Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's day.  My mom had a way of making it so special when I was younger.  I love having a fun holiday in the middle of winter.  We need something to look forward to!

 streamers for V-day morning

I started a new tradition this year (thank you pinterest).  Starting Feb 1st I put a heart on everyone's bedroom door at night.  The hearts had reasons why I loved that person.  I didn't think the boys would care much about it, but each morning I told Charlie to check for a new heart.  We would find it together and read what it said.  He would smile and say, "THANKS mom!" 

V-day morning the boys woke up to streamers in the kitchen and on their doors.  They also had a special surprise breakfast...

You would have thought I put a thousand dollars on the table!  Chocolate milk and donuts for breakfast?!  

I guess we need more donuts in our lives. 

That afternoon a package arrived!  Flowers and chocolates from Tony.  We said no gifts this year.  Smart man still got me something :)

red, pink & white tulips

Charlie helped me open the box.  After seeing me get excited he told me he needed to get my "surprise."  He got a thermos off the counter and headed into the backyard.  When he came back in, his hands were behind his back and he told me to "close my eyes."

 

 he laid them out on the porch for me to see

He had picked me flower-looking weeds from the backyard and used the thermos as a vase.  We displayed them on the table, in the thermos cup, right next to daddy's flowers.  He was so proud!

That night we had our tradition of a special family dinner.  We went kid friendly this year with heart shaped strawberries and pizzas.  Following tradition, each setting had a box of chocolates--themed in either The Avengers, Iron Man & Spiderman.  We had to have some balancing of girly and boy. 

 Charlie thought drinking out of a "fancy cup" was the best part

 After bath time the boys got to open their gifts: little books and matchbox cars.  It really was such a fun night! 

 I love Valentine's day my and 3 Valentine's.

Farm Animal Field Trip

 Charlie & Danny petting Clover

Last week the joy school theme was "Farm Animals." There are several families in our ward that own little farms.  We got permission to go to the Homer's house and see all of their animals.

The Homer's had lots of animals for the kids to see; chickens, goats, horses, etc. We looked at the eggs.  There were white eggs, brown eggs and light GREEN eggs.  I had never seen or heard of green eggs before.   I guess Green Eggs and Ham is not made up by Dr. Seuss after all.

Charlie was all over that property and having the time of his life.  Really, isn't it every little boys dream to grow up on a farm and have horses? 

Grandma & Papa Come to Visit

 This past week Grandma and Papa Gibson came to visit!  They were celebrating their wedding anniversary with a cruise.  They flew to our house for a visit on their way home.  We got them all to ourselves Monday-Friday night.  Saturday morning Charlie told me he was sad because he missed them.  "Papa is a silly guy," he said. 

 lunch at Red Lobster

We were treated to lots of meals out while they were here.  It was a really nice treat.  Tony didn't have time off so it was nice to meet up with him during the days. 

We spent our time outside walking, in the backyard and playing with toys.  We went walking at Crystal Bridges and jumped on the trampoline.  Papa took Joey on a walk, all by himself, while Charlie had his school field trip.  Grandma played Candyland with Charlie.  The boys had a great time with their grandparents.

 building garages for the cars

I had a little to-do list for Papa's visit.  He's quite the handyman so I had him fixing our kitchen table, reupholstering the ottoman (see it above?) and fixing the knobs on Joey's dresser.  It's really too bad he doesn't live closer.  I can think of all kinds of projects I could have him doing for me :)

 I realize grandma is blurry but I love Charlie's reaction in this picture

 

I'm so happy they could come see us.  We are lucky to have such great grandparents.  

We love you Papa and Grandma!

Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam!

Charlie is now a sunbeam!  He has been wanting to go to primary for months now.  Really he just wants to go up on stage when the kids sing songs & have their program. 

 He was pretty stoked the morning of his first day...

It was finally his chance to be one of the big kids!  I took him to sharing time and he did great.  No tears, just a little timid and shy.  I was subbing as the primary pianist and got to watch him through all of sharing time.  He looked so tiny sitting in one of the big chairs!  Then I was bad and snapped a (silent) photo on my phone.  I couldn't help it :)

Charlie is growing up fast.  Today he begged me to bear his testimony in sacrament meeting.  Several of his friends were up there and he wanted to go to.  I was a little nervous but he marched up there, stood on the stool (you couldn't see his head over the podium) and repeated the little sentences I whispered in his ear.

 "I love my family.  I'm thankful for prayers.  I'm thankful for scriptures.  I'm happy to be in sunbeams. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." 

 I was so proud of him until I realized I then had to bear my testimony too.  This will be good practice for both Tony and I.  We love you Charlie boy!

Utah Trip

Back in December Tony was asked to go to BYU's career fair to help recruit for Walmart.  We talked to my parents and worked it out for us to fly out a day before him and leave a few days after.  It was the perfect trip.  Thanks mom and dad!

Some of the trip's highlights

The best part was seeing our family.  Besides my mom, I hadn't seen anyone since last April.  The boys have grown up quite a bit since then!  Joey especially. I got to meet up with my sweet sister in law Sandi and have dinner with her and my nephew Parker.  I didn't take a picture, but I'm so glad I got to see them. 

Charlie & Uncle Trent

my beautiful sisters-Chloe & Hailey

Even Uncle Jack came up from BYU!  

Tony and I got to take him out for ice cream down in Provo one night.  We love you Jack.

Brittany (who just bought a house by my parents), Laura, me, my other cousin Brittany & Chloe

hanging with Nana

My cousin's son Johnny & Joey--they are a month apart

Uncle Brian & Charlie

Joey & Papa

I was so excited because I was able to go to my sister in law's baby shower!  She is due with twins in two weeks.  We are so excited for them!

Brittany, mom, Laura, me, Chloe & Brittany

 I got to see some of my sweet friends too.

The Johnson family.  

Their son, Sam, came home from his mission while we were there!

 Emily, Heather & Brooke--college roommate reunion over breakfast.

 so sad this picture is a little blurry...

I also got to meet up with Katie Brammer & Berkeley Kershisnik.  It was great seeing some old friends.

While I did miss our Arkansas weather, the boys had a great time in the snow!  While Tony was with us, he and the boys played outside.  

 

We got lucky on the flight back.  Joey slept in his carseat all but the last 30 minutes (don't worry, he screamed enough then to make up for his time sleeping) & Charlie got his own row because the plane was almost empty.  We were sure happy to see daddy when we got off the plane. 

It was a really great trip, but it's nice to be home.  We miss our families so much!  We love you.