Lately

This "lately" post was written in mid-February, nearly three months ago!  I better post it before any more time goes by!

Lately...we celebrated my dad's birthday (54 years)!  I got him a bucket of snap-off knives that he loves and can always be found wearing in his front shirt pocket.  My mom made him some amazing, delicious, fall-of-the-bones ribs and chocolate birthday cake.  I was able to see him on his birthday and enjoy some warm, fresh chocolate cake, and a couple hours of visiting!  My sister recorded McCoy singing Happy Birthday (his first year singing acapella) for Papa.

Valentine's Day was as sweet as ever.  Kaden intended on making a tractor Valentine's Box, so I tried helping Kylie come up with an idea for hers and suggested a basketball court.  She made hers all on her own!  Kaden changed his mind and decided to make a football field, and Keane and I got to help him on it, which was a ton of fun and it turned out pretty spectacular if you ask any of us!

Keane and I had a nice dinner at CC's City Broiler for Valentine's Day.  It is so much fun getting dressed up with my babe and fine dining.  Although we both agreed it sucks driving an hour to dinner in the same town we drive to work each day during the week.  We were told we would have a 2 1/2 hour wait (it ended up only being 1 1/2 hours) and during that time, we mingled with two other couples and enjoyed the conversations.  Our meal was delicious.  Keane got a bone-in ribeye aged ~34 days (he says it was one of the best steaks he's ever had) and I had a blackened grouper (fish).  It was delish.  I really liked the dinner and no-gift way we celebrated Valentine's Day this year.  My dad sent me a text that said, "Well don't worry about Farrah, she's having fun with Grandpa!  Oops, I was just thinking in the future!"  Haha.  Farrah decided to tag along with Mom and Dad this year, but next year, she has a date with Papa! 

This nephew of mine is growing up and getting cuter by the day (how is that even possible?)!  I love to call my sister and ask for new "McCoy stories."  They're the best.  Kimberly was laying on McCoy's Kristi Blanket and he got upset and said, "You're hurting her, Mom!!!"  About 3 1/2 years ago, I found a big stitch beginner's crochet blanket pattern and made it in my unborn nephew's nursery colors.  Never could I have imagined how bonded he would become to his Kristi Blanket, but I love it so.

Kylie needs to work on her spelling, ha!  Her and I enjoyed baking some chocolate chip cookies two nights in a row (because yes, they were that good, and yes, they went that quickly)!

Kylie's team won 1st place in the 3rd grade girl's basketball tournament, and Kaden's team won 3rd in the 5th grade boy's tournament, but we might as well consider them 2nd place winners (they're truly kicking arse as basketball this year).

I'll leave with you a couple Lenox pictures, since he's such a photogenic subject.