Lurve

Valentine's Day was glorious this year.  I mean, it's pretty great every year, but this year is probably on the top of my list.  Vday changes as you get older, yes?  Kids, job, work, life, etc.  It's hard to schedule romance and even harder to get a reservation if said romance involves going to dinner somewhere.  The past few years Cody and I have just done lunch and had dinner at home, pretty simple and it's been great.  This year was no different but for some reason it seemed more special.

We don't usually do 'gifts', but this year I really wanted Cody to come home to a super clean house.  This may not seem very daunting to you, but it is to me.  And our room was no picnic to clean out.  It was sort of a 'spring cleaning' in a way, I was going through everything and tossing whatever I could.  Cody had worked the previous few days and would be coming home the morning of Valentines Day.  I stayed up to the wee hours and it was so worth it!  Love me a clean house!

I secured a sitter for the middle of the day, so Cody and I went out and did some shopping and had lunch.  It's amazing what some small alone time can do for us.  When we got home, Cody let me take a nap (win!) and he ran some errands.  Oh!  I should mention that when he came home that morning, he gave me pink roses and a box of pink doughnuts for breakfast.  YUM.  No pictures, because they were eaten in like 20 seconds.

That evening Cody and I took the boys to the grocery store to shop for our dinners.  Cody and I got some crab legs and steaks with some bubbly and the boys opted for lil' smokies.  We got some movies from Red Box and came home to cook.  Ahhhh!  The crab is trying to escape!

We got the boys set up in their room, complete with bed fort, dinner and treats.  In hindsight, I probably should not have let them have chips in bed.  hmm.  

Cody and I got set up downstairs with our DELICIOUS dinner and movie, 'Pitch Perfect'.

I loved that we included the boys in our date that night.  They thought it was so fun to have their own dinner in their room and they knew that Cody and I were having a romantic dinner downstairs.  New tradition!  Best Valentines ever.

Happy Birthday, Cruz!

 Somehow, this little cherub of mine turns 1 today.  

I love, love, LOVE this baby of mine.  I love to squeeze him and kiss him and I express my disbelief in his cuteness thousands of times every day.  Seriously.  I need a chewing stick.

I remember the day his was born so vividly (as well I should, it was only a year ago.  pfft.) and I can't believe how fast this year has gone by.  I get asked all the time if we're going to have another baby.  Truly?  I don't know.  I wish I did.  Once when Cody and I were talking about it I said, "The problem is we have such freaking beautiful babies." To which he immediately replied, "I know.".  Not even being humorous about it - we have gorgeous babies and there's nothing we can do about it.  Theresocute!!

Alas, I don't know if my little Cruz is our last or not, but I do know that he is the best baby on this planet.  He sleeps like a champ, he is always so happy and so content.  He has dealt with tons of sickies but still pulls through and no matter how hard I try, he won't cuddle (which is completely unfair).  He wiggles like crazy, never holds still for us to change his diaper, he's smothered by his older brothers who love everything about him, he squeaks and chirps and has recently starting saying, 'uh oh..".  Which is random...we never say that.

Ugh, I love him.  Love my little lovekin.  Happy Birthday, Cruzer!

Be Mine...

Every year my ward hosts a radical Valentine's Dance for the adults.  This will be the 4th year they've had one and the first year I was able to go!  Lemme esplain..

Year 1 - I got to sing with a big band while everyone danced, but then I had to rush out to go to rehearsal.

Year 2 - Cody was working.

Year 3 - I was pregnant.  Like really, really pregnant.

Year 4 - No show!  No work!  No baby!  I'm in!

Ooooooh, wait.  You see, Cody works part time in Sundance and had a shift that day.  He tried to get it off to no avail which left me without a date.  Swayed by my friends, I decided to attend ala carte.  So!  I got all gussied and headed over to the church.  I talked with peeps and helped Celine take pictures of the couples arriving.  She even got this candid shot of Miss Lonely Heart...

The place looked beautiful...I mean, really.  So, so pretty.  The VooDoo Orchestra played and the music was outstanding!  Such a fun night, I was having a wonderful time.  That is, until they played 'Since I don't have you' and everyone got up to dance and I was sitting alone at the table.

