Today is my cute sister Jill's BIRTHDAY!!!

She lives in D.C and has the coolest and bestest job working at CNN as a producer for this guy...

Wolf Blitzer and gets to meet LOTS of famous people!

She Lives in the cutest condo that looks like a MAGAZINE,

and always surprises me with FedEx packages filled with goodies from her latest travels.  This scarf was sent to me on my birthday which she picked up on her awesome trip to Scotland last year!

And she has contributed just about EVERY magnet to my collection from all the cool places she's visited!  (some of them are in the "repair" box from the kids dirty little mittens!) 

She is the worlds BEST Aunt and always brings her nieces and nephews fun gifts and somehow despite the distance, makes it to almost all their special milestones and creates wonderful memories with them!  They ADORE her!

While they were here one night, we made some yummy pizza!  We used one of our favorite sauces that we made from my Favorite cookbook!  Which you can buy at Make a Wish Foundation.  You MUST try this sauce!  It has a little bit of sweetness to it.  

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1/2 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 (16-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil until soft, about 5 minutes.  Add tomatoes, stir in seasonings and simmer about 10 minutes.  Makes enough for 1 large or 2 small pizzas.

For the crust we just used one of those Pillsbury Pizza Crusts.  Cole LOVED the fact that it was square!  I have a crust recipe but never think to make it in time to let it rise one hour.  Do you have a yummy, fast pizza crust recipe? Do share!

Thanks for hanging out Mike and Chantel!  It was great to see you guys!

It was such a blast all week!  Cole popped out of bed the first morning just dying to do something for his Secret Pal!  He drew Kevin's name and came up with some pretty funny ideas of things to do for him.  My favorite was his idea to leave the toilet seat up for his dad. LOL.  I helped him empty all the trash, write love notes to put in Kevin's planner, hide treats and other little things.  Cole was just ready to burst all week to tell his dad that he was his Secret Pal.  Sadie even got the hang of it too.  But mostly loved getting things from her Secret Pal.

And just to document my two favorite memories of the week.  When Cole discovered his bed had been made and a chocolate left on his pillow, he just couldn't get over it and kept demanding to know who it was.  He asked everyone, "Was it you?"  To which we would reply, "I can't tell you!"  He couldn't stand it!  It was so fun at that moment to see him grasp the concept of a Secret Pal.  And then later in the week I over heard Cole trying to help Sadie come up with some ideas of things to do to her Secret Pal (which was me).  Some of his suggestions were to do the dishes for mom or put away my make-up.  He was so excited to help!

Valentine's Day was just a fun relaxing day spent with these people that I love so much!  

We ate a simple breakfast with the most yummy homemade Magleby's Fresh syrup!  A staple in my home.  

Sadie loved her new Fancy Nancy book and cupcake jewelry box, Cole LOVED his new Webkinz Dragon, and MaryJane was just so happy to sit on daddy's lap and eat everything in sight!

For dinner I made the family's favorite.  Sesame Chicken.  After which we ate "Fundue", as the kids like to call it.  Brownie Bites, Strawberries, Pineapple, Pretzels, and mini heart shape sugar cookies that I had saved from the cookie party the day before.

I have loved celebrating every minute of this holiday this year!  Our home has been filled with lots of love!  Hope you enjoyed the holiday as well! ;)

Love, me... at Our Scoop! ;)

Every year I have a little Valentine cookie decorating party for the kids. 

Cole and Sadie each got to invite a a couple of friends.  The card reads, " Love is in the Air!  Come celebrate with Sadie (or Cole) and decorate cookies!"

The sweets at the sweet table.

The supplies at the craft table.

The kids really got into it and all worked so diligently.

While the cookies dry, the kids decorate their "take home" boxes.

Stickers and stamps.  Keeping it simple.

I was real worried about the boys being nice to the girls.  But there was no need.  Everyone got along great!  I think it was because they all were just so into it!

And what's a party without a little gaming?

Tied with the ribbon of their choice, a box full of personalized cookies for either themselves or a Valentine.

And a little shot of the Hostess with the Mostest.  Just so you know, she was there!  Minus all her make-up.  You know how party planning days are! ;)

I know it may not look like it but Cole was VERY involved in this Valentine box!  Modge Podge and all!  He even painted the inside green!  I'm hoping to get a few years out of this thing!  It was such a fun project to do together!

My sweet little kindergartner.  Love you buddy!

I have a very creative friend named Amy who introduced me to these adorable paper heart pockets.  Unfortunately, she doesn't have a blog to share all the fun things she does.  So I decided I'll share this one for her. ;)

I usually just make these paper hearts for the kids teachers and the preschool class of 10.  Somehow making 35 + seams a bit overwhelming to me.

This fun tradition was introduced to me by my friend Julie's mother.  Over the years it has given us some fun memories!  

All I can say is THERE IS NO WAY I COULD OWN A Wii!!  Cole asks me to help him at times to earn extra money and where does the time go?  I get sucked right in!  After we get the kids tucked into bed Kevin and I race to the computer to get there first.  HOW PATHECTIC IS THAT?  Luckily I've been able to gain enough control over myself the last few days to stay away from it!  I can't even get started!  I mean what would ever become of me if I owned a Wii?  Bad things I tell ya.  Bad things.

I've been so lost in the shuffle of these Valentine's Bags that I have forgotten to post pictures of us sledding for my blog album!  Stacey and Brent came up with their kids for lunch and a little sledding on MLK day.  Stacey made us all this yummy 3 meat open faced toasted sandwich.  Stacey, you must post it!

Kevin thought it would be fun to take MaryJane on a ride.  Scared me to death and I think it scared her too!  We love this toboggan!  It is GREAT for having 3-4 people on!  Kate and Sadie even went down on their own in it!  No tipping!  Brave little girls!

Yea!!! I've fixed my tutorial problem!! Finally!  You can view the whole thing now! Whew!  Just curious as to which link you like better.  Which one is easier for you to view, print, etc...

Do you like link one or link two.  What's your vote?

 I finally have finished the tutorial hopefully in time for some of you to make these bags before Valentine's Day!  ;)  This is my first ever tutorial so let me know if you catch any errors so I can correct them!  Click here for the tutorial or email me at ourscoop@gmail.com for the pdf.  Happy Sewing!