Surprise Trip #2

Or more aptly named "When my husband took me to see my boyfriend"....I suppose I should fill some of you in on 'Surprise Trip #1' - September 2005 my fun loving boyfriend at the time (yes it was Grant) woke me up on a Tuesday morning at 3:45 to tell me I had two hours to grab my passport, shower and pack for a week because we were off on our first 'surprise trip' (as if more were in store, lucky girl).  He had taken care of it with my boss, my family, etc....It wasn't until we were in the cab that he handed me a travel guide to Peru.  It wasn't until we were atop Machu Picchu that he handed me a ring.  Awwww.

Fast forward 6.5 years to Wednesday morning....Grant has been traveling quite a bit for work and Wednesday was suppose to be yet another one day work trip up to Chicago.  When he started trying to wake me at 5:45am I was (maybe slightly perturbed) so out of it when he said "I'm not going to Chicago, we're going on Surprise Trip #2, pack an overnight bag and we need to have the girls to your parents by 9:30am".  The curiosity set in and I drilled him with questions but the man is made of stone and wouldn't give.  All I knew was to pack casual and expect temps in the 60's with a chance of rain.  

When we got to the airport, he still wouldn't give...wouldn't let me hold my boarding pass.  The super stalker sleuth in me thought I had it nailed when he told me our flight departed at 11:40am.  'Sucker' I thought.  The only three Southwest flights departing were two to Florida (not exactly 60's temps) and then Denver.  Duh.  We love Colorado.  We have friends and family there.  An easy 24 hour getaway.  Nailed it.  So we sat back and had a beer in the bar (never mind it was just shy of 11am - it was 5 o'clock somewhere, right?).
Of course I grilled him throughout the flight as to what we'd be doing and where we were staying while out there...he was very vague and wouldn't give any answers.  When we landed at DIA he told me he needed to make a phone call so I needed to stand out of ear shot.  With that, I soon heard a text message come through on my phone.  The hubbie has sent me a cryptic message that I need to meet him at gate 43.  Jigga what?  The mystery continues.  As I approached gate 43 and saw "SEATTLE" starting at me, I got giddy excited.  Then another text.   'From' my BFF Gywneth Paltrow telling me I had a date with her husband that evening.  Wha Wha What?????  Mother freakin' Coldplay in Seattle!  For a night!  A-Mazing.

A.  So insanely shocked and excited

B.  Love, love, love Chris Martin (not sure who I have a bigger crush on....he or his wife)

C.  I had only been to Seattle once before for a 24 hour work trip to an airport hotel and I'd been dying to go back and at least see the city

D.  My husband rocks

E.  Back to Surprise Trip #1.....in order to keep our calendar somewhat clear, the week we went back in 2005 Coldplay was in town and I loved them oh so....I thought we had tickets.  But we had Peru.  Fair trade (Chris would love that one).   So this was full circle.  I finally got to see my boyfriend.  All made possible by my loving husband.  Not sure many people can say that their husbands love them enough to set up surprise dates with their boyfriends.  

Anyway, now for some pics:  

The cute little boutique we stayed at 'The Inn at the Market'

Steps out the door was this guy:
We landed at 5pm (PST) and the concert was technically at 7pm but with opening acts we figured we had until about 8:30pm to run around Seattle.  We cruised the market, window shopped and then had a delicious dinner at the Pink Door.  

Of course the Mothership (the very first Starbucks) is right there off the market.  Pictures were mandatory.
Then off to the arena.....just next to this guy:
To see this guy:
Great show.  Fantastic seats.  Great company.
A little audio for your viewing pleasure.  Of course we didn't record the best part of 'Fix You' - when it really gets going....but love it nonetheless.

So, in short:
My husband kicks serious ass.
and
It is no wonder Chris Martin is so skinny, he did not stop moving the entire time.

Seattle was amazing and because I love the little stink pots below so much, 24 hours was perfect.  By the time we woke up yesterday morning, walked back to the market, had breakfast, got our coffee, we were ready to make the trek back.   Love you Grant!

PS - the girls pictured above were not fazed, nor did they miss, that their parents were missing for a little over 24 hours.  They were at Grandma and Papas and that is like seeing Coldplay in person to them.  A special thank you to my folks for making this possible!

Daddy day care

Or perhaps 'daddy day salon' would be more appropriate.
This is what happens when mom runs out for 30 minutes of solitude at the library to pick out a few books in peace.

Kick ass dads....

For all you do, have done and ever will do.....we love you all!

Daddy love....

This Wednesday is annual 'shout-out to dad' day for this blogger. Especially the day after he gave an ailing mom a break by taking the little stinkers out to dinner last night so I could crawl into bed at about 6:30pm.
Be forewarned, tomorrow is apparently "risk divorce and continue to ask your husband for a third child" day. Who makes these days up? Crazy. But as a dedicated blogger, I must follow the rules.

Mickey Mouse Waffles at Home!!!

Anything that anyone has ever considered.."good", "funny" or generally "cute" about this blog is due 100% to my wonderful, beautiful, tireless wife Leslie.  Accordingly, I will do my best to not bring the overall quality down with my post.

Each Sunday I try to take Ryan to our little breakfast spot Spencer's Grill.  It's been around for a really long time (see photo evidence below) and they serve pancakes in the shape of Mickey Mouse.  Aside from a little grub in our tummys, it's a chance for Ryan to sharpen her Smuckers Jelly packet stacking skills as well as her "pincher's of power"...she uses those to make the little creamers explode.  The waitresses all know us by name and they all either love our little terror or the big tips Dad leaves amongst the wreckage....probably a little of both.

My mom loves hearing about this little outing each week for many reasons, one of them being that her Dad, My Grandpa Bucko, served Mickey Mouse pancakes at the dinner he ran for over 30 years...Bucks Grill.

Thanks to my moms wonderful friend, Carolyn, we now have a Mickey Mouse waffle iron of our very own.  I just brought it home from my last trip to Dallas and we took it for a spin this morning....here is how it turned out!

What...you don't stir with one hand on your hip??

Juice is always a priority - "I do both Daddy"

Hurry up with the photo - I've got Mickey to eat!

Note to all readers - Leslie doesn't allow Ryan (or me) sit on the counter on most mornings....this morning was special - it was a Mickey Mouse Waffles morning!

Thanks again Carolyn!

Daddy Blogs

Middle of the second week and mommy had to call in a pinch-blogger.

I have included some artistic photos of my little darlings!  

Please enjoy!

At least she has them on her face - Reese usually just eats my sunglasses.

This sums it up - Reese laughing, Ryan eating and preparing to claw Reese.

Drooling while Dad looks up college football schedules

The loss of hair is mainly due to Mom worrying about the loss of hair - self fulfilling really.
Better her than me - knock on wood.

Daddy - out.