A visit from Grandpa!

My dad came to visit last month (yes, I know I'm a slacker!!). The girls had so much fun with him! It was like a personal play date every day!! We had yummy meals every day and read, and played, and even went to the zoo! Here are some pictures of the fun! How many pictures can you upload on one post you might ask? I don't know, but there are a lot here, so beware!! One of Rachel's favorite things to do is reading! She almost always insists on reading to us, but every now and again someone else can read to her. I have to say I'm very proud of her! She just reads so well!! The girls also love to play with play dough! I think Grandpa was having fun too! And now, off to the zoo! This was Jayden's favorite: The Owl! I know you can't really see them, but she knows they're there! Rachel's favorite: the flamingos! Why??? Because they're pink she says! Jayden wasn't in her stroller much, she'd rather be pushing it! Some classics: The giraffes and zebras! we tried to get one good family shot...but there was so much sun!! (I'm not complaining though!) can you tell what this is? A lion on his back basking in the sun! The girls are just too cute! The girls were so excited they got to ride Aslan, so Rachel told me:) Elephants are always popular with the kids too! They're my mom's favorite! Dad with is girls! a cute little kangaroo!! You can't really tell, but Rachel is petting snake here...too cool!!! Finally to the fun part! They play area:):) Rachel couldn't decide which book to read first, or should she do the puzzles? Jayden didn't really hatch out of this egg...but it makes for a cute picture! while waiting to go to the bathroom, Jayden and this little girl thought they would check out this log. What's so interesting in there? SNAKES!!! They loved them! Jayden was having a blast!! the boys just chillin! I didn't catch it, but Brett and my dad fell asleep here:):) Rachel was ecstatic about this slide!! You can't tell from the picture, but it goes up fairly high. You have to climb up on kind of an obstacle course to get there! So cool! Our little monkey! Have you ever seen a monkey on an elephant?:) Mommy and Jayden finally leaving the zoo. It was a long day, but the kids had a blast! I love picture of Jayden with her dad and grandpa. I wish the lighting was better and my camera was better, but it's still cute! (no, this is not at the zoo, but the library. I was trying to sneak it in!) I always love going to the zoo, but it also makes me a little sad for the animals. I know, I'm such a wimp!! Thanks for a great visit dad!! The girls are already talking up your next one!!!:):):)

Fun Times!

Not too much going on in the Platteborze home, but when the sun comes out, we go out!! THe girls thought it would be fun to first color in swimsuits! Don't you just love this face? Then we got ready for the park...and lots of pictures!! I just love this picture! It also show how bored the kids get and how quickly they move from toy to toy:) Our little monkey! our little princesses Rachel is queen of the world! I had to get a picture with my little Rachel! She's such a goofball! I don't know where she gets it? Rachel was so shocked that Brett climbed to the top... and then slid down! Go Brett! Rachel and Dad. Time for some bike riding... but only for a short while... now back to playing! Rachel and her new found love, the bars! Me and my love! We love playing outside!

Sunday Valentine's!

On Sunday the girls and I had my mom and Bob over for dinner. We had Brett's mom over Saturday night, but I'm a dork and forgot to take pictures! So here's Sunday night: The girls started out by giving the grandparents their Valentine's that they made all by themselves!! They were so proud! The grandparents also got their favorite candy: M&M's and Almond Roca! Then we had a super yummy dinner thanks to Our Best Bites Blog! Garlic-Rosemary Pork Tenderloin with asparagus and mashed potatoes. It was seriously so delicious, I can't wait to make it again! We also had left over chocolate covered strawberries from Saturday night's dinner, always a winner! Finally, also from Our Best Bites, is chocolate lava cake! So easy and so mouthwatering!! We were all so full after dinner! Happy Valentine's Day! May we celebrate all the loves in our life everyday!

Valentine's with the hubby!

Brett and I celebrated on Friday night, since that's his day off:) We started off... in the car! Nice face Brett:):):) We arrived at McCormick and Schmick's to have a delicious dinner. Brett ordered the steak and stuffed shrimp. So yummy!! I ordered the stuffed salmon. I LOVE SEAFOOD!! Especially when it's cooked just perfectly! After dinner we went and saw Valentine's day, which I thought was appropriate given the day we were celebrating:) It was a cute movie, but probably won't see it again. We finished the night off by eating DQ blizzards!!! So good!! Thanks for a wonderful night honey! I'm blessed to call you my Valentine. Love you!

Valentine's Dresses

My mom bought Rachel this beautiful dress for valentine's Day. The cool thing about this is that her doll has a matching one...ahhh! Aren't they cute?

Roller Skating

A while ago we went roller skating for Rachel's school's skate night. The girls loved it! Jayden getting a feel for things Rachel trying to dance while she skates, of course! Brett got me! Rachel wanted one turn around the rink with mom All the kids received free icee. Jayden is trying to drink everyone's!! Jayden and I got back on the rink... but this time she wanted to do it all by herself! What a big girl! Love the pose! Rachel and her best friend Julia skating off in the distance:) Rachel and Julia even tried the race. Go girls! They didn't win, but they got candy, even better!