Grandpas

Like many of you, I believe I grew up with the World's best Grandpa.

really. i did though. ;)

My siblings, cousins, and I have so many wonderful memories with him.

He took us fishing down at the lake, gave us rides on his tractor (we actually rode in the scooping part and he would tip us out on a pile of hay...so fun), four wheeling rides, playing card games (he cheated every time), watching John Wayne movies and Judge Judy, going shooting, playing in the Saloon he built for us, off roading in his jeep, and cliff jumping at Lake Powell....just to name a few.

It was all these little memories built over a lifetime that left all of us cousins bawling/laughing at his funeral over 4 years ago. We all swore we were his "favorite one" and I tell you, he sure made each of us feel that way.

Him and my Grandma absolutely shaped me into who I am today.

They taught me to make time for family, to live in the moment, to love and laugh,

and to have so much fun in this journey called life.

And this is why I absolutely love these pictures of my kiddos with one of their great papa's

(they have 3 fantastic ones)

Papa Duane.

They are still talking about this 4 wheeling ride just up and down St James Lane.

Papa Duane was hooting and hollerin and of course they joined in on the fun.

I nearly got teary eyed with gratitude that he took the 10 minutes out of his day to show some 

grandkids a good time.

It just reminded me of something my Grandpa would have done.

:) :) :)

And that is a good thing.

You are always in my Heart Gramps.

Love you.

xoxo

A tradition.

{February 14th}

candles.

pizza.

flowers.

giggles.

my four sweethearts.

So glad they'll {be mine} forever

In her eyes, it was prom.

I don't think there was ever a girl so excited about a night as this one was on the 10th.

I'm pretty sure these daddy daughter dances surpass just about any holiday of the year.

She beamed all day and made the call on her hair, dress, shoes, and of course makeup.

I have to say by the end of it, she was breathtaking. :)

  She also wanted all photos taken before the dance, because at the dance she wanted to do just that...

Dance.

 

 And Daddy informed me 2 1/2 hours later that they did.

lots of it.

I don't think I have ever seen him so beat.

Lulu didn't want anything to do with the slow dances!

They had a move down where Daddy swung her up over and around his head, around his back and then flipped her.

They did that over and over again and over again.

What a lucky lady to have such a great Dad. I feel honored to watch their sweet relationship.

Lu, marry someone just like him

in 23 years okay?? :)

My little date

{February 9}

For the past 2 years, Sonny and Lu have gone on a special Daddy Daughter date right around Love day.

Last year the Rockstar and I had some good one on one time at home, but this time around we decided to really make a night out of it and have our own sweet date.

It was such a great experience.

 The little man decided to make it a Rio night (good choice) as long as he could get his favorite chips and Queso.

We sat at that little table and ate and talked for a good 45.

Goodness, can that boy talk. He asked me every question you can think of.

"Mom, why does that sun look mad in that picture over there?"

"And why is that guy climbing the mountain to get to that sun?"

"Mom, why does that panda bear (panda express) have a cape?"

"Mom, why does papa call us buster sometimes?"

"What does Buster even mean??"

Good Grief Bud, I don't even know.

The dinner talk really made me realize how much more I need to sit down and talk with him and answer his little inquisitive mind.

The Rockstar had a choice between a movie at the theatre or back at home.

He chose home, but was insistent on a SHARK movie!

He wanted it scary with "people dying"

Wow.

(Please tell me I don't have the only boy who is obsessed with the gore!?)

We settled on Shark Tales and drove all over trying to find it.

Redbox? Nope.

Blockbuster? (remember that place?) Notta.

Netflix even? No again.

Finally, Sonny found it at the library and we shot over to pick it up.

 This is actually my kid who LOVES picture taking...

only with one stipulation...

Funny Faces.

 The night ended with maple popcorn, our jammies, and just the two of us cuddled up for some animated sharks.

It was golden.

Thank you Rocks for a wonderful night out.

You are such a great kid.

I couldn't be more smitten.

*also, found out that night that Daddy had pulled his son over before the date and gave him a lecture about opening up doors for me. He also slipped him a 20 dollar bill and told him to pay for the dinner.

I never saw any of that. Ha!

We went up to his room and checked his jean pocket.

Yep. the 20 was still there. 

I'm sure he thought he had outsmarted us for good. Haha.

Be Mine

Sweet Valentine!

Getting ready for our traditional candle-lit family dinner.

Love this day of Love.

Pink Pancakes

Pink Pancakes

1 1/2 cups cottage cheese

1 1/2 cups oats

6 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 Tbsp agave

1/4 raw beet

Put all ingredients in high powered blender and blend til smooth.

Cook pancakes on griddle.

Top with heated mixed berries and organic whipped cream.

Yummy and Healthy for Valentines!

xoxo

House of Hearts

{February 8th}

I don't know about y'all's houses, but over here my kiddos do not let me miss a holiday of decorating!

(Seriously, the Rockstar insisted on putting a groundhog up on the entertainment center for that special day)

And Valentine's (today! Smooches!) is definitely no exception.

The good thing is that they are so easy to please and if I give them the tools, they take the matter into their own hands and go right to work...

Yep, If you are driving in our neighborhood, you can't miss us.

We're the house with the purple door

covered in hearts.

(they have added to since this day)

Love celebrating every holiday with the youngens!

They just make it all more exciting!!

Happy Hearts!

Happy home.

*oh and I swear that every once in a while, I actually brush gigi's hair and wipe her nose.
guess I gotta take a picture to prove it sometime huh. :)