Valentine's Day 2014

I had an ambitious plan to take group pictures of the kiddos to send to our family for Valentine's Day...Unfortunately, the day I decided to make it happen, naps were far from synchronized, so by the time the babies were awake and the big kids were coiffed, it was about time for lunch and nap for the bigs.  Being the pig-headed individual that I am, I forged ahead with my overzealous plan.  My children did everything in their power to un-do what progress I was making.  Every time I turned around, Hannah had disrobed and had taken out her hair.  Emmy, the bossy pants that she is, decided to take over my "set design" with her toys and playroom furniture and started calling the shots.  The babies were less than pleased, because in the time that it was taking me to gather things together (and compensate for Emmy and Hannah's backwards progress,) their next naptime was fast approaching, and the dogs were cozying themselves into the blankets that I was trying to use for a backdrop.  The pictures turned out pretty dismal, but, hey, it was something to do and I luckily had quiet time as my reward!

The kiddos had great fun making Valentines and sweet treats!  We lucked out and had Nick home for the actual holiday being that it was a 4-day weekend in honor of President's Day!  The day itself was pretty typical, but it was great to at least be able to spend it together!  Nick and I arranged for our beloved Ms. Ericka to come over after the babies were down the following night and snuck out for our first date since the twins arrived!  We celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary with a fancy grown-up dinner at Old Hickory Steakhouse at the Opryland Hotel (where we celebrated our engagement 8 1/2 years ago!) It was incredible!  We made a pact that someday, a long time from now, this weekend will be reserved for a special get-away every year.  We are so far from it right now, but it's nice to dream. :) I can't even imagine what God has in store for us in the years ahead!

Awesome. Thanks, Molly.

Things went southward pretty fast.

Our girls :)

Hannah pulls a diva move and storms off the set. :-P

The best of many.  Emmy lost some hair over this pose.

My little angel babies.

The only way I could take control back of my photo shoot from Emmy is to allow her to have her own photo shoot afterwards.  This is the only photo that I will share from that...She posed me and forced me to make a wide range of funny faces that I have too much pride to share in a public forum such as this.  Which should say a lot because I have so little pride as to share this one of me in my nursing tank and snowman pajamas. 

Hannah's Valentines to all of the boys in her class...It read:

I am MAD about you!

Hopefully, they're all good and scared off, if they weren't already.

Hannah wore her fanciest dress to school for the Valentine's celebration. 

Checking out their loot after school!

Tucker won Sis' heart with a Percy the train valentine.  They obviously share a love of trains! So much in common!

Valentine's goodies ready and waiting for little kiddos to wake up! (And my beautiful roses from my Dad! And chocolates from Mimi and Papa!)

Emmy opening her two new books on CD (Olivia and Frances) and Sis eyeing her "Emily" train!

Emmy stealing Emily from Sis...

Hannah's Valentine's treat from Emmy.  Emmy is holiday-obsessed, so we've been counting down to Valentine's Day since Christmas.  She is such a thoughtful little things and puts so much consideration into gift-giving. :)

Sugar high!

Date night!  I am coining a new term "progressive shower." You start with bathing yourself in the early afternoon, then blowdry your hair half an hour later, put make-up on a couple of hours later, curling and styling hair half an hour later and then dressing oneself immediately prior to departure.  Voila!