Love my ward and the dance was wonderful.  Hopefully next year I can wrangle up a date.

Fire Chief

You've heard me talk about the stellarness that is my Father in Law.  I mean, the man is ridiculously stoic.  Humble, hard working, genuine and selfless...dipped in gold, basically.  It came as no surprise (to anyone) when he was made Fire Chief of Provo City.  WooHoo!  Totally deserved.  Last week we went to see him get sworn in and my goodness it was an awesome sight.

Now, I've never been to one of these.  I assumed it was in the chambers of the Mayor or some city official.  We walked in and I saw two fireman in their dress blues standing at the door...like British soldiers.  All shiny and pressed and expressionless.  The room was giant, filled with family and friends and tons of firemen from the department.  Why did I assume this wasn't a huge deal?

A lot of people spoke, telling stories of Gary and how remarkable he is.  What a wonderful man he is and leader he will make.  Finally he was able to stand and say a few words.  I love that man!

Congratulations Gary!  And 'you're welcome' Provo City.

Baptism

On February 2nd, Cache was baptized!  

A special day indeed.  He was soooooo excited, he's been talking about it for months.  When I tried to talk to him about what happens at his baptism he couldn't get past the 'white outfit' he got to wear in the font.  That's all he talked about;

"Do I get to keep the jumpsuit?"
"No, honey.  It's just for that day.  Now, after you get baptized-"
"Does it have a hood?"
"Nope, now-"
"Does it have buttons?"
sigh....

The morning of we were racing around getting everyone ready.  I was speaking so I came down to my desk to write a quick poem for my talk.  I heard Cody and Cache talking upstairs and Cody was telling him what it means to be baptized and how important the Holy Ghost is.  Such a dear moment.

Friends and family came and everything went perfectly.  Cache loved it and I was so proud to see him in the font with his Dad.  I beamed when Cody confirmed our son a member of the Church...a fantastic day.

"Today I'm getting baptized,
I can't believe it's finally here!
I've waited for so long, it seems,
to reach my 8th year.

I'll show my friends and family
how I love to choose the right.
I'll say my prayers every day,
in the morning and the night.

I'll march forth with courage,
I'll study the Savior's word.
I'll show through my example
how much I love the Lord.

I stand for truth and righteousness,
I know the church is true.
Today I'm getting baptized!
...and I'm so proud of you."

Spy Party

Cache has been obsessed with spy stuff lately.  He bought a book at his school's book fair months ago and the mania has grown.  **Side Note: I gave Cache $11.00 to spend at his book fair.  The savvy kid spent $10.99 and got 4 books.  I love him.**  A spy party seemed in order and Cody and I had a BLAST putting it all together.  The invites were addressed to each Agent in a manilla envelope with 'Top Secret' across the front.

We decided to have the kids come to the "Spy Training Facility" where they could reach Super Spy Status.  Upon arrival, each Spy received their own spy kit equipped with all necessary SpyWare:

Notebook, pen, rubber bands, rope, flashlight, paper clips, chewing gum and "bugs".

Also during check-in, each spy received a name tag.  Everyone dressed up and it was hilarious.  The names they chose were great, we had 'Agent Secret', 'Agent Gold', 'Agent Nick Fury' and 'Agent McGee'.

We had 5 Sectors set up with tests for the spies to pass.  After each Sector, they received a star on their badge.  Sector 1 was Self-Defense and Escape Technique.  The kids loved this and Cody was the greatest instructor.  (Cody set up his GoPro camera to take pictures during the party - our own Spy Cam!).

This Sector had laser beams.  They had to retrieve some jewelry from across the room and try not to get burned!  Agent baby watched closely.

We had a crime scene Sector and each spy had to examine the evidence and solve the crime.  They were so diligent and quiet while looking everything over and taking notes in their notebooks.

Placing stars on their badges.

Everyone passed!  After I applied the star to their badges, Cody shook their hands and congratulated them for achieving Top Spy Status.  It was so official.

It was seriously so much fun!  The kids had a blast, so did we.  Happy Birthday, Agent Secret!  This blog post will self-destruct in 10 seconds...