love is in the air~

Well hello there.

This post is going to sort of be all over the place, but in the end it all comes down to one simple fact... we are set for v~day! Something special about this lover's day that I just can't get enough of. Is it just me, or did it sneak up way to quick this year? To all my pinterest buddies, did you spy these little sweethearts? Couldn't resist~ the peanut butter blossom, with a lovely twist...

I actually posted this recipe waaay back here, for those interested. And gotta send a shout out to one of my most favorite kitchen tools, my cookie dough scoop! Makes life just sweeter i say, and only a few bucks at your local Bed Bath and Beyond! This is me and my sweet nephew Krew~ I was getting some serious snuggles, and loving every minute of it:)

We dug out some keepers from last year~ nothing too crazy, but very special to me. That planter is actually from when my sweet grandma passed a few months ago. I am pretty impressed it is still living;)

Ry-bug celebrated her 100th day of school, and dug into carefully autographing her valentine's~

Parker has been pretty much obsessed with Lego Ninjago, and insists on watching or rehearsing all of their sweet moves... pretty flippin' adorable if you ask me.

Some more quality time on the slopes~ such fun times with my family.

The gals in my family came over for some serious craftin'~ there were goodies involved... Nic never shy's away from a little treat;) Oh! and just to clarify, he does not sport his jersey around the house, unless he is fresh home from a b-ball game... which was the case here:)

I thought a hot cocoa bar was in order for such a night~ um. I made homemade mallows. I will never turn back, they are pure delightfulness. Recipe here.

This little bowl speaks to me;0~ thanks Meg, you are my girl!

These mini-cake donuts are from my kitchen as well, recipe here. They were a little taste of heaven I must say. I left out the maple, and stuck with chocolate and vanilla glaze.

And then it was time to get our craft on!

We laughed until I was doubled over, and crying...

I needed that. Girl time is a must!

And the finished product~

Oh, how I love this bunch!~

{hotta, we missed you!! almost made you a 'hotta' banner;)}

The next day was a lazy one. Playing in the leftover paint mess, making masterpiece's! And special mail~ my favorite!

And got my new banner hung~

A little close up~

And what's going on behind me you ask...

monkey business! We are all about it:)

And that is that folks.

Hope you all have a happy lover's day.

I'm going to be lovin' up on my sweet family;)

And loves to you, too!

~xo

Ladybugs~

Kade came home from school the other day with a water colored ladybug. We were all pretty much in love with it, and the kids were begging to make some more. So we loaded up with some watercolors, and Kade drew each of them their own bug to paint...

When Rylie concentrates she purses her lips...
When Parker concentrates he sticks out his tongue...
Notice my lesson all over the counter back there. I am really messy:)
Things were going so well...

Until.

Ry~bug used up all of the green paint. Sad. Sad. Sad. Notice she just paints on, as poor Kaden is in tears over there. Classic.

I highly recommend this activity~

but make note to purchase enough paint;)

Don't you think these are frame~worthy?

I sure do.

Blessed

A little bit of what we've been doing this week... and some food for thought.

{you might need some food, I had a lot of thoughts;)}My darling friends Susanne and Scotty came over Tuesday to whip up the hand~outs for New Beginnings. Oreo~pops for our "Black and White" theme... seriously love these gal's.
We had so much fun, and New Beginnings was a great success. Everyone does their little part, and somehow it all comes together and amazes me. I love to see the different talents that each leader and young woman hold. It reminds me of the other day when Kaden looked at me and said, "Do you know it's better to be different than the same. Because if we were all the same, and had the same things, the world would be boring." {seriously, his own words} I love that he has learned that at such a young age. We are all children of our Heavenly Father, and blessed in very different and special ways~ which gives us a reason to help and depend on one another. I really love that idea~ we are all good for somethin' right?

We celebrated the brilliant Dr. Seuss, and the wonderful gifts he has shared. His books are perfection~ so simple, yet profound.
One of my many favorite Dr. Seuss quotes:
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..."
I think that ties in perfectly with our "black and white" theme in that we have all been taught and prepared, but in the end it is our choice whether we are going to choose right or wrong, be honest or cheat, be kind and good or turn the other cheek, hold on to our virtue or let the ways of the world confuse us and let go of what we know is right. We can be who we choose.
And lastly, Meg came over today to get her craft on~ we were on a pillow mission. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends and neighbors, especially when I get cutler's cookies on my porch (shh...don't tell Nic~ they are hiding;) It is slowly sinking in that this is where we need to be. It was a fabulous week that left me feeling uplifted and edified. Looking so forward to the weekend with my fam~ they are the best in the west!
Hope you all enjoy your weekend~xo