When should you stop bathing with your baby?...

John says we should probably stop, or at least soak in our suits.

I say I am going to suds it with my sweetie until I have another baby... because having a bath buddy is way more fun!...

Extreme Makeover: Valentine's Edition...

Since we were having a short spurt of spring-ish weather yesterday, I decided it was time for the Christmas décor to go and Valentine's Day to say hello. I can’t count how many holidays this has happened... I am never in the mood until the day of and then I want to go all out. Then I love the holiday so much, I keep it up another month...or three. Yup, I’m a holiday hoarder:)

To give me the makeover motivation I needed, I called John and said I had a special Valentine’s surprise. Then I had five hours to morph our holly jolly house into the love shack. It's amazing how much more I can accomplish when I have a hot date...and a deadline...

stopping to smell the roses John brought home.

Setting the mood with a candlelit supper...

Bon Appetit... French lamb chops

My super-date assistant fell asleep just as supper was served. So sweet of him to allow his parents a peaceful dinner. It seemed nice until eleven pm rolled around and our child was still on a running rampage.

Drum roll please... I made my first rolls ever! Big accomplishment for me... And I came close to a cooking catastrophe b/c I almost poured the package of yeast directly into the flour mixture. Luckily I remembered my Aunt's bread demo and decided to google it...Yup, you have to dissolve it. Who knew?...probably all of you:) I hate that about cooking... they assume you know way too much!

My first sugar cookies ever too. I've never been much of a baker. But I might now after two consecutive cooking incidents with out any accidents.

And we ended the evening with the best season of the Bachelor ever...b/c marriage is all about compromise:)...

And the beaches of Anguilla always look so nice this time of year...

But, I am glad I don't have to worry about getting a rose, b/c I have a whole bouquet from a guy who kicks Brad Womack's A**:)

A Rockin' Valentine...

My friend, Jana, and I made these iPod Valentines for our playdate (have I mentioned how playdates pretty much rock my socks...since they usually involve fabulous friends, food, and fun with our kiddos:). Anyway, these treats are easy, cheap, and are guaranteed to make your gadget girl's or guy's heart sing.

Speaking of iPods, my real one bit the dust last month and I've seriously been on a downward spiral to depression ever since. It's amazing how music makes me clean ten times faster, run like I'm Rocky Balboa (in my imagination anyway), and it just motivates me to get moving on a Monday morning. I think I've gained 1o pounds since my iPod said goodbye...just saying...and hinting to my hottie;)...how I'd heart a mp3 this Valentine's Day...b/c I seriously need to work off the bag of leftover Reese's ear buds I just ate from my craft date:)

Instructions for iPods here. Jana bought the cute animal print paper at Michael's.

a temple valentine...

There is a time for everything, and a season...a time to live and a time to die....

Over this cold winter's weekend we said goodbye to a wonderful man...my Grandpa Down.

I hadn't planned on attending the funeral since I said my goodbyes last month on our visit. But when the time came, I really wanted to hear stories, mourn his loss, and celebrate his life with the people who knew him best. John had school he couldn't miss so I hitched a ride with my sister Heather. Many other heartstrings were being pulled the same way since all 17 of his grand kids dropped everything and traveled 3 states to attend the funeral.

My experience this weekend can be summed up as bittersweet. Bitter because he will be so very missed...and sweet because he is finally free from his health burdens and he is able to be with his fam on the other side. It was also so sweet to see my aunts, uncles, cousins, and family rally together & support each other and my grandma. Plus there was lots of laughing to lighten the mood.

I am going to miss sitting outside with him while he had a cigarette and by the twinkle in his eye and his smile, I always felt loved. I am going to miss how he would call me sweet heart, and babe, and watching the gentle way he treated my Grandma.

I know his legacy will live on through his posterity; I saw so many illustrations of his kindness through my family and extended family this weekend.

B/c these are feelings I never want to forget...her are a few photos of family and the funeral...

The looooong road trip...

Drew and I entertaining ourselves with trip treats:)

There were tears shed but also lots of laughing. My cousins and I are lucky to be so close!

I am taking over Grandma's spot as the family photo fanatic.

My life's goal is to be surrounded by loads of love and family just like my Grandpa when I die.

Side note to self... give yummy food to a family in their time of need. Everyday at my Grandma's, this angel lady brought over loads of grub to feed our huge group. Bless her sweet soul!

My dad and uncle Dave gave the girl cousins a tour of their old stomping grounds.

We all wanted something tangible to remember Grandpa by. Plus his clothes are so vintage and cool!

I love you so much Grandpa. I hope that I can be as kind as you and my life can be a reflection of the great man you are. I look forward to taking lots of walks with you again someday.

XOXO,

Jessica

Breakfast with my baby...

This post is for John who misses these moments because he is working hard to bring home the bacon...

The quote "cleaning your house while your toddler is growing is like shoveling snow while it's still snowing " came to my mind this morning.

Thanks for working hard so I can be home with our baby...shoveling snow as well as savoring this sweet time of our lives...b/c it is "O" so good.

winter wonderings....

Heather...

I hope your day is out of this world! Love you!