SAVE $$$

All this considering we live in Calgary:
I never order from the US direct to my door. I always want to avoid unnecessary shipping charges. Because finding a deal has to remain just that! A Deal!

I’ve picked up Sadies summer clothes from 99 cents per piece to as much as $5 per piece. I never spend more than $20 on a pair of shoes (I rarely go over $12). Through ordering from the US I have saved $3000 on a sectional for our basement and $2500 for our dining room table (Straight comparison between Pottery Barn Calgary and Pottery Barn Spokane).

You know what they say: “a dollar saved is a dollar earned”. And in our family I need every dollar to go as far as possible. I don’t want my children to go without - but I also can’t have them in the most expensive (brand name) apparel. Doing so would be a contradiction to my entire existence.

So here’s my tips: when you find something that is a good deal, that only ships within the US, that you shouldn’t be paying shipping costs on OR all of the above then you should ship HERE:

Ordering to the US:

Sweetgrass Montana
412 Oak Street
Box 369
Sweetgrass, MT 59484
406-335-7447

My contact at this address has been Zak. I don’t know if he’s still there but thought you should know.

The advantage to this address: It’s directly south from Calgary and the highway is safe and divided.
The disadvantage is that there is a fee per package. Fees can range from $1.50 for an envelope to $20 for a pallet (which would only apply if you're ordering big furniture).

The second option is new to me this year. I purchased a Post Office Box in Babb Montana.
It was $56 for the year SO I figure approximately 10 packages sent to this location will breakeven to my other shipping option as the Post Office will not charge per package on pick-up.

P.O. Box ? (if you buy one) You can use mine but I haven’t checked into whether there is a problem with different names arriving a mailbox purchased in my name.
4016 US Highway 89
Babb, MT 59411
(406) 732-9261
Contact name: Steve

Advantage: no per package cost after original purchase of the box.
Disadvantage: they will turn away packages arriving from UPS because the US Postage has NOT been paid.
AND it’s less direct and you travel on an undivided highway for a 1/3 of the trip.
SO Black Friday is a BIG “deal” shopping weekend in the US. (The last Friday in November). The following Monday is Cyber Monday. That’s probably my next opportunity to shop.

Happy Online Shopping!!

Yesterday

Yesterday Morning I awoke to this. Our 4 little boys under the age of 4 . We make a good team.I watched you sleep. I studied your beautifully fine features. I enjoyed the wonder of our double blessing.Only moments later 1 out of 4 of our boys mature enough to advance to days without us. I have a difficult time saying good-bye.

I will never forget the feeling of that moment.

So, how, can this possibly be the picture of today? Where did our time go?

My 4 boys under 4 have now exited the house for greater adventures.

The night before school, I walked into your room to kiss you goodnight but I was too late. I still took the time to watch you sleep. Our Sweet Quinten. and Cuddley Colby.

I know you are excited about school. And that, is what helps me get through the day without you. With change comes new adventure.

I will feel a little lost at first but I know I will grow into Miss. Productivity mixed with a touch of Miss Leisure.

First on our list; shopping and a lunch date. Girl Power!

Summer Finale

What is a vacation for us without a late departure (and thus, arrival). We told the kids to close their eyes and go to sleep at 11pm. Some of us were too excited to sleep!

Grandpa had been awaiting our arrival so he could build his step.

Please consider this formal notification of our certificate of title (of the property - not the step)How can Grampa say "No" to this:

We celebrated a triple birthday. How COOL is it that the twins were born on their Grampa's birthday. They think it's pretty cool.

Here's one of the Price Is Right Models exhibiting the birthday gift. Why not the twins? Well, they had anticipated the moment for opening all day. They were SO excited .... they imagined all the cool toys and adventure gadgets possible and then they opened this. Quinten had the most incredibley huge smile and stated, "I didn't want this." The emotion of speaking the fact out loud caused him to burst into tears. Mom failed this year. This needed to be next year's gift.
Here is the face:



But we still had fun. This is how they bath when we camp.

Then onto the true fun of the trip

Ryan's trick called the 360 degree wipeout

We're not allowed to stand in Grampa's boat but Sadie was concerned when her Dad fell. There was no stopping her standing to call over the side of the boat "Okay Dad?"

He always was

Wow, Ryan actually picked up the camera to share the fact that I am actually in attendance. I don't often see this side of the camera. None the less, all suited up and ready to go.

Yeh! we're feeling pretty cool by now. That is, until we look down the beach at our neighbors. The guys with the tunes blasting, the beach volleyball set-up, tons of friends attending and the boats parked. Huh? Parked ... What, Why?

The thing I'll remember most about this lovely display of equipment is that the music was hip and Sadie danced regularly on the beach.

I will also remember that each day 1 out of 4 boats went out to actually make use of their full potential. So I did some research to see the worth of this short season equipment.And this is how we feel about that.

We still found a way to have some fun. Thank you to Grampa and for the use of his boat. The boys felt pretty proud in their Grampa's boat.

I don't think Grampa needs an adult spotter anymore. Whenever Ryan fell, we had 5 little voices yell, "Down!" (yep even Sadie - proud to be a part of the routine).

Logan the old seasoned pro.

Colby and his Dad Kickin' it on the tube

Will decided to be Mr. Independant.

Sadie spotting for her Big Brother

And then it's just fun to splash around in the lake.

This manouvre of Sadie's had me on the edge of my seat.

Seriously serene.

and sometimes not.

Sadie manning the ship.

Logan and Shannon (Grandma & Grandpa's good friend) out having fun. Fun for Logan anyway.

The fan support

This whole process seems rather routine. I'm sure last year's pictures didn't display a huge variation from this year. But each year has it's own flavor. And it's usually defined by the personalities of the age.

I want you to know that I did have a large part in the creation of this castle. I don't stand back behind the lens all the time.

We also enjoyed our morning walks/hikes.

We enjoyed the peacefulness of nature.We found opportunity for hard work (hardly).We made friendsWe enjoyed companionship

with siblings

Sometimes when we take a walk we encounter funny things.

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma. For hosting Casa Caos (as you like to call it).

Until next year: