Valentine's Day 2014

 We celebrated Valentine's Day a bit early this year at our monthly family dinner.

I LOVE Valentine's Day

I made Manicotti for Brett when we were dating on Valentine's Day, so I always make that or some type of Italian dish. This year it was Lasagna & the whole family was together to enjoy it.

We are so thrilled that Aimee & Sean have moved back to Utah as of January so they will be here for our monthly family dinner too! We are so blessed- really.

Our other Valentine's Day tradition is to have Chocolate Fondue.

I'm not sure how this started- but let me tell you--

Don't ever underestimate the power of dessert.

Everyone was so excited about this. I was surprised how much the anticipation of the dessert permeated the group. I will not forget this anytime soon! I asked all the couples to bring something to dip into the fondue and they did NOT disappoint. Brian took this extra serious & googled fondue ideas. Nothing like googling to figure out what is up?!  

(Laura's plate)

(Brian's plate)

There was strawberries, bananas, donuts, rice crispy treats, cheesecake pieces, pretzels, twinkies... shoot I know I'm forgetting something. It was fun- and really good.

The kids got into it- Here is Charlie & Lola 

It's hard to get a picture of a kid who is serious about eating chocolate.

  

The twinners & a chocolate faced- Joey. 

I love how he kind of looks guilty in this picture.

On the real Valentine's Day

I woke up to find this in the kitchen:

It's been a rough 12 months to say the least but through it all-

we have each other. 

(we spent the next few days critiquing the chocolates)

Family & Chocolate Fondue

What else can you ask for?