While you were sleeping...

Little Bear Cubs,
This weekend your Daddy and I flew away to celebrate our 10 year anniversary.

We snuck in your rooms and watched you sleep before we left. You didn't know it...but you were showered with kisses. Here is what went down while you were sleeping...It was still dark when we arrived at the airport. A front row parking space was waiting for us...like it had saved itself just for us. Was it a sign that we were about to embark on a perfect anniversary trip? Absolutely, it was a sign.

It had been a decade since our big day.
10 years of marriage....
A beautiful 10 years.

I have to admit it was a teensey bit nice flying without you. There was no treat bag to wrangle...no song and dance to keep you entertained. It was just me and him. Trading back scratches...reading our books...and napping while holding hands. It was a dream.

We were alone....and we were giddy.

When we arrived in Phoenix, we headed to Richardson's for some Mexican. On the way we saw this guy with a prosthetic leg. We thought you would think it was cool.

We arrived at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa.
Oohlala.

It was a paradise.

They knew it was our anniversary, so they put us in a room with a great view.



They even delivered us chocolate covered strawberries...
You would have loved them!
We forgot to take a picture for you...
until AFTER we had eaten them.

oh yes, we fed the champagne to the bathroom sink.

Even our bathroom was lovely.

We changed clothes and headed to the Mesa Temple.


It was so great to begin the celebration of our love - the same way we began our marriage.
In the temple.

In peace and serenity, we were reminded of all of the covenants
we have made with each other...
as we were also reminded that you are sealed to us forever.
Forever Our Little Bear Cubs.

Just thinking about that made mama cry happy tears.

The smell of flowers filled the air as we walked the grounds.

Even the birdies love it there.

We went back to walk the grounds of the resort before we headed out to dinner. We laughed and talked about all of the things you would love here.

And how we want to bring you here someday.

The grounds were incredible...

But the best part was just walking and talking with him.

We relaxed in the lobby until our "ride" arrived.

Daddy sang "my song" to me.

We watched the people...and ducks....that came through the lobby.

The sun was setting....and our "ride" arrived!

A limo came. The driver said, "I have a red carpet - do you want me to roll it out for you?"
When we stopped laughing....we said, "No."

We had some sparkling cider...but were still drunk with love.

The driver took us to The White Chocolate Grill....our NEW favorite restaurant. WOW.

Great casual atmosphere....INCREDIBLY FRESH food!
Ribs that literally fell off the bones...
amazing Israeli Couscous...
glazed carrots you wouldn't believe
and for dessert....
Bread pudding...out of this world....
made with croissants.

I hate to admit it....but it even beats The River Grille...our old favorite.

A comfy drive back and we found ourselves in our room....
The sound of music drifting in our room with the cool, desert wind.
People below gathered around the fire pits...

The next morning we slept in. Glorious.

We enjoyed breakfast out on the patio.

We talked about how much you guys would love the breakfast here.
How Bradley would eat a plate of bacon and Karah would eat a plate of berries...we spoke of how cute Bryce is and how big he is getting.
We were in awe at how much we love each of you little bear cubs.

Our table was nestled in the corner...with this view. We watched a bird as it gathered strips of palm leaves for the nest it was building.

Our food arrived....amazing blue corn pancakes!

We lounged in our room until it was time for our pedicure appointment.

The spa had a great relaxation room for each of us to enjoy.

The pedicures were great.
Tom's lady had given a pedicure to Whitney Houston before.
Daddy almost painted his toes purple for you, Boo :)

We then went to the spa's serenity pool were we slept in the shade of our cabana.
We read and enjoyed fresh fruit and yogurt that they brought to us.
We soaked in the hot tub.
We talked about getting into the serenity pool but decided that we would probably get kicked out when Daddy started launching me through the air like he loves to do. After a couple of hours we decided to head out to the lazy river....the kid zone.

We had the best time there! My tube was overinflated and impossible to get on.
We laughed and laughed as I made a fool of myself.
Daddy hopped on his tube, but his bathing suit slipped down.
Any child with goggles was likely getting more than he bargained for.

We pool hopped until we had experienced it all. One last soak in the hot tub and we were off to get ready for our next outing.

We headed downtown and saw Les Miserables.
It was incredible - a small, intimate theater.
It was more powerful than we remember it being in Chicago.
Your mama cried the entire time.

During intermission we got to "admire" some of the art institutes "work".

The bickies.

The ginormous boobies.

The headless.
The body-less.


We were happy when it was time for the show to resume.

After the show we headed off to the Phoenix Suns basketball game.
We had great half court seats.


We got to see Shaq and Nash up close....just like on TV.
They didn't say Hi to us.
Rude.

I have to admit my favorite part was the sexy grandma's that danced for us.

The hot dogs were nasty. NASTY.


When we got back to our room we lounged as we talked about ways we can
be better to each other in the next 10 years.
The perfect conversation.
We ordered room service for a late...very late....dinner.

Sleeping in again.
Breakfast at the Blue Sage.
Another walk through the grounds.

And home to you we came.

More in love with each other than ever.

More in love with you, little bear cubs....
than ever.

All this while you were sleeping little bear cubs....all this.

I love you...more than all this,
The Mama Bear