Valentines Day 2009

We started the day with a fabulous breakfast. As Madeline tells everyone, crepes and candy. Yep, that's what it was. We had crepes with strawberries, fresh berries and of course, candy. I decorated the table with hershey kisses and peppermint patties. The girls got a Valentine book and Matt got his favorite Lindt Milk Chocolates.

There's nothing like breakfast in your PJ's and bedhead!

We had a normal Saturday, filled with some shopping at Costco, which I will remember to NEVER do again on a Holiday or holiday weekend! It was ridiculous!

We have a tradition of making our own dinner on Valentines instead of going out.

We start our meal with some homemade French Onion Soup Then we had our yummy California Citrus Salad
We added some homemade Au Gratin Potatoes (because the potatoes spilled over into the oven, it started smoking. Hence, our smoke alarm went off. The girls freaked, we had all our doors and windows open in the 20 degree weather and then we decided to 'self clean' the oven. Yeah, it was an experience. I kept waiting for the fire department to show up!)
We finished our main meal with some french bread and a fabulously grilled Filet Mignon (matt tried to put the bread in a heart shape. isn't it cute?)

We had some sparkling cider, but we put it in the freezer to "chill it" and we forgot about it. It exploded all over our freezer! We were also going to finish our meal with a brownie sundae, but we were so stuffed, we passed on the dessert! Crazy, I know.

This is what Mitchell did during our celebration. What a great baby!

My favorite family also got me the sweetest gift. It's a beautiful heart necklace with a little diamond inside. They are the greatest!!!!
Isn't it beautiful??

Now, I know that this entire post was about our food and what we ate, but I have a confession. I'm kind of a scrooge when it comes to Valentines Day. I (and this is a personal opinion) think it is silly to have a designated day to have to "prove" your love for someone. It would mean more to me to have flowers and presents brought to me on a day that I am not expecting it. Not on a day when your are "told" to do it. Regardless, I really love doting on my family and doing nice, fun things for them. My way of showing that is to cook meals that they love and will really enjoy. I'm not big on cards because (and again, another personal opinion) I think they are expensive and end up in the garbage, and I like to buy my kids things when I want to, so we don't do much for V day. I really really do love my husband and kids though, and think they are the absolute best!!!