Valentine's Day

 We had a fun Valentine's Day this year.  Liv's class did not have a party and she boycotted bringing Valentine's for her class as well.  Mrs. Rockwood had a fun waffle party Valentine's morning that I got to help with.  The boys decorated their own boxes/bags.  Camden's professed his love for Addie.  

Then, they cut out hearts and heart attacked some doors in the school.  Liv weasled her way into the boys waffle party somehow.  She had a sub and had completed all the work she was supposed to be working on.  She wrote out a whole speech that she read to Mrs. Rockwood about why she should  be allowed to attend the boys Valentine's Day party and Mrs. Rockwood had mercy on her.  

For dinner, we got heart shaped pizza from Papa murphy's and I set the table fancy with a candle and flowers and sparkling cider.  We gave Liv a necklace, the boys harmonicas (just not more candy--they already had loads) and I bought all the kids books at from their book fair.  Where I spent the hours after the waffle party volunteering.  We went around the table and said something we loved about everyone in the family. 

 Then, the boys and Derek and I spent the night at the Sky ridge basketball game and Liv spent the night attending a youth temple trip.  Sure do love this family of mine.  Snapped this the Sunday after Valentine's...a moment when somehow all of us including the dog found ourselves together snuggled on the couch.  

Super Bowl

We started Super Bowl Sunday with Stake Conference.  Liv and I sang with our ward choir in the conference.  We got a new stake presidency.  Then, we went home and had a family come follow me discussion led by Camden.  We were all invited to the Thorsteds to watch the game.   Liv insisted that she was making snacks for the super bowl this year.  She had dreamed up this huge stadium of snacks and no matter how much we tried to talk her out of it she insisted.  She spent all day super gluing the stands together with poster board and tin foil.  

Then, filled each section with chips or veggies, had guacamole in the middle for the field and several dips on the sides.  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed her creation and snacks.  

The kids played Triopoly for most of the game, the guys watched the game, the girls joined them for half time and everyone ate till they were stuffed.   Liv insisted on keeping her creation for future super bowl years to come.  

One Night with Puppy Ruby

 All my siblings and I decided to go in together to buy my Dad a puppy this year.  He is retired and has a lot of free time on his hands and he recently lost his golden.  His other two dogs are hunting dogs and not nearly as affectionate and getting older.  He decided he was ready for another golden and wanted a puppy.  There aren't many golden puppies for sale out near him, but loads near me so I have been keeping my eye out.  When he came to visit in January we went to pick out puppies.  We picked the sweetest darkest little red golden female who slept on Dad the whole time he was holding her pretty much.  When the day arrived to pick her up.  I drove up with Liv to go get her.  I took her out of school early to help me watch this new pup in the car ride home on the way back to our house.  

Meanwhile, Mitch drove out and stayed the night with us and drove her home the next day.  We had the best time having an adorable golden retriever puppy for one night.  The boys loved having her chase them around the house.

 

 I didn't even mind that she peed on my floor vinyl floor a few times.  We made Mitch play triolopoly with us and ordered Thai food it was great to see him for a night. 

 Then, we all sadly said goodbye to Ruby and lovbe getting updates on her from Dad and Mitch.  She is such a sweet cute puppy and I'm sure will go into a great dog and companion for Dad.  

Kota Always Inserting Herself

Kota is growing up and I see glimpses of her becoming a good dog and acting less puppyish soon.  The biggest thing lately is that she loves to chew and ruin all the ping pong balls that land on the floor from the ping pong table when we are playing.  She will also sneak plates out of the sink to lick clean when no one is looking. I have so many pictures of her just inserting herself right into whatever we are doing that I had to post them all.  She likes to curl up under the piano when the kids practice and always seems to lay right next to wherever food is being prepared in hopes that something for her to snack on might be dropped.