Basement additions

The furniture in the living area has been decided on!  These convert to queen and king size beds.  

New bar stools are also in place - bright orange!

Vanessa and Eli sleeping together

Their profiles are so similar - I love to see them sleep. :)

Calvin's ring routine photos

Bre and Cade Gartin playdate

We had the privilege of hosting two of our kid's best friends over for playing, pizza, and a movie tonight.  It worked out so nicely with the gorgeous and unexpected 68 degree day (it's February!).

first meal downstairs!  

We all watched Epic in 3D!

Valentine's Day 2017

I helped Eli write out the names of all the kids in his preschool class - he handed out cute little valentines to everyone of this classmates - including "to: Eli    from: Eli" which cracked him up.

this was no simple task.  It was a huge effort to get him to write a couple letters at a time.  He wrote different names and "from Eli" on 22 valentines - I think this took him around 2 hours.

Eli's handwriting!

"Bath bombs" from Grandma Jo and Grandpa Jon!

Violet made the cookie dough!

Eli - preK field trip to GBPAC to see Pete the Cat

Eli chose the seat on the bus

"THIS ONE, Mom." 

I surprised him by bringing "Dot Table" along in my purse to watch the show too.

Violet's 11th birthday

It just so happens that January 20th is Inauguration Day for the new president to be sworn in - this happens every 4 yrs and we didn't even realize it until Obama was sworn in when she turned 3.  Eight years later Trump was sworn into the presidency when she turned 11.  

Dave had taken the day off work to spend with the family.  We had scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast for her breakfast meal.

This is what happens when I try take a picture with the birthday girl.  He literally snuck in there the second I tried to hit the "take picture" button on my phone.  And he's shirtless, with a measuring tape.  Welcome to my random life!

Stella, Theo and Jay visited for the birthday party.

A cool-looking pink, gray, and black cake was the perfect thing at Target so I had the lady write happy 11th to Violet.

There's the gang, missing Papa Jon and Aunt Rachel.  Thanks for being the photographer, Rach!  This was after the meal she requested, which was Italian wedding soup (which turned out to be italian flavored noodle/vegetable soup).  We also enjoyed homemade croutons on greens with Olive Garden salad dressing and toast with butter.

got `em all blown out!

present time!

Calvin gave Violet chocolate-covered blueberries

Dad had fun wrapping up her Kindle Fire - in a box, in a box, in a box.  

"the moment" they both realized what the gift was.

matching dresses!

Grandpa Jon and the girls.