Valentines Road Rally

Yes, this is a bit belated; I wrote the draft a few weeks ago then forgot about it 'cuz I had to wait for Chris to download the pics-ugh! So I'm posting anyway even if it is closer to Easter than Valentines:)
We thought we had a good tradition goin' with the Newlywed game @ the annual Valentines party together with couples from our Puyallup ward (yes, kinda cool 'cuz it's not endorsed by the ward, but the whole bishopric attends:)). However, we were fully aware that the husbands were tiring of our questions as we drug them back into the room following typical segregated conversations. My own dear husband says that he wants no part of the female discussion re: pregnancy/labor/delivery, children & flaws of men?! Ok, that's not all we talk about, but I must admit it's odd how it tends to go full circle:) Anyway, we decided to get creative & change the competition to a timed scavenger hunt! I figured that way we could enjoy quality bonding solo with our spouse & then still together as a group-Plus it reminded me of the good ole' days when a date took a little more thought than dinner & a movie. Two other couples offered their homes, so Chris had no pressure but to come in first place:) I had the pleasure of writing the clues, which definitely gave us an advantage...but someone had to do it?! So here goes:
While none of us would admit a past visit or be caught dead shopping inside,
Take a picture by sign @ store where some lovers go to keep romance alive!
Kasey & Brittany Kanekoa blocked us with their car in the parking lot, so they got to be in the pic. too:) For the record, we still beat 'em by half hour:)Sorry there's not time to hang @ mall like teen lovebirds or catch a movie closeby,
Jot down what's on big screen so you can catch a flick later with favorite girl/guy.
This was cause for contention within Team Parker 'cuz heaven forbid I turn the car around in front o' the theater without Chris getting mad @ me for driving while he was trying to write?! Duh! The whole idea is to be on the move!

Ok, you can't be this close to a candy store & not stop for a sec,
No doubt they'll give you a sample too-try to enjoy the chocolate without a wreck:)
Like I said, we were in the lead:) so didn't have any problems @ See's. Another couple toward the end said the lady was totally mad & thought our childish ways were ridiculous so her husband bought a pound of chocolate to pacify the company:) Oops, sorry Marshalls had to feel the brunt of that! Does it count that I asked about the seasonal Irish potato & found out they were $3 apiece?

How do I love thee? Service, time, touch, gifts or words...let me count the ways!
Find the author of love languages book here & don't forget to use each day!
Just thought you should all know it's a fab book by Gary Chapman. The trick for Team Parker now that we know each other's respective language is to speak it, but we'll save that for another post:)

It's a great night for ice cream, so stop here to share a sweet sample!
Be sure to snuggle if in line to make your heart melt where cold stuff is ample!
I thought we could divide up the traffic between B&R & Coldstone; however, that same aforementioned couple said that they weren't amused @ B&R by the time the last couples strolled in & only wanted a taster spoon of their product. I know @ least the Kerrs bought a cone for the road too:)

Time for a little bubbly (LDS-approved variety)-be careful not to drink & drive!
Just pick up a bottle @ the store to savor after victory is cried!

While you're near the floral section, take advantage of this tender scene,
Ask someone to capture moment with favorite bouquet in hand & hubby on bended knee:)On Valentines' Day we tend to include sentiments for all of our loved ones dear,
So check in @ home to give hug & take pic. with kiddies (4-legged kind count) near!Pick a park & stroll arm-in-arm like the good ole' days,
Just so we know you've walked the walk write down the memorial on the way!
Even though we don't have much of a yard, we're lucky to have a sports complex (with baseball/soccer fields) as well as fun park with nice trail down the street. The trail is named after Army Sgt. Nathan Chapman who was the first American to die by fire in Afghanistan-only our age & leaving 2 small children with his wife...really puts things into perspective!

Another picture is in order & we know just the spot near the java,
Where you can find a fountain ever flowing & feel the heat without the lava!This was kinda tricky 'cuz Puyallup isn't known for picturesque locales in the dark, so I just liked the fountain on this corner of Meridian & 152nd. Still waiting to hear a better idea, but some of the men were confused?!

Last but not least, couples got bonus points if they brought a recording of their song, a picture during courtship (Chris & I had a whole collection:)) &/or wrote down the song playing @ certain time on WARM106.9:) We also heard some great proposal stories...We gave a grand prize of $20 gift certif. to Blockbuster to winning couple (we deferred to 3rd place 'cuz organizers came in 1st & 2nd, respectively). The last prize was the love dice passed on for 4 years now. I wasn't sure of their whereabouts, so added a "Spin the Bottle" game (don't worry, it was tasteful:)) to maintain youthful theme. Not sure if husbands' overall response to our festivities was any more favorable since the wives generated the party plans, but hey! We can @ least say we did our annual part to keep the social aspect of SoHill Ward alive & well:)