Sara E. Photography

What works for you Wednesday?

2010-01-06T10:29:00.000-08:00

Saw this on a blog I follow and had to post about it:

Every Wednesday come join us in our "What works for you Wednesdays!?!"!!! I will highlight a topic to discuss, you blog about it, and come back and link up! Please be sure to add the logo and hyperlink it to Home Grown Families! I am looking forward to learning more about the blogging families out there!

This weeks topic: Cloth Diapers!!!

Do you use cloth 24:7?
Nope. We use disposables at night, but once those are out I won't be buying any more.

Do you use disposable wipes or cloth wipes? If cloth, what is your solution recipe?
Both, disposable when we are out and cloth at home. We just wet them with water as needed.

Do you scrap or spray?
Nothing right now. Breastfed baby poop comes out easily in the wash so there is no need to dunk or spray or scrape. I am not looking forward to that haha.

What is your wash routine?
I think I finally found what works for us and keeps the stinkies away.
First I do a cold rinse. Then its a HOT wash with a scoop of my homemade detergent and a half scoop of oxy clean. Then another warm or hot wash with no soap. No stinkies! yay!

What style of diapers do you like best?
Pockets! We own a large variety of diapers. But most of them are pocket diapers from fuzzi bunz and bum genius, to wahm made and rocky mountain.

What made you choose cloth diapers?
Hmm, I think the cost has helped a lot. I bought most of ours used so that helped. I won't have to spend money on disposables. And I can resell them when I am done. And I like to know I am helping keep those diapers out of the land fills. Our trash isn't nearly as full as it would be if we used disposables all of the time.

Cute pictures of Clothed bums?
Hmmm I don't seem to have one on hand. Will have to work on that! ;)

Donate!

2009-12-04T14:31:00.000-08:00

Check out this blog. I love reading it.

Now...

Donate! NOW! :) please...

Great giveaway!

2009-10-19T06:08:00.000-07:00

On this blog, they are having a giveaway! Go check it out!

Fun with the kids!

2009-10-16T08:29:00.000-07:00

Look what the kids and I made! It was a little hard for them so I suggest this craft for kids ages 5 and up. You just need glass jars (I used canning jars), tissue paper or crepe paper, black construction paper and mod podge glue. We put Christmas lights in them but you could use the little tea lights that are battery operated. SO much fun!

Sausage Rolls, YUM!!

2009-10-01T15:37:00.000-07:00

Tonight I made sausage rolls. I really made them to freeze for breakfasts, but we ended up eating some of them for dinner. I mean, how could you not want to eat them fresh and hot out of the oven?

All it takes is 3 things. Sliced cheese, sausage, and giant crescent rolls.
Here you see the sausage I used.

Cut the sausage length-wise, then cut them the length you want. Depending on how much you want in the roll itself. Unroll one of the rolls.

Place a piece of sausage on the wide end and then place half a piece of cheese on top.

Start rolling...

Roll all the way up and then fold over the tail. I started to fold the tail in first though. Just made it easier.
Pinch all the open ends closed.

Lay on a baking sheet.

Cook as directed on the crescent roll container.VIOLA! Yummy sausage rolls.

So good, and all my kids liked them, even super picky S.

Perfect use for old containers.

2009-09-25T14:07:00.000-07:00

So I always keep the containers from cottage cheese, sour cream or any other like container. We go through them fast tho.

One great use is for popcorn! The kids love having their own bowls. YUM!
(H isn't pictured because she just had a regular old bowl this time.)

Getting so big!

2009-09-25T13:31:00.000-07:00

My baby is getting soooo big.
The other day I had to put away all her little 0-3 months clothing and pull out the 3-6 months clothing. And sadly it all fits her sooo well. She is a chunker. I weighed her last week and she was up to 13 lbs at 6 weeks. So I am going to weigh her again this weekend and see how much she weighs. She is 7 weeks old today. Time is going by way to fast. It's sad really. Yet exciting to know within the next year she will be learning so much. So many emotions.

Here she is! Smiles and all! (btw she has been smiling since she was 5 days old!) And now she is starting to coo and talk to us. SO cute!

Kids say some funny things.

2009-09-19T17:24:00.000-07:00

S: "I want to kiss the zebra when we go to the zoo!"

Today we had the brilliant idea to go to the Zoo. It was dollar day so we figured it would be a good plan. We hadn't been since S was a baby.

