Our 28th Anniversary!

 Tyler and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary on May 5th! 

It is so crazy that we have been together for 30 years now. That seems like nothing. It feels like we just were (and still are... most of the time) these two college kids!

Life hasn't been easy (HUGE understatement!) but we are still together and still laughing (too much say the Johnson kids) often at moments that are not appropriate for laughter (says everyone else). My mom told me to marry someone with a sense of humor because I would need it. She was right! Tyler's sense of humor is not quite the same as mine. He is dad jokey and I am sarcastic but somehow the mixture works for us and we crack each other up. Thank goodness. We've needed it in the last 28 years. What's that quote? "Life will either make you laugh or cry and I prefer to laugh." Yep. 100% (I think that is a quote by Marjorie Hinckley.)

So what did these two crazy kids, who are actually middle aged adults, do to celebrate 28 years? We both decided not to do too much. We are going on a cruise and that will be our big celebration. I was up for eating out and a fun activity. I kept my expectations low which wasn't easy because I am not a low expectations person. The day dawned gray and gloomy and then it began to rain. Normally this is my least favorite kind of day except for on our anniversary because our wedding day was also gray, gloomy, and rainy but then the sun came out for our reception. So rainy anniversaries feel appropriate and enjoyable.

Our anniversary fell on a Friday this year. Score! Tyler only works a half day on Fridays. As I was getting ready to go out for a fancy lunch...we had decided that we were going to do whatever we wanted and might go out for lunch AND then go out for dinner too...because why not?! So...as I was getting ready Tyler texted me this:

Exciting!!

Oh heck yes! Adventure awaited! Tyler came home and picked me up. We wanted to try a new Brazilian steak house in our area. These kinds of restaurants are NOT common here. It was good! 

We got there right as it opened. It was delightful not having a crowded restaurant and buffet. There were a few other couples and it was really nice. We had such a fun time sampling all of the meats and other foods. They also had Brazilian Lemonades which we adore. Tyler makes the very best ones! These were up to his standard...AND...you could add other flavors to them. What?! This has never occurred to us to do before. Our waiter also let us know that they were bottomless. Are you kidding me? And he encouraged us to get a different flavor each time. We sure did! We definitely picked the right restaurant for us!

I got the passionfruit both times because I LOVE passionfruit!

Tyler got the mango the first time and a guava the second time. Both were amazing! Our kids wanted to see pictures of this magic! LOL.

We had such a fun time!

Tyler game me my anniversary gift!

Tyler gave me this pearl necklace when we were dating. I wore it every day. When Ailey was a baby the necklace broke... both pendant and chain. It has been sitting in my jewelry box for years and every time I see it I always talk about how I need to get it fixed and then never do. Tyler took the pearl to the jewelers and had the pendant repaired and purchased a new gold chain. I was OVER THE MOON! I am not a huge jewelry person. I don't wear expensive pieces. I would much rather spend money on trips or things like that but this meant the world to me. I loved and still love this necklace so much. I was in tears and ecstatic to have it back! What did Tyler want for our anniversary? A pair of joggers that we STILL HAVEN'T ORDERED. :( I also got a beautiful bouquet of flowers and the sweetest card. He is a true romantic and is always so thoughtful!

We did a little shopping and bummed around downtown. We stopped at our favorite bakery to pick up dessert for our kids so that they could have a little celebration too and dropped it off at home. Then we grabbed our overnight bags and headed to our hotel. Tyler booked us a lovely suite that overlooked the river and the park. We had a wrap around balcony and this beauty.

This was a picture taken from our balcony. The river was right below us. The rain continued to pour all evening and all night. It was so cozy and romantic! We had such a great time!!

Did I set an alarm and wake up at 3 am to watch the Coronation of King Charles? I sure did!

The next morning we lingered as long as we could but we had an event for Bryn to go to and we unfortunately also had a funeral to attend. We stopped off for breakfast and then headed home. Even though it was a short stay it was much needed and much appreciated! It was especially fun because it was unexpected! We had such a fun anniversary! I am so grateful for Tyler and so happy that I said yes to him all those years ago. He is the best!! Happy 28th Anniversary to us!

