The Day of LOVE... or week, which we prefer.

Valentine's Day is pretty much a week long celebration at our house and why not? It's also synonymous with the most delicious food because that's the way we party, of course. So, party one: A fancy dinner at our house with all of Zach's siblings with the five course meal by my very own personal chef, Chef Zach. We started with a plate of poached pears, cheeses, bread, olive oil and vinegar and fruits for appetizers.

Grandpa joined us for the party as well, and the kids? We sent them all downstairs with pizza and a movie, of course!

'Kay, next course- a fresh spring mix salad with a homemade strawberry vinaigrette, craisens and pecans.

And next, the butternut soup topped with nutmeg and sourcream- probably my favorite part of the meal!

And main course-rice with grilled chicken, carrot puree, mango chutney, and apple syrup.

Hungry yet? Sadly, I did not get a picture of our chocolate coconut mousse for dessert. It looked just as good as it tasted! After dinner, we played a couple rounds of the Newly wed game- good times were had by all. It was a great night!

But, because Zach was busy cooking and plating all night, he didn't get the whole 'romantic dinner' itch satisfied. SO, Saturday night looked like this:

Just us, with a romantic table for two, yummy platters of food and "Singin' in the Rain."

Yep, that was a good night, too.

Sunday night, we went to Grandma Norviel's for a Mexican fiesta with all the family- more good food, more fun and somehow, Grandma, who had been out of town for two weeks until Saturday, had Valentine gifts ready for every person there. How does she DO that?

Valentine's morning finally arrives and it's time for another party- called breakfast! I gave each one of my Valentine's a new book and we had crepes with raspberry syrup and pink milk. Zach also downloaded my three favorite songs for me- Christina Perrie's "Thousand Years" "Arms" and "Jar of Hearts." If you don't know them, look them up. :)

My mom came over on Tuesday (V-day) instead of Thursday to do piano with the boys just so she could also babysit Weston and Afton for Zach and I so we could go to lunch. How awesome is she? Not only that, but she also brought a cheesecake for us as well. Um, I'm a little spoiled! Zach and I had a delicious lunch at Magleby's. Another thing for you to try if you haven't before: every bite is a masterpiece and it's a buffet! Needless to say, I came home completely stuffed.

Which is why dinner was a simple meal of hearts- heart sandwiches with heart bread, heart cheese, heart meat and even heart shaped pickles! We also cut out some jello jigglers. The kids were definitely satisfied. :)

When Zach got home from classes, we walked about the mall but saved our money for Target where I found a mirror for my bathroom door (now I will FINALLY be able to see the back of my head. You don't know how happy this makes me.) and the kids spent their Valentine money from Grandma Largey on an ABC singing giraffe and Power Ranger spin swords. You can guess who bought what...

P.S. This was the 10th anniversary of our first Valentine's day together which was the first V-day I actually ever had a Valentine, and also our first kiss, which means it was also the day I knew I was going to marry that guy named Zach Largey. Yep, it's definitely a good day to celebrate.