So the day started out cloudy and somewhat cool. But the weather lady said it would be just mostly cloudy with a high of 78. Great! Shorts and t-shirts for the kiddos! I packed a picnic lunch so we don't have to spend any money out. We get the clan all ready and head out.

On our way (it takes about 45 minutes to get there) it starts to rain. Just great. We pray that it just blows pass. It stops raining before we get there. Awesome. Or so we thought. There are a ton of people there. No biggie. We park in the grass and head up to the zoo to meet out great friends there.

While we wait I nurse E. Then it starts to sprinkle, and it's so cool out I just know the kids will be too cold in their shorts. I knew I should have packed the jackets and put pants on them. So our friends get there. Then it starts to rain harder. Hubby buys some ponchos at the gift shop. I carry E in a front carrier and throw a poncho over both of us.

We see the flamingos, still raining.
About 20 minutes goes buy and its still raining. Everyone ends up in a poncho, even H. Then it starts to pour! Little E was sound asleep in the carrier (minus one sock that fell off somewhere, never to be found again).

So we rush through the park. No picnic for us today haha. No train ride.

I don't think weather people really know what they are talking about!

My friend offers to let us have a picnic at her house, so we all pack up (after seeing all we could see) and head over there. Still raining.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips, and cookies for lunch. Then all the kids head upstairs to play.

So it wasn't a horrible day. I think the kiddos still had fun. We were just wet and sticky.

Note to self: Always over-pack. Bring it even if you think you won't use it, cause you never know. And never trust the weather people!

(oh and it's still raining and has rained non-stop!) Maybe next year!

The only picture I got today. Before the rain.

Dirty DVD's

2009-09-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

Hannah: Mom the Lady and the Tramp dvd won't play.
Me: Here let me see......

Well could it be from all th fingerprints and sticky goo on the back?
Nothing a little spit and t-shirt can't fix.

Hannah: Did ya get it clean?
Me: Yes Hannah, there ya go.

And all is well.

Cloth diapering!

2009-06-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

I just got back into cloth diapering O and plan on doing it with the new baby E. I really want to try the Gro Baby diapers! they are super cute! http://www.thenaturalbabyco.com/grobaby%E2...2-ic-11_16.html

2008-11-28T08:27:00.000-08:00

Here are some more recent photos of my family.

I love this one. I might have to get it printed BIG!

Sophia was a ragdoll for Halloween.

Hannah was a cowgirl.

Olivia was a pumpkin.

Olivia at family camp.

Sorry!

2008-11-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

It had been forever since I updated my blog and I am so sorry! I have just been lazy! So here are some recent pictures!

Here is my friend and her family. They were so kind as to let me practice on them. We had a blast.

2008-10-21T10:38:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Florida was amazing. I just wish I took more pictures! The kids were so good and Hannah can almost swim all by herself. It was wonderful seeing our family down there. My nieces and nephew are getting so big and we miss them so much.

Here are a few pictures

.

Da tutu...

2008-07-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

This is the new tutu I made! Aint it cute?!

"H"

"O"

"S"

"O"

"S"

My sister, A

2008-07-15T14:15:00.000-07:00

This is my youngest sister. "A". I had a blast taking her pictures and I think she did as well. Hopefully someday I can get pictures of my other 4 sisters.

Miss K

2008-07-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

I must say it was a lot more fun to shoot someone who didn't run from me. Haha. Thank you K for letting me take your pictures!!

Big O' Sunglasses

2008-07-06T11:53:00.000-07:00

I just love this picture!!!!!

Fourth O' July

2008-07-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July everyone!! I hope you had a great day celebrating our independence! I know we did! I just had to try and shoot some fireworks and sparklers. Bobby was less then thrilled but he did it for me. lol. Love you dear!

Sophie wanted me to take her picture, but then she did this.

Hannah at her cousins birthday party. She usually runs from the camera so this is the best I could get.

My niece "reading".

Bobby's heart. This is the last one he did and the best as well.

One of the fireworks my neighbor shot off. I will post more later from the big display.

My dad had a go at the sparklers.

Little "G"

2008-07-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

Little "G" was so much fun to shoot! He was a ball of energy and it was hard to keep up! But I had a blast! Here they are!!

He had fun running away!

A big teacup!!

2008-06-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been so long since I posted more pictures! My mom got this giant teacup for me, its actually a flower pot. I love it! Enjoy!

