Valentines

Our traditional Valentines dinner had it's up's and down's this year. Poor Pierce was sick all day with a fever and just didn't really feel like doing anything. He laid around and watched Mickey and Curious George, sleeping on and off. His fever reached 105 at a point, and he had me really nervous, but thank heaven for ibuprofen, and hour later his temp was around 100.

Allee had a fantastic day at school and I was able to go and help out with her class Valentine party. We played games with balloons, stacked conversation hearts, made a flower craft, and decorated cupcakes. I love going into her classroom and seeing how she acts and interacts with others. She is such a sweet girl.

My adventure this year was trying to make the kids Valentine shirts. Allee's said LOVE with sequins around the heart shaped O, and Pierce's had a big heart and then said BREAKER. They looked adorable and it was SO easy. Now they may need shirts for St. Patrick's Day.

That evening we had a candle light dinner of spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, and sparkling cider. I thought it was too easy of a dinner, and not nearly fancy enough, but spaghetti is one of those go to meals that I know the kids will always eat, and that makes dinner much more enjoyable for everyone if I am not bugging them to eat!

Every year I love to see their faces light up when we light the candles and turn off the lights, it never gets old. Derek and I gave the kids each some new Valentine books, Pierce got a new Curious George DVD, and Allee got a Mulan barbie.

I love my family so much, and I love having this time of year to not only celebrate the love Derek and I have for each other, but the love we have as a family.

The Blizzard of 2011

Just as I posted about our lack of snow, we really got some!

February 1st it was a true blizzard. It reminded me so much of a nice big snowfall in Cache Valley, and made me REALLY miss having a fireplace!

The wind and snow was crazy, and kept us inside for a good two days. Schreiber canceled work for two days, people couldn't get out of their driveways and the snow plow (aka John Deer tractor) didn't even make it to our subdivision until the day after the storm. Derek always the trooper made it into work both days, he goes stir crazy sitting at home!

When Derek shoveled our walk that night, the snow was well past his knees and the drifts went up to his waist in some places. He worked pretty hard though, he did manage to break our shovel, and there isn't another one to be found anywhere, so the rest of the snow will have to just melt. All in all we guessed we got over 18 inches.

On Feb. 12th as things were starting to warm up, the snow was finally wet enough to make a snowman. The four of us made this towering monster and the kids were so proud.

Unfortunately all this last week the temps have been from the 50's up to 74 degrees, and alas our snowman only lasted about 4 days. Now we just have a pile of rocks on the lawn. The snow was fun while it lasted.