Celebrating 8 Years of Marriage!

Dan and I opted to celebrate our anniversary last night since there was Parent's Night Out at the YMCA, and both kids love it. Makes them feel that the 4 1/2 hours away from us is for them! In a highly unusual, highly exciting twist, Dan told me he had a surprise planned for the night. He would be wearing his Dress Blues, and I needed to buy a dress! The search for that dress is a post all to itself, but thankfully I found one!

There was a great deal of "buzz" in our home as we were getting ready. Samantha was sleeping, but Timothy could definitely tell this was not a normal night. He's never seen either of us work so hard to get ready for something! And he was our little helper. I had him take 2 necklaces to Dan to pick out which one would be more appropriate for this secret place! Before Dan and I were ready, Timothy was begging us to open the presents: "Are we (WE?) ever going to open these?"

We let Timothy address both cards (every chance to practice writing):


I wanted Dan to open his first:

I'm the resident picture taker, but we've been planning on getting him his own for his upcoming deployment. I decided to make it a little early, and he was happily surprised. That's always fun!

Then my turn to open this...an 8 inch digital picture frame!!!!!


It's very cool and can hold a ton of photos! I love that we got each other photo related presents. It's too funny! Next we rushed the kids in the car to get to our "6:30 appointment time" that was not dinner reservations. I was so curious...and then we pulled up to Sears Essentials. Dan had booked an appt for us to get our pictures taken together...just us, no kids. What an amazingly thoughtful present. I was kind of beaming (like I'm not always), but I'm still just smiling thinking about it. We had a nice photographer, and we came away with some pictures that I'm very pleased with...

This on the ground pose thing was so cheesy, but it turned out to be my favorite one! Dan and I never had engagement pictures taken (we were living in 2 different countries), and there are really very few wedding day photos that are just bride and groom! I don't even know how to put into words how grateful I am for this sweet gift Dan gave to me. Thank you, honey!!!