T, J and R

2008-06-11T14:45:00.000-07:00

I took photos of my niece and nephews today. Got some good ones. Here ya go....

Downtown

2008-06-09T15:15:00.000-07:00

Well if you can call it a downtown lol. Took "H" for a mini photo shoot and here are a couple that I liked.

Also here is another one of the series I did the other day with "L".

*Just a shout out to Heather..Thanks for helping me with the resizing!! :)

Testing

2008-06-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

Testing something out..... the picture quality doesnt seem to be very good when I resize so this is just a test....

My new lens!

2008-06-07T12:17:00.000-07:00

Yay! I got a new lens! I did a little practice shoot today and got a few good shots! Elle turned 9 months old today so got her pictures done for that.

Last night we (my mom and I) went and got a bunch of stuff for props and a new backdrop....as always ENJOY!

S's hair...

2008-06-03T11:29:00.000-07:00

Before:
I cut it off! She is a sweaty little kid and her hair would never stay up for very long, being a kid and all. So I got the scissors out. Cut about 4 inches off and saved some for the baby book.

After: look at the pile of hair. I threw it away and she went and dug it out again lol.

New camera..

2008-06-02T15:22:00.000-07:00

So I got a new camera! YAY! Here are a few I took of my youngest, she will be 9 months old soon.
I hope to start taking pictures for other people though...I need to get better at it first. I get to practice on these cute kids. ;)
Enjoy!

She is getting so BIG!

2008-05-12T15:27:00.001-07:00

MY baby is now 8 months old! I still can't believe it... Here are her 8 month pictures. Took them today! Enjoy!

Bread

2008-05-11T10:43:00.000-07:00

Fresh bread.... It the first time making homemade bread. I thought it would be hard, but really it was quite easy. And it has to be healthier! I will be making it from now on though. The kids gobbled it up!

My first coupon savings.

2008-05-07T14:23:00.000-07:00

Okay first off, Walgreens was running a pretty good deal this week. Buy 9 P&G products and get (2) $10 Register Rewards. They are just like money. So here is my rundown for my first time ever.

#1 Transaction

All of these are covergirl makeup. Something I would have bought anyways. My mom took the blush though because I don't normally use any.

Cheekers (blush) 3.99
Mascara 4.99
Loose Powder 7.99
Concealer 4.59
Nail polish 3.99
Eyeliner 4.49

MFG Coupon 2.50
MFG Coupon 2.50
MFG Coupon 1.00
MFG Coupon for Cheekers Buy3 get free cheekers 3.99
Covergirl buy one get one %50 off. -2.50
-2.25
-2.00
Subtotal 13.30
Tax .91
Total 14.21

Walgreens Savings 6.75
MFG coupon savings 9.99
Total Savings 16.74
And I got (2) $10 Register Rewards. Pretty darn good. :)

#2 Transaction
Crest toothpaste X 4 = 10.00
Secret Deodorant X 2 = 2.79
2.79
Cascade Gel X 3 7.50

MFG Coupon .50
.50
1.00
.50
1.00
.50
.25
.25
Subtotal 18.58
Tax 1.27
Total 19.85
Plus I got (2) $10 REgister Rewards

Transaction #3

Another Covergirl deal
Total 12.07

Walgreens Savings 6.25
MFG coupon savings 7.49
Total Savings 13.74

Plus got (2) $10 Register Rewards

I used one of the rewards last night for diapers.
Plan on using one on Friday for another deal. Buy the venus razor at 9.99 Have 4.00 couponand get $6 register rewards. Plan on doing this with 2 oreo cookies at 2.50 a piece and getting 3 register rewards for that. So I will spend 10 in rewards but getting back 6 and having the razor and cookies.
I also will be getting some wipes to make up another deal. Oh what fun. Haha.

New compost!

2008-05-05T07:31:00.000-07:00

Well DH finally got my composter together. He basically just built a frame and then attached chicken wire to it. He also put chicken wire on top of the bottom of the frame for air circulation. I already put some scraps and grass clippings in it. Cant wait to see what it ends up doing!

I also got most of my veggies planted. I just have to go buy some broccoli, zucchini and sweet potato seeds. Oh and my Watermelon has started to sprout! So exciting! Will take pictures and post them later!

