Happy Valentine's Day 2016

 I have truly enjoyed a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend!  On Friday, Dave and I slipped out for a little one-on-one and enjoyed some Greek food at a little cafe in Lehi.  It reminded me of being in Europe so I enjoyed it particularly well.  Dave gave me the most beautiful silver bar necklace.  I love it.  

On Saturday, Aunt Connie and Grandma Barbie invited the kids to make sugar cookies with them.  They were picked up at 8:30am and we didn't see them until 5:00pm.  I can't even think of the last time I had an entire day to myself.  I cleaned (of course), worked out, finished my homework for my two online classes, and took a little trip down to University Mall to get my earrings replaced and do a little shopping.  Dave called his mother and asked if she could take the kids for the night so we could have the house to ourselves.  She was sweet and consented!  We did take-out and rented "Everest" for the night.  A wonderful Valentine's Day gift!

I had these little posters waiting for the kids and Dave when they came back in the morning from Grandma Barbie's house:

Super Bowl Sunday

 We were super excited for the Super Bowl with our basement finished, comfy couches, and big TV.  Jeff, Nicole, Barbara, Poppie came over, and the after half-time, the DuJardins came over for some football, good eats, and fun.  

Breaking out the raclette oven!

 For the first time this winter season, we broke out the raclette oven with the Binghams (first time raclette eaters) and DuJardins.  It was a great night with dear friends!

Happy 7th Birthday to Miss Alyss!

We shot out of January and landed in February with the birthday celebration of our youngest girl!  Alyssa had been so excited about her birthday and looking forward to it since the day after Christmas.  She wanted her family to come and celebrate with her.  Luckily, Poppie and Grandma Barbie along with the Watts came over in the evening to be a part of her special day.  She was so excited, just beaming with joy!

A few days later, I took a group of 8 children to Hang Time in Orem for a little party with Alyssa's friends.  I had never been there and was surprised at how vast the trampoline park was.  After being there about 30 minutes, Alyssa came running to me with a bloody mouth, holding a tooth.  Keeton and Alyssa had been bouncing a ball on the tramps and it had hit her in the mouth and knocked out a front tooth....that wasn't loose in the first place!

We just love our little Alyssa and can't imagine our family without her energizing smile and heart of gold.  Happy Birthday Alyssa!

Weekend Fun!

 We run around so much during the week to work and after the children and their activities that when the weekends hit, Dave and I like to relax at home and then try and squeeze in a night out together.  In other words, we are boring. :)

This Friday night was spent shooting pool with Uncle Jeff.  The next night was spent at the BYU Basketball game. We got to watch the new football coaching staff be introduced to the crowds which was super fun.  We saw lots of our neighbors and friends there.  On our way home, we took the kids to Dairy Queen for the first time (another sign we are boring) for blizzards.  They have been asking ever since  when we can go back to the "king/queen" place.

The Days Are Long But The Years Fly By

Oh, my little family is just growing up oh-so fast.  I just love them.  We hug and hug and make certain to say how much we love each other.  
As excited as Alyssa was to get her own bedroom, she has struggled wanting to sleep in it! LOL!  Austin has been her doting older brother and latest bed partner.  This picture of the two of them melted my heart.  I hope they will be close as they grow up and as adults.  At this year's Youth Conference, Taylor shared with us that one of the speakers encouraged the youth to be close with their siblings because their siblings would be life-long friends whereas parents typically pass far earlier.  Such wonderful advice!

 Our dishwasher was out of commission for several weeks which lead to hand-washing the dishes each night.  Austin was hilarious.  I told him I think he will be called to serve his mission in a place where he has to do it everyday.  HaHaHa!

 Taylor had a wart cut off of her foot.  She was a champ!

Guest Lecturer at BYU

I love that Dr. Bell invites me each semester to guest lecture her education classes.  Teaching on campus is thrilling.  I always snap pictures that remind me of when I was a student, frustrated with dating, and full of hope that I would find the perfect man to marry one day.  

Here is one of the pictures at the MOA that reminds me of time at BYU.

LOVING our new basement!

 We are spending crazy amounts of time in our newly-finished basement.  I found these barstools on Overstock.com and fell in love with them.  They look amazing at the bar.

 We finally got our new couch from The Sofa Mart.  It only took 9-10 weeks for them to be delivered.  They are comfortable and perfect for snuggling each other.