Will and I hit 9 years of marriage today.  We had a wonderful anniversary in Denver to celebrate.  The story is quite comical so if you feel obliged, feel free to step into the comical world of me.

Will informed me that my parents were going to watch the kids and he had planned a fun date.  I was expecting a show and dinner or something to that effect.  In the car, headed for downtown Denver, Will announces that we are going to walk around the 16th street mall(He seemed VERY excited about this).  I got a little huffy. A slight chastising of Will and his planning ensued(For the record: I have since, apologized profusely).    I believe my words rang to the effect of, “We have got to start delegating anniversaries for planning, because this just isn’t cutting it.”  We get downtown and Will tries to park in some hotel’s parking garage.  I tell him that the parking meter is open across the street and it will be a lot cheaper, but I let it go thinking that this might be the only place he felt comfortable with in his planning.  We park and he is asking about validation and what I think is blah, blah, blah, so I go sit by the fire waiting for it all to be over.  At this point, you might be savvy to his plotting, but I was oblivious.  He tells me the inside elevator of the hotel takes us shopping, which I think he is crazy, but I follow.  Then he punches the top floor saying he wants to see if there is a restaurant or at least a view.  I tell him there is NO restaurant on top of The Magnolia and they aren’t going to waste the awesome view on the halls, but he ignores me, stepping out into the hall.  He then replies, “What about the view from in here?”  Then he swipes a card for one of the suites and I about jump out of my skin.  The first words out of my are, “Does my mother know about this?!” You would think I was 16 at this point, right?  Aside: I know that was a completely embarrassing comment, but that is just what came out.  I retrospect, I hear myself commenting, boy was I a brat!

My parents had indeed schemed with Will so we could get away.  He patiently endured me.  There isn’t a better guy than that!  We all know life is about enduring to the end.  Rarely, do we think it is enduring another person, but he does it so well.  Regardless, the view was breathtaking and the fire inside was cozy.  After checking in, we went down and out on the town for a night filled with little stops that laced so nicely together making such a beautiful memory.  We wandered the 16th street mall in LoDo.  We got chocolates and steamed milk.  We listened to the street performers.  Pianos placed up and down the street have become an artist’s canvas both on the pianos themselves as well as the music that resonates from them.   We did some fun shopping and even ended up at a wonderful bookstore.  We read in the library of the hotel while enjoying their nightly milk and cookies.  We even managed to squeeze in some games of pool.  I love Will and I know just how lucky I am to have him.  He is so patient, thoughtful and kind.  I consider myself, one lucky gal.  Happy Anniversary Will!

We’ve tried to come do Balboa Park December Nights for several years now.  This was the first successful trip.  I’m pretty sure this had to do with the fact that we left the kids behind and made it into a date.  We also got shuttled in for free on a charter which was a nice traffic-less trip.  With an estimated 300,000 people moving through the event over 2 days, a stroller stuffed to the brim with tired kiddos at 10pm is not the most calming family affair.  The museums open their doors free of charge, which we quickly discovered, we would rather pay full price any day.  So we wandered.

Will with a gourmet Monte Cristo in hand(They rolled it in the french toast, and layered the chutney and the brie between the ham and turkey and then fried it!) and me a steaming, creamy cup of hot cocoa.  We watched Christmas dancers and singing children’s choirs.  They even offered sneak peaks of, “The Nutcracker.”  Street performers kept a lively spirit.  Although there were thousands of people there, it didn’t feel crowded.  Everyone was constantly moving so it was very pleasant.  And really, what situation can’t be made better by a giant bag of kettle corn?!

Will and I slipped out for a Halloween double date a few days ago.  The Haunted Hotel ranks #13 for best Haunted Houses in the country.  So naturally, that’s where we headed.  I don’t scare very easily and my “fight or flight” response tends to heavily favor, fight.  Will can testify of that.  Let’s just say he doesn’t try to jump out from dark corners in our house as much anymore to try and startle me.

The hotel takes points on originality and creativity for sure.  They didn’t get any screams out of me, but they had a poor guy in our group screaming in Spanish most of the time while huddled with the 2 girls he came with.  They seemed legitimately scared.

All that screaming everyone did worked up an appetite so we wandered the Gas Lamp District until we happened upon Lou and Mickey’s .  It was at this point in the evening, sitting out on the patio, my love affair with key lime pie flared something huge.

Who doesn’t love a party with good friends?  Halloween is always a great excuse to get together.  Not to mention, I am a sucker for a great costume!

Will and I tapped into our heritage.  Will’s 1/16th Mexican and I’m 1/16th Spanish…and it showed.  Nacho said it best, “Chancho. When you are a man, sometimes you wear stretchy pants in your room. It’s for fun. ”  Clearly, Will forgot his stretchy pants in his room, no matter, I love him anyway.

This is what happens when I wake Will up early in the morning for a date and have to start him up with a shot of Dr. Pepper.  Just kidding, he was just messin’.  When its a sultry 75 degrees at 7:30 in the morning we just can’t resist a good round of frisbee golf.   What a fun double date!  We chased frisbee golf with a yummy breakfast.   Slowly we are finding the good, the bad and the ugly that is San Diego’s breakfast restaurants.  Good food, good friends, good times!