Surprise!

I love surprises, I really do! So when my parents showed up in the halls of the high school with Noah last Friday I was thrilled. I knew my parents were planning a get-a-way, I just didn't know it was to Missouri.



So I did what anyone would do, I took the afternoon off and headed home. Mom and I slipped out during Noah's nap and headed to our pastor's wife's new spa. That night we went to a local restaurant and had entirely way too much food for one family.



Saturday mom and I went to the local Farmer's Market and brought home a huge box of goodies...see Sunday's note. The rest of the day was spent shopping, eating Mexican food, and playing.

Sunday we enjoyed the day together as a family and ended our day with a yummy home-cooked feast!



Despite having to say goodbye after only 2 and a half days, it was so worth the surprise. I love you Mom and Dad...thanks for coming!

11 Years

I decided to follow up my day of surprises by recounting my wonderful day with Mark! This year for our anniversary we headed to the Plaza (Country Club Plaza for those non-Missourians reading this). It is located in Kansas City, MO and is an outdoor shopping extravaganza with all of "the" shops, street performers, incredible restaurants, the art museum...you get the picture.

Before we had Noah we spent about every-other weekend there, more specifically, eating PF Changs there!

We went to an early movie...the theater there is one, that until recently, does (did) not allow anyone under the age of 17 into Friday and Saturday night movies, ie, no junior high kids at the theater to scream and squeal at movies that really did not require screaming or squealing. While they lifted this rule in the face of a rough economy, it is still our favorite theater, located upstairs in an unsuspecting building with small theaters.



Once the movie was over we headed to Fogo de Chao for a feast of meats!



Honestly they have an enormous salad bar with a lot of exotic foods, but when we had the chance to sample 15 meats we chose the meat! We actually sampled all 15 and if you area headed there, ask us for our favorites!



Our waitress brought us this dessert to end our night there...



After dinner we waddled, seriously, I told Mark my stomach was so full I felt like I was carrying Noah once again! Embarrassing to admit, but true. Mark said his belly could be thumped like a ripe melon!

So, back to romantic night...we picked up Cheesecake Factory to go (remember, full tummies) and when leaving Mark took me for a carriage ride! Cynthia, don't worry, I questioned the owner as if it was the great inquisition. The horses are treated well, they wear special shoes for gripping the road, and our horse, Trigger, had glitter nails!