Happy Valentine Days...

On February 14, 2012, Jake and I had been emailing each other for less than a month and hadn't met yet.

On February 14, 2013, I spent the day working and deciding how to tell Jake we were expecting a baby!

Wearing my wedding sandals, all ready for the dessert announcement (roses Jake sent while still at work)

The hidden message under Jake's plate...

February 14, 2014, was spent quite differently, keeping up with the four new additions to the family!

Mama with the baby who made our first Valentine's Day together so special!

This picture always makes me laugh. Sophia was crying through most of the photo session, so Samuel is trying to coax a smile out of her...

Brothers & Baby

Four month picture, Feb. 13 (and the bib says it all!)

First Valentine's Day card ever, from brother Joel! It's still on our fridge. :)

Fast forward to this year...

First chocolate cupcake. She has a sixth sense to know what to ask for the in the kitchen, ha!

The boys had a blast planning for a little "Valentine's Day" party with three siblings from church! We had a babysitter for the evening because Jake and I (and the parents of the three) were going to a birthday party.

Cupcake decorating area - ready!

I have no pictures of decorated cupcakes. I left the camera with the kids to take pictures, but I'll assume my always-on-the-move Michael was the photographer because they are all blurry. :)


And February 13, 2015, with my four little valentines (and getting ready for another)...

 Saying "flower", a new word in her vocabulary. I think Jake taught her that one.

In fact, I have a video!

I love how she carefully pronounces the "w" sound.

 

Dad says this dress looks like a curtain that blew up, but Sophia exclaimed "PRETTY!!!" when she first saw it. :)

Waiting anxiously for pancakes in her heart pjs

 Reading her new Bible, in her new red jacket from Nana

Today Jake did some things around the house in lieu of flowers and chocolate, because he knows what floats my boat!! (AND took care of almost all the diaper changes and Sophia's bath today!!!)

We now have family pictures in the hallway and one in our visitor bedroom, yeah!

Happy Valentine's Day, Family & Friends!!!

Addendum:

Our little "romantic dinner" for 6 1/2! :) 

Broccoli and Three Cheese Lasagna, Italian Salad, and Garlic Bread...

 

The boys were singing "happy birthday" to Sophia because of the candles, and she was wanting to blow them out.