Valentine's DATE!!!

I have no pictures (listen, I'm lucky we got out the door!), but we DID go on a date! With NO kids...not even Isaac! Addie & Seth were so great to babysit all three kids for us. I did miss my baby before we got home, though! And Aaron was sick again this year. What are the chances?? Aaron made reservations for us at a great Italian grill in Hutch-Jillian's. It was so delicious. Honestly the best fettucini alfredo I've ever had. If you live around here...GO! The prices are reasonable and the food is great. And I had tiramisu for dessert. Oh. My. Goodness. I was so stuffed! And it was really nice to have a meal with no interruptions...no mouths to wipe, no cries to answer, and no spills to clean up! Life has changed from our first few Valentine's dates...this one included grocery shopping, pumping, and discussions of "goin' parkin'"...to NAP! HA!!!! Regardless, it was delightful to spend time alone with my man. And now a cheesy...what are these called??

V-valiant...he is truly my knight in shining armor and I don't tell him enough.
A-absolute goofball...he's goofy and the kids love it. I shouldn't let it get on my nerves like I do. He keeps life entertaining, to say the least!
L-love...he shows each and every one of us love in so many ways every day.
E-energizer bunny...I have NO idea how he does all that he does. He just keeps going and going.
N-new every morning...he reminds me that God's mercies are new every morning and so is his forgiveness and love. No matter how many times I mess up.
T-totally hot...sorry, but he is! ;)
I-in love...with me, with his kids, with his Savior.
N-nice...so generic, but seriously the man is just plain nice. Everybody likes Aaron. When he says "well, they've always been nice to be." I just laugh and ask him who's NOT nice to him?!
E-endless passion for sports :) (come one...vowels are hard to come up with!!)

Nine years of Valentine's Dates...time flies! I love you, Aaron.

Catching Up

We're still alive, just busy. With what...I'm not sure! Life with little ones, I guess. And so, while said little ones empty the toy box and lick the Ranch bottle, I'll catch up on blogging! ha



Valentine's weekend found my love and I at a marriage retreat. It was great...great learning, great fellowship, great night away from life! Grace Bible Church puts this on every year and invites our church. This is the second time we've gone. There were quite a few couples from our church this year. We had a prime rib buffet again Friday night. I was lucky enough to be next in line when they brought another roast out, so I got a well done piece! It was so delicious. I never know if it's the food that makes it so good, or the fact that I actually get to eat a hot meal...not a cold one after I've gotten up to get something for the kids 29 times! :) I have lots to share from the weekend, but that will have to wait...better move on before the kids decide to empty something else!

Speaking of the kids...

Good grief. That's all I've got to say about this picture!!

While we were at the retreat, Papa & Binga came down Friday to keep the kids (THANK YOU!!!!). They even kept Hudson, too...on his first night away from Mommy! He did great. Jamie & Cassie came Saturday & spent the night, too.

Hudson & Jacob "blowing" bubbles. I think they probably ended up with more in their mouths than not...

Poor kid...his feet are flat as pancakes just like his Mama's.

Jacob & Hudson would stand at the curtain and one of us would say "On your marks, get set...GO!" and off they would run. Every time, into my bedroom to the closet mirror doors. And then back out they would gallop, grinning.

I gave him another haircut the other night. He hated it this time. I just buzzed it mostly. He didn't like it to begin with, then he started rubbing his face with his arm (covered in hair because he refuses to leave a cape or towel on). Which meant he got hair in his mouth. But he wouldn't quit doing it! So it's not a perfect haircut, but it'll last a while! :)

Hudson giving us a show:)

Papa started it! Jacob loves being thrown up in the air!!

When Hudson wanted a turn, I told Papa "be careful you don't throw him through the ceiling!" Hudson is probably at least 10 pounds lighter than Jacob.

I think Anna & Jacob weigh pretty much the same, but Anna is so much longer--that makes it hard to throw her up very high!

Aunt Cara came to visit Saturday and Jacob would NOT let her out of his sight! The second he saw her, he ran over and wanted up. When she went to put her jacket on to leave, Jacob ran right over and wanted up. I told him to tell Aunt Cara bye bye and he looked right at me and waved and said "Bye bye!" then started blowing every BUT Cara kisses! :) Then when Binga left and wouldn't take him...you'd have thought the poor kid was an orphan the way he looked. So sad. So today there was no school and we're on a bit of company let-down!

Pictures Anyone?

Well, since I forgot my camera on our trip to Aunt Cara's, here are a few pictures from Valentine's day. We had a lot of fun seeing everyone out west and Anna and Jacob loved playing with the tractors and trains! Grrr...I cannot believe I forgot my camera!!!

Seriously, the boy knows how to relax!

Anna and her wonderfully soft heart pillow! :)

Me and my sweatheart! We went to an awesome Mexican restaurant for supper. Thanks, Binga for babysitting!! (Aaron was just starting to get a nasty head cold...he doesn't always look so dazed!). This was also the 3rd picture take...Binga was having a bit of trouble working the camera! hehe

Binga's Here!!!

Binga's here and she brought Valentine's surprises! :) The kids were so happy to see her (their Mama was too!).

Jacob got an awesome car--the hood and both doors open! And of course...wheels!
Vrroooom!

Anna got a HUGE pillow that is oh-so-soft. She loves it and insisted on sleeping with it tonight.

And she brought flowers:) Anna and Jacob got a beautiful bouquet of pink roses. We had to put one in a separate vase so Anna can carry it around.

And Aaron & I got this gorgeous bouquet of red roses and day lilies.

We're looking forward to playing with Binga this week! We might even paint the kitchen! :)