Valentines Day 2013

This Valentine's Day was just perfect.  Lizzie and I made sugar cookies after taking W to school.  She was thrilled to pour the ingredients and end up with the mixing paddle.  Oh, that teethy, squinty-eyed smile.  I love it.  

Later that day we got a package in the mail from my parents who are currently visiting Australia and New Zealand.  W was so excited to see his bike-riding-kanagaroo post card and put his kangaroo magnet on the dishwasher.  

That night, instead of going out just Dave and me, we decided to do a "nice" dinner with the whole family.  We had steak, roasted brussell sprouts, fruit, bread and our own sugar cookies to decorate.  We even had a special pink drink (blood orange italian soda) -- a big deal for water drinkers.  After dinner we gave the kids a little gift for each of them.  W got a cowboy hat and a "Grow Your Own Cowboy" toy that you put in water.  Lizzie got a Mrs. PotatoHead.  I think the kids really thought the day and evening were a big deal.  We got to spend the whole day with the people we love.  After the kids went to bed, I felt so loved and thankful for those whom I love.  It was the perfect way to spend Valentine's Day.  I can't wait to do it again next year.  

Photo series: round here 2

{W colored his tree so well, then took a black crayon to the whole thing. After examining his work he said, "Oh man, my fwends awe weely gonna wike dis."}

{This girl.  Personality X a million}

{Mall rats}

{Partners}

Happy 30th to Me

Thursday night before my big 3-0 birthday, Dave surprised me with a trip to Big Cedar Lodge near Branson, Mo.  I'd never been before, and it was just the getaway I needed.  

We got up Friday morning, dropped W off at school, dropped Lizzie off at SheShe and Papa's, and hit the road.  We spent the three hours in the car talking, looking at magazines, and enjoying the quiet (such a luxury).  That afternoon, we walked around the riverfront in Branson until we could check in at Big Cedar.  

Big Cedar...what diamond in the rough.  I compare Branson to Las Vegas for the 70+yr crowd.  It's a fun place that everyone has to visit at least once, but...it's really hokey.  However, Big Cedar is about 20 minutes out of Branson.  It sits on Table Rock Lake.  The views, the rooms, the restaurants, the (summer) activities...it was pretty incredible.  As you drive into the resort, you have to drive through a few "rivers".  I felt like I was transported to the mountains.  We went on a walk down by the lake, had dinner, watched a movie, slept in.  It was perfect.  

Happy 30th birthday to me!

Photo series: round here 1

{Pretty sure nobody's sleeping here}

{Capt. Americana}

{Breakfast at McD's after early morning church basketball. I'm so ashamed.}

{Lizzie the rabbit}

{Valentine's projects}

Santa Claus 2012

Winston had no qualms with Santa Clause this year.  He slowly made his way to SC's lap on his own, sat down, and told him he wanted a dress-up treasure chest with a Buzz Lightyear costume.

Lizzie was a bit timid.  She held on to Santa's helper's hand like her life depended on it.  But once she finally sat on SC's lap, she was fine.  

In fact, the more she saw Santa, the more she wanted to sit by him.  

She walked over to the big guy, climbed in the sleigh, and just sat by him for a minute, just like they were old friends.  

Getting our Christmas tree

{The annual hunt for a Christmas tree.}  

{Smile!}

{Everybody has to help cut it down.}  

{Timberrrrr!}

{W used the saw every chance he got.}

Happy New Year

We spent a low-key New Year's Eve at my in-laws.  SheShe and Papa make every time we come over feel like a special occasion (which is all the time!).

Sherry made a delicious dinner and dessert, including 'undone chocolate' that was amazing.  

Banging pots and pans to ring in the new year (at about 8:30 p.m.)

Lizzie insisted on making SheShe and me lie down on the couch.  "Go seep!" she'd say.  She's kinda bossy.