Valentine's Day 2019

Today I found out the gender of my grandchild to be! YES a new baby is on the way- no details can be spilled at this moment-- except yes we will have our 9th grandchild this year.

It's FANTASTIC and we could not be happier! Honestly- I am just overwhelmed with joy about this new baby.

Then I lost my new prescription glasses somehow on the way home. 

@#*$(!+^!?#%!

I've back tracked all my steps- even to the post office and Walmart...

about my last post

I realize my last post could be offensive to some people- I have options- I have choices.

I am lucky- blessed - whatever you want to call it. I'm not complaining- just stating my experience. 

I will say that I have a lot of responsibility. Most I have never discussed on this format.

Of course, No one's life is what it seems on social media. 

I want to be better about that but I am still scared to be 100% truthful.

For Valentine's Day this Year 

Brett left this little note below on the kitchen counter for me to find in the morning.

AND

Brought home the box of Ruby Snap Cookies above - after work!

HE IS THE BEST

I love him...

and now I can't see without my glasses...

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?

finally fixed

Tonight- I have been totally fed up with this computer...

Then- MAGICALLY- Hailey's friend Ryan

FIXED IT

Thanks to Ryan-

Here are some photos from our week.

---

If you ever go to Trader Joe's-- ever

Pick up one of these babies.

BEST CANDY BAR

Oh I love them. 

And I don't even like pb & j sandwiches- go figure?

Every Single Day

My beautiful hens lay eggs.

I just can't get over it, maybe you are sick of reading about them- but I love you ladies.

This is a photo of Brian holding one of his darling babies!

I think this is Crew.

I know this guy below is Finn.

I am so very impressed with what a wonderful team Brian & Laura have made!

*They are already amazing parents*

I stop by for at least 1/2 hour or more-- EVERYDAY.

It is an absolute joy for me.

One day- Laura was taking a nap & I had Crew. Brian changed Finn's diaper & there it went... he peed all over. Brian was like- hey no sweat- he took off his clothes & gave him a bath! WITHOUT Laura- I was like... do you need help? do you need Laura to help? Nope he just took over, gave him a bath. He confidently washed his sweet little body & head. Then, got him back dressed. Wow. Impressive. I don't think I have ever seen a new dad so involved & competent.

He & Laura- they just have it all together over there. 

This past week- Trent & I spent some time together.

We went shopping- Trent thought the boys needed this Fisher Price Car. Ya, maybe?

  

We had our annual Valentine's Dinner

a week late.

Better late than never, right?

 Look at these deer that were in our back yard!

Crazy huh

 The twinners got weighed at the pediatrician's office.

They are doing so good-

Finn has already topped his birth weight by 2 oz. Crew- is following up close. 

 It was a busy week & it all starts over again tomorrow.

pago

For Christmas- Megan & Tony gave us a gift card to go here!

Pago

We finally got there the Saturday before Valentine's Day-- NO Chance we could get in on Valentine's Day- so this was the next best thing.

We went after I got off work & had brunch.

IT WAS SO- SO GOOD!

We had chocolate chip scones with artisan peach jam for starters.

 Then- we shared Almond Encrusted French Toast with Berry Compote

and

 the Pago Breakfast.

Scrambled Eggs with Fresh Green beans Fried Potatoes.

Everything was divine & cooked to perfection.

Thanks Megan & Tony -

We loved it & it was so fun to go to a new place.

Valentine's Day 2012

Happy Valentine's Day

(I can't get this picture to rotate... aargh!)

 I hope you have Fun!

 Lots Of Love,

patsy

Valentine's Day dinner comes early

 Because of very busy schedules- we had our annual Valentine's Day family dinner tonight!

It's a very rainy, winter day here -- so Savory Thick Beef Stew with Leslie's Salad & Chloe's homemade bread was on the menu.

Branson joined us!

  Brett's favorite new dessert.

Vanilla ice cream balls that have been rolled in toasted coconut, on a brownie (my favorite scratch brownie) with Chloe's caramel sauce over the top! 

OH THIS IS LOVE

Do you have Valentine's Day plans?

Click on the link to see our Valentine's Day dinners from years past.

valentines day

Yesterday was the big Valentine's Day.

I always try to make Valentine's day extra special at our home because I always hated Valentine's day as a kid. So- I had big plans as usual for the day.

It started with waiting...

waiting for the ultra sound news from megan & tony!

We are so happy for them & to be having our second Grandson.

Life just doesn't get better than that- a healthy new Grandson on his way.... ahhh.

After milling around waiting for that news I ran to the store (I was already behind because I wasn't feeling too good- I could feel allergies or a cold coming on.) I needed to get the ingredients for some centers.

chocolate centers!

Trent's 5th grade class were dipping chocolates in the afternoon!
I made oreo & cherry centers.
oh my goodness
this was so fun!
So fun for the kids- I love when teachers give kids an opportunity to do something different- even though it's a lot of work- I think it's such a valuable experience for kids to try new things. Of course, not my kid. He refused to participate. He didn't want any part of chocolate or getting his hands in it?If I wasn't completely sure he was mine... I would wonder.
Last Friday the teacher had told the students whomever didn't have their homework turned in- would not get an opportunity to dip chocolates. Trent took this as his opportunity to skip doing his homework. He told her (very matter of fact) he wasn't going to do his homework this week because he doesn't like chocolate anyway..
oh boy
Um- Hello? Rude!
He had to do his homework & apologize.


We got home & my cold was coming in hard...
I had a million things to do to get the Valentine dinner ready, but my body was shutting down. Even this elaborate gift from trent

He set up this table in the basement as a valentine gift for me since his crap is all over my desk in the office. I have been asking him to clean it up but instead he declared that he put up this table just for me, just for valentines day, so I can have my own space --- seriously? I already have my own space in the office on my desk- you little stink!
Finally- I stopped in my tracks & got sick.
Brett saved the day, came home & took us all to dinner.
It had to be quick & it had to be local. We still had a lot to do. Valentine cupcakes to deliver to the girl's friends & Brian needed to get a dozen roses off to Laura who was at work.
I didn't want to leave the house at all, but didn't want to miss our valentine dinner!

I slept all afternoon today.

I did get up & make day late valentine dinner of Manicotti, bread sticks & salad.

then forgot to take photos!

oh well- Even though I've got a doozy of a cold- I'm feeling a lot better tonight