Magnetic Personality

A Day of LOVE

Valentine's Day this year was focused on our kids. Carter and I were on our way to Kansas City for a romantic getaway so we decided to spend Valentine's with the kiddos. The night before was spent, as always, frantically coming up with a creative Valentine's box for school (why teachers,why???). This year we decided on a giant lego, which I took zero pictures of. Nice. The next hours were spent making these cute valentines...mustaches for the boys and lips for the girls. I found the idea at Familyfun.com. They were a huge hit, and super easy and inexpensive.





On Valentine's day my parent's came into town and my mom and I spent the day making our traditional Chinese dinner. The menu this year included: orange chicken. spicy chicken, steamed rice, noodles, fortune cookies and poky. My kids love this tradition and look forward to it every year. It was extra special this year to have my mom and dad with us. After dinner cupid rang the doorbell and the kids each got a special treat, another tradition they look forward to. We love Valentine's day at our house, just another way to tell these little people how much we adore them.

Gwennie is ONE

I can't even begin to process the fact that our baby is already one. She turned one on February 16th. This has to have been the fastest year ever. What a spark this little lady has brought into our lives. My mom said she had made our family even happier. I think she is right. Don't get me wrong, our little Gwennie was born with some serious spunk! She came into the world screaming and she continues to show us her fire from time to time (she even has a slight red hue to her hair). But as time marches on she is becoming more and more pleasant and fun.

She only says a few words right now like, Da da, ma ma, oh oh, etc. She is taking about five or six step across the room, but is not yet steady on her feet. Carter says our gene pool must be shallow after five kids. She is defiantly the slowest to learn to talk and walk, but I think it is because she has four siblings that never leave her alone. I personally am enjoying this little girl taking her time. I wish this stage would last forever.

Carter and I were out of town on her actual birthday, but we celebrated the day before with grandpa and grandma Bowen in town. I can definatly tell this baby is number five...we just didn't make a huge deal of presents and parties. Am I loosing my edge?? Perhaps. Grandma made cupcakes, I bought her some clothes and that was about it. It was special anyway.

Gwen we love you to the moon and back and we couldn't imagine life without you. What a gift you have been to our family. We can't wait to see what the next year holds for you!










* Keep and eye out for Gwennie's one year photo shoot. Cute pictures to come!