Safe Haven

I am a big Nicholas Sparks fan. The Notebook is one of my top 3 favorite books and movies. Anyway, when I saw that a movie was being made based on his novel Safe Haven, I was so excited! So was my sister in law Laura.

We both loved the book and couldn't wait to see the movie. We were finally able to go see it last night. It didn't disappoint. Not sure it could have with Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel as the main characters.=)

The movie didn't follow the book all that closely but the important parts were the same. It was a little sad, action packed, very cute and romantic. I highly recommend both!

Good stuff

Colton told me about a conversation he had with a good friend of his....

Colton: What would you wish for if you had three wishes?
Friend:  I would wish for my family and friends to live forever. =)
Colton: You can take that wish off your list because we are already going to live eternally in Heaven and everything is good there.
Friend: But what if that is not true and it is all fake?
Colton: You just gotta have faith that it is true and believe in God.

I absolutely love that my boy is sharing his faith with others with such confidence. That does a Mama's heart good!

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

I love this picture of my Colton praying!

Rodeo Carnival

We took the boys to the Rodeo grounds over the weekend and had a great day together. We checked out the horse show, the HEB area and a wildlife exhibit before we headed to the carnival rides. We lucked out, it was a beautiful day. We spent about 5 hours riding rides and eating good 'ole rodeo food. Cody and I had to split up and one of us take the big boys and one take Carter so they could all enjoy the rides. Carter was so excited about each and every thing he rode. The big boys rode the bigger rides and   loved them all. Omi hung out with us in the carnival and Opi met us for lunch. We all had a great time!

Headed in

Watching the horse show

Checking out the wildlife...

The HEB exhibit had a fun activity where the kids had to gather vegetable and  then they got a prize. The boys enjoyed it. 

The first ride Carter had to do was the "big circle". He spotted it from the moment we were on the grounds. 

So the Ferris Wheel was our first stop. 

They love their Omi

Swingin'

This car was made for him=)

The big boys rode this a few times 

They loved it!

Colton had to ride Planet 51. It is that ride that goes super fast, in a circle and the gravity holds you against the wall(one of the few rides I can't do). He rode it twice and wished he had stopped after the first time. He ended up a little nauseous. 

Headed out

I got a surprise for you

My sweet Carter and I were outside jumping on the trampoline when he needed to go potty by the tree(joys of boys). Once he pottied, he wandered for a few minutes and came back with a big smile and his hands behind his back and said,

                                                        "Mama, I got a surprise for you."

"Here it is."

"You have to blow it."

I mean seriously, how cute is my little red head? 

There are times, I just can't help but hug and kiss him. 

Look at this hair. 

I remember people telling me when he was born that it probably wouldn't stay red. I think they were wrong. =)

I LOVE it!!! 

Valentine's day

I love Valentine's day! I love the cute t-shirts for my boys, the sweet cards, the heart shaped candy, the flowers, the special dinners... I am a sucker for all of it. I like the idea that there is a day dedicated to love. I do agree that we should be showing our love for each other everyday but why not make one day just a little extra special?

I started my day making heart shaped sandwiches, then dropped two of my Valentine's at elementary school and one at preschool. I had to miss Colton's party because it was at the exact time as Carter's drop off twenty minutes away--I can't be in two places at once not matter how much I want to or how hard I try. =(
I ran a few errands and then headed back to Cooper's party at school where I served Root Beer floats. Carter's party is just for the kiddos because they don't want a bunch of sad three year olds when the parents have to leave.

When the boys got home from school, I gave them their Valentine gifts. Colton got a few Ben 10 toys, Cooper a laser gun and Pokemon cards and Carter got some Ninja Turtle toys. They were happy!
My hubby got home early and he and the big boys played some baseball. I was pushing Carter on the swing. Then Cody and the boys jumped on the trampoline while I started some dinner. I got the sides done and my hubby grilled some special steaks he bought us. Then my hubby sent me to the other room and told me not to come out until they came to get me. About 15 minutes later, these handsome waiters came and asked me to join them for dinner.

My hubby had finished dinner and the boys helped him set the table complete with candlelight. He had the boys get their coats ties, vest and boots on. They were so cute offering to serve me and pulling out my chair. It was precious and they are learning to be wonderful little gentlemen! They have a great example. We had a delicious steak dinner and then some chocolate dipped strawberries. 

Such a sweet day! Love my 4 Valentines!!!!! 

Hope you all had a day love-filled day!!!

Vegas!

 I mentioned that my hubby and I were getting away to Las Vegas. Well, it was a wonderful trip! We traveled with Cody's business partner John and his wife Nita. We got there on Sunday in the early afternoon. We got settled in our beautiful room at The Wynn. It was so nice!! Then we headed out to check out the hotel and eat some dinner. Chinese New Year was being celebrated so many of the hotels had the Dragons added to their decorations. After dinner, Nita and I played a few slot machines while our hubbies had a drink at the bar. Then we had coffee and dessert at a cafe in our hotel. Nita was dying for the carrot cake. You could only get a really BIG piece. We all sampled her $13 piece of carrot cake. =)

I loved all of these balls of flowers hanging in the trees. They were beautiful!

On Monday morning, the guys had to attend a Meat's conference. Nita and I had appointments to get massages. We had a yummy breakfast buffet in our hotel and them headed to get pampered. It was an amazing spa! My 80 minute massage was awesome! Afterward, Nita and I relaxed and chatted in the jacuzzi area. So thankful that my hubby treated me to that early Valentine gift. 

Cute dessert bar at breakfast 

Once we were finished getting pampered, we decided to get our lunch to go and we ate and relaxed in our own rooms. Cody got back and we napped before dinner. 

After a big steak dinner, we went and changed clothes(it was chilly) so we could walk around on the Vegas strip and do a little shopping. We had drinks and a yummy dessert at Margaritaville. 

My hubby got me a cute dice charm for my Pandora bracelet. 

When we got back to our hotel, I wanted to hit the slot machines. I found this Sex and the City machine. It was a penny machine and I put in $10. It was a fun game complete with little movie clips. I played on that machine forever. I even got up to $150. Sadly, I ended up with zero because I enjoyed it so much and didn't know when to stop. =( Oh well, I had a lot of fun on that $10. 

We headed home the next day. I had a great time with my hubby and we had so much fun with John and Nita. It was a short but sweet getaway! 

 I am so thankful for my parents and Cody's parents for taking care of our boys while we were gone. The boys did fine but they sure did miss us. Especially Colton. He may be my oldest but he is my constant thinker and worrier. Poor guy! He did work himself up, couldn't get to sleep at night and actually threw up the first night. Poor guy! He was so relieved when we were back home with him. Good thing it was a short trip. =) 

We were so exited to get home to our little men!