Vail, Colorado

Jason and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary on January 8th of this year. We decided to celebrate a few weeks early and flew to Vail on December14th. (That gave me Saturday to clean up after our at- home Christmas and put everything away and then drive the older three girls to Memphis on Sunday to meet Jason's parents. They stayed with them while we were on vacation.) 

We had an easy trip getting to Colorado. Everything went according to plan and we arrived at the Four Seasons late that evening. 

We had a nice little balcony off our room but we didn't go out there except to take these pictures. 

That first day we slept in as late as we wanted and then walked around town all afternoon.  There was an outdoor ice skating rink that had a fresh layer of snow on it and I ran out there and wrote a message. 

We also found a little movie theatre that served you delicious food while you watched your movie and so we ate our lunch and relaxed. Later on that evening, we went to supper at a nice restaurant where they had made personalized menus with our names on them. We took our time eating and then walked back to the ice skating rink. Ice skating is one of my most favorite things to do and Jason had never been, so it was fun to get out there and watch him bambi around. :)

Then next day started out bright and early. We had made a reservation for a snowmobile tour. I wasn't sure how much fun it would be but it proved to be better than I had hoped. 

We had a great tour guide and the scenery was just unbelievable. I know it doesn't seem that amazing in the photos, but I promise it was. It was all so fresh and pure- and quiet. 

Driver man only tipped the snowmobile once. :)

The rest of the trip was filled with more walking around, sightseeing, and fun restaurants. Our early flight out was cancelled so we ended up getting home much later that anticipated. As in 10 hours later. We stopped to get Nora from Rachel's house and just transferred her little sleeping self from the house to the car to our house. While we had a great trip, it was so wonderful to be back at home with her tucked in between us. 

The next morning, we were pulling out of the driveway by 9am and heading for Tennessee to have Christmas with Jason's family. 

And thus begins part three of my holiday recap...

Anniversary Trip 2013

Jason and I like to do something each year for our anniversary. I think back in 2007 we just went out to eat, but other than that, we've done something. Because we got married in January, we've had a hard time finding just the right location for our anniversary trip, but we've had fun trying new places. We live in a "summer" area, not a "winter area" so most of the time, the places we go are sort of shut up for the season. We have yet to find our perfect spot, but that's ok. We'll stumble upon it eventually.
This year, we went to Hot Springs. To be totally honest, Hot Springs itself seemed a little boring but we had a great time anyway. When we arrived, we went straight to one of the galleries that represent Jason, The Linda Palmer Gallery, so that he could pick up his old paintings and drop off new paintings.  Then we went to a frame store that Jason likes to buy frames from, and I got stranded in the girls' bathroom that had no light and no toilet paper. :)

One thing I will say about Hot Springs is that these people know how to cook. The food at every single place we ate was so delicious.

For lunch, we went to Cafe 1217.

Y'all. This place was so good. Probably one of my top five restaurants ever. And they had whole wheat bread sticks so they get bonus points. 

Jason trying to decide what to order
He wasn't very hungry.

Fancy deli food

We spent the rest of the afternoon waling around downtown Hot Springs, running over to the bed and breakfast to check in, and then watching a movie at one of the local theaters.

We had dinner reservations at 7pm so we left the movie a few minutes before it ended (it wasn't really that good so we didn't mind) and rushed over to Bella Arti.

A friend had told us to reserve table 32 and it was a great suggestion because we had the (only occupied) table upstairs that was directly across (and up) from the piano player. It was a great spot.

Can you find the piano player?

Best. Steak. Ever. Seriously, it was like eating butter. 

Bread and Pesto

Jason's hot date. (jk, jk.)

My hot date. (Not kidding.)

The next morning, we had breakfast delivered right to our door. I am telling you, these people know how to cook. I almost ate the whole thing, Jason's included. That cinnamon roll was filled with pure, untainted cream cheese. I keep thinking about it and salivating.

Then we packed up, stopped by the frame shop again and came home to a house full of squealy little girls. It was a great weekend.

Eight Years

Eight great years with this guy.

Wait, maybe this picture is more accurate.

Post about anniversary trip coming up. There was a lot of yummy food eaten.