Our Week in Pictures . . .

Kate's duck . . .

Molly's last basketball game of the season - it's been a fun one!

Kate had fun with friends at the Main Event!

And a couple days later came home from school with a fever  - poor bug. She was out the rest of the week. We got by with lots of snuggles, smoothies, ice chips and Little House on the Prairie on Amazon Prime!! Loved my time with Kate home but SO sad to see her sick. 

Molly held down the fort, making our dinner so as not to get any of our germs. This night she made french toast roll ups - a concoction of her own and so delicious!

The girls missed playing together while I kept them separated all week (to avoid getting Molly sick too).  Molly got bored so she built this sister room in the playroom they call HQ (Headquarters) where they can have sleepovers together on this air mattress. 

After a few days down, she is back! Shooting her bow and arrow again!

Ash Wednesday

I ❤️ Ash Wednesday.

It is the perfect reminder of what seems to matter in this Earthly world doesn't matter at all in the spiritual world. For as "You are dust, and to dust you shall return." Genesis 3:19

I love getting ashes with my friends at mass, as it also reminds us that we are all in this together - this small time on Earth, preparing our hearts and minds to hopefully someday meet in Heaven.

I am dust and to dust I will return.

Our Valentine's Dinner

We celebrated our Annual Family Valentine's Dinner on Sunday 

night, since we had basketball games on Friday. 

It was fun preparing for it all day . . .

The Menu

Salad + Homemade Dressing (made by Molly)

Whole Wheat Rolls

Baked Potatoes

Grilled Steaks with Caramelized Onions and Bleu Cheese

Chocolate

Kate set out the roses Mike gave she and Molly as well as some sweethearts 

and other goodies for the center of the table . . . 

Loved her little touches.

Everyone set their homemade Valentine's at each place setting to be opened at dinner . . . 

The dinner was yummy, but the cards are always my favorite part. 

So much LOVE went into each one! xoxo

This is 46.

A Saturday birthday = the best. We were all awoken at 5:30 a.m. by Kate who was having a nightmare about a spider. Well, no one was going back to sleep after that - so I was sent back to my bed while I heard footsteps and whispering outside the door for an hour . . .

At 7:00 a.m. they let me come out after they delivered scrambled eggs ( made by Molly), avocado toast (made by Mike) and fresh squeezed OJ (made by Kate)! It was delicious and so thoughtful!

Then we all packed up in the car for Molly's 9:00 a.m. basketball game - which are SO FUN to watch! It was a treat to see her play on my birthday! Check out her boxing out below while she opens it up for her good friend, Avery to shoot. Molly is good at basketball for sure, and EXCELLENT at defense and hustle and playing with her head. I'm so proud of her!

A few girlfriends surprised me with a last minute lunch at my favorite restaurant!

Kirsten, Adrienne, Me, Laura

Then, we headed up to the Hennes' as they were hosting Ella's family birthday celebration!!!

Ella (bean) turned 4 on Wednesday!!! My Valentine girl . . .

Love hanging at the Hennes . . .

Singing Happy Birthday to the birthday girl!

Braids for days . . . 

{Molly, Katie Rose, Kate}

My sweet cousin/friend, Emily, surprised me with my favorite pink tulips!

Then, Mike took us down to the plaza for a small family dinner - just the 4 of us!

Photo Credit: Kate McGinnis

It was a fun night - the girls enjoyed their honey lemonades...they wore their new matching sweaters Dad got them for Valentine's Day!

Love any birthday spent with this guy . . . 

Home to have ice-cream for dessert - sent from Sarah!!!

And a card waiting for me from my oldest childhood friend . . .

Feeling so grateful for another spin around the sun!!

Remember, we are not just one age, we are all the ages we have ever been.

Friday, I'm in Love!

Mike surprised his 3 girls with flowers and gifts this morning when we awoke. Love that he always remembers I'm a tulip girl. 

I got to help with both girls class Valentine Parties . . .

Dice game going on in 4th Grade . . .

Molly & Anna 

The first grade class was doing some awesome science experiments!

Mesmerized . . .

Kate decorated her own goggles for the experiments . . .

Making a love potion and watching it bubble up!

Friday Night Hoops!

Cure' of Ars Groundbreaking of New Gym/Activity Center

What an exciting day it was with the groundbreaking and blessing 

of our new school/parish activity center and gym!