12 years and the Easter Bunny

Yesterday sharing our 12 year anniversary with Easter made for a day full of candy and happy kiddos.  

The morning started with a living room that smelling like The Easter Bunny, Easter basket goodies, trying to get a workout in, cleaning the basement, going to visit grandma and grandpa, lunch and second lunches, playing at the park and rushing home to squeeze in a much needed bath before kiddo bedtime.  

7 years ago we were in Italy.  We were surrounded by amazing food, long walks getting lost and holding hands, waking up to see the empty piazzas slowing filling with people starting their day. 

 I thought that things could never be better... and I was very wrong.

Instead of a dinner out, we had a extra late dinner of tater-tots, prosciutto, potato chips and wine.  We sat up talking until our littlest woke up and needed lots of help getting back to sleep.  As I swayed and shushed her in the dark in the early morning, I couldn't help but think that things keep getting better and better.

Happy 12th Anniversary my love.

leftovers

Last night we had a date night.  Just me and him.  Since moving closer to family we have had a lot more of these.  It is so much easier to steal away for the evening when parents are minutes away instead of over an hour.  We tried a new spot and it was a good pick.

Today, I had leftover dessert and coffee for breakfast.  The pie was even better after sleeping in.  To sat in the quiet house and think about how yummy the food was last night and how great it was to be out and about with my husband.  It was wonderful just to talk, to sit and chat without any interruptions or any place to be.  It is even more amazing to me that we still have so much to say, after all these years.  

In the day-to-day we really get so little conversation that isn't interrupted.  We are shoulder deep in the season of "mama, dada, hold me, down please!!!!" (Theo still has up and down backwards.) Dinner is a constant chorus of chaos and interruptions.  Refills, manner reminders, half started sentences that never get finished and even more that never get started.

And it is so good, really.  Because after 19 years of having conversations with Michael, everyone of them is important.  We still have a lot to say.  Even if on most nights we get the leftovers of the words to share and piece together.  The leftovers are really good too.

ten

almost 5 zip codes

2 apartments

1 little blue house 

1 brick townhouse

1 new house hunt

15 states 

3 continents

5 countries

1 baby girl

1 baby boy

and so much more

10 years as your wife

forever and always my love

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

chicago

We drove.

We beached.

A bachelorette cocktail hour.

A drag show.

Karaoke.

Hotel room workout.

The Navy Pier.

Selfies.

Dinner just us.

Drinks with friends.

Pearl Jam and the L.

Baby borrowing.

Mr. and Mrs.

It was a trip we had been looking forward to...

just us.
The first just us trip in a long, long time.

What a great excuse to hang out just husband and wife - 

celebrating a brand new Mr. and Mrs.

Thursday

I had a ladies night and he hung with the gents.
I had sushi, oysters and saw an amazing drag show.
I walked home from karaoke, enjoying the summer night.
And found an already-asleep husband.

Friday
We spent the day together.
Walked out by the water.

We had classy chicken and waffles.

Held hands down La Salle Street (and lots of others.)
Met up with friends and I sipped a Islay Scotch.

Saturday
We went to lunch.
Heard Pearl Jam playing while we waited on the L.
Stole babies at the wedding because we missed ours.
Watch two of the coolest people we know tie the knot.

I love weddings.
I love a good excuse to dress up and dance with my husband.
I love hearing people tell the world they love one another...
and holding my love's hand while they do it.
Mr. Bixler - Will you marry me again so we can have a fabulous party?

Falls

Climbing, riding, wading and hiking.

A Date

Just me and him.

It has been half a year...

Long talks in the car and holding hands.

Taking our time at Ikea.

We ate lunch and dessert.

We bought a big big-girl bed for Eva.

We looked around a maybe neighborhood...

plotting and planning for the next step.

Went to the grocery.

We end up there on dates a lot.

Then we went to dinner.

One of our old favorites from med school days.

Asked for a table for two and ended up sitting at the bar.

No kids menu required.

Thanks mom and dad.

Half Date

After a visit from grandma and grandpa
Eva bounced/ran out the door with them to stay the night.

So, we waited until Theodore's sleep time...
bundled him up and headed out.

We went to a place we had been waiting to try.
Theodore was asleep by the time we parked.

sushi
a sleeping baby
holding hands
eating slowly
conversation
sharing plates

A half date with my husband...
completely wonderful.

Pool, Parks and Pie

jumping

peaking

shivering

shade bathing

swinging

electrifying

enjoying

The cabin was part of a bigger lodge.

It had a huge pool.

I think this is when Eva officially became a fan of the trip.

My woods house has a big pool!

I love the woods house Daddy.

We also tried out the playground...

and found another in the nearby town.

I can't say enough for a good playground.

And homemade apple pie that was shared.

A la mode.

A Cabin and a Lake

our cabin

the view

riding up high

decoration

taking in the view

the beach

feet

testing the water

finds

taking a walk

calling it a night

We had planned on going out of state.
A five hour drive and back to a place we went as just a married couple.
That was Plan A.

But we made a last minute change...
and headed just 2 hours east.
Plan B.*

Theodore hates the car.
And with a newborn and a toddler - drives almost double.
Even though we really wanted to go with plan A...
Plan B was was more relaxing, and that was the point.

The first night we found our cabin.
Found the lake.
Found the beach.

*I hope this made you smile Michael... Plan B?