How We Celebrated Our 12th Anniversary

Tanner and I were able to celebrate our 12th anniversary a few days late with the help of Kassidy! We asked her if she'd be willing to watch the kids for a day and a night if we flew her down and she said YES! We had to wait until she was done with school and then she met a guy and they've been dating so he came too! I felt weird having a stranger stay the night with my kids, especially a guy. We'd never met him or even talked to him. But Kass is pretty discriminating when it comes to men and he seems to have spent a good deal of time with Tanner's family. We felt like the kids would probably get more attention and have better care with the 2 of them. And they did! They had a ton of fun. It was tough at times for them because Ray has been boycotting naps- she randomly fell asleep on the floor for 10 minutes and then was hysterical when she woke up. And since she's been escaping from her room at night she wouldn't go to bed. Kass had to finally just stand there and hold the door closed- which is never fun for anyone. It only took about 2 minutes of that and she crashed. And the worst part was that when Kass went to pick up Parker from school on Thursday he wasn't there! She called me wondering if she was at the right spot to get him. I told her to just drive to the front of the school where all the other cars were and she said there were no other cars. So I told her to go to the office but she said they office was locked and closed. So I told her to check the MPR and no one there seemed to know who Parker was. So I got off the phone with her and called 911 because I didn't know what else to do! It was so scary!!! But when I was on the line with the dispatcher I got a text from my friend who told me she had Parker and that she would bring him home later. I had asked her to pick him up NEXT Thursday while Tanner and I attend a wedding. She got the days mixed up. The good news is that Parker was fine and it was all just a misunderstanding. But man, I cried. Kass cried. We were all freaking out. I assured Kassidy that the same thing would have happened to me if I was there picking him up too. But she obviously felt badly. I wanted to joke that Kassidy babysat and we only had to call 911 once! But that might be funnier in a few years.

Tanner picked up Kassidy and Bridger from LAX on Thursday morning and they stopped to get lunch on their way home. So Tanner and I didn't end up getting out on our get-away until about 2pm. Our first stop was the temple! My parents were working and it was the most glorious site to see my Dad at the desk when we walked in! I know it was an escape with my husband for our anniversary but I just love my parents so much and any time I get to see them I cherish! My mom was able to be with me as I did my work which is an experience I'll never ever forget. She told every one we saw that I was her "baby girl" and they all said how much they loved my mom. I replied, "I love her too!" And I DO! We left the temple feeling so happy and peaceful. Just what we needed after a week full of drama. Are we moving? Are we not? Stay tuned.

After the temple we went to 5 Crowns in Del Mar for dinner. I'd never been there and my parents recommended it. It. Was. Amazing. The whole ambiance is so charming. It's set to look like an old English cottage with a big roaring fire and quaint furnishings. You know you're eating at a nice place when they sweep the crumbs off the while linen table cloth with a special tool. I got a steak and Tanner got prime rib and it was scrumptious. They brought us out 2 desserts for celebrating an anniversary and the whole affair was just lovely. We were able to take a walk down by the ocean and enjoy the breathtaking view. We had a good talk and were just glad to be together.

Literally 2 different tables right next to us had daughters taking their mothers out for their birthdays. One was turning 91 and the other 92. This is what I want to be doing in 20 years with my mom!!!!!

The next morning we had room service deliver our breakfast and it was so yummy! Then we rented a jet ski and had a blast out on the ocean! Tanner is such a pro. I was literally screaming like a little girl. The waves were huge and I was terrified we'd get thrown off or crashed over by a wave! Mostly because I was cold and didn't want to get all wet. We had wet suits on. But still! Tanner wanted to go all fast and I was being such a wuss. But he took such good care of me. We saw a grey whale which was amazing! After it saw us it dove down so we didn't see it again. But we saw some sea lions and that was cool too. I just love being out on the water!!!!! Check off the old bucket list for us! After we got back from jet skiing we went to the spa to relax and enjoy a luxury shower. Since Tanner is an elite Marriott member we get special perks like automatic room upgrades and free spa access. I sat in the hot tub then took a long hot shower. They have water coming down like rain and tons of little jets of water running all up and down. They provide shampoo and conditioner, razors, shave cream, lotion, towels, robes, and everything else you need to get ready for the day! It was so nice! I can hardly ever get a shower in when I can wash my hair and shave my legs at the same time- uninterrupted! So this was heavenly. 

We booked massages at the place by my parent's house because it's just so cheap and they do such a terrific job. My mom came too and we all enjoyed an hour of pure delight! I was sooooo needing a massage. Like, every day. 

By the time we were done it was time to see our kids! And it was Jack's actual birthday! I felt super guilty leaving him on his birthday but hope he'll forgive me some day! We took my parents and Kassidy and Bridger out to California Pizza Kitchen for dinner. We ate outside and had a fabulous meal and great conversation. It was nice finally getting to know Bridger. After dinner they took Tanner's car and went out on a date.

And thus ended our 24 hour anniversary celebration. I think we nailed it. They only activity we didn't have time for was paddle boarding. Oh well, better luck next time. 12 years has flown by and it just keeps getting better!