Valentine's Day

Valentine's was spread out this year, since the actual holiday fell on a Sunday.  The kids celebrated in school on Friday (which was Enoch's birthday and he was not too thrilled about that).  We ate sugar all day Saturday and then had a family celebration on Sunday.
Thankfully, Valentine boxes were easy this year.  Enoch designed and built his own, Kate made hers in class and Guard's teachers did a simple bag with stickers (genius!).  They turned out very cute!

 The kids brought home a lot of candy!  We were on sugar overload all weekend!  Yikes!
On Sunday, Kate had a special gift waiting for her outside her door - a new dress!  She was so excited!  A dress that goes to the floor!  She looks so grown up and beautiful.

This year instead of doing presents (since we are already in the middle of presents), I decided we would write love letters to each other.  It was a bit of a project to get the kids to do it, but when they read their letters, they loved it!
Happy Valentines Day!

Greg's letter

Tresa

Going to California for our anniversary was amazing! As we walked through the Redwoods, holding hands, I felt lucky and blessed. We've made it through a lot. And we it did it together. I can't believe it has been 20 years – 20 good, good years. I am so thankful for 20 years of love, patience, understanding, service, fun, growing together. Thank you for sticking with me. I love you!!!

Gavin

I remember going to Lake Powell with you.

Enoch

I like building contraptions with you. I also really like you reading to me at night.

Kate

I love going out to lunch with you. Subway is the best place. I like white bread, cheese and ham with mayo.

Guard

I liked going to the big pool with the big dumper and floating around with you.

Tresa's letter

Greg
We spent a lot of time at the home show looking at houses and figuring our what we want in a house. I remember sitting down with Dale and designing our new house. I remember some disagreements and some things that we agreed on.

Enoch
I remember swimming in the hot springs in Colorado. I remember getting in the hot water and playing games. I remember playing with a pool noodle.

Kate

Going to laser tag with mom. You took pictures of Kate in her vest and gun. It was very fun.

Guard

Going swimming with Mom in Sister Tuttle's pool. I practiced swimming backwards and forwards.

Gavin's letter

Dad
I remember going to see Star Wars together. We ate lots of popcorn and cookies.

Mom

I have a picture in my head that I will never forget. The sun is shining. The tulips are in bloom at Thanksgiving Point Gardens in April. You are holding Guard and laughing with him. Your smile was beautiful. Your eyes had a sparkle to them. I felt such great happiness that you were there with us. It had been a while since I had seen that smile or sparkle. It had been a while since you had spent time with us. I saw Gavin that day. Thank you for that memory.

Enoch
I really liked it when you helped me with Zelda.

Kate

I had fun going to the hot air balloons with you. You let me get on your shoulders to see the balloons better.

Guard

Swimming away from you at the big pool because you were a monster.

Enoch's letters

Dad
I remember working on all the design challenges together. Enoch always had the best ideas. We built marshmallow guns, insulated ice cubes, vibrating cups. You were always happy when designing things.

Mom

One night, I had gone to bed early because I wasn't feeling well. As I laid in a dark room, I heard someone quietly walk in. I could feel you standing next to the bed. I couldn't see who is was, but I knew it was you. You asked me in a small whisper if I was awake. I answered yes. You knelt down next to the bed and asked if you could pray with me since I missed family prayers. I asked you to say the prayer. You always say the best prayers. You offered a sweet, simple prayer. You included a request to Heavenly Father that I could feel better. Thank you Enoch for praying with and for me.

Gavin

I remember going sledding with you at Grandma's Grandpa's.

Kate

I love playing Legos with you and making cool stuff. I like to build cars and planes with you.

Guard

I like it when you build Lego train tracks for me.

Kate's letters

Dad
I remember going to Lake Powell with you. We went swimming and you would jump off the back of the boat, again and again and again. You would giggle and laugh every time you jumped.

Mom

One day, I was feeling pretty frustrated and discouraged. I knelt by my bed to say a prayer to ask Heavenly Father what I should do. I felt prompted to open my nightstand drawer. Inside, I found a note you had written for me. It said, “I love you.” There was also a picture you had drawn of the two of us holding hands. I was overwhelmed with love for you. I was so thankful that you are my daughter. I love all the notes and pictures you make for me. You are so creative and thoughtful. Thank you for being an answer to my prayers.

Gavin
I remember going swimming with you at Christmas.

Enoch

I like playing board games with you. I also like jumping on the trampoline with you.

Guard

I like to play animals with you, capturing bees in your bug catcher.

Guard's letter

Dad
I remember playing with the legos with you. We did it a lot. And you always knew what we had built, even if it was two pieces put together.

Mom

My favorite time of day is early morning. Why? Because we get to snuggle. You come and find me in the kitchen making breakfast. You have your blanket wrapped around you like a king's robe. Your eyes are bleary and your checks are rosy. Your hair is rough and tousled. You squint as you look at me. Mostly you hold up your arms, silently asked to be held. Sometimes, you asked, “Will you hold me?” Either way, my answer is always yes. It doesn't matter how behind I am on breakfast, I'm not wiling to give up this time. I sit on the couch with you on my lap. We don't talk, just snuggle. Sometimes you hold my hand, sometimes your hands are curled up under your chin. You always tuck your head under my chin and snuggle in deep. I kiss the top of your head and rub your back. And I soak in all the goodness of you. Every morning. It's my favorite time of the day.

Gavin
I like playing farm animals with you.

Enoch

I had fun building Lego train tracks with you. I also liked going to the train show with you.

Kate

You are really fun. I like playing tag, Legos, making dog houses. I like playing tag with you because you are really fast and hard to catch.