SEQUEL WIN!

I think we love movies a little too much at our house.  We spend a lot of time watching them, talking about them, quoting them, thinking about them, etc.  One might think that we may even spend TOO much time or money or both in pursuit of them, NEVERTHELESS we love them, and it works for us, so don't hate or judge...K?!?  Each one of us has our individual tastes and favorites, for sure, but to some extent we have OUR FAMILY favorites too.  It's been fun to see new releases as a family over the past couple years and all be equally delighted and entertained. 

To mention a few big ones from this past year:

Monsters University/Monsters, Incorporated

Parker wasn't around when the original came out, but the older girls were and this was one of our family faves.  We were all excited when this sequel came out, but unfortunately it paled in comparison to the first. Super weak plot line, no new characters, and nothing emotionally vulnerable to suck you in.  Sequel FAIL!!

Despicable Me/Despicable Me 2

Parker was around for this one, and LOVED it!  We all did, in fact.  The sequel to this movie was equally great and in a lot of ways BETTER than the first.  More minions, Gru dresses up as a fairy for Agnes' birthday party for pete's sake, and proceeds to fall in love with Agent Lucy (LIPSTICK TAZER!!) and there is a "happily ever after" ending that we all loved.  Plus the soundtrack is awesome.  Sequel WIN!!

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs/Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 (or as I like to refer to it: CWACOM 2)

We all saw #1 in the theater and had the best time.  This movie is so entertaining and moves quickly.  I think we all love everything about it.  The sequel was awesome!  New characters, progression of the original plot line, and that food-land is just so darn creative and a spectacle for the senses!  Who can't love "shrimp-anzees", "cheese-spiders", and of course the "Taco-dile SUPREME"!!  (Parker can actually say that with the accent and everything!  Haha!)  SEQUEL WIN!!

{SIDE NOTE:  You may remember that Parker got to see this movie as a reward for her good behavior at Chipp-u-wah.  Read here.  You probably are not aware that she kept telling everyone (teachers, friends, strangers on the street) that she was going to see CWACOM 2 in "Theater 7" at the Midland Movie Theater (pronounced fee-o-ter).  We just laughed it off, and tried to distract people from our sometimes very odd child.  But wouldn't you know it, the day came to see the movie, and we bought our tickets, and the friendly ticket taker directed us to THEATER-FREAKING-SEVEN!!!!!!!  We peed our pants a little, and basically tried not to be scared of our 4 year old throughout the rest of the movie experience.  Haha!  But seriously, we considered hitting up the convenience store for some lottery tickets on the way home.} 

When the DVD for CWACOM 2 came out, we were so excited!  We made a Friday night date out of it for the whole family!!  We had a special dinner with wacky foods, went to Target to buy the DVD, got some popcorn and drinks while we were there, and then the girls set up their sleeping bags on the floor to watch it.  It was really fun!!

 I asked him to make me a salad, and this is what he came up with!!  CWACOM 2 MADNESS!!

Getting excited for family movie night!  (I know P's eyes are closed...do you know how hard it is to get them all looking, smiling, and not being gigantic pains in the butt for every. stinkin. picture?!?)

The sleepover party.  (Yep, sure enough...P's eyes closed.  Again.  Awesome.  In her defense, I think she was pretending to sleep.)

See what I mean?!?  I think we like this movie stuff a little TOO much.

Holiday of Love 2014

I think we all enjoyed our Valentine's Day this year.  I was able to co-op in Parker's preschool the day of her Valentine's party which was fun.  She loved getting cards and treats from her friends.

I've started a bit of a tradition with making homemade valentines for everyone, along with a little treat.

Mark's started a tradition of little treats for everyone too.  This year he got the girls chocolate too, we must have been on the same wavelength...it was a chocolate holiday!!

There was also a Father Daughter Dance hosted by the other Midland Ward held later in the month that was a fun new tradition.  I kind of had to force them out the door, but I think they are all glad they went by the end of the night.

The last couple pictures were from a shaving game they had with the girls using popsicle sticks to shave their dads.  Luckily, Mark got Maryn's accuracy instead of some other dads who had their toddlers and young daughters just going to town with the shaving cream.  Pretty cute game though, I must say!!

Here are some of Parker's masterpieces from the month of February, too.

I love the fun of Valentine's Day, but I sure am glad February is over...onto March, and the promise of Spring!!