A Morales Minute

I love making valentine-y things for all of my Valentines. I made heart waffles for breakfast, chocolate covered strawberries, valentine candy popcorn for yummy eats. I finally got to framing some pictures of Jaime and I that I've had for years now. I put them on the bed and sprinkled a few red roses on the bed just to dress up the gift. I'll hang the pictures on our bedroom wall. We've had so many photo sessions but I rarely get the photos of Jaime and I framed. It's usually the family photos and photos of the kids. So it's about time I finally made the time to get our pictures out of the drawer and up on the wall.  I made a nice valentine themed dinner that every one enjoyed.  Twice baked cauliflower (with bacon shaped into a heart, steak, salad, broccoli, and the desserts that I made earlier.  It was really odd not having any of the girls with us for this dinner. Their absence was felt. We made sure to call and visit with them. Olivia did say that she missed all ...

Jaime was missing Olivia and feeling a bit nostalgic so he decided to make chocolate chip cookies. But he said he'd only make them on one condition, the boys had to be in the kitchen and help like when Olivia and he would make cookies. They had fun and the cookies (especially the dough) turned out yummy. Of course, I'm all about just the cookie dough. 😋  

Brian's in visiting the boys and I to come to Vegas was two-fold. 1.)It's Maybrie's 16th birthday and he wanted us to surprise her and have the boys be a part of her murder mystery dinner party. 2.) We could surprise Olivia when she sees us at the airport. Brian asked her to come with him to help him stay awake as he had to pick up a friend late at the airport. (Me being the friend.😁) She was so shocked! Her excitement was so cute. She gave each of us big hugs.  Brian was so excited to secretly record her as he drove up to the airport and she saw us standing on the curb. Her expression was so good! "That's my Mom!"  The next morning we saw Brian's boys. After school we drove to pick up Maybrie from school. We hunkered down in the car so she couldn't see us until she opened the car door. She was just as surprised and so excited to see her cousins were here to celebrate her birthday! The cake Summer's friend made was so cool. Perfect with the Class ...

Tyler was ordained to the office of a priest! We went to Mom and Dad's to have Dad stand in the circle with Jaime AND Aidan! What a neat experience. Dad was there for Aidan's ordination last year too. So grateful for all four of these men.   

I was going through some things and came across a Valentine Lindsey and I made for Jaime when she was little. It was just too cute to toss but I know things can't last so I decided to get pictures of it. She's too funny! Her expressions and ways she's holding the words. Such a cutie.  

Finding what's beside the stocking as well as what's beside it is always so exciting for the kids. I didn't realize how much Lindsey loved what they always get in their stockings. She was telling Isaac all about the things they get in their stockings. He was surprised how much there was. So because of Lindsey sharing this with me I could see how much all my kids enjoy and look forward to this tradition of Christmas. It's not just about what's under the tree. They get a stocking full of treats, fruits, and sometimes little gifts as well as their "Santa" gift beside the stocking. No unwrapping needed! Mom and Dad enjoyed unwrapping gifts. Jaime's always so good to pass out gifts and make sure he spreads how who gets to open something next.  They were so cute! The haul of gifts just kept coming.  Olivia LOVES shoes! Her list of shoes is so long but everyone can only get her so many shoes. haha Every year Aidan gets harder and harder to buy for. He's s...

We shared our tradition of tamales for Christmas Eve dinner with Mom and Dad. They loved it. I mean, authentic tamales, rice, and beans...what's not to love? Christmas jammies! I just got the boys pants this year. They really don't need or want a Christmas t-shirt. So I just went with some comfy pj pants.  Olivia passed on the torch! First time the boys got to put out cookies for Santa. It's always been Lindsey and Olivia after the boys go to bed. She wanted them to help her this year.  And then they all slept in the same room! Boys in the bunks and Liv in the king bed. We've just hung on to the bunkbeds after the boys split rooms. Aidan's bedroom is big enough to have the king bed and the bunkbeds in it. It's actually come in handy! And the kids really liked being in there for Christmas Eve.