Happy Valentine's Day

I think our Valentine cards turned out cute this year. I got this idea from the Idea Room.

Hunter 7 years old

Logan 5 years old Kiersten 9 years old We had a fun time with our tradition of driving around Valentine's Day Evening and dropping off our Valentine cards to friends and family. This year it was just the kids and I, as Justin was working late.........but half way through our deliveries I decided to go kidnap him from work. So he spent a little time with us delivering Valentine's and it was such a treat! The kids LOVE this tradition because they get to ring the door bell and run.........obviously not because it's a secret who they are from but just for the fun of it! Usually we just put our initials on the cards and treat, but this year it was pictures. Our friends, the Gunderson's are the ones we copied this idea from........so thanks Jenny! We have done this for several years now and the kids always remind me about it each year.......so I guess it's a HIT! The Gunderson's are living in Peru now........we miss you guys!

Logan Conversation

I have to take Logan to Tucson tomorrow for his follow up surgery appointment...........from having his tonsils removed as well as his ear tubes removed.

He asked me, "Mom is the doctor going to check my ears?"

"Yes Logan he will," I replied.

Logan, "Oh he is checking my ears to make sure I am listening to you!"

......aah sure Logan............so make sure you are listening to me!

"Dad, Why Are You the Boss at Work?"

Logan asked Justin today, "Dad why are you the Boss at work?"

Justin of course did not answer him fast enough...........

So Logan asked again, "Dad why are you the Boss at work?"

Justin still did not respond quick enough.........

Logan replied, "Is it cause that's what you picked to be?"

I think at least 90% of the time Justin would like to NOT be a Boss at work...............those free candybars just aren't cutting it these days!

He would like to have just one job title, not multiple. Or at least collect paychecks for ALL his job titles..........wouldn't that be nice! (Tif understands) He would LOVE to have a 40 hour work week or heck even just have a schedule of when he is "ON" and "OFF"! I think when you are a partner in a business you are never really "OFF". He'd like to have an actual lunch break...........he NEVER comes home during the day and very rarely ever takes an actual lunch break. He just eats as he works.

He would like to just be the CFO, His Offical Title and not also be the Computer Tech (for CKC and all family members), The Car Insurance Guy (for both family and the company), The Health Insurance Guy, Business Insurance Guy, Payroll Guy, Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable Guy, Fill-in Cement Batcher Guy, Guy in charge of all job bonds, The Tax guy, The guy in charge of dealing with all Audits.....both state and internal audits, The 4o1K guy and the child support guy, the guy who deals with all workmans comp issues, the list goes on and on.

We were talking the other day to some friends and the husband was asking Justin what part of CKC he was over. So Justin started naming off the things he is responsible for.........the guys response was priceless.

He said, "You do realize that you just named 9 separate full-time job titles? I sure hope you're getting 9 paychecks!".............and those we're just the things Justin could think of off the top of his head.

I am so grateful to be married to such a hard worker! It amazes me how much stress and responsibility he continually has on his plate. Yet he continues to come home and ask how he can help me with the kids or the house! Justin is not just a hard worker, but a very business savvy man. He enjoys continuing to find ways to save the family business money. He doesn't get much praise or recognition for ALL he does to make CKC the great company that it is, but he is so humble it doesn't bother him..........well most of the time!

I Love You Justin! You are AMAZING!!

Loves of My Life

So we had a little Valentine's Day photo shoot since I was taking pictures for the kids valentine's anyways.

Love Kiersten's outfit! She is so fun to shop for because.... well #1 she is my only girl and #2 she is so appreciative of what she gets. BEAUTIFUL! Hunter is such a handsome guy and has a great personality! He is very styling for a 7 year old boy. He likes to dress good and loves styling hats.

I just LOVE this guy!

Logie Bear throwing his pose!

He did both these poses on his own.........what can I say the kid is trained!

Then the fun started.......the kids love to get silly in my studio and it usually makes for some adorable pictures!

Isn't he a gorgeous guy?

I love the brightness in his innocent eyes!

Kiersten took some pictures of me so I could make a valentine for my sweetheart!

These kiddos are the Loves of My Life!

Mr. Grant was tired so he wasn't the best model

but we did get a few pictures of him not running away or screaming.

My kids, Justin and the rest of our families really are my most valued treasures!

I remember as a teenager dreaming of being a mom. I have looked forward to this calling for so many years. I remember reading my patriarchal blessing and crying EVERY TIME I read the part about being a mother.

I didn't realize of course how hard, exhausting and challenging it would be, being a mother

BUT...

even more then that,

I didn't realize how fun, fulfilling and rewarding this calling would be either! Thanks for letting me be your mom!

Wildlife in the House!

A couple of Saturdays ago we were just having fun playing inside as it was FREEZING out! I came in to find that Hunter had used a marker and made all the boys look like TIGERS.

I tried to control my fear and calmly asked, "Hunter what kind of markers did you use? Please tell me they aren't permanent!"

Hunter replies, "Are you crazy mom....of course they aren't permanent they are washable I checked!"

Whew! I took a deep breath and told him how cute it was that he made his brothers like TIGERS!

I am very surprised Mr. Grant held still long enough for Hunter to stripe him up. I asked Hunter about it and he told me, "Oh I was feeding him TIGER FOOD the whole time I was marking his face." "What might TIGER FOOD be?" I asked. "Oh just M&M's!" replied Hunter. Now it all made sense!!! The boys had a great time playing TIGERS and made a big cage for themselves in the playroom. I was thankful Hunter was smart enough to check if the markers were washable!

If You Want...

...to know Mr. Grant's most favorite place in the house well here it is...

On the stool in the pantry!

He LOVES to hang out in the pantry........man after my own heart! He likes to play shy these days.... I just adore him even if he is the messiest toddler I have ever had!

Kiersten's Cutness..

Now How Cute is Kiersten? Gosh I love having a girl..........and I couldn't have asked for a better daughter! I love you so very much Kiersten!

Be Mine?

Hunter was so excited to have his first Valentine's! And she asked him. Madi Biglar has a cute little crush on Hunter and asked him to be her Valentine. She is in 2nd Grade with Hunter.

So Hunter got right to work making her a card the after school. I was making some Valentine's Day crafts and Hunter and Kiersten joined in. Hunter wasn't quite the perfectionist as Kiersten, which at this craft it came in handy! Making roses out of streamers........so easy and oh so cute!

I was making the roses for a craft, but Hunter....all on his own I might add...........came up with the idea to make a bouquet! What a romantic little guy!

Madi gave Hunter this Coke and it just made his day! It was so cute to see his joy whenever he got something from his Valentine!

I just Love the month of February!

This was another cute thing Madi gave to Hunter! I was so fun to see Hunter's excitement to make things for Madi..........he never could wait until Valentine's to give her his gifts so I think he ended up giving her like 7 little things by the time Valentine's day rolled around!