FHE

An idea for a FHE had been stirring around in my head for weeks. I knew it would take a while, probably longer than a usual FHE, so when the kids had a Monday off of school we decided to do it.

When borrowing Karen's Cricut a while back, I cut each person's name out of colored cardstock. I also gathered a box full of magazines, glue and scissors and then we got to work.

We ripped, snipped and glued anything that we loved or represented us in some way.

My plan was to have a lesson about us being individual and unique children of God, but we ended up just sharing our posters and talking about why we chose what we chose. It was more fun, than spiritual, but still worth the time and effort.

We also noticed that the placement of our pictures kinda matched our personalities as well... random and scattered or lined up and planned out. 

Jason and I shared a posterboard...we had to be creative and edit quite a bit to make everything fit.

I'd like to have a follow up FHE or do something with our posters. Any suggestions?

Sweethearts Dance

I guess the trend of the day, is to have all-day dates...before going to the dance in the evening. So the Sweethearts date started in the morning, with the girls making a big breakfast for all the guys.

After breakfast, the group went to a glow-in-the-dark miniature golf place. Then they separated to get ready for the dance...

Rylee's friend Maddie offered to do her hair and make-up.

Rylee called her friend Eliza, at the last minute, to ask to borrow a clutch.

We went to Trinity Peterson's house for pictures.

The WHOLE group.

The guys.

The girls.

Kaylie/Sam, Madi/Brayden, Paige/Taylor, Riley/Warren & Rylee/Kyle.

Next was dinner at Paige's house.

On the menu: strawberry spinach salad, spiral ham, party potatoes, green beans, delicious Great Harvest rolls and sparkling cider.

After the dance, the couples came over to our house for dessert... brownie sundaes! Yum.

It was fun to hang out with this group. I liked getting to know them just a little better, as the night progressed.

They goofed off, talked and played games 'til 12. 

Around midnight, the party came to a close and they went home... before they turned into pumpkins! :)

He said...

Many days past.... no answer from Kyle. Then one evening, as we were watching t.v. as a family, the doorbell rang. When Treyson and Abree opened it, they discovered some balloons, a stuffed turtle and a note.

"Sorry I was as slow as a turtle to answer... So good luck! -Kyle (better get poppin)" :)

Rylee popped the balloons and found her answer... YES!

Awesome.

Rylee & Kyle Ruby

 FUN times!

Boutonniere

For Sweethearts, I thought it would be cute to make a candy boutonnieres for the guys.

Rylee's friends, Trinity and Kaylie, came over the day before the dance to make some.

What guy wouldn't like candy for a boutonniere? ...a treat for later. :)

Valentine's Day 2013

 I had been wanting to make a banner using book pages. With Valentine's Day approaching, I thought it would be a perfect time to do it. 

I had, and still have, a ton of these cutout felt hearts (in a variety of colors) from Christmas clearance 2 years ago. 

Anyone want to make a banner??? :) Seriously.

I also found this cute Valentine printable for the mantle here.

We like to make homemade Valentines...even the big kids like to give them to their friends. I found several Valentines from Pinterest (of course) to chose from.

"Valentine's Day {MAD LIB}from YOUR SECRET ADMIRER"

Taylee rolled this up and tied a cute Valentine's Day pencil with it.

"Hey Valentine Let's Stick Together!"

Abree helped to wrap and tape all of these for her classmates.

"i hope you have a FAN{TACHE}TIC valentines day!"

Everyone wanted to give these..cute, huh?

I have started a tradition of making my kids lunch for Valentine's Day (a gift of service, since they usually make their own). I also try to put something special or out-of-the-ordinary in them. This year I wrapped a Valentine joke around their treat and put a cheesy Valentine on their chips. :)

"for NACHO average VALENTINE"

These are the Valentines I found on my bed.

Here's what I gave to Jason.

Happy Valentine's Day!