BARGAINS

The ultimate triumph............finding a bargain. I absolutely love getting a deal. Check out my new fleur-de-lis mirrors, there are two of them and not only are they lovely to look at...........they were only $7.50!!!!! They fit perfectly on either side of my bed and amazingly match the hardware on my new ceiling fan.

Would you like to know where I found this bargain? I found them at our local Swap Meet, it is the perfect place to find a bargain, save money and haggle with vendors. You never know what you will find!!! Last Sunday we walked out with socks for Finn, mirrors for me and an Air Gun for Todd. All under $25.00. My quest to you.....seek out your local Swap Meet!

MY FINN

Woe am I............Thursday my car broke down outside of Finn's school and seemed to be the prelude to the days following. Todd's work truck was broad-sided on Mission Avenue yesterday afternoon, he spent the evening in Urgent Care. As of this morning he was coping with headache's and a sore neck, but does have all his appendages...so I am thankful.

What happened to my "normal" life?

Will happier days reappear?

Before I begin to answer these questions, thoughts of Finn enter my mind and instantly I am filled with warmth & sunshine, despair vanishing before it takes root. I will not feel sorry for myself, I will be thankful for all that I have.

My Finn

Don't you feel happier after seeing this face?

BEAT THE HEAT

We have seriously tried to cut back on our Gas & Electric usage. Our latest bill shows we are down 60% from this time last year, so we have definitely made progress.

As we enter the last days of July, with August looming on the horizon, it is getting harder and harder not to flip the A/C switch to ON.

It is HOT

My ultra cool husband saved me from flipping the switch, he installed a ceiling fan in our master bedroom. I have always, and I mean always wanted a ceiling fan in our bedroom. I love sleeping piled under covers with a slight breeze from above. Todd, not such a fan...he thinks they visually lower the ceiling.

The above mentioned ceiling fan has been in a box, tucked away in our garage for some time. Monday evening my wish came true, my very own ceiling fan is a sight to behold. Don't you just love the bracket's, they are so me.

My Ceiling Fan

So once again, I put my husband up on a pedestal.....I wonder how long before he falls off?

Guess what?

Todd loves the ceiling fan!

Sweet Cool Summer Nights Ahead

BIRTHDAY #7 for July - Hawaiian Luau

Time to bring out the Hawaiian Shirts and Moo Moo's!!

Jennifer's 40th Surprise Party was Sunday evening. When did Jennifer have time to turn 40?!?!?!?!? Can it have only been 18 years ago when I first met her?

Does this mean I am older too? Good Grief!!

Surprise parties are a blast, just hard keeping it a secret and getting the birthday girl out of the house without being suspicious. Her husband took her to the movies...which she did think was a little odd being that it was during the middle of the afternoon on a Sunday and without the children. It went off without a hitch, she seemed truly surprised.

Aloha Ahiahi

Hawaiian Luau

Surprise Jennifer!!!

Amazing how sheds draw in the men,
looks like serious subject matter....will have to ask Todd.


Hula Dancer Gracie
(Jen's youngest child)

Jenny & Michael (Jen's Brother)

Hawaiian Party Girls

Morgan (Jen's daughter), Cassie, Mariah and Brooke

Mother & Daughter

My Finn

It was extremely hard keeping 15+ children out of the pool until after Jennifer arrived. Not one minute after her arrival and bodies were hitting the water.

Gustafson Lifeguards

Finn had such fun with all the girls,
he was the last one out at 8:15pm!!!


One, Two, Three....plug the nose,
JUMP


Make a Wish
Did you wish for a Hawaiian Vacation with a studly marine, minus 3 children?
Wishes Do Come True!!!


Jennifer & Bill

Tiff & Jen
Friends Forever


Christine (Jen's Mother) & Violet (Aunt)


Jennifer opening presents!!

Sisters
Christine & Cathy

GAME ON - Air Hockey
Memphis vs. Finn

Jennifer's mother planned and prepared most of this Luau. She had it all covered from invitations, table & chairs to decorations. She even made Portuguese Barbecue Pork Ribs & Chicken. You did an amazing job Chris. We had the best time, we had to drag Finn out as 11pm approached.

I was truly blessed the day I married Todd, because not only did I become a Gustafson, I became family with all the GRAYS!!!!!

TIGHTWAD TUESDAYS

Another Fabulous Find..........UltraStar Cinemas in Oceanside offers $5.50 movie tickets on Tuesday for any showing (excluding 3D). We went to see Transformers II and our total price for Todd, Finn and I was $16.50. Unbelievable, Krikorian is $11.50 for one adult ticket..........I am sold on UltraStar Tuesday! I must give credit to Angie, she is the one that introduced us to the Tuesday special.

So for any of you that don't want to break the bank taking the entire family to a Summer movie, head over to Ultra Star Cinema's.

You just might see us!

BIRTHDAY #6...Caitlin turns 3

Yes, we have hit birthday #6 for JULY..........it is Caitlin, Finn's Cousin. Like Heather and I, only 4 months apart. Her birthday party was held at PlayTime in El Cajon, the theme...........Yo Gabba. Not familiar with this show? You can check it out Nickelode0n.

Getting ready to sing "Happy Birthday" to Caitlin

Caitlin counting her candles from her Yo Gabba cake.

And yes Devon.............it was the same as Caley's birthday, Peanut Butter Cream filling. If you have never been to a Caley or Caitlin party, I will tell you the cake is a must!!!

Cailin and Friends

Present Time

How convenient, this photo shows her opening Finn's gift.

Caley,

Caitlin's older sister showing off presents.

Beautiful dress from Aunt Cherie

Amber, Baby Davis and Me

(Sweet Baby, only 6 weeks old)

Todd - Caleb - Uncle Ted - Lorenzo

Fab Finn

Thanks Patty and Caleb, we had a wonderful time!!!

