Saturday Celebrations!

We were pretty excited that our actual anniversary fell on a Saturday this year. Weekdays can be a little difficult to plan around but there was no need for that this time!

Our day started with a lovely brunch at Sky City Restaurant on the top of the Space Needle in Seattle.



Okay, so first it actually started with gifts. I got the sweetest card ever and not one, but two lovely gifts...a matching pearl tin cup necklace and bracelet - you'll see me wearing them in just a bit.

Oh, and don't worry. Derek wasn't left out. I just can't hold onto a present longer than 24 hours so I gave him his gift earlier in the week. He was pretty excited, but who wouldn't be excited about an iPad? =)

Because it was brunch, they didn't bring traditional bread to the table. Instead they brought lemon and pumpkin bread. I can't imagine anything more perfect for my tastebuds!


Sky City Restaurant rotates (literally) as you eat, so you get beautiful 360 degree views of Seattle. I love that!











There were lots of sailboats out today and it looked at one point like they were racing, fun!


**Note** In between the bread and the entrees we both got to choose a starter, which I did not post a photo of because the memory is just too painful for Derek. Luckily, all of the other food made up for his not so yummy "salmon sponge."

Derek ordered a steak for brunch...that's got to be a man thing. =)


And I had a delicious feast of huckleberry pancakes, herbed potatoes, bacon, sausage, and strawberries...mmmm


And now the best part - dessert! Pecan Praline Cheesecake and Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler. The cobbler is always seasonal and I was so excited that strawberry rhubarb is the season...it's my favorite!


We had the loveliest of times!


Then we spent a few minutes hanging out on the observation deck...but only a few because it was soooo windy!


Right next to the Space Needle, there is a