally IN THE NEIGHBOR'S fence. I saw him jump the fence. Everyone says that moose can jump and that they can swim, but until you see it for yourself, you'd never guess it.

This family had left their gate open, so the moose walked right in.

Here he is again, moving on to finer things. 

And one last picture that really shows off his rack. He was huge!! What a fun Monday surprise!

Happy Halloween!

This weekend was full of Halloween fun. I came to terms with the fact that dressing up in college was much more fun, probably because it is much more fun to get ready as a group and help each other with costumes along the way. I also wrestled with the idea of being Christian and celebrating Halloween. There were many facebook posts to the extent of, "It's hard to have convictions and have to lay them aside" or "For a family who doesn't observe Halloween, I sure am ready for it to be over." I see Halloween as a day to dress up, be silly and give kids candy. I do not think it is a day that Christians have to set aside their beliefs or values in order to participate. Although dressing up has become one of my not-so-favorite things to do, I think that for many it is still fun.

Trunk-or-Treat at church.

  
The three girl youth leaders.

  
Our youth leader with a saw to carve a 106-lb pumpkin.

  
The 106-lb pumpkin that was carved.