Our 21st Anniversary!!

Our 21st Anniversary!!

During the first week in May we celebrated our 21st anniversary!! That is exciting stuff. Married for 21 years and together as a couple for 23 years. I still love him, like him, and am not bored. Sweet!! Hopefully he feels the same. ;)

Our anniversary fell during the week. Since it is May, everything is extra crazy right now...music programs, track meets, all kinds of things going on at the schools ...as the year winds down. Regardless we managed to sneak away for dinner. A delicious sushi dinner that is! Yep, our anniversary started me on my sushi streak. I was also treated to gorgeous flowers and a pedicure. It was wonderful!!

Once the weekend arrived our celebration really began and it was fantastic!! Because we have so much going on we really couldn't head out of town somewhere. So we decided to book a room at a fun hotel downtown and spend the weekend there. It was a blast!! We had the best time and it was nice knowing that we were only 10 minutes from home. I highly recommend a staycation once in awhile or as Tyler called it our "sexcation". ;) Ha ha!!

Just as excited as if we were headed out of town!

Our room was awesome!! We had a balcony and a gorgeous view of the Spokane River. We were also right next to Riverfront Park which was fun. The walking trail for the park was right outside of our hotel.

 That night we cut through the park and headed to Nudo one of our favorite restaurants for dinner.

We walked all over downtown. We shopped and bummed around. It was prom for some the high schools in our town so it was fun to see all the kids dressed up. We hung out at the park and enjoyed the view. The weather was absolute perfection!!

The next morning we slept in and had a lazy morning. So needed!! Then we got ready and headed out once again. The weather was sunny and hot. It was in the 80s. Pretty unusual for this time of year.

Here we are out on our balcony. It was so nice with chairs and beautiful view. We watched all the Trump supporters lining up across the river. He was in town for a rally. Interesting people watching for sure!!

Tyler and I went to lunch at the Davenport Tower. It was also the Kentucky Derby that weekend and we were in the mood for a Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich. Have you ever had one of those? If not, find one and eat it immediately. You're welcome. They are decedent and divine!! The Safari Room makes an excellent one. It made us feel like we were in the South again. Kentucky Hot Browns are also super rich. Tyler got one and I got one of my all time favorite salads. It was such a great meal and such a fun lunch date!!

So delicious!!

Then since it was so hot and sunny all I wanted to do was go back to our hotel and lounge by the pool. First pool lounging of the year. Our hotel had a great pool and it was sheer bliss.

People, I cannot tell you how relaxing it is to lay poolside and not have to make sure four children don't drown. I don't know the last time this has happened. Probably not in 19 years. Even though our kids are older and three out of the four are excellent swimmers there never is full relaxation. Ever.

I had this book to read (Loved it!!) and a cold beverage to drink, in between dips in the pool with Tyler to cool off. Sheer heaven. Happy Mother's Day to me!! (Mother's Day was the next day...Perfect timing.) I enjoyed every moment!!

That night we headed back downtown for fabulous dinner. We walked all over this weekend. I was killing it in my FitBit challenges. Miles and miles and miles. I feel that we definitely worked off all the food that we ate. It was an absolutely lovely weekend all around. The kids were great and heeded Tyler's threats of not calling us unless it was an emergency or he would facetime them in a way that would haunt them for life. Ha ha!! The kids did fantastic, we felt relaxed, and it was like we had a mini-vacation and yet we didn't even leave our town. It was a great 21st Anniversary!!

The next morning was Mother's Day and we were meeting my family for brunch at noon so I didn't want room service. Tyler took care of business anyway. The kids were happy that I did get breakfast in bed. :)

The man gets me!! A Redbull Italian soda from the barista at our hotel and a cherry pop tart. Happiness!!

Here's to many more!!

California: Day 5

California: Day 5

This day also had a foggy start. We had breakfast with Lori at one of her favorite places...Hash House.