On another note: I am into couponing now lol. Today will hopefully (if mom decides to go with) be my first trip to get some great deals! We need diapers so I am hoping to get some for little or no money. I will post later on what I bought and how much I spend etc.

For now...
Sara

Photoshoot.

2008-04-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

Today I did a little photo shoot with the girls. I got quite a few shots. So I picked out my favorites to share with you all. Their grandma bought the dress. Sooo cute! Enjoy!

Coupons!

2008-04-28T18:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Family and Friends, I need your coupons!
Yes I am becoming one of those crazy coupon people. Hehe It should be interesting. But I need your help. If you just happen to pickup a weekend newspaper of any kind, save those coupons for me! You can mail them to me or just give them to me when we see each other next. I would really really appreciate it.

On another note. Tonight it is going to freeze so I had to cover up my plants. I still havent been able to plant anymore. The dirt remains in the back of the truck. Maybe while Liv is sleeping tomorrow I can get out there and get busy. Its hard to work outside with 3 little girls. Ah well it will get done eventually. I hope the dogs dont decide that my garden is their bed tonight. *sigh*

God provides

2008-04-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

God is so good. Of course, I have always known this. But sometimes its clearer then other times. Just this week we were short on "extra money". We had enough but not the extra we needed to finish my garden. So we were going to wait until we had the "extra". The Lord knows all of your needs though!

So yesterday we went to my moms house and to pickup a load of dirt at the nearby excavating place. They have dirt there that is only $15.00 a load. Alot better then paying $40 some odd dollars for top soil at Wally World. So we get there and hubby goes to get the dirt while I stay at my moms. Well come to find out my mom has stuff there for my compost and for my tomatoes to grow on! Thanks Mom and Mary!!! We were just going to have our compost on the ground but now it will have a nice chicken wire surround. Woohoo! So we load everything up and head home. When we get here we find a bunch of wood that the previous owner left from the fence. So hubby built me 2 more raised gardens! I was sooo excited. I though we were just going to have to till the hard ground. But this will be soooo much better. So this week I will get to plant the rest of my seeds and will be on my way to fresh fruits and veggies. The Lord knows all of our needs and we just need to be patient and pray. He has always provided for this family and we are just so blessed to have him in our lives.
More pictures will be posted sometime this week after I plant my other gardens.

Mmm Broccoli

2008-04-24T16:22:00.000-07:00

So Livster had her first broccoli this evening. I steamed it and then cut the tops of to make pea sized trees. They were very tender. I thought maybe she would play with them, smash them, but never did I think she would eat much. Well she proved me wrong! She started picking them up right away and shoving them into her mouth! She kinda gagged on them a bit. But just kept shoving more in. She loved them! She is growing up way too fast.... *sniff*

Hmm what will it be next time??

Here she is loving her broccoli..

1st time

2008-04-24T09:22:00.000-07:00

Gardening...

This will be my first ever garden. So far I have planted my strawberries, Watermelon and Tomatoes. DH was funny and bought me 2 containers of tomato plants instead of 2 plants lol. But I went ahead and planted them all with the hopes of canning some. I also hope to freeze some berries for the winter months. I still have to plant zucchini, cantelope, bell peppers, cucumbers, and corn. Seems like there are more but I can't remember them at the moment.
But before I can plant more my DH has to make me another raised bed. Actually I am going to have him make me 2 more. I want to add sweet potatoes too.

The birds have already been trying to get into my strawberries. So I must find something that will keep them away. Obviously the dogs don't care.

Later this summer I hope to get a compost pile going and next year when we get gutters I hope to get a rainwater barrel. We have had sooo much rain this year that I am sure it would have filled 3 times already.

Hannah tried helping me plant my seeds but didn't want to get her hands dirty. Its kind hard to be a gardener and not get your hands dirty. Guess that is something she is just going to have to learn.

Here it is!

2008-04-24T08:12:00.000-07:00

After reading so many blogs I have finally decided to make my own. This will help my memory, it is getting awful! I have thought about starting one for a long time and just never did.

This blog will probably be filled with a little bit of everything. But mostly about my kids and my daily life. I am a SAHM and am often wanting to share what I have been doing and such. This will be a great outlet for me. Though I hope you enjoy it more then I do. To friends and family it will give you a little insight to what the girls are doing as well as pictures that I am sure to share.

So enjoy this little piece of my life and leave a comment or 2 every once in a while. :)

Living,
Sara