Ballerina Girl

Haylie is really loving her ballet class! She is so excited every week as she squeals with delight at everything the teacher asks the class to do - it is very cute to watch! She has a big recital coming up in a couple months and she cannot wait!

Valentines Day

It was really fun having Valentines Day this year on a Sunday. We all got to spend the day together and make it really special. Daddy came up with a great idea to do all heart-shaped foods, all day. We had heart pancakes for breakfast, heart sandwiches for lunch and heart pasta for dinner. We also decorated heart cookies for lunch. The kids really enjoyed all the festivities this year including craft hour where we all made valentines for each other and then used them to decorate the house. It was definitely one of the most enjoyable days we have had. I am so grateful for such a wonderful family!

The kids working on their Valentines cards. Haylie made one for everyone but James made two for Daddy and then he was done:

They really loved receiving their cards from each of us:

Raider is loved:

Raider decided to join in the heart fun and make his own craft project:

We took a quick craft break for heart sandwiches - found some random shots on my camera when downloading the photos - apparently one of the kids got a hold of the camera and decided to take their own photos of our day:

Our valentines cards:

Awww, how sweet:

James was more interested in eating the cookies than decorating them:

Raider is a "tormented teenager" who had to decorate his cookie with a broken heart :)

Our valentine cookie production:

Yummy heart pasta for dinner:

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

I don't share recipes very often because I don't consider myself much of a cook - but this one was quite the hit in our house this week and it was really easy (because the crock pot does most of the work), so I thought I would share:

Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 7-10 hours

3 lbs Country style pork ribs (should be boneless)

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon of pepper

3 tablespoons liquid smoke

2 cloves garlic, chopped (I used the chopped garlic in a jar)

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cola (Pepsi!!!)

1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce (we used Honey BBQ sauce and it was very good)

Sandwich rolls of your choice

1. Spray inside of Crock Pot with cooking spray

2. Mix brown sugar, pepper, liquid smoke, garlic and salt; rub mixture into ribs (I just brushed it on)

3. Put ribs in slow cooker. Pour soda over ribs.

4. Cover and cook on low heat setting 8-9 hours (I never remember to put it in early enough so I cook on high for bout 5-6 hours (plus I prefer to cook everything on high!!). This time I actually cooked them at night and reheated for dinner the next day - since I kept forgetting to put it in in the morning) :)

5. After 8-9 hours Remove ribs from slow cooker. Drain and discard liquid.

6. At this point the ribs should be practically falling apart. (optional step - take out any pieces of fat you see). Return them to the slow cooker and add Barbecue sauce. Stir thoroughly until all the pork is shredded. Cook on low for 1 hour.

7. Add shredded pork to sandwich rolls (we used sour french)

Makes about 6-8 sandwiches

Yum!!! We have been eating these for lunch and dinner the last few days.

Drive-Ins

About once or twice a year we head out to the drive-ins for a movie. Last time we went, James was a lot younger and it was very challenging to keep him entertained. This time, both the kids did a pretty good job watching the movie - Alvin and the Chipmunks. It was very cute and it was fun cuddling in the car.

Winterfier

I always love getting together with my girlfriends from high school. We had the chance to catch up at April's annual Winterfier party. It's funny to see how our gang grows every year with all the kids!! Great to see you girls!

Jack and Haylie had SO much fun together:

The Dentist

Haylie had her first dentist appt this week. We went to get her teeth cleaned but we also really needed to check out her alignment in her mouth. She has started speech therapy because she mixes up some of her sounds and the speech therapist thought she might have a cross-bite. The dentist office we went to was SO fun - I wish my dentist was like that. Haylie was very nervous about going to the dentist because last thing she remembers about the dentist was when Raider got his wisdom teeth pulled and was crying and couldn't walk. However these wonderful people at this office put her right at ease and she came away loving the dentist!

Wicked

For Christmas, Micah's mom got us tickets to see the play Wicked, in San Francisco. Ever since we saw it about seven years ago on Broadway, I have been wanting to see it again. I was so excited to go, in addition to the fact that Micah's parents watched the kids for the night so we could stay in San Francisco for a night away! I started by busting out my soundtrack a week in advance to start reacquainting myself with the songs. I have been listening to it ever day since the play as well. It was so great and I highly recommend that everyone see it - I heard that it ends at the end of March.

Dinner - just the two of us - yippee:

The next morning we had breakfast at a cute little creperie - we LOVE crepes:

At our hotel: