Valentine Party

This was our 9th annual Valentine Party. 

The kids and I headed to Mom and Dads on Friday March 12 for our 9th annual Valentine Party. We had to post pone it this year due to bad weather in February. Friday night we stayed up way to late talking to mom and dad and then Saturday morning we headed to Columbia to visit friends and run a few errands. Saturday late afternoon and evening we traded our valentines and just enjoyed each others company. Sunday everyone went to church and then back to mom and dads for lunch. After lunch the kids both took turn driving John's new to him truck. It is a 5 speed and they both want to learn to drive a stick. Uncle John always has the most fun toys. 

Our boxes this year:

Iceberg with penguins (Henry), Lighthouse (Shelly), Popcorn Truck (Megan), Up house (me), Coocoo Clock (John), Cinderella's Castle (Kenzie), Heart (Dad), Shiny (Carter), Valentine Box (Grandma Lou), Train (Lilly), Elsa Castle (Aubrey), and Valentine boxes (Mom)

Carter's box - he did Shiny from Moana

My box, I did the up house.

Got a few pictures of Grandma with the kids.

 

Couples retreat

Every February there is a marriage conference in Branson. Tim and I went a couple years ago and really enjoyed it we went again this year. It was nice to get away and to focus on our marriage.

We tend to always stop at the same places but this is a must for me. 

When I was little we always stayed at Rockaway beach. It is a little outside of Branson so it use to be slower pace, it had go carts, bumper cars, ski ball, etc Since then it has drastically gone down hill but I wanted to see it. It is kind of sad but someone has bought the hotel we use to stay in and turned it into apartments. They looked really nice. 

We checked out the fish hatchery and the dam. I could stand and watch the water for hours. 

One night we went to dinner at Top of the Rock at Big Cedar Lodge. We ate at Osage Restaurant and then we walked through the largest Native American museum. 

The stove inside Osage Restaurant

The museum was primarily a Native American museum but there was some Lincoln items that got my attention.

Abraham Lincoln's desk.

We also made time to see The Haygoods. They have been playing in Branson 29 years. I remember watching their shows when they were just getting their start and they played at Silver Dollar City. 

Shelly and kids visit

Shelly and her kids came to visit in January. Everything was shut down and it was freezing outside so we just played games, did science experiments and hung out. It was such a fun weekend. 

There was lots of playing in the snow. 

McKenzie loves to make Disney themed dinners. They are always so good.

Look how cute her cake pops turned out. 

Our neighbor makes hot chocolate bombs so we had to try them. They were fun and delicious.

These two are two peas in a pod.

 

Happy New Years

New Years Eve we met Jason, Zelda & Harper in Iowa City for the weekend. On the way to Iowa City we had dinner at The Shed. It was great food and the waiter and waiters wore bib overalls. It was farm themed and I loved it.  

We got to the hotel around 8 and just hung out there. I took balloons, party hats and sparkling grape juice for the night. The balloons were a huge hit with Harper. 

Ringing in the New Year.  I haven't stayed up until midnight for years but had fun doing it this year. 

In the morning everyone humored me and went with me to the Dillard's New Years Day sale.  I always went to this sale in Columbia but had thought I wouldn't get to this year,  Little did I know I would be staying in a hotel within walking distance to Dillard's. After a little shopping in the mall we ate lunch and went Ice Skating. How fun to have an ice skating rink in the mall. 

The next day we went to the Children's Museum. It was geared toward kids Harper's age but everyone had a great time. 

 

McKenzie showing us how to hula hoop.

Tim milking the plastic cow.

We found a local BBQ restaurant for lunch. My little guy loves his ribs. 

The balloons were a favorite activity all weekend. 

In the afternoon and evenings we hung out in our room, played cards and swam at the hotel.

Christmas morning

Mom and Dad came and stayed with us Christmas eve. I didn't take very many pictures, I just lived in the moment.  But we ate well, played games, opened gifts and enjoyed their company. 

Mom and I in our matching pjs. 

 

Christmas at Mom and Dad's

Christmas at Mom and Dad's was a ton of fun. 

Henry and Carter opening gifts

McKenzie helping Aubrey read her Christmas Card.

Shelly sitting in the floor with the kids to open gifts. 

Tim and Grandma

Grandma, Aubrey, and Tim

A few of us snuck away to see some family friends living nativity they put on every year.

 When your birthday in 3 days after Christmas you get to celebrate when everyone is together. Carter opening his birthday presents. 

Carter doesn't love cake so mom made some chocolate dessert for him.