Valentine's Days Past

We don't usually make a big deal out of Valentine's Day at our house, but we do exchange cards and a bit of candy. I was just going back through some pictures from Valentine's Days Past since we've had kids. This is what I found....

Merrilee's first Valentine's Day in 2005. She was a couple months shy of three years old, and here she is getting her first Valentine's Day card from Aunt Jo and Uncle Frank, with a whopping $5 in it!

In 2006 we had up and down weather. We had a snow storm and warm days within one week. Jacob was two and had been home with us for about 3 1/2 months. These two photos are of the kids decorating cupcakes outside. They didn't have very good sprinkle control, so I was glad to have a warmish day to keep the mess outside.

Here are Merrilee and Jacob in 2007 (couldn't believe I didn't have any better photos for Valentine's Day that year!) This was the year Merrilee turned 4 and she really left that chubby-cheeked toddler look behind.

Here is Merrilee a couple days after Valentine's Day in 2008. That year I failed to take any pictures at all. Bummer. But we did enjoy another warm day when the crocuses were blooming.

And here is Katie Mei on the scene in 2009! This was her first Valentine's Day, and her first chocolate cupcake. Look at the archive from last year and you'll see the entire series of photos from the Big Chocolate Cupcake experience. She was 23 months old, had only been home with us for one month, and had undergone her heart catheterization with an atrial septostomy just the day before. Hard to believe this was less than 24 hours after the procedure. Big changes for such a little girl.

And here are the girls this morning in 2010. Merrilee made Katie Mei a little tiara with the words "Sweet Princess" written in the heart. Merrilee loves her little sister immensely, and we are so proud of her for being such a compassionate, mature, loving big sister.

And this is my dear husband. He is a loving father and caring husband. Last night he took Merrilee to her first Daddy Daughter Dance. It was a precious evening for Merrilee, and she came home so excited to tell me all about it.

Jay, thanks for loving all of us, and for being such a great Daddy and Husband to your family. We love you, Honey. Happy Valentine's Day.

Love, Petrie