We had to get there super early because it's really trendy and people start lining up all down the street. It has won a bunch of awards and has been featured on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives. It is funky and filled with cool industrial salvaged decor. Their portions are enormous and one meal could easily feed four people. No joke.

Check out how big the hot chocolate was:

Those are 5 full-sized marshmallows floating in that!!

We ordered their famous meatloaf hash and a strawberry frosted flakes pancake to split. Everything was delicious and enormous.

It's kind of hard to tell just how big that pan is but trust me it is HUGE!! That one biscuit is the size of three giant buttermilk biscuits stuck together. I am normally not a savory breakfast person but I REALLY loved this dish!!

That plate is actually a huge serving platter...like the kind you put a big Thanksgiving Turkey on. We had already divided up the eggs and massive pile of bacon. Frosted Flakes in a pancake are pretty tasty!

We all ate as much as we could and then sent Lori home with a ton of leftovers...and then...because after you have eaten like a pig all you want to do is put on a swimsuit...we headed to the beach for the  rest of the day.

We spent the day on La Jolla beach. It was sunny and exquisite!! Beautiful blue water and a light breeze.

It felt like paradise!!

It was a perfect day of lounging in the sun and playing in the surf. We had fun watching surfing lessons for a class of little kids. So cute and it was heaven to just lie there and listen to the waves. It was wonderful!!

It was nice to spend a little more time with Lori before we left town.

She also played photographer for us so we could post pictures of us in our Peace Within shirts on the beach on my friend Rebecca's FB page. She has the best clothing line and she gave us the "his and hers" shirts for my birthday. Nice!! My family...including extended family...lives in her clothes!! Check her out HERE.

We were at the beach all day and ran back just in time to grab dinner, shower, and run for our plane!!

Thanks California!! You were grand!!

California: Day 4

California: Day 4

This day also happened to be Father's Day. Our kids made me promise that some how some way Tyler would get breakfast in bed. Not a problem. They also smuggled gifts and cards into my luggage so that he had things to open up that day and face-timed with him while he was opening up his cards and gifts. This day was much more relaxing. We slept in and had a relaxed and luxurious morning. We both got breakfast in bed. I love room service!! Our meals were superb!!

We loved our hotel and we leisurely enjoyed our surroundings. I would like to check in for a week next time!! Pure R-n-R.

Late that afternoon we met up with Lori. She wanted to show us beautiful historic Balboa Park. It was enchanting. Full of amazing museums and gardens. It was spectacular. We loved it!!

The entrance to the park

We went to the Museum of Man which had some fascinating exhibits and we also went on the Tower Tour. It was stunning!! We got to go up to the top of that tower and look out all over the park and San Diego. It was exhilarating...and a good workout!! You could see the ocean and downtown San Diego. It was awesome.

Stairs for part of the tour...

Balboa Park with it's rows of museums. Heaven...especially without whining kids. There was also a music festival going on so there was music of every kind playing. It wasn't as hot as it had been and a lovely breeze was blowing.

Tyler took these pictures that are prominently featuring the railings because once he got up there the heights got to him and he didn't want to get too close to the edge. It's crazy how sometimes that happens and in weird places. He's not normally afraid of heights. He sat down on a bench and I took over...

He eventually chilled out. I had that happen to me once at Hoover Dam. So weird.

Lori

Looking out at the ocean and thinking "Why do I live in a place with ice and snow?"

We also went to the Instruments of Torture exhibit. That is the stuff of nightmares!! So terrible and yet interesting. There are items there that I wish I could un-see. Those medieval torture devices are even more horrific than I imagined. Wow. Next time I will roam the art museums!!

On a much lighter note... we had an absolutely amazing dinner at Prado inside the park. It was our very favorite meal of the trip. The food there kind of reminded me of DeCarli in Portland but with a California flare. It was scrumptious!! Excellent vigin Mojitos!! We split three different meals and three different dessert. It was a good thing that we logged in the miles walking all over the park.

So pretty. We spent the rest of that night just relaxing and enjoying ourselves. It was wonderful!!