3.01.2013

February 2013

February is one of my favorite month of course my birthday has a lot to do with that.  We had a great month, with many fun celebrations (not all for me), though I was spoiled on my special day.
 
 
 
Decorating my cake

Putting on the finishing touches

Ready to go

Told you I was spoiled gifts from friend and family


After my birthday we had fun celebrating the Chinese New Year, thank you Grandma and Grandpa for sending all the fun stuff.

Year of the Snake

Then it was on to our "tradition" of Jambalaya and The Princess and the Frog for Mardi Gras.
Tiana even joined us this year
 
Next it was time to start preparing for Valentine's Day.  Annabelle got to exchange with her class and wanted to make her valentines so we got started early.

Working hard

The front

The back
 
We also made a few special Valentine's Day snacks and crafts just for us.

Valentine snack mix

Flowers by Annabelle
 
I forgot to get a good picture, but Annabelle and I made the
button and candy hearts in the background as well
 

I try not to go too over the top for Valentine's Day, but like to make it fun and special for the kids.  They came down to the table set up for breakfast, we had a tea party lunch, and a heart themed dinner.  They each got a balloon, a small box of candy, and a small gift (Annabelle got a My Little Pony bubble bath set, and Hudson got bath color tabs).

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love Her

Love Him
 

Tea Party and outfit change for Annabelle

Our Tea Party Food

Dinner

 
While we had lots of fun celebrating different things this month, the kids know how to have all sorts of fun any day of the year.  Here are a few pictures from everyday life around here.
 
Hudson building a "train"

The train in action
Our Ballerina
 
Playdate and Dress Up

Don't know what this is

In their "airplane" headed to Spokane

Still enjoys doing some school time at home

Hudson taking part in school time

Watching all the trucks
(One advantage to living in a new neighborhood)


We also managed to get another item crossed off our house list: fill the hole in the wall.
Before

After
 
 
Even with everything that came before it the highlight of the month (especially for the kids) was Oma and Opa visiting for a long weekend.  
 
 
Oma and Opa never come empty handed this visit they came with gifts from the Tuinstras as well.
 
Soccer tether for Huddy

Barbie Doll with pink hair just like Serenity
 

Despite the cold, Oma and Opa can't visit without a trip or two or three to our neighborhood park. 
Headed to the park


 
 
We all got the chance to check out Eagle Island State Park for the first time on this visit.  A place I hope we will spend a lot more time at, especially in the summer.
 


Oma and Opa getting in on the action at the Playground
 
 
 

Checking out the beach
 
Oma had the chance to pick up Annabelle from school before we headed to another classmate's birthday party. 
Excited to see Oma

Annabelle and her self-portrait on her class quilt

Puppy party and jump house

Pin the nose on the puppy

Adopting her puppy at the party
 
 And just like that it was time to say good-bye to Oma, Opa, and February.