Gingerbread Houses (Minus the Gingerbread)

I can't remember the last time I made a gingerbread house...or if I ever have. So my trusty assistant at work, Joelle, came over and showed me the ropes. She and her husband whipped up their "Noah's Ark" house in no time. My OCD definitely came out and I got so into it that it took me two nights to finish. I can't take all the credit though, Brett was a great helper. We used graham crackers and meringue frosting.

Here's our creation...

Here's Joelle and Nate's Ark...

Merry Yeehaw!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Winter Wonderland

Winter has finally arrived in Idaho Falls and we are covered in a blanket of white! I love the snow this time of year. It just makes is seem so much more like Christmas. Wahoo!

Our house...

My manly-man with the snow blower...

Our street...

Tater Tot

Brett loves to hang out in the basement and watch sports. Usually Austin is right there with him turning his head trying to find the TV. Grandma Nagel came over one day and said to Austin "Well, since your Dad's a couch potato, that must make you a Tater Tot!" It stuck. So, here are a few recent pictures of our Tater Tot!

Lounging around with Dad on Nov 21st in his Vandal gear! Go Vandals! We still have Vandal pride even though they can't win a game to save their lives!

Sitting in Grandma Nagel's highchair on Thanksgiving. He just finished his sweet potatoes. He's eating solids like a champ and loves squash and sweet potatoes.

This is Austin today hanging out in his Bumbo giving one of our tupperware lids a once over. If it's within his reach, he's going for it!

Another picture today. He is so close to sitting on his own without toppling over! Give him another week and he'll be a sitting champ...and maybe a football star! Okay, give him a few more years for the football thing.

A Sucessful Golf Season

Most of the year Brett spends his days teaching golf lesssons, working in the pro shop and playing in golf tournaments. He loves his job and comes home happy every day (well, most days!). It is such a good feeling to have a husband who is truely happy with his work. Well, the golf season in Idaho Falls is officially over for the winter. Brett had another really successful golf season and I wanted to share his tournament accomplishments for 2008.

Blackfoot GC Pro-Am - 4th Place

Juniper Hills GC Pro-Am - 1st Place

Rocky Mountain Section Assistant's Championship- 3rd Place

Highest Place Finisher for Titleist Staff Member - $$ Bonus

Teton Lakes GC Pro-Am - 2nd Place

Jefferson Hills GC Pro-Am- 3rd Place

I'm so proud of him! He works hard every day to improve his playing ability and teaching skills. Brett is now spending his days with Austin as Mr. Mom while I'm at work during the week. He's really enjoying his time with Austin and I love the fact that they get to bond with each other!

Online Shopping Tips

Christmas is right around the corner, which means most of us are in the midst of the shopping craze! Well, the Nagels are on a budget and always enjoy a good deal. We thought we'd pass along a couple great websites and online shopping tips that we're using to help you save some cash if you're shopping online too! It's bargain shopping online...and you don't even have to fight the crowds!

1. ebates.com
2. retailmenot.com

Ebates.com is a shopping site that gives you up to 26% cash back every time you shop online (avg is about 5% but every penny counts!). You can shop at over 1000 stores including Barnes & Noble, Gap, Target, and Expedia. Plus you get additional savings with exclusive coupons, free shipping offers, and limited-time sales. Best of all, it free! If you sign up with Ebates today, we'll each get a $5 bonus when you make your first purchase! Click here to sign up: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=TK61s%2FlyXuw%2FO37BP5As7Q%3D%3D
Brett's email is brettnagel@hotmail.com if you need it for the referral. The site is so simple. Just connect to your shopping site through ebates.com. Brett and I have already earned some cash back when we shopped online on Cyber Monday (they paid double % that day!)!

The other site we recommend is retailmenot.com. You can look for special online offers and free shipping codes on tons of websites via this site. We actually found some discount codes on this site that weren't offered on ebates.com.

Combine these two sites together when you shop and you've got one wild and money saving online shopping experience! It makes us all gitty inside and we love it!

Enjoy!