Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is not a real holiday you say?  Well, give us an excuse to celebrate LOVE and we will take advantage of it.  (If we feel like it.)  This year we caught the Valentine's spirit and went with it. Something funny happens when you start a family of your own.  You would think with each new person your love would become more divided and sparse but it only grows!  We are over flowing with love (and little girl cuteness) over here so it seemed only right to share.  I started the Vday holiday by giving Dave a little gift and note each day from Feb 1 to Feb 14. We sent out Vday greetings instead of Christmas cards. Then, came the day of.  The girls helped make and deliver V-day treats (strawberry muddy buddies), flowers, and cards for the neighbors and dental office.

 Do you think they were excited about the delivery part?  :)

 Lizzie got an extra special Valentine's Day gift this year:  A new big girl bed!! Grandma made her a special quilt that matches her painting.  The specially designed little girl quilt has special meaning because I had a very similar quilt on my bed when I was about her age.  This is the modern version of it that I had for years and loved.  Daddy also bought each of the girls (and me) one beautiful rose of their favorite colors.  Lizzie-yellow.  Julie- pink. That Daddy (aka "Daddoo" as the girls sometimes call him) knows how to treat his girls well.

Next, we headed to a local nursing home to pass out  some Valentines that the girls made.  It was the perfect activity.  The old folks LOVED the girls and the girls LOVED going room to room introducing themselves, passing out cards, and wishing them "Happy Valentine's Day."  It was very reminiscent for me because I used to love my job at Manor Care Nursing Home working as an Activity Assistant.  Afterwards, we headed to the mall for some See's Chocolates, Auntie Anne's Pretzels, and the kids play zone.  

Later that night we got a babysitter. My hot date picked me up in a sleek black corvette convertible  AND he let me drive! (He made sure to let me know what a huge sacrifice this was.) We headed for downtown and ate at our favorite type of restaurant-Brazilian style Rodizio!  You can never go wrong with all you can eat, fresh off the grill, filet mignon; shrimp; sirloin; roasted cinnamon pineapple; bacon wrapped turkey; and an exotic cold salad bar.  Afterwards, we zoomed around town, hit up all our favorite spots including Sunny Side Beach, Dick's, Ballard, and the temple grounds.  I hate to admit this but we drove around town for so long that we decided we could squeeze in a bit more food so we stopped at my favorite dessert spot, BJ's, to split a pizookie.

This year we were VERY spoiled.  In years past we have kept things simple and had a great time.
Flowers, chocolates, sports cars, and fancy restaurants do not a Valentine's Day make.  LOVE, FAMILY, FRIENDS and SPENDING TIME together is the best! (Not that I'm complaining about being super pampered every once in a while)  :)

Instagram Catch Up

Lately, i have found that Instagram is my replacement for blogging!  Its a really quick way to share photos with family and friends. However, i consider my blog to be my official journal of sorts so here is a little catch up of events missed!

 The last summer at Grammy and Papa's old house!

 Steph came to visit and we went to the Ol Swimming Hole

 Erin let me borrow a corner of her garden this summer so I stayed busy harvesting all kinds of vegetables!

 Went to a Mariners game with M and J.

 

 So many summer nights spent at the Famers Market and concerts.

 Spray parks!

 Grammy and Papa moved!

 June came to play when her baby brother was born!

 Fun at the cabin with good friends.

 Anniversary in Vegas baby!

 Mom and T joined us in the Vegas fun! Lots of swimming and buffets.

 Lizzie, your eye is dilated!  Next time don't touch the scopalimine patch on the floor!

 We have had a hectic Y schedule: gymnastics, ballet, soccer, and swimming.

 We finally took my Mom to the fair!  Great times and found Meow!

 My mom is crazy talented: designed this quilt for Lizzie's bed.

 

 Liz and I are both into Jamberry.

 Family time at the park= Priceless.

 This pile used to be INSIDE the crib...decluttering complete.

 Parks,

 Reading,

 Beaches,

 Tee-pees, and apple picking all made for an amazing Lake Chelan, Autumn getaway.

 They still love kitties!

 A little bit of costume sewing,

 kidlet cooking,

 and a happy birthday girl, made for an extra special Halloween this year!

 This fall I am thankful that we live close enough to meet Dave for lunch.

 And I'm grateful for apples.  So many apples to make apple sauce, pie filling, leather, and cider.

 Its nice to have neighbors with kids the same ages as our girls.

 A new haircut for the holidays!

 Back to work for me this year. I've been busy up keeping my RDH status!

 Baby Jesus.

 Baby girls.

 Baby cousin.

Babysitting Baby B...we are really into babies around here lately.

 I'm a bit obsessed with the Blendtec.  Super healthy smoothies all the time these days.

Career exploring at the Children's Museum:  Doctor, farmer, singer, or grocery checker...so many choices!

I Am Grateful

This Thanksgiving I am grateful for family!!  And sorry that I didn't think to take pictures until late the night of the holiday!  Everyone at this point is stuffed full of turkey and satisfied!  At the dinner table when asked what they were thankful for Lizzie said, "Julie!" and Julie said, "Lizzie!"  

Just sifting through the millions of Black Friday ads!