Valentines Day 2016

Finally the day was upon us...Valentines Day! The kids woke up to some special treats! And they had so much fun going through their boxes! We of course had candy for breakfast-what else would you have for breakfast on Valentines Day! These kids stole my heart before I had even met them and they just keep on stealing it every day even through the tantrums, boogers and messes!

Be Still My Heart...

Its not often that Ben lets me take many pictures of him-but telling there was candy involved sealed the deal! Love this kid!

Valentines & Ben's Sidekicks

Its no secret that Ben and his "sidekicks" are besties! These 4 are as thick as thieves and we joke that they are "lifers"! They have been together since they were in diapers and have such a genuine friendship. We can see them standing up next to each other at their weddings! I just love watching them grow up together! Ben was upset that his sidekicks from Rolling Hills wouldn't get his valentines-he asked me if he could make special valentines for them and then take them to them! How could I say no! So Ben got to work making valentines for Charlie R, Austin & Ben K. We also made a special valentines treat for them to share with their families! Ben put all his of his sweet little heart into these valentines! After nap/quiet time we set out to deliver them to his "sidekicks" houses! All the boys were beyond excited to see each other! Ben beamed ear to ear getting out of the truck to go up to the door to deliver them! Luckily everyone was home!

Ben's Valentines

I got off easy this year with Ben's valentines...I happened to be at Target the right day and found these adorable mustache valentines that I knew Ben would love and when I got home and showed him he was elated! I sat him down to sign his valentines thinking it would be a long process of "ok do 5 and then take a break" but the kid knocked them out and was so excited to have his party at school! I've since heard that his valentines was one of the favorites among his friends!

The Start of Valentines Day...

Its no secret that Valentines Day is my favorite holidays! Maybe its the all the hearts, the fun crafts, making of the valentines, the yummy treats, the cute decorations, the school parties- I could go on and on. We decided we'd sent a little Valentines Day love down to Grandma & Aunt Dorie in Oklahoma. Ben thought making a pasta necklace would be perfect for them! And of course he was right! Ben spent ALL day working on his special necklaces-picking out the perfect pasta, painting them, waiting for them to dry, adding some glitter to them, waiting for them to dry again, then stringing them in his specific order! He also made them a valentine to go in the package! Abby & Will made Grandma & Aunt Dorie special Valentines too! Our little artist Abby was in heaven making her project! Will isn't a lover of the arts but he did a great job too! The next day we dropped Ben off at school and the babies (yes-we still call them "the babies") and I headed off to the post office. This was a first for them and they were so proud walking in with their packages to mail!

Update: Both Grandma & Aunt Dorie received their valentines in the mail! Both wore their special necklaces out and received numerous compliments!

Happy Birthday BaPa

Not long after Vince's birthday is my Dad's! We took him to lunch for his birthday-well truth be told we ended up at Ben's favorite restaurant D'Bronx and if memory serves me he bought all us lunch on his birthday! But thats just the kind of BaPa he is! A few days later we celebrated with the whole family with a tasty brunch at my parents! Here's to a great 67th year Dad!

1st Birthday of 2016

Vince's 37th birthday was January 13th! Unfortunately we had to celebrate a few days late as he had his national sales meeting that week. The kids were beyond excited to help his celebrate! Ben and I stuck with tradition and made him his favorite birthday cherry pie! Ben was so proud of himself and couldn't wait for Vince to taste it! And much to my surprise all the kids tried his pie and they all loved it! Cheers to another great year babe! Hope your 37th year is one of the best yet! Love you!