The Dinner I Made...

...For Valentines Day was so good. When my mom and I were in England, I picked up some truly authentic home made heart shaped pasta from a store called Umberto's. I wanted to make something special for my family and serve them a tasty meal.

You can see the bag I bought on the right hand side, 2nd row up on the left. This is the best smelling pasta shop in the world. The man who owns it has such a thick Italian accent. So cool!

I got all the food, ingredients, and love ready to make my Valentine's dinner.

Where food becomes art...

I've never made chocolate dipped strawberries before but decided to surprise everyone. I'm really getting into cooking, huh mom?!

They turned out pretty tasty!

I made 2 different sauces to choose from: Alfredo with brocolli or Marinara with turkey sausage. Everyone picked the alfredo...except:

Alyssa. She went with the marinara. Yum! (and BTW - we are not counting calories just for today.)

After dinner we all settled in to watch a movie together. I just love these girls, ok Max too, and of course Matt. Hope you had a Happy Valentine's Day!

Mia's 79th blood transfusion

I haven't put any of Mia's recent blood transfuion pictures on my blog, I'm behind the times!

I'm pretty sure this is #79, although I seemed to have lost count. There's been so many. Mia had been really sick and missed a week of school plus she needed a transfusion. Whew! Glad that week is over with.

Mia and her wonderful nurses...and giraffee's.

Thank you Miss Christine for always helping us with a smile, and for all the Valentine's cards we made today!

The Color Run

The girls and I were very excited to do THE COLOR RUN - with proceeds to benefit Cardon Children's Hospital. Seriously, how could we not do it?? After all, my girl Mia is at Cardon Children's Hospital every month getting a blood transfusion.

#78...

My friend T-Smith did the run with me...here we are in white before the run. We got there so early!!

My poor girls were almost in tears because it was so cold...but I kept telling htem it will be worth it. They got to stand at the 4th kilometer and actually throw out the color pink at the runners. So I left them there all clean and dressed in white.

I saw Niki, Miss Christine, & Miss Tracy (Mia's nurses!)

I was trying to get a hold of my other friend Susan...she said I'mt he one in white waiting on the bridge. LOL

There were SO many people...and a lot of walkers which is fine but seriously for us folks who like to run, stay to the right!!

The view from the bridge...where the first color was already under way.

We're getting closer...

BAM!! How fun...thanks T-Smith for ensuring we got some color :)

I can't believe Terri noticed these walkers...who passed us! ha ha...they went around they yellow because it took a long time.

Green was next up...you could see the puffs of color all around Tempe Town Lake, it was really cool.

Even the dogs got some color.

Purple, my favorite!!!

Here we are coming up to pink...we were on the look out for my girls,

who were VERY pink! Look at Ashley...she just kept throwing it out as people were going by.

Ethan was there too with his family...throwing out the colors as well.

Alyssa had a great time! She turned out soooo pink!

Almost to the finish...

We made it, and we brought Mia with us to the finish line!

Farabee's, Jo, and Terri...we did it!

I look like a scary...Avatar of all different colors.

Mia had a really good time, it was worth being cold and getting up really early!

A sea of colors...

That seriously was the 'funnest' run I've done and I'm glad my girls got to be there.

I think it's hilarious how they are just completely pink...and everyone else is colorful.

What a great photo! I should have won something for this shot :)

Sign us up for THE COLOR RUN next year!

Remembering Layla

We will never forget Layla...that's why today is PURPLE day.