Valentine's 2012

As you have been reading for years, we celebrate Valentine's day as a family. I spend all day in the kitchen making something yummy, and we share it with some of our favorite friends. 

So, this year, the Lorgs joined us again (wish the Vanni's could have joined us too!), and we celebrated together in style. 

The menu: Chicken Parmesan with homemade marinara, linguini and fresh ciabata bread (yes, I made it), fresh salad (all from our garden) and everyone's favorite... my chocolate cream pie. Red wine, fine china and good company rounded off the evening.

Here's the kiddie table... also in the dining room.. They were very excited about this.

Lilly, Mel and Claire

And, of course, what is a holiday at the Z house without gifts? 

One can only guess which Z parent purchased these items. Hint: It wasn't me.

Sometimes, as an adult, you buy things for your children that you really want for yourself... because every man has a secret desire for an over-sized carbohydrate fix, right?

We picked this gift out especially for Mel; she LOVES Rapunzel.

And, she was a hit!

Love it.. good friends, good food and smiling children.

This was the center of our Valentine's celebration this year... It's not about us, it's something more...

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." -John 3:16 NIV

 

February backyard fun

The weather has been so beautiful lately; we've been outside as much as we can. Here's the trio having a good time enjoying an Arizona winter in our backyard. We are outside most afternoons when we get home from school.

Lately, when you ask Maggie to smile, this is what you get...

 The girls were given a plasma car for Christmas... they love to ride it outside, as well as inside on the tile.

Sleeveless dresses and sandals in winter? ...only in Arizona.

Tired of your snow or cold chilly days? Come on down for a visit!

Claire's Old West Experience

Claire's preschool took a field trip to Rockin' R Ranch in Mesa, 

and she has a few photos to share.

Panning for gold... She actually found a gold painted rock eh ... nugget of gold.

 Claire showed us what it was like to use the water pump. I imagine if we had one of these at home, she would not be pumping with the same enthusiasm.

As a true Southwest native, Maggie really wanted her picture taken with this saguaro cactus. 

It is the Arizona state tree, after all.

 Yee haw!

Maggie-made fun

Maggie gets in to EVERYTHING! No drawer, cabinet or door is safe from her exploration.

When I'm cooking in the kitchen, one of her favorite things to do is empty the dishwasher cubes one by one.. and then put them back in one by one.

 

Random February Pics

Here's a collection of random pictures from the camera... I thought you'd like to take a peek.

The Sunday before Lilly returned to school, we found her outside on the patio. She had moved all of the "little" chairs we own and neatly placed them all in a row. She asked us to come outside to "sit and enjoy" the beautiful weather. So, that's just what we did... even the dog.

 Now, you couldn't have expected Lilly to go back to school empty handed could you? After all, she had been in the hospital... the recipient of hand made cards from her classmates, notes, emails, gifts, etc. So, Lilly decided she needed to return to school with a gift for everyone... cupcakes. When we went to the store to order them, she was adamant both the girls and boys in her class would be accommodated. "Mom, the boys don't want to eat girl cupcakes!" Translation... We can't order all Hello Kitty. No, no, the boys would prefer Angry Birds! So, here is the combination Lilly chose. And, it was confirmed the day she took her treats- both boys AND girls were happy. Relief!

While in the hospital, Lilly was queen of the playroom. She made craft after craft after craft. When we got home, I was left to wonder, "What on earth do we do with all of these things?" So, Rob decided to put one craft to use. Being the great dad he is, he wore this hat Lilly made while making dinner and talking on the phone. It must be a great multi-tasking hat. Regardless, it made Lilly smile to see her hat in action.

And here' s a picture of Maggie just because she's so cute in her jammies!

Zootastic

Several weeks back, we went to the zoo. It's taken me awhile to post these photos because my camera has been in the shop. Sorry!

I'm not sure what it is about the camel, but we always have to ride the camel. On this trip to the zoo, we played with our friends Devin and JD. 

Camel, Devin, Claire, Lilly

 The view is best from Dad's shoulders.

Devin and Claire are about the same age... such fun to have a great friend.

  Maggie and JD are almost the same age too and are quite the hilarious duo.

The fearless trio... Bang! Bang! Bang!

Until next time!

 

February Fun Photos

We had an itch to take photos of the girls, and they wanted to show off their new colorful clothes. The big girls cooperated: the little one was a different story. She displayed a nice show of fake crying, pouting and whining.

Of course, the coveted photo of all three girls lovingly smiling at the camera at the same time just didn't happen. But, here are some good ones anyway.

 LOVE you, sister!