Five Glorious Years!

This past May 2nd Marshall and I celebrated 5 years of marriage together- can't believe it has been that long already. Marshall surprised me with a weekend getaway (he even arranged for my mom to take the kids for us- total bonus points!) A few years back we were talking about things we would like to do before we die, and I mentioned a few things. Among them was a night at the Bellagio, and a ride in a hot-air balloon. Done, and done. I can now cross them off my list. The hotel was even nicer than I had expected, with our room overlooking the cool water show we always stop to see every time we are on the strip together (okay, so that was just one other time, but I feel like I personally have seen it quite a few times) but it was really cool to see it from a different perspective. And the synchronized music plays on channel 22, just in case you ever need to know..!) I was almost as excited about the beautiful room as I was about going to In-N-Out for lunch. I love that double-double! M made dinner reservations at their most popular restaurant, Prime, but since the burger was digesting about as fast as a lead brick, we weren't really in the mood for steak, so we canceled our reservations and opted for some room service later on that night. I felt like royalty! First of all, to be staying in such a fancy hotel with the awesome view, (a hotel with bathrobes-I felt like Pretty Woman! Usually, we are Motel 6 people-Crystal Inn if were really feeling sassy.) Ordering room service, I felt like such a queen! Plus total bonus being able to eat in bed and watch TV. I thought I had died and gone to heaven...eating a meal in bed, especially one that I didn't have to cook myself! And then afterwards, Marshall responded to my whim by getting me a huge Italian chocolate gelato from the sweet shop downstairs...(trust me- it was money well spent.) To top it all off, Oceans Eleven came on tv right as we were done eating (if you recall, the Bellagio is the hotel they rip off in that movie- how perfectly fitting! The next morning, we woke up at the crack of dawn for my next surprise (we both knew it was going to be a balloon ride- but I tried to play dumb. He had worked so hard to keep things a surprise. I must admit, when all was said and done, the balloon ride was a bit of a disappointment, and I feel safe admitting that here because my husband never actually reads this blog.) It was partly fun, partly terrifying (especially when we practically crash-landed on some road out in the hills out West of Las Vegas..I was pinned between some couple from WA that were riding with us, and the gigantic propane tank, and almost got dumped out on the road...scary.) But mostly it was a rip-off. Regardless, I had to do it someday, or else I would have spent my life wondering what it would be like. So in that respect it was worth it. Saturday I spent the day as if in a dream- the entire day spent relaxing by the pool, uninterrupted, in perfect 80 degree weather, eating bon-bons (in the form of Twizzlers and Doritos) and reading my book. Uninterrupted being the operative word here! I was SO in heaven. Thank you again, mom, for making this trip possible for us. We had such a great time, and I was so impressed at not only Marshall's thoughtfulness, but his stealth in pulling it off, and MOST especially, doing these things purely to make me happy, regardless of the price. (For those of you who may not know, Marshall and his money are not easily parted...so that made it all the more meaningful.) Thanks, babe, for a great anniversary. And mostly, for a great 5 years together...I couldn't hope for a better first 5 years than what you have given me. Thanks for being a great husband and father, and for sacrificing so very much to make me happy the way you do. And for putting up with me so patiently and humbly, and for always giving so much and expecting little in return. You are such a good example to me and to our children. I love you!

First stop: In-N-Out, baby!

The Bellagio is seriously so beautiful inside- it made me want to redecorate my house...ha ha. (But for reals, it kind of did!)

(p.s. No idea what is on Marshall's shirt; this picture was taken after we had been vegging at the pool all day so take that into consideration before you judge my appearance here!)

We had to stand around and wait awhile for them to inflate the balloon. Meanwhile, the dude brought us some waivers to sign so we can't sue them if we die, or fall out of the balloon. Great.

The view from the balloon (that is what a school looks like from above. Now you know.) Also, this picture has inspired me to get some new sunglasses. I look like a bug.

I wasn't kidding you- we sort of crash landed on a road. The pilot tried to act all nonchalant about it but I could tell he was pretty stressed. At the end of the ride, he tried to pacify us with a bottle of champagne (ummm...try again, buddy!) and a box of Ritz and salami and cheese (mind you, it was 7 am, but we stuffed ourselves since we just paid $220 each (plus tip) to ride for 45 minutes and then nearly die in a massive balloon- we were getting our money's worth out of this dude!)

After we landed in the middle of the road, the "chaser van" came and picked us up to take us back to our car. We stood in the road and ate our crackers and watched them roll up the balloon. It was kind of funny.

Seriously this hotel is like a dream- flowers everywhere.

Marshall is going to kill me for posting this, but we were joking around about how we were going to take advantage of the place. We grabbed all the toiletries from the room (I bet you anything we will never use most of them, but it was fun for a laugh) and this is Marshall modeling some of the goods. (Hey, you never know when you will need an extra loofah sponge!)

The view from our window.

The Mr. and the Mrs.