LOVE is all around

VALENTINES.

All about LOVE.

Let me tell you how LOVE was in the air in our home on Valentines!

The day began with the kids sleeping in a little longer than normal. I LOVE whenever that happens (which is rare).

School was cancelled. It was a snow day. The previous day we had a big snow storm...and of course even the littlest dusting of snow out here calls for a day off!

Unfortunately daddy missed our LOVE meal because he was gone before they awoke.

I didn't get a pretty picture of the finished project...but here it is in the making...pink heart shaped pancakes. I LOVED making these for the kids I LOVE!

Then Kambrie snuck an egg out of the fridge because she LOVES eggs and she LOVES trying to cook. It was a fun mess to clean up! I grabbed the camera and tried to happily get her to smile, before I sternly disciplined her, because that was so naughty :)

Then we played and had a fun day doing more things we all LOVED. Like Kambrie, sitting on her dolls toilet and trying to poop because she LOVES playing momma and playing with her dolls!

SO DANG FUNNY.

She obviously LOVES fruit roll ups if you didn't notice it all over her face!

More LOVE blew in the air as these cute siblings shared their LOVE for one another!

Their LOVE is not always consistent, however.

Then daddy came home from work, and we were so excited because we LOVE him oh so much!

He brought home a heart shaped pizza for dinner and I made a heart shaped cake for dessert.

I LOVE it whenever I don't have to cook!!

We had some little gifts for the kids that they had to find as we sent them on a LOVE scavenger hunt. It was a fun day celebrating and who doesn't LOVE to celebrate LOVE.

WE LOVE OUR FAMILY SO MUCH AND ARE GRATEFUL TO HAVE EACH OTHER!

I had made some heart shaped cupcakes for our neighbors. They are older, so kind, and have no children...so we thought we would share some of our love with them! They weren't home though so the next day we thought we'd deliver them. Well, sweet Kam loves the cupcakes too and I caught her red handed. She had climbed on to the counter and was devouring the lovecake, when of course I grabbed the camera and laughingly snapped a few shots before I sternly disciplined her once more, and told her that was naughty!

It was oh so dang cute.

I wasn't actually mad because I couldn't really blame her...but of course I had to pretend. We can't allow that kind of behavior in the house!! ;)

But I was tempted to do the same thing.

LOVE IT!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my family!

firestation fun

About two weeks ago our mom's group got to tour the local firestation!

The firemen were so nice to try and teach the little kids...most of them about 2 years old.

They each got their fire red safety hat.

They learned how to "stop, drop and roll."

They were taught that the scary man in the darth vader mask is a GOOD GUY who is there to help save you!!

Kam wasn't really grasping the "stop drop and roll" exercise...but Alexa was a great example!!

After the little educational stint, the kids all got to play in the firetruck. They got stickers and were made honorary firekids! We also got to tour the firemans "home" and see the life of a fireman.

Two of our favorite people:

Cassie and Alexa...with baby Makinley (still cooking)!

It was a fun outing and definitely important to learn about fire safety. We're so grateful for the brave firemen who choose to save and protect us all!!

12 years closer to eternity

On January 13th we celebrated 12 years of matrimonial bliss! The definition of bliss is perfect happiness, great joy.

So when I say we've had 12 years of bliss,

I MEAN IT!

Perfect happiness.

NOT perfect lives.

Happiness is brought about in many ways. Our lives have been filled with heartache, disappointment, sadness, stress, and pain...but they've morphed into joyous experiences, growth, learning, strength, increased love...which all combined equals,

perfect happiness and great joy!

We got to escape for an overnighter in St Louis to celebrate.

The night we arrived we ate at CHEESECAKE FACTORY.

Oh me oh my, I'm still drooling from this place.

It's a favorite. Soooooooooooo yummy.

Next we did a little shopping. I shouldn't say we, but, LANDON did a little shopping. Now if you know Landon, this is a HUGE feat! He despises shopping. He desperately needed a new suit though. And I mean desperately.

We scored big time and ended up finding TWO new suits for him!!

No, not this one, it's ugh.

Then back to the hotel where we relaxed, watched a movie and enjoyed our complimentary "Fitz's" rootbeer. How fitting!

Ew, my legs look a mile long! The next day we attended the temple. Nothing on this earth compares to the beauty and sacredness of being in the temple. I'm so thankful for temples and that I can attend, learn, and renew my Spirit in His holy house. It's so peaceful, and our spirits need to be there! As well as we were physically fed this weekend, our Spirits needed to be fed most. It is so easy to deprive them.

Another meal out. Yah baby.

We don't have many restaurants in town, so when we hit the big city, we eat up!

PF Changs was on the list for this evening.

Once again, yummy yummy food!

Landon is going to hate that I posted these pictures of him. He's kinda picky like that. I love showing his funny side and goofy pictures though, because that is his personality.

I love just showing HIM!

He is so fun loving, happy, and he makes me laugh EVERY day!!

Plus, he should know by now. If you pose like a dork...you asked for it ;)

fried banana's...one of my FAAAAAAAAAAAVORITE things ever

Everyday I love this man more and more and more. It feels so good to be loved. I know my parents love me and I'm so thankful for the love they've given me...but they are my parents. They kinda have to. lol. You know what I mean! ;)

But to feel love from someone who could leave, who is personally making that choice independent of any other reason, to sense a commitment of unconditional love despite any weakness you have or mistakes you make is one of the greatest gifts on earth. I'm so thankful my husband chooses to love me every day, and in return teaches me how to love better!

I love you Landon more today than any other day. I'm so thankful I get to go through this journey with you. I made the best decision of my life 12 years ago!

Sunshines!

We sure love it when the sun shines.

And I love my little

SUNSHINES!

This winter has been super mild. Thank goodness! I hate winter, hate the snow, hate the cold...so it's all good by me.

The kids however would prefer some snow.

Although, they aren't arguing with the occasional warm spells of 60+ degree weather. We've spent the past few days outside soaking in the sun, jumping on the tramp, exploring the backyard, swinging in the hammock, finding rocks and turning them into Nemo, climbing trees (pics to come).

Fresh air and sunshine does a body good!

Tanner NEVER ceases to amaze me. He has uber talent when it comes to his creativity and art. He's always turning something into another thing...an uncooked broken noodle into a ship, a sliced apple into a letter...I wish I could think of all the examples he comes up with, but we love it. It is so awesome to see his brain work. He was outside playing in the dirt and came in to show me a plain rusted ugly flat rock. I thought absolutely nothing of it. He said he was going to color it.

When he returned Nemo was in front of my face! GENIUS. His eyes see things most don't. What a beautiful blessing.

We're so thankful for the sun shines and the sun sets in our lives!!