West, Valentines Day, etc.

I've been seeing a lot of this lately from West...

We've never had a thumb-sucking baby before! Sure, it's kinda cute now, but what happens when he's in fifth grade doing the same thing? Hopefully the novelty will wear off. He only does it when he's really tired.

We blessed West on Sunday the 13th. We waited awhile to bless him so Shawn's grandma and grandpa could be there for it. Shawn gave such a nice blessing. I noticed how loud the congregation was during the beginning of the meeting, and how super quiet it was when the blessing was given. I really think the Spirit was there during his blessing. I should have written down everything Shawn said, it was such a beautiful blessing, but I remember he blessed West that he would stay as happy as he was now. He is seriously the happiest baby. Especially when he sees Shawn, Chance and Hannah - he gets the BIGGEST smiles! He is so sweet. Shawn also mentioned the he would look to his mother as his best friend. That was so touching to me because my patriarchal blessing actually says that I should be my childrens' best friends. So far, I am not doing so well!! Hopefully that blessing will help West, at least... After the blessing we went to Shawn's parents for dinner. Shawn whipped up a batch of his famous meatballs and there were appetizers and salads galore. Shawn's grandma made her chocolate cake that I'm obsessed with. It was so nice of Shawn's parents to let us have the "after party" over there. I feel bad for even asking, but our house is small and I turn into a basket case when I have to have people over. It was so much less stress to have it over there because April enjoys entertaining and doesn't stress out about it. They are very generous that way. West slept the majority of the day, but Shawn said he woke up in the middle of his blessing. I can just picture his big, blue eyes looking at all of those faces encircling him! He probably smiled at all of them, too.

Grammy, Grandpa Ted, and the guest of honor

West loving to look at all of his cousins!!

We had a not-so-eventful Valentine's Day. The Saturday before, Shawn and I went to dinner ALONE (that was a first in a long time!) at Sonora Grill. I love that place! On Valentine's Day we just had steaks on the grill (that were EXCELLENT, I must say!) and hung out at home with the kiddos.

This is a picture of Chance's Valentine's Day box he had to make. I've never had to help make a Valentine Box before. I got the idea off of the internet, then sort of improvised to make it. The kids were supposed to put their Valentines through the hoop - Chance thought it was pretty awesome. But I guess I got a little carried away and ended up gluing Chance's name on the front by myself. He got mad at me. I guess I must've forgotten whose project it was...oops!

Then, our little Hannah, who I have worried about spiritually because she has refused to say a prayer for years, made this Valentine:

What is cuter than a Valentine for Heavenly Father and Jesus? I loved it. And here's her Valentine for me.