Valentine's Day 2015

We were lucky enough to have Valentine's Day land on a Saturday this year, which meant that I had the luxury of spending the entire day with all of my loves.  We had a romantic breakfast, shared little valentines with each other, and then took a trip to the Pioneer Museum.  That evening, we made heart pizzas and an old fashioned "snowball" cake, with chocolate cake, marshmallow cream and coconut.  Nothing says, "Happy Valentine's Day" like chocolate.

 

 

Sand Creek Art Expo

Emma and Ben were both selected to have their art displayed at the high school this past weekend for the district art fair. Emma's assignment was to paint a powerful Native American warrior of her choice. So she painted a MOTHER! That's my girl.  Ben created a beautiful fish in his favorite color- red.  I love his attention to detail.  When we got to the expo, their art teacher approached us and explained how special it really was that they were both chosen.  I guess they only chose two pieces of art from each class for the whole school district, so to have both of my kids entered is pretty awesome.  Definitely a proud mommy moment.  The expo had all sorts of games, food, and activities for the kids.  At one point, Emma turned around and there was an entire table of magazines to cut up, every type of glue you could imagine, stickers, markers, paint, and a rainbow of paper.  Her face was classic-  these people...this place...it was her utopia.  Lyla and Ben were just as excited as they cut, and pasted, and painted, and created.  I love these little people.

 

Valentine's Party

I had a lot of fun this year helping a few of my friends decorate for a Valentine's Dance.  It was so nice to have an evening that was kid free, romantic, and hilariously cheesy.

51 Years

My mom called me earlier last week to ask if I'd be willing to take a few pictures of her and my dad so she could include them in her Valentines.  First of all- I love that my mom still sends out Valentines.  Second- I love the love that my parents share. 51 years of marriage, and my dad still surprises my mom with flowers, and my mom wakes up early, every single day, to shove a handful of vitamins in his mouth. True love. 

Dads and Donuts and a February Summer

I am so, so thankful Trenton has a fun relationship with our kids.  He plays with them, helps with their homework, takes them to the doctor for their flu shots, walks them to school in the mornings, reads to them and says prayers with them at night.  Emma and Ben's school seems to recognize that Dads these days have got it going on, and so they showed that appreciation by hosting a "Dads and Donuts" breakfast.   

The first weekend of February was absolutely gorgeous!  We're talking 70 degree weather.  We joined my mom for a picnic and afternoon at the park.  The combination of the coconut scented sunscreen and the feel of the sun-warmed sand made my heart ache for summer.