Summer Reading Program

It's not too late to start your Summer Reading Program. Finn and I went to the library and signed up with the children's librarian. They are extremely helpful and even have a list of recommended reading for different age groups. I use it as a guide but also like to see what Finn will pick out. Depending on your library, some of the programs offer incentive's based on the number of books read. Free food coupons, free movie tickets....etc.

We left with three books and have read two so far. We have a special spot in the house where we sit and read, removed from television, toys and pool. Finn always reminds me if I forget!!!

(Finn reading a Step 1 book by himself, trying to start him early)

I challenge you all to a Summer Reading Program. Turn the TV off, silence your cell phone and take 15 minutes to read, whether it be the newspaper, Readers Digest or novel. I am currently reading "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.......what are you reading?

Birthday #5 for July

Happy Birthday Heather!!!

Heather

Mothers Day 2009

For those of you who haven't figured it out, Heather is my cousin. We are only 4 months apart, born in the same year. As children those 4 months were so important, especially if you were the oldest. This would be Heather! Her birthday came first, she learned to drive first, had the first boyfriend, it always seemed like she got to do everything first. She even got my dream car, the Volkswagen Thing, I'm still waiting for mine.

Heather has been a part of my entire life, always there for the most important moments. We got our very first toe rings together at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach, way before everyone else had them and long before Laguna Beach was known as a TV show on MTV.

When I was newly married, my husband was a a commercial pilot in Las Vegas for Scenic Airlines, he was gone a lot. Heather came down and stayed with me for a week. I will always remember the constant giggling, late night talks and smoking Sherman Jubilee's. TOTAL GIRL FUN!!!

I don't get to see Heather as often as I would like, but when I do it is like we picked right back up from our last visit. I also live with three males who think Heather is the best, they would be Todd, Finn and Samson!!!

Devon and Heather at my Baby Shower - 2006

Happy Birthday Heather Ann

from Todd, Tiffiney, Finn and Samson!!!

UNEXPECTED HOUSE GUEST

Late last night, Todd went outside to secure his truck and make sure all equipment was ready for Monday morning. He felt the sensation of being watched and instantly went on the alert. He slowly looked away from his truck and saw two glowing eyes. His first thought was COYOTE or RACCOON, but after careful inspection he realized it was a dog, more specifically a chocolate female lab. She came right up to him as if she knew him. He checked her collar for a tag and found her name was Sugar, he called the number on the tag with no luck. He left a message letting the owner know he had their dog.

I was oblivious to all that was going on outside, I was watching the tail end of Expedition Africa on the History Channel. Todd came in with a shadow, our unexpected house guest. She looked familiar, I was pretty sure she belonged to our neighbors friend who we had seen at the 4th of July Block Party.

We didn't hear back from the owners, so Todd set her up in the garage with bedding and food. I was surprised at the complacency shown by Samson, it took 45 minutes before our dopey dog even realized another dog was in his domain.

Sugar spent the night, Finn was thrilled to wake up to an unexpected house guest. He was more than happy to share his breakfast with her. Before heading off to work, we walked across to the neighbor to confirm my suspicions of Sugars origins. I was correct, within 15 minutes her owners arrived to take her home. As she drove away Finn turned to me and said "I love Sugar Mommy, will she come back tomorrow?"

2nd Annual 4th of July Block Party

Honestly, do any three colors look better together than, RED, WHITE and BLUE? I love the 4th of July. This is the second year our neighborhood hosted a 4th of July Block Party, living on a cul-de-sac makes it perfect. The surrounding streets are also invited, more the merrier is our motto. We have a neighborhood garage sale weeks before to help raise money for live music, a jumpy, portapotty, beverages, etc.

Let the Festivities Begin

Neighborhood Children, Finn loved them hanging out at his house. Our house became very popular when Todd started handing out Otter Pops, seriously, a line formed.

Our Musician

(He was awesome, played non-stop from 4pm to 8pm)

One of our 4th of July Tables

Camille & Louis dancing to Jack Johnson song

Violet - Kirra - Angie
(Love the Red Shoes)



Clint & Todd
(Friends from the old days in Leucadia, coincidentally became neighbors)


Kirra & Angie
Watch out Angie, Kirra has a slam ball


Devon - Angie

A few times during the day Finn and cousins would head to the backyard to swim for a little bit and then head back out to the party.

Watch out for the Mallard Kirra!
(Not real, Todd's hunting decoy....please don't ask me why it is in the pool)


Tiago sporting his 4th of July Colors
RED, WHITE & BLUE

We were sitting at our other table, a picnic table that belonged to my parents when they were first married. It was painted shiny black then and was used as their Dining Room Table. (Sound familiar Max & Mia?)

Food Tables (Our house was central to all)

As the sun set, out came the limbo pole. How low can you go? Finn loved it, although he always went through with taller people, Big Help!

Kayla - Finn

Kirra was incredible, oh to be so limber!

For all you attendees of George Washington High School in Guam, the lady in the checkered skirt graduated from there, small world Dad and Aunt Scotty. You would love her!!

Todd and Scott, relaxing after a gruelling game of ping pong,

and to think I get to go home with the victor.

On the way to the lagoon to see the Fireworks from Legoland. We normally walk to the beach, but this year due to economic woes, many cities cut out their firework shows.

This picture is the ultimate 4th of July photo of Angie and Kirra!!!

It's not a party until Baby Chloe arrives.........she made a late appearance. As you can see, she always draws a crowd. I was so happy they stopped by!

This last photo taken about 12:30am, poor Forest....looks like most of the food is gone. We had a wonderful 4th of July, full of music, fireworks, food, friends and family!!!