A Valentine Weekend

We've had such a fun weekend!  I always feel like January and February are the calm before the storm for us.  Spring sports and recitals are right around the corner but there hasn't been a lot going on other than our daily routines. 

We had a fun weekend planned that began Friday morning.  My kiddos talked me into making heart pancakes for breakfast a few days ago.  It took a few days for me to commit.....Morning person I am Not! But it was worth the early morning alarm :)

We had sweet friends join us for breakfast and play!

 Keegan had so much fun with sweet Kenlee.  They cracked me up with their conversations. He already has a hard time saying no to the ladies......

Ava was soooo excited that I could come to her class party. It was great to see her having so much fun with her friends and teacher. 

They had a really fun time!

It's still a little surreal that she is a kindergartner- And it's February!

Ava & her teacher

I have to say that I had my heart set on a different teacher last summer.  I prayed with all of my heart and God put me in my place and gave Ava the perfect teacher for her little personality.  Ava is encouraged, challenged and loved on daily and we couldn't be more thankful for this lady.

 

We decided to make our own heart pizza because Ava was not impressed with our Papa Murphy's heart pizza last year.  Jeff worked his hardest on the dough and we cut pepperonis into little hearts.  It was actually really good and Ava thought it looked much more "like a real heart."

We made and decorated heart sugar cookies.  Maybe a little much?  I realized at the end of the day we had not eaten anything that wasn't in the shape of a heart.  But they loved it.

And because their Daddy can Never wait until an actual holiday to give gifts....This was the night before...

Crafts and flowers for this girl

And stickers and a baseball bank for this guy

Valentine's Day last year...They are growing so fast

Yesterday we went out to lunch and took the kids see the new Lego movie. 

Oh these kids!  So thankful for our little family and weekends like this :)

 

 

Keegan's Big Boy Room

It was such a bittersweet weekend for me.  Keegan will be three in just six weeks so it was definitely time to get him into a "big boy" bed.  We found bunk beds and a matching dresser that we fell in love with Friday night and by Saturday night I was a mom without a nursery.  No crib. No rocking chair.  Sigh. 

Keegan's excitement eased the pain for sure.  I pulled out the video camera because he was so funny.  He kept saying "You guys, this is AMAZING. Such a good idea!"  It was hilarious.  And I know it was time. 

He absolutely loves his new room.  Instead of rocking we now read books on the top bunk.  Ok...maybe I still rock him a little without the chair.  Lord help this boy. 

We still have plans to paint the room a gray/blue and replace the planes and trains with baseball décor soon but this is our first big first step.  How is he almost 3?!

Phone Pics

I downloaded some pics from our phones that were taken the last few weeks. 
Here are some of my favorites.....

Packing for St. Louis

Getting Kit dressed for Northern temperatures :)

Goodnight St. Louis!

My Silly Loves at BJ's

Bubble wrap as a wedding veil.... Why not? Love her creativity :)

Living in a choo-choo world these days

Love Saturday mornings at Dunkin :)

A little Hungry Hippo action. 

They have just started going off to their rooms to play together and I love sneaking around the corner to listen to them :)

Wow, Santa is so glad he brought Rainbow Loom Christmas morning. 

Ava is loom crazy over here!  She loves to make bracelets and necklaces for her friends. 

I love that this guy taught her how to make the different designs. 

Daddy is quite the bracelet designer these days :)

A sweet card she made me over Christmas break

With a picture of us on the back :)

And this little guy sure is filling up that car seat lately.  He looks so old to me.

I can't believe he will be 3 in just eight weeks!  Time keeps flying by....

 

Our Trip to Illinois

We were so blessed to be able to travel north this year to see all of our extended family in St. Louis and central Illinois.  We decided just a week before to make the drive. It was such a fun trip but it was cut a little short due to the blizzard conditions that were headed for the area.  We barely made it out in time! 

Our first stop is always Uncle Mark & Aunt Hazel's in St. Louis.  We made it there around 5:30 and had the best time!

Funny Uncle Mark

Hazel's old wonder horse was quite the hit!

watching a movie with Ryan & Krista

We headed out for Grandpa's house in Kenney, Illinois Friday morning.

And he met Kinley for the first time :-)

 The kids had fun playing with lots of old toys...

And eating some of Grandpa's homegrown popcorn

A fun dinner with Hutchison Friday night

We woke up to a cold Illinois morning.  I think the high was 18 the entire time we were there but the wind chill was much colder. 

The kids lasted only about five minutes playing out in the snow.

They are true Texans. Ha!

 Taking a milk break...drinking out of the same mugs that Daddy & Uncle used as kids :-)

 

 Jensen Family Christmas on Saturday

There were 37 of us!

Jeff with Aunt Lori & Uncle Kevin

Presents from cousin Jenny!

 We had to leave Saturday evening around 5:30 to beat the weather.  We drove all the way to west Memphis and stayed the night there.  And as I've mentioned before, I'm pretty sure hotels are my kids' love language.  They were pretty excited.  This pic was taken at 12:30am!  We had an easy drive on Sunday and made it home right at 4pm.

 It's never easy to leave and it was so wonderful spending even a small amount of time with family that we rarely get to see.  And because I know you are about 95% of my readers here I have to say Thank you, thank you, thank you for your hospitality!  We all had the most amazing time and we love you all :-)