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’s biggest fan!

He loves me enough to make me potato chips after the kids are asleep most nights.  He knows I don’t share well.  Will washes, chops, fries and seasons them especially for me.  Will has mastered that science!  In so much that the thin, slices of heaven sit perfectly on my tongue.  They make the most light and gentle, crunchy-crispy sound when I eat them. Some how he manages to keep them from getting heavy and greasy.  Making my taste buds dance and sing, I can’t bear to eat more than one at a time so I can savor the whole experience.  Now that’s some yummy love!

Annie and Will enjoyed their first Father/Daughter camp out together.  I’m pretty sure the slumber party feel accompanied by the dancing, dressing up and doing of hair threw him through a bit of a loop.  But they loved it just the same!