September Date

My turn to plan!  Well, September 3rd came and was SO BUSY that by the time I got done with a fun but exhausting JustServe booth and errands, my energy was spent.  I got home around 8pm and it was getting dark.  Steve looked tired, like he just woke up from a nap, which was actually the case.  Anyway, I told him, "I am so exhausted, can we just go out to a nice restaurant tomorrow?"  He was game, maybe even relieved.  It was the best option.

So, Friday September 4th we had a lunch date.  I got all ready and Steve came home with a surprise for me... awww... a FLOWER!  And not just any flower, a Gerber Daisy.  Those are special to me because Steve was the first and only boy to give me that flower.  I had received roses, lots of different kinds and colors, but Steve actually perused around and chose a daisy which I loved for it's uniqueness. Plus daisies were my favorite! I love the way they look.

Our nice restaurant of choice is possibly our favorite- La Plaza Mexicana.  I've never had anything there that I didn't like.

Steve ordered his favorite- 2 crispy rellenos with rice and beans.  I got something new to try- Plaza Enchiladas: 3 enchiladas one with creamy sauce and one with mole, and one with pork chile verde.  I hadn't had breakfast and so my appetite was ready to tackle it and I packed every bit away.  I was STUFFED going home.  Kinda wish I split it into 2 meals so I didn't have to deal with the effects of overeating.  Maybe I'll remember that for next time.

On the drive home, I proposed that we take the road less traveled, which is a little longer but also serene.  I snapped pics of the clouds which were so pretty against the blue sky.

We also got to drive home under our favorite tree.  This one has been photographed by us a few times.  We love how it reaches over the road.  It also makes us a little nervous to drive under it.  So adventurous!

I'm glad we waited until we were both more awake and could enjoy our date unrushed.  Great food, the best company, pretty views.  Loved it so much.

July and August Dates

 JULY: Pizza, Park, Puzzle! 
(Lani's turn to plan)

Felt like a good time to have pizza!  High Country has a special for a personal 2 topping pizza and a drink for something like 8 bucks.  Add on a couple of the best Reeses peanut butter cookies ever and OH BABY! Winner dinner!

After dinner we were off to a quiet park to put together a puzzle Steve got for Father's Day.  It's made of wood and has lots of cool, interesting pieces.  And it is HARD, not your generic put-the-edges-together-first puzzle, which would be impossible with the way this was cut. With around 250 pieces, it took us a little under 2 hours to get it done.  We had the place to ourselves, it was near 100 degrees, but the shade was better.  About the last half hour, our quiet park became every truck-owning teen's hangout as they were revving in the parking lot and doing their thing. I'm sure it was their way of cheering us on and celebrating that we finished this tricky but really cool puzzle!  Yay!  Go us!

AUGUST: Homemade Dinner, a Walk, & Spiderman
(Steve's turn to plan)

My sweet husband came home from work and made me dinner!  It was so wonderful of him! I loved every bit of it.  We had our favorite chicken nuggets, apple slaw salad, and dates.  And in case you're wondering where our kids were and what they ate, they were away on a folk dance tour to Serbia and Bulgaria, so probably sausage, chicken, cabbage, and tomato-cucumber salads.  They informed me that's pretty much what every place served them. ;)

After dinner he asked me if I'd like to go on a walk down the street before heading off to our movie.  You bet your bottom dollar I'd like to! Walking with my husband has always been a favorite pastime of mine. And Pippin really enjoyed it too.

We haven't been to a movie together, just the two of us, for a really long time! There was a new Spiderman movie out, so we went to it. What a wonderful way to end a lovely weekday date with my hubby!  

A Promotion for Dating your Spouse

You know, it's not very easy prioritizing a date night when it falls mid-week after a tiring day, but I'm glad we have been doing it.  Having FUN together is rejuvenating for a relationship. It's strengthening! Highly recommend to every couple to prioritize a monthly anniversary date night on the day of their anniversary, taking turns planning, doing something just the two of you.

Dates for April, May, and June

 

April Date

It was a Friday and Steve's turn to plan.  He took me to High Country Pizza. We both got personal pizzas. Mine was pineapple and chicken.  Steve was ham and pineapple (surprise! he doesn't usually go for ham on a pizza).  Then we also got Reeses peanut butter cookies... OH!   SO!  GOOD!  Best I've ever had.  In fact, we had to go back and buy a second one because they were too good. 

Lily's Mission Land Family Trip

 We knew we wanted to do this trip.  We started planning on it while Lily was still serving her mission.  She was saving a list of places to take us when we came back to visit her mission land.  We planned to go in late spring after she returned, which would be before the summer rush of tourists from cruise ships, but after the bitter cold winters, and hopefully when things would be in bloom.

Here's a smattering of where we went..