how to date your wife

sometimes as a wife and mom it is hard for me to feel treated or really taken out on a date in the same way as before we were married or had kids.
but Matt hit the ball out of the park last night for our anniversary.

so here is Matt's model (as told by Joy) for how to date your wife!

1. surprise her by coming home from work early and bringing a dozen red roses

2. make her some delicious chocolate covered strawberries as both an appetizer and dessert!

3. entertain the kids while she spends lots of time getting dressed

4. find a great babysitter to watch the kiddos

5. take her to a delicious restaurant that serves her favorite indulgences
(in this case a sourdough cheese loaf from the Rio City Cafe)

6. make sure the said restaurant has an awesome view

7. engage her in delightful conversation 
(because women like that)

8. pay the bill (even though you share all your money anyways)

9. walk off dinner until the sun sets

10. return home to quiet house where the kids are sleeping, the dishes are washed and nothing is left to do but rest!

It's sure to be wonderful!

9 years

9 years ago today
I married my best friend.
I could not have imagined then how much more I would love him.
but i do.
he is now more than a best friend - he is my partner in life, my husband, a GREAT father and the person I laugh with the most.


Happy Anniversary Matty!

point reyes

It is a becoming a much-loved tradition in our family that Matt & I go away for a night around Valentine's Day.  Yes, we leave the kids at home with Grammy and take off on an adventure.

I love surprises so Matt planned the whole weekend on his own and didn't tell me where we were going until we were on I80 headed west and I guessed it had something to do with the coast.  (I also love the ocean.)

This year's destination: Point Reyes!

We started off by hiking down to Kehoe Beach and walking the length of the beach. It was gorgeous and empty!  (This is a big deal to a girl who grew up in LA where every beach is covered with people.)

We saw a total of 6 people (including ourselves).

After a few blissful hours enjoying the sound of waves crashing on the sound - we got in the car and drove out to the northern most point of Pt.Reyes.  Along the way we saw some Tulle Elk and hundreds of cows out to pasture.  I had to take this picture for Hannah.  She loves cows!

The next morning we explored the Point Reyes Lighthouse!  It was quite an experience to stand on this little piece of land jutting out into a vast, seemingly endless ocean.  I can't imagine the life of the men who used to live out here and keep the lighthouse functioning in storms.

The hike down was not so bad.  But trying to climb the 30 flights worth of stairs on the way back up was exhausting!

Here's another look at the Point Reyes coast:  Amazing!

Thanks Matty for a wonderful, relaxing weekend!

not previously mentioned july highlights

It is the last day of July 2010 and so much has happened this past month that I have yet to write about.

Here goes...

I turned 30 this past month and really feel no qualms about being a decade older!
We celebrated by enjoying fondue at the Melting Pot (my favorite restaurant) with our friends the Seitz's. And then headed to my sister-in-law's house for some champagne & strawberries.

8 days later, Matt & I celebrated 8 years of marriage! Wohoo! We enjoyed a delicious, child-free date at Lucca's restaurant.

Where we sampled Governor Schwarzenegger's favorite dish - zucchini chips. (They were pretty awesome!)

Between my birthday and our anniversary we headed to Donner Lake for our first family vacation as a family of four!

While we were there Hannah caught her first fish, using her new Disney Princess pole. (She's been talking about it ever since.)

Incidentally, I caught a fish at the same time and sent Matt running between the two of us to reel them both in.

Matt caught his largest trout ever on this trip and discovered the best way to cook a trout - battered & deep-fried!

S'mores are my absolute favorite dessert and an absolute must when in the mountains and doing anything that resembles camping. Hannah enjoyed her first s'more on this trip and loved it! I'm so glad to have shared the moment with her!

What was Peter doing during all of these great adventures?

sleeping

Whew, that was a mouthful!
Thanks for making it through our highlight reel!