Family Valentine's Fun

We have built a Valentine's tradition over the past few years.

We order heart-shaped pizza and watch The Princess Bride.

And we play a game that involves hugs...

...tickles...

 ...and lots of fun moments.

The game also prompts us to tell the others what we love about them.  Here's some of the record for the year:

Isaac to Dad : you're a fun dad

Dad to Isaac: you like to do the same things I like to do, you respect mommy and daddy, when you want to get something done you do it very quickly, you like to eat rice

Mom to Isaac: you are very creative

Mom to Abby: you're very silly and funny, you care about people

Abby to Isaac: I like to play Legos with you, really great brother and you help me

Dad to Abby: she is happy a lot, you're smart and can read really good

Isaac to Mom: you're a really awesome mom

Isaac to Abby: you like to give things

Abby to Dad : you're a great worker

Family

Mom gathered us at her house this Saturday.

It's just cute when the kids are all lined up, even if they're just watching Isaac play mine craft.

Isaac showing Nana his new knife sharpener.

Papa brought it to give it to him.  It was Papa's grandfather's honing stone.  So, it was Isaac's great-great-great grandfather's.  Pretty cool.

Just hangin'

Very thankful for family.

Daddy-Daughter Dance

This dance is one of the highlights of Abby's year.  She asks about it several times throughout the year.

Her dress was black this year, so we added pink to her nails, necklace, and bow to bring in some color.

She felt very pretty, but she was taking the photo shoot very seriously and wouldn't give a smile.

After prompting, this was the biggest smile I could get.

 Had to take a picture of her curls.  Her hair is as straight as can be, so I'm pretty impressed at how the curls hold.

With Daddy.

Ah, there's the smile. :)

Meet up with our friends.

She wore my fur coat from when I was about 8 years old.  My mom saves everything.

Loaded into the "limo" (our matrix).

At the dinner and dance:

After the dance, they got ice cream.

The daddies were tired.

TLC

I have been feeling like my kids need some extra TLC lately, so I set a little time aside for a special date with each of them.

Mother-Son date, his choice: laser tag:

then ice cream.

Mother-Daughter date, her choice: donuts

then nails...but I didn't get a picture of that part.  Doh!  So, here's an extreme close up, zoomed in on her nails (of a pic from the Daddy-Daughter Dance):

Grandpa

Two weeks ago we flew out to California for a very short trip to attend Grandpa's funeral.  

After the funeral service, we gathered for food and family time...

...which always involves cards.

We will miss Grandpa.