Toddlers...

Now it is the middle of February, and Matthew is in some Santa pajamas (a hand me down from a sweet friend!), his good black shoes, eating cheese at the kitchen table, all while standing on one of his chairs.  Just why is this?

20 minutes earlier...

 Matthew decided to take another dip in the tub with his pajamas Chris had just put on him for the night.  (This all happened within 10 seconds of him leaving his bed room after being dressed...)  Just look at his expression, he knew he did something naughty, even by the time I was able to get the camera.  Chris was with him laughing and shaking his head.

Valentine Festivities

This past Saturday, we spent a good portion of the day in the kitchen making a heart shaped cake, heart shaped cookies, and a nice meal to celebrate Valentines Day.  Matthew loved getting in on the action of making the cookie dough.  You can see him crying in one of the photos since we told him "no touching" the blender when it was on.  He wanted so bad to dip his little fingers into the dough.  For dinner I made chicken au poivre, rice pilaf, and roasted asparagus.  Everything was yummy!

Chef Matthew!

Dinner...

The cake...

The cookies, which I am excited to say that I submitted this recipe to Tasty Kitchen, a part of The Pioneer Woman website.  Here is the link to the cookie recipe.

 

Happy Valentines Day!

Valentines Party

We had another fun Valentines Party this year!  Our 2nd annual!  This year I served two different chilis.  The kids and the chaos were a blast.  We also took family pictures in front of our fire place again.

Having fun...

The Tobin's

 

The Schmidt's

 

The Branum's

 

The Doherty's

 

And I couldn't resist not posting this funny one of some of the kids...

 

Early Valentines Day Bling!

Chris surprised me tonight with a very beautiful, small 7 diamond ring, while we were out celebrating Valentine's Day early over dinner.  I have had my eye on this ring for over 5 years, and have given many "hints" along they way on how much I liked it, and how it would be the perfect compliment to my ring set.  I nearly teared up when out of the blue he gave me the ring between the salad and main course.  I love my husband!!

(Please forgive my 30-something fingers!)

Sock Monkey Banner Project

Well, it's finished!  The sock monkey banner project, that I have worked on for the past week on and off, is finally done.  I LOVE how it turned out.  I found this banner idea online when researching sock monkey party ideas.  I bought a canvas on sale at Hobby Lobby, a few .47 cent paints at Walmart, along with a little ribbon, and that was it!  Here are some pics of the work in progress.  Many thanks to my friend Edith who helped paint the monkey, and shade the wording.  I couldn't have done it without her!  I am proud to say that I did everything else, minus Chris helping this morning with the staple gun to attach the red ball trim.  I can't wait for Matthew's party now!

Just starting...

 

This is as far as I went before professional help!

  

Matthew watching Edith work...

  

It's coming along...

 

Matthew got to help as well!

 

Isn't the monkey cute?

 

It's finished!!

 

Choice of Shoes

Matthew has great fashion sense when picking out shoes he wants to wear.  Why not wear one tennis shoe two sizes to big for you on one foot, and a flip flop sandal on the other foot with socks.  It works I tell you...