Strong Bonds

This last weekend the National Guard hosted a Strong Bonds Event at the Teton Springs Luxury Hotel and Spa in Victor and thanks to my wonderful mom, offering to watch our kids, we were able to attend. The drive was beautiful. We arrived early Friday and stayed until Sunday. I was able to meet many of LeeRoy's coworkers, along with their wives in person. We were also able to attend seminars teaching ways to strengthen our marriage relationship as well as meet with a financial planner who was able to answer a lot of questions we had. It was a great opportunity that we are very thankful for. The hotel we stayed in was amazing and we had such a relaxing, wonderful time together.



We were able to go on a sleigh ride through a local elk ranch. It was so beautiful. One of the bulls even came up close to the sleigh and let me touch him. He got a little cozier with LeeRoy than with me thank goodness!


The last evening we were there the hotel closed off one of their buildings for just the National Guard and prepared us an amazing meal! All the tables were decorated so beautifully. They even hired someone to come sing and play the guitar for us while we ate; very romantic.



After dinner we drove over the mountain pass into Jackson Hole and caught a local hockey game. It was a first for both of us and we loved it!


When the game was over we drove around and did some window shopping and then stopped at the town square to see the antler arches. It was very beautiful!



We finished off our weekend with a peaceful ride home. We had a wonderful vacation spending time together, talking, laughing, and learning. It was perfect!

Valentines Day and Tricked

This morning the girls were so excited to see what they got for Valentines Day. I was pretty excited too! For the last couple of years LeeRoy has given me coupons and this year was no exception. They are my ultimate favorite gift in the world. I got coupons for cleaning, watching the kids, running to the store, and foot rubs. I can't wait to start using them!




Emily made us a card for Valentines Day too. It was very sweet ......... or so I thought............

This is the front:


Middle:


Here is the back:


Yep, that's right, she tricked us! For the life of me I cannot imagine who she gets that characteristic from! That's okay, I have already worked out a loophole to this signed document. She can choose to do what we ask of her or choose to be punished. It is always her choice.

Valentines day is always fun for cooking. This years theme was everything in the shape of a heart. For breakfast LeeRoy made pink heart shaped pancakes with mini chocolate chips. For lunch we had sandwiches in the shape of a heart. For dinner we had a heart pizza. Wendy is really into shapes so this made her extra excited. It has been a great day. Especially since it happens to be a super long weekend we get to spend together!

Princess Tea Party

Today I took Emily and her friend Braylee to a princess tea party they were holding at one of the local high schools. The girls had so much fun. They went in their princess dresses and as they entered they were announced as royal guests. While there they made and decorated their own tiaras, had their nails and makeup done, sang princess songs, and sat down for a royal tea party with lots of yummy things to eat. They had such a fun time and loved getting their picture taken with some of the many different characters.

Pastries with Parents

Emily's school had pastries with parents this morning and LeeRoy was so excited that he was able to go with her. They went to the gym and sat at decorated tables and had a wonderful breakfast together. Emily is lucky enough to have her grandma work at her school so she was also able to join them. After they ate they read some of the reading challenge books together and LeeRoy helped Emily take her Valentines to her class. It is so fun to be involved with our kids in their different school activities!

2nd Grade

I got to spend a lot of time with Emily and her 2nd grade class today. In the morning I was able to attend the assembly where I watched her receive the student of the month award. I was so proud of her! Later in the afternoon her school did a project called "Around the Town" and invited all the parents. The kids each got a wooden block to paint and decorate like a building. Next week they will put all of their buildings together to form a community. Then the mayor came and read them a book about communities and talked to them about his job and what he does. The kids loved it and I had a great time spending the day with Emily at her school!

Surprise

LeeRoy has been gone to Boise for training the the last week and a half. He was supposed to come home on Thursday but they finished early so he called me this morning saying he was heading home. He got in town about the same time I was picking up Emily from dance so he hid and waited for us to get back. I told the girls I had a surprise for them in our bedroom and when they opened the door and turned on the light they were so excited to see their dad waiting for them!

Dear Tooth Fairy

Emily lost another tooth and was very excited to put it under her pillow. She does know the truth about the tooth fairy but always has fun playing along with the idea. Tonight was especially great because she put this with her tooth before she went to bed. I thought it was so cute I just had to share.