Our Valentine's

We had a super-great Valentine's this year!  And, we spread out our celebrations over a few days- even better!

Look at this cuteness :)

We did our family date the weekend before, and by Nathan's special request, went bowling... "Not on the x-box".  We found this super cool place in Tulsa called Incredible Pizza, which is an all-you-can-eat-buffet of pizza, pasta, salads, desserts, etc. and tons of activities!  The whole place is done in a 50's theme (I need to take more pictures when we go back!)  They have 3 sitting areas with tables for eating, one is a 50's era "Family room" that even has a huge entertainment center covered in knick-knacks and with a TV playing old black and white episodes of Gilligan's Island.  They also have a 50's style diner as well as the "Drive-In"- the coolest place to eat!  It even has an old movie playing in there- it was the original Wizard of Oz the night we were there.

Then, they have what they call the "Fair Grounds"- which is full of Chuck E Cheese-esque games and activities as well as bowling (regular and mini bowling), go-karts, bumper cars, laser tag, and mini golf- all indoors!

We did the bowling, as that is what we came to do.

We found this cool contraption to help Nathan out a little bit!

After a bit, Nathan wanted to bowl like mom and dad, and he did! (except that his ball took 5 times as long to get to the end of the lane)

The final scores:  Jeremy- 61, Candace- 105, Nathan- 55

Nathan was a MUCH more excited about the mini bowling.  I have never seen anything quite like it before, but it was a genius idea!  The lanes are small and all have bumpers (no gutters) and the balls are more like the size of a cant elope, and much lighter- no holes for fingers, kids just roll/throw them at the pins.  No special floors or special shoes, a ball return just their size... so perfect.  We were so busy keeping other kids from just throwing down our lane, though, that I did not get any good pictures.  :(  Next time.

The kiddos also loved watching people play "the claw" game for stuffed animals bigger than them!  One person even got one :)

All in all, it was a spectacular way to spend an evening, and cost less than $30 for the night!  We are definitely going to have to do that again soon.

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On the day before Valentine's Day, Nathan and I did some serious baking!  First, we made the dough for sugar cookies, and put it in the fridge.  While it was chilling, we made 3 giant heart-shaped chocolate chip cookies, and when they were done we decorated the sugar cookies!

Valentine's morning we packaged a few of the sugar cookies and Nathan atatched a Valentine to the baggie with some ribbon for us to deliver to his favorite friends.  He told me he really only wanted to give one to Vivian (his love in life!) but I convinced him that his 2 favorite playmates, Xyler and Owen, would also appreciate some cookies!

I gave one of the hearts to Hubba (who devoured half of it on the way to work and the other half on the way home that day!) The other 2 we delivered to the ladies I visit teach while we were out delivering Nathan's love notes :)

Hubby brought home a GORGEOUS bunch of roses of all different colors, some sparkling cider and a movie to compliment the dinner I made.  

We put the kids to bed early, ate a nice steak dinner together and watched a movie for the rest of the evening.  Pretty great!

Then on Saturday, when we had arranged for a sitter, we went to dinner at TGI Fridays and watched a fun movie about parenting and family relationships called Parental Guidance.  

I feel so blessed to have such loving family relationships, and love to celebrate the day of love with both my kids and my wonderful husband every year.  I hope everyone else enjoyed their holiday equally with their own loved ones!