Valentine's Day

In the Hill household, Monday nights are reserved for intense study nights because every Tuesday morning at 7 am, Spence and his buddies have a large test for their basic science course. Mondays I usually find something quiet to do around the house while Spencer and a few friends gather around our table for five or more hours studying. I actually don't mind at all. I'd rather them be here than just be at the house by myself all night.

Since Valentine's Day fell on a Monday this year, a few wives and I decided that a Monday night celebration was just not going to be happening with the stress of a big test on the boys shoulders. So we decided to party a little early.

We planned all week long, and then Friday night we surprised them all! Seriously... none of them had ANY idea. It was perfect.

They all found a short little poem directing them to some friends house where all the wives were hiding out... decorating and cooking like mad!

We had a delicious meal - seriously it was SOOOO good. I really did feel like I was at a restaurant and I can say this because I wasn't really in charge of the big stuff that turned out amazing. The potatoes and meat were to die for!

Then we completed the evening with some delectable chocolate heart cakes and some fun games. Here's a few pictures from the night (they are a little out of order):

The decor:

Daddy in training

Before the boys arrived:

The boys (minus Tim) - we missed the Johnson's!!!

My handsome Valentine

Don't you just want to hug these cute little munchkins?!

I know I do. :)

All four of them.

Someone's Getting Older....

Happy birthday to my babe! That's right, another year has come and gone and I feel like it went way too fast. Growing up, Spencer loved the Choose Your Own Adventure books. He's reminded me many times that they were his favorite book to use for book projects back in the day.

So...

I decided to make a choose your own adventure book... especially about him! I wanted to tell him about it SO bad before the big day, but I kept it a pretty darn good secret. He had no idea what was coming. I only took a picture of the cover, but it was pretty awesome - filled with an exciting story with choices that HE could only make.

First stop on the list = DINNER

1. Olive Garden

2. Abuelo's Mexican Cuisine

3. Prime Pizza

His choice: none of the above :)

After all, it is his adventure.

Instead we ventured out to a small Italian family restaurant called Meatballz. We grabbed it to go and dined at a nearby park instead :)

Second stop = ENTERTAINMENT

1. Castles and Coasters mini golf

2. Movie at nearby theatre

(It was a Thursday... and many options were... well... just not open for Thursday entertainment)

His choice: Castles and Coasters mini golf for a mean rematch

I totally beat him again by the way. He usually wins in everything, so I feel ok bragging about this one.

We both got a hole in one!

The birthday boy on his big day!

The official scorecard

Third stop = DESSERT

1. Krispy Kreme

2. Cheesecake Factory

3. Coldstone Creamery

4. Juju Berri

His choice: Coldstone Creamery

I didn't snap any pictures here, which I'm ashamed of, but he decided to get cheesecake icecream with raspberries and graham crackers so that he could feel like he was eating dessert at both Cheesecake Factory and Coldstone at the same time. Genius!

It sure was a fun filled night!

Happy birthday to my sweet hubby!