Our Lesson in Saving

We've been working on teaching our children that if they want something, they have to save for it. Frequently they will want something and ask us to buy it for them and they will pay us back when they earn the money, but they never do, so we've changed our strategy. From now on, they have to have the money, there is no credit in our house anymore! We've decided this is a good lesson to learn in life anyway, so we're sticking with it.

Celeste has been, on occasion, earning her allowance to save up to buy a purse. She ended up finding a less expensive purse that she liked and then had money left over to buy a Barbie Car. She really wanted the Jeep, but once we got to the store, she found out it was twice as much as the car. She then had a choice to make, does she save more for the Jeep or does she buy the car now? She chose to buy the car and was so proud of herself. Over the years we have purchased so many toys for her and she hardly ever takes care of them, unless they are toys she really loves. You would not believe how well she takes care of this car. She loves it! Her brother has now taken off the stickers, so we are going to have to decal the car, but you would think this car was real with how much she loves it. We had to take pictures and blog it because she is just so proud that she was able to pay for it all by herself with her own money.

Do you have any secrets about teaching your kids about money?

Grim and Kyle's 5K

A few weeks ago Kyle and Grim signed up for a 5K doggie run. We were a little nervous about it because Grim has only run with Kyle a few times, so we didn't know how it would go, but Grim just keeps going when Kyle is with him, so they did an amazing job. Kyle was able to shave a couple minutes off his 5K time this time around and we were so proud of him. The bonus, there was a park for the kids to play for the 29 minutes that it took Kyle to run the 5K!

Camping

Last weekend we went camping again. Spencer and Erin suggested that we invite Cavan, Sarah, Casey and Roy'l so the kids would have more kids to play with. We decided to try out McIver State Park. It's not too far away and it is a huge park. We took bikes to ride and we went on a hike and played in the water. The kids seemed to have a good time and played hard everyday. The weather was perfect for camping as well, so the whole weekend turned out to be perfect. Thank you all for coming with us and enjoying the beautiful outdoors that we are blessed with in Oregon!

4th of July

For the last few years we have been going to Corbett for the 4th of July and this year was no different! We had dinner at my parents house and then headed up to Corbett for an old fashioned candy throwing parade. The kids love going up. We don't ever have to take treats with us for the day because they have so much candy we end up having to throw some away when they won't eat it any more!

We were able to get a few pictures, but I didn't really take any that were of worth, other than for our family. We did have the opportunity to hang out with our friends though, which I really enjoyed! Thank you Amanda and Bryan for deciding to bring your kids for the day and hang out with us!

We love this time of year, when the family can be together and enjoy each other! Happy Independance Day to all!!

Eddie is learning to ride his bike without training wheels. We got a few pictures of him without the training wheels, but because he still has a hard time getting on his bike and stopping, he has the training wheels back on, just bent up so he doesn't use them while he's riding. We've had a few close calls with him not being able to stop, so we'll probably keep them on for a little while longer!

July is turning out to be just as busy as June was, but summer isn't any fun if you aren't busy, right!?!

The Month of June has come and Gone!!

Well, I did it again! I didn't write all month and feel silly about it. I can recap though (without tons of postings!!

Starlight Parade!

So, this year Kyle made a goal to be able to run in the Starlight Run before the parade. He trained and started dieting with me for a month or two before the run. He lost about 20 pounds and could actually run the 5k for the Starlight run. I was so proud of him and his accomplishment! He did such a good job, considering it was the first time he had run any type of race since we've been married! (10 years this year!!)

Unfortunately, the proud feeling I had didn't last very long when I realized that my Eddie was gone. He was trying to find me and ended up wandering 5 blocks away in Downtown Portland. It was the most terrifying feeling that I have ever had in my life. The last picture that I took of him before he wandered off was of him with his airplane hat, which he was wearing when he got lost. I must say that I am blessed though. He loves policemen and knew to tell a police officer when he couldn't find me. After we found each other again, all I could do was thank Heavenly Father for a little boy who was smart enough to tell someone he knew he could trust, so he could find his way back to me!

Gordon and Kyle watching the parade. Kyle is wearing his shirt from the run!

We also went on our first camping trip of the season in June with Erin and Spencer. We were able to buy a new tent and checked out a campground that I hadn't been to in years. It was a lot of fun for the kids and close enough that when we had to make a run to the store, it wasn't too far away! Grim loved it too!

Celeste was a busy girl this month also! She has been taking ballet and the week after school was out, she was able to be a part of a drama camp that is held by a friend from our ward. She loved it and did a fabulous job as the wicked queen and old lady in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. She definitely has a calling in drama! The camp instructor said that she hopes Celeste will consider joining them in the fall when they start working on their next play/musical. I told her I am going to try to get Celeste to do this because she is so talented at it.

Sister also had her end of the year recital. I didn't get a really great picture of her dancing, so I didn't put it in. But she stayed still so we could get a picture at the end!

Celeste and Mrs. Lisa, her instructor. She is the sweetest teacher for these little girls. She loves them and thanks them every week for coming to class. She hugs them and kisses their cheeks and brings them gifts for their birthdays. She is the best teacher I could have asked for for Celeste!

It was a fun June and July is turning out just as great! More posts to come!!

May

So, May has come and gone and I haven't written! Here is a short version of what is going on in the Hunter Family until I get pictures!!

Kyle and I are working on making ourselves healthier this year. Kyle is running his first 5K this Saturday for the Starlight Parade. He's lost enough weight now that he had to buy some new pants this weekend until he's down to his goal! I am working out at least 3 times a week and we are both eating healthier than we have ever eaten in our lives and love it!!

Kyle got to go to the flag plant again this year as cub master, but forgot the camera, so I don't have any pictures of Eddie and Celeste placing the flags on the graves. I was pretty bummed about that, but my friend emailed me some pictures she was able to take of the kids, so I still have pictures to enjoy! (Thank you soooo much Amanda!)

We are just about done getting everything we need for the camping season. We plan on going camping several times this summer, so stay tuned for camping pictures all summer long!

My Problem

I'm just thinking about this. It isn't the worst thing in the world, or the biggest problem that I have, but it is a problem for me. For Christmas Kyle got me a Barnes and Noble Nookbook. He thought that with as much as I love to read, I may enjoy it. Well, he was absolutely right unfortunately. Do you know how easy it is to check out a book for the Nook or buy a new book that you want? WAY too easy! It also means that I can always get a new book whenever I want it. Don't get me wrong, I know there isn't anything wrong with reading, but when your house goes downhill because of it, that is a HUGE problem. My house could be falling down around me and I wouldn't know because I'm too into my book to look up or notice. Like I said, it's not a serious problem, other than that it is almost dinner time and I haven't decided what I'm making for dinner because I was reading, but how cool is it that I can even set my Nook down and not have to bookmark it because it's electronic and will do it for me, so I'm right back at it within seconds! Cool huh? It's not a big problem for others, but for me, I love to read. What's a problem that you have because you love it so much? I'm interested to know!