Valentines Day 2015

This year Valentines day came on a Saturday. I thought about trying to take my sweetheart out on a date, but... figured we wouldn't be able to find a sitter, everywhere would be super crowded, and long long waits. So, I decided to make a fancy meal at home.

I had purchased a heart covered table cloth. It was really fun but a little too loud for the fancy meal I had planned. I found in the closet a pretty lace table cloth and put it on top of the heart one. It was prefect. Then I got out my Better Homes and Garden cookbook to find how to set a table. We always have a plate, fork/spoon and maybe sharp knives for Allen and I, but I wanted the whole deal. I even got out the fancy silverware and wine glasses. I put folded napkins at each place and the kids got a boxes of candy hearts. I had found some battery candles at the dollar store and placed them on the table too. Then we dimmed the lights and ate by candle light.

We told the kids they had to use their very best big kid manners. No one was allowed to leave the table until they were excused. I planned a 3 course dinner, each course being served when everyone had finished.

First course was Spinach Artichoke Dip with corn chips and french bread.We severed it with sparkling white grape juice.

Second course was Tuscan Garlic Chicken served with fettuccine noddles.

Third Course was Classic Strawberry Shortcake and we served it with sparkling blueberry grape juice. I made the shortcake from scratch!!

Dinner took about an hour and half to eat. The kids were so good! The only one who had a hard time was Ephram who only sat through the first course.

The older kids loved it. Emma said it was the best meal ever, and wants to eat by candle light again really soon. In fact, all the kids have said they really enjoyed it and would love to do it again soon. I believe the words "Best Valentines Day EVER!" may have been said a few times.

The kitchen was a really mess, but the memories were so worth it. Good food, good company and good times.

It's been trying to be spring around here. The temperature was almost 80 on Saturday! So here are some pretty flowers we have in our yard right now! 

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Growing up

My kids have decided to do something crazy... they are starting to grow up! Not sure how on earth that happened, one day I woke up and I had two kids that looked like this:

Whom I'm quite certain just looked like this:

When I looked at the first picture on the computer, I nearly cried. Emma is turning into quite a young lady. She is so excited to get baptized later this year and really wants to be ready. It makes one's head spin.  Riley and Emma both needed new uniforms and play clothes because they had jumped a size.

We had a rare nice no fighting day last Saturday. I had to document it.    

Riley is really trying hard. He is doing really well in school this year. We still struggle with handwriting and slowing down. It's been a hard move for him. There aren't many boys his age at church and he doesn't go to school with them. He does seem to be making friends at school and at cub scouts. We have a very small den, there are about 3 boys that come. He seems to have found a new friend who sits with us during sacrament meeting. It has made that first hour so much easier for us.

Ephram is growing like a weed too. He loves his siblings and really hates that they all go to school without him.

 

He has also informed us that his name is Mark. Another person going by their middle name. Hmm, I will try to call him that, but I may or may not be successful.

Beka. My little pixie. She has her own way of doing things that is for sure. She love the color orange, fairies, games, running, jumping, playing games at her sport explore class, Stitch, Flubber, and building with Ephram's (excuse me, Mark's) Legos. She hates all things Frozen expect for Olaf, princess, having her hair done, and the colors pink and purple....

In other news, for Christmas Allen and Santa got me off camera flashes. I was playing around with them on Saturday. I love how they make the color of the pictures seem more true to life. So much to learn about how to use them, but it's going to be fun.

Oh, and I'm Riley's den leader... again. It's a little tough, but we are learning together. I still love cubs and have a testimony that it is a wonderful program for boys. Allen was called to be Elder's quorum  president. It's been quite the challenge for him, but he is growing. He is trying to make a difference.

So, I guess we are all growing.

Corn Creek Retreat

A couple of weeks ago, Veterans' day weekend to be exact, Emma was sick. ALL WEEKEND LONG! Poor girl, fever stuffy nose, cough. A perfect excuse to stay home from church, but of course Allen and I were asked to speak in church, so we HAD to go! I went home after the first meeting of the day. Monday she was still feeling yucky, and not too good on Tuesday either, but I decided we needed to go something. Everyone was getting a little cabin fever from being stuck at home for so long.

We went out to Corn Creek. It was so beautiful, and we dragged my mom with us! Everyone had such a nice time being out away from the city. They have made some more improvements since I was there last.

 The new visitors center is really neat. Ephram got spooked by the big cat over his head!

Having Grandma around is wonderful! 

Peek a boo!

 Beka sat down next to Emma and said "Let's do nose to nose!" Sisters are so cute!

 Ephram wanted in on the action! I couldn't get the girls to turn, but Ephram's face is PRICELESS!

 I'd like to call this picture: "Little mama!" She loves helping with her younger siblings and they adore her!

Monkey see monkey do!

I put the boys in this nice tall grass and magic happened! I love these pictures. They are my favorite from this day! Riley loves having a little brother, most of the time, and Ephram wants to be just like Riley. 

 This face, yeah, this one right here.... This is a face I see ALL THE TIME! He must be two. He wanted me to take a picture of just him!

King/queen of the hill

 Checking out the fish. 

Riley was really photogenic this day!

 Deep in thought....

 Can't resist climbing!

 She asked if she could do a fishy face for this You can tell Emma hadn't been feeling well. Her face says it all!

 Ephram LOVES Grandma. Almost as much a Riley!

 Some kids really don't like having their pictures taken... Beka is my nonphoto kid. Got her anyway!

Ephram in a cage!

 

Beka wanted her picture in front of this door...

  

So Ephram had to have his picture taken in front of the same door!

 

Such a pretty day! Love being out in nature and seeing beautiful things!

  

 Grandma had a last surprise for the kids! Matching, glow in the dark tee-shirts! They were so excited...

 

They did the Congo line out to  the car!

So glad we didn't waste the day off! It was a blast.