Countdown to Deployment: Date Night #3

We landed ourselves an overnight date, y'all. A very close friend offered to take Jackson for an entire evening, and because our little dude sleeps all night, we didn't feel terrible about taking them up on their super-kind offer.

We decided to take full advantage of our situation, and booked a night at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Stepping inside feels like falling into a little piece of Vegas, and we enjoyed a delicious dinner at a Thai restaurant, some drinks and entertainment at a bar featuring dueling pianos (so fun!), and wandering the casino floors and some people-watching at hours we haven't seen in years. And THEN... we slept in, and indulged in a mid-morning brunch buffet. It was glorious, a one-day vacation we desperately needed before tackling the challenges associated with living apart.

Here are a few snapshots.

Countdown to Deployment: Date Night #2

This time we didn't have a babysitter, so we cozied up for a night in. Fondue nights are our all-time favorite date night in. We've been putting our fondue pot to good use since we first unwrapped it as newly-weds. Don't have one? Go get one, like, now.

Then follow this incredible recipe: Gruyere Fondue with Caramelized Shallots. (You won't be sorry.)

We pull up to the coffee table, turn on a good movie (or binge-watch a good show), and dig.in.

This (like so many other things), I'll miss.

 

...and talenti because, it's talenti.

The Easter Bunny is Creepy

Am I right?!

I am all about a cute (maybe slightly over-sized) bunny hopping into our family room, hiding some eggs, and leaving behind a few gifts. That I can get on-board with. The giant, creepy, obviously-not-real Easter bunny at the mall? That I can't get behind.

And so, for the last two years, we've skipped the trauma I know would be associated with forcing Jackson to sit on its lap. Maybe someday... you know, if Jackson asks to visit the Easter bunny, maybe then we'll do it.

But until then, we'll just color eggs, eat candy, and celebrate the real reason for the season.

Happy, happy Easter!

 

Countdown to Deployment: One Month of Dates

As we prepare for Tyler's upcoming deployment, we made it a goal to have a real-life date every week for the month before he leaves. That means we aren't shy about taking friends and family up on their (very generous) offers to watch Jackson.

Date one turned out to be impromptu and super-last minute when Tyler's grandparents said we should "get lost" while Jackson napped one afternoon during our recent trip to the city. Without thinking twice, we grabbed shoes and jackets, and headed to the nearest pub. Waxy O'Connor's might not be the most romantic setting, but it was perfect for some one-on-one conversation and a few local beers.

Here's the only picture I took (and it's a shame, because you should have seen the fries smothered in onion gravy we chowed down on. Yum.)

Here are a few other gems from our five days in Boston.