Oliver's New Look

Before:

After!:

 It may take awhile for him to get used to them, but I am already used to this cute face!

 And these two, oh my heart!  Love them to pieces!!

Happy Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day so much.  I have so many people that I love and so many people that love me and I'm most of all grateful for God's love in sending His Son and I think of all of this every time it's February 14th and it just makes me feel happy all day long.  Plus I love hearts and chocolate and flowers, let's be honest!!

We have a wonderful tradition to have a family Valentine's dinner.  We've been having this special dinner since Madeline was two and I don't know how many more years we will get, so I really enjoyed this year.  It was fun to decorate the table.

 And make our traditional valentine dinner.  Chicken Pizzaiola with spaghetti, garlic bread, and raspberry jello.  I always put frozen raspberries in the glasses instead of ice cubes.  And yes, I cut the pepperoni into hearts.  I couldn't help myself.  Too much fun.  :)

It was super yummy!

Todd gave me two dozen gorgeous roses.  Squeal!  I love them.

 Then we opened valentines.  We always make at least one for each person in the family.  Plus we got some from my parents and cousins so we all felt happy and spoiled with love.

 To end the night, we had our molten lava cakes as per tradition.  Mmmmmmm

Happy Valentine's Day!

Treats and Cute Kids

Chocolate and Strawberry Truffles for February.

 I love when my kids have moments like this together.  They're so cute.

 I am not sure how you could possibly get this messy from a ring pop!?!

 Oliver has decided to be like Cooper with his eyes lately.  We took him to the eye specialist and it's official.  Bifocals are coming his way!  It makes me a little sad that his eyes aren't good, but so grateful there is help.  Plus, we tried on glasses and he looked killer cute.  They have been ordered!  This is what happens when he tries to focus on close objects...

And btw, I really like Ethan too.  Turns out, teenagers don't give you as many opportunities to take their pictures.  I should sneak up on him when he's playing the piano or typing his short story or running on the treadmill...

Happy Birthday Todd!

Happy Birthday Todd!  I feel so very grateful that this man is my companion and best friend.  I am completely blessed to have Todd.  He loves the Lord, he loves me.  He loves our kids.  He can make and fix and build anything.  He can solve any problem.  He teaches by example and testimony.  Golly, I'm the luckiest!  I love you babe, Happy Birthday!

My Cuddler and My Crafter

He always chooses to sit by me, and he likes to snuggle.  It's a nice way to have your last child be.

 Madeline is quite talented with clay.  I can hardly believe her creativity and skills.

The Rest of January

We finished off the month with fun sibling crafting

 Thingy-ma-jig-os

 messy play

 being silly

 and science fair projects!

Madeline's Birthday

Madeline's birthday was a wonderfully fun day!  So much happiness makes any day good.  She opened some gifts and then we went off to the Dutch Bakery for breakfast.  Yummy yum!

The day was filled with family and fun.  She is growing up.  She got makeup and clothes and a sewing machine for her birthday!  And she couldn't be more thrilled.

 And just look at her new Sunday outfit.  12 going on 16.  Eek!

Love you girlie, forever!

Madeline's Birthday Cake

I had a marvelous time making Madeline's birthday cake this year.  Chocolate and Strawberry Checkerboard Cake!  

Chocolate frosting and Strawberry frosting

 She likes it!

And inside is checkerboard chocolate and strawberry cakes with strawberry frosting and chocolate ganache layers of filling.

 I was so pleased it worked out so well!  So fun to make.  SO fun to eat!

Happy Birthday Madeline

To my most beautiful daughter, inside and out - Happy 12th Birthday!

You have always brought us so much joy!  You have always given joy to others.

 And now you are so grown up and incredibly talented in so many ways.  Piano, creating things, sewing and babysitting.  You make life beautiful just by touching it.

 I so love your goodness.  Your love for all things right and true.

  I'm so grateful to have a daughter, and I'm especially grateful that it's YOU!

My SISTER!!

It was a short trip for Raelynn, but it was glorious!  We had a few days together and I loved every minute.  Pretty much all we did was eat amazing food, go shopping, watch our favorite shows together, and talk into the night.  It was so so fun.  Perfect if only it had been longer.  A special thanks to Mom for making this trip happen.  Yay!

We had a ton of fun making eclairs 

 soooo yummy

 We also went to Birch Door, Avenue Bread, Mallards Ice Cream, and Edaleens.  And the Dutch Bakery...and Birch Door again...

While wandering boutiques we came across this pillow, and we both loved it.  If it hadn't been $50! I would have taken it home with me.  That's a little extreme if you ask me for a pillow.  But oh, how I love it.

Having Raelynn in town was the best few days.  I love my sister so much.  I don't know how people make it through life without a sister.  Sigh...and I've got the best one!