Life

This morning I went for a swim. It's a good thing Jacob helps me get out the door, because I love it. It's getting into the pool that is so hard. I have been so cold lately! I think it's because of all the tricks mother nature has been playing. Anyway, Last week as I was walking past a lovely bunch of older ladies in the locker room (all half dressed) they all kindly commented ,"awe, what a skinny little thing". Then they talked about the old days when they were skinny little things and some about how they were never skinny things, and how their husbands (bless their souls) loved them just the way they were. I loved being able to listen in on that conversation. They were all so content with who they were. They were constantly complementing each other and saying how much they liked each other.
Today as I was swimming one of those sweet old ladies stopped me mid swim to ask me, in her thick German accent and shower cap covered head, where I was from. I said Utah, and now here. And then she continued saying, "oh, so you're not European then? You vere swimming so gracefully, and it vas so lovely to watch. Most people beat the [heck] out of the vater, and I vonder, vhy do they svim if they hate the vater?"
Ha! I got mistaken for a graceful European swimmer today :) I love those ladies.
Life is so great.
These kids are great


They are seriously so funny together.

Valentines day was great too...
I did accomplish lots of things on that list, not the flower cake yet, but I will! Jacob took me to get ice cream at Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream where I had to taste pretty much every flavor, notice all the little spoons in my hand. Proof of my indecisiveness. Yum, I got salty caramel, and Roxbury Road. Mm you have to go there. I want some more...

Wuv

A Face to Wuv:

I'm sorry to say that I'm feeling pretty bummed about the (non) attention I've been giving my lovely February. It's almost V-day and I am so behind. I haven't baked or cooked one thing that was heart shaped this year. This is partly attributable to the fact that my heart and lips cookie cutters were missing until a few days ago. Mostly I have just been too busy though... It hurts me to say those words. Too busy for my favorite time of the year?? Me?! Well, I have a few days left and I am going to do them justice. What's on my list??

Printing off these free valentine printables and coloring them with the goose


Making these dark chocolate cupcakes with strawberry cream filling


Attempting a red velvet cake, with this frosting tutorial

Making a list of things that I love, that Luci loves, that Eli loves, and that Jacob loves
Making heart shaped pizza's tomorrow night
Maybe these cookies too...
Have lots of people over to eat all the treats, so I don't.

Okay that's pretty ambitious so lets make a goal to do at least 3 of them.

Oh and here's another face to Wuv:

(daddy found a wig for eli)

The Month of Love

It's February and some of you may know that it happens to be my favorite month of the year. Partly because it includes my birthday, my little sisters birthday, and Valentine's Day. But mostly it's a way that I have discovered to make a freezing, dreary month (weather wise) something to celebrate...thus forgetting about the cold, and dreary world. Brilliant! if I say so myself. I haven't been as good at celebrating each day this year (dressing in pink, making heart shaped everything, eating lots of raspberries, and chocolate covered whatevers), but hey, I'm about to have a little chiddler (as the BFG would say) and we've had lots going on. OH excuses excuses. We have had some good times though, so let me tell ya about them.
I got to celebrate my birthday for a whole week! Went to lunch, breakfast, and got ice cream for free twice. My lovely friends made me breakfast, and Jacob made a true blue "Richard Parkinson (my dad) Sunday dinner" the Baby back ribs even had homemade bbq sauce, and there were mushrooms sauteed in butter and lemon. There was also hot sourdough from the oven, and grilled asparagus. Oh and don't forget the Better than you know what cake: a tradition my mom had for me. I did make heart and lip shaped Lion House Rolls. I made pink cupcakes for activity days, and today we made valentines at a friends house. I bought sweethearts (which are definitely not as good as they used to be) and valentine's snickers... okay so maybe I have indulged a little...Isn't February worth it though! It's such a great month (really Cat, you don't still hate it do you?) Besides celebrating February here are some other things.

Luci got tubes in her ears. The nurses told us that she would probably be inconsolable when she woke up from the anesthesia. Of course when we went back to try and console her she was simply talking in full sentences to the nurse.

Yes, I got emotional. It's not fun seeing you pride and joy go limp while looking you in the eyes with huge tears. "Save me mommy"

Nana made Luci an adorable Tinkerbell tutu which she loves!

We've had tons of snow! I'm so glad Jacob likes playing in it with Luci.

We've spent lots of time at Grandma and Grandpa's house because of Jacob's externship at the Supreme Court. (Making Playdough with Parker and Grandma)

They Just Wanna...

Have Fun!

Kendal Grace, and Ella Bella came to visit! Kendal is here for her birthday present (thanks dad!) and Ella came to have a sleepover for a couple of nights. So we celebrated Valentine's Eve yesterday. In a attempts to be a good hostess I tried to supply days packed with adventure, festive meals and treats, and other girlish indulgences. We also ventured to the Zoo. Luci was pointing at everything by the end. She is fascinated by birds. She also joined in making goat sounds. She was really good at it surprisingly!

Luci loved the attention although she didn't yet get to enjoy the chick flicks and chocolates. We listened to the Wicked soundtrack while we rolled out sugar cookies. Ella got |Pocahontas| from the Library, and entertained us by singing, "savages, savages, barely even human" for the rest of her stay. Today we're going to surprise Jacob with a special Valentine's present and of course, we're all wearing Valentine's colors. Okay, so I go a little bit over the top for Valentine's day. I don't care if you think I'm cheesy, I like being cheesy. Have a Lovely Valentine's day

Danielle

L'amore

A Dialogue From Me

Today I feel like sharing a few thoughts and stories.
The other day I came home with a ginormous headache, possibly a migraine. You know, the kind where you feel nauseous, lights hurt your eyes, and you want to put your head in between 2 very heavey anvils. It was 8pm and I went straight up to bed and covered my head with pillows. Cub came upstairs and kissed my head softly while getting me warm (due to a 62 degree house. Yes that's what we keep it at during the night.) until I was asleep. He tucked the blankets around me and said he loved me. I woke up in the morning, 11 hours later, to find that he had cleaned the house; put up some decorations I had made, and many other productive things. Thanks Cub.

Yesterday Luci took a 3 hour and 15 minute nap. Thanks Heavenly Father.

Just now as I was lotion-ing Luci in her wonderful baby smelling lotion she clasped her arms around my neck and gave me a tight squeeze. Those are the moments that make you forget all the no nap days, and the 5am mornings. Thanks Luci.

So, I have many resons to love this week of Valentine's. What are your reasons? Make some heart shaped pizza's (recipe here) and eat some chocolate, okay lots of chocolate, to celebrate!

Con amore,
Daniella