Anniversary Quatro!

Fuego and I celebrated our fourth anniversary this past Thursday =o)

In the midst of summer camp, we were able to take a whole afternoon off to spend some wonderful time together as a family.

We took Ginger to a dog-friendly beach where she got to play in the lake and exercise her lab side (only after overcoming her boxer side, of course) by swimming to fetch sticks. This is always an epic struggle between the two sides of her lineage. The boxer side staunchly demands that she only wade into the water up to the point of feeling buoyant, while the lab side (from which she got her webbed paws) can hardly contain its excitement to bound out into the depths and swim for all she's worth. And so she charges out into the water, confidently pursuing her stick, only to screech to a halt when she finds herself start to feel light and floaty. She stretches her neck, trying desperately to reach the stick from the safety of the wading depths of the shoreline. She paces back and forth, not wanting to lose the prize, but unwilling to allow herself to take the plunge and swim for it. Finally, the stick washes in far enough for her to grab it and she proudly prances back to dry land only to repeat the process another two or three times until her lab side works up enough impatience to propel her into the water and finally swim for it. "Victory!" her lab-brain cries. Then, the barrier broken through, she swims happily for the rest of the time we're at the beach.

Next we drove back toward town and stopped for a hike at a near-by state-park. Ginger had ample opportunity to dry off while we traipsed through the trees, and Emjay and I found an awesome swing set and a giant slide to go down. Emjay quite simply LOVED the swing. I had her in her Ergo Carrier and as we swung back and forth on the big-kid swing, she opened her mouth wide with excited grins and wide eyes. The slide was pretty amazing as well, though I think papa enjoyed that one more than Emjay ;o)

After hiking our fill in a beautiful little mountain park, Fuego and I dropped Ginger off back at camp and headed into town for an amazing dinner at a little restaurant in town. As it turned out, this little restaurant was a five-star gem overlooking the lake with outstanding food and awesome service. It has been featured in culinary magazines as far away as in New York, and people come from all over the country to this little resort town to enjoy an exquisite meal.

Not ones to shy away from a little eavesdropping now and then, Fuego and I both noted that while the atmosphere was delightful and homey, many of the guests were rather pretentious and full of themselves.

We ordered off of the (amazing) appetizer menu and were quite satisfied without having to break the bank with $30+ entrees (yikes!). Maybe we'll go back for our tenth and splurge when we're a bit more established ;o)

Emjay accompanied us to dinner and graced us with a nap that lasted from bread to Creme Brulée -- thanks chica!! =o)

It is hard to believe that we've been married for four years already. It all still feels so new and exciting, yet at the same time, I feel like we know each other better than anyone else in the world. It's truly amazing to feel so in love with someone and get to spend every day of your life with your best friend.

Happy Anniversary, EJ!!! =o)