NYC Smash Books

 Last evening the NYC trip girls came over to my place.  I had treat boxes with a NYC taxi cab and a Statue of Liberty ornament as their place cards.  We had taco soup for a light supper and brownie bites and almond cookies for dessert.  Mom joined us for a visit.

 Jodi and I printed wallet size and regular size pictures to share.  Everyone brought their Smash books, souvenirs, washi tapes and embellishments.  We embellish because we have scrapped with Miss Becky and she is all about embellishing.  Miss you Becky!

These are a few of my pages in my Smash book. 

 The apple dumplings at Knobels are worth flying across the country for and they are page worthy.

 I did a page about our visit to the Hook.

 My hotel page because I love hotels.

 Times Square at night page.  Yes, we saw the naked cowboy.

We made so many good memories on our trip to PA and NYC that we started talking about our next trip.  We aren't sure where we are going yet, but we are going somewhere together.

Shhhh, please don't mention that information to our husbands.  They aren't ready yet.

It was fun to laugh about our good times and to think about our next stop.

Sending Love

Since we can't be together for a heart shaped meatloaf this Valentine's Day, I sent the guys care packages.  Meatloaf doesn't mail well so I baked some treats instead.

GUYS!  Check your mailboxes!  Do not read unless you have received your package.

I baked Neiman Marcus Cookies for the care packages.  Max had been asking for them and I'd been avoiding them.  They are a bit labor intensive.  Hubby blended the oats for me and he grated the chocolate bars.  It really helps to have a food processor for the Neiman Marcus Cookies.  And a husband that helps.

I baked S'more Bars too, it took more will power than I ever thought I had not to eat the pan of bars instead of mailing the bars to the guys.  The guys also got candy and chex mix in their Valentine's Day care packages.  We mailed them from Seaside and the postmistress told us the boxes would arrive in time for Valentine's Day.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Second Honeymoon

Sometimes the second honeymoon is even better than the first.  We are having a wonderful time on the Oregon coast.  Hubby even did the slide.  You know, THE slide.  You're at dinner and he slides a box from the jeweler across the table.  Yes. That slide.  There is nothing better than a jewelry box sliding across the dinner table.  Every girl knows it but not every guy.  My guy gets it.  I love that guy!

Our 25th Anniversary

On Saturday evening our dear friends helped us celebrate our 25th anniversary with a wonderful dinner.  We felt so blessed by our marriage, our friends, crazy good food, an amazing toast by our BEST guy, Mark, and the love of good, good friends.

 Now we are reliving our honeymoon of 25 years ago, Seaside, Oregon 2013.  We are older, wiser and still in love.  Twenty five years ago we came here on our honeymoon.  Three boys later, six houses later, many jobs later, we are still together, still in love and thankful for our blessings of each other, family and faith.  Thank you to everyone for the gifts, dinner, cards and best wishes for our anniversary.
Thank you too for encouraging us through 25 years.  Looks like we made it!

A Military Mom's Heart

 Sam was out in the field at Fort Bragg last week.  The Army photographer was with his group and posted some photos to face book.  I spotted Sam.  Sam is on the left, I labeled the pic to help you find him.

 Now Sam is on the right.

 Sam is still on the right.

A good week for this military mom!  I pore through all of the pictures that the 82nd Airborne post on face book.  After years of looking and hoping I found his promotion and later his unit in the field within a week.

That is a really, really good thing for a military mom's heart!

Valentine Dinners

2012  Scrabble Theme

2011  Love Birds Theme

2010  Red and Pink Theme

 2009  You Mean the World to Me Theme

For twenty four years I have made a heart shaped meatloaf for Valentine's Day dinner.  This year we will be busy celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary during LoVe Week.  The meatloaf will be delayed...

I didn't make meatloaf on our first Valentine's Day as a married couple as we were on our honeymoon on the Oregon coast.

This year we will be celebrating a second honeymoon on the Oregon Coast on Valentine's Day.

Our nest is empty, traditions are changing, I'll make the meatloaf when we get home.  Set the table, make a special dinner and sit down with your family for LoVe week.  Make the most of your family time, it's fleeting.
Then there are new traditions as a couple and that is pretty great too!
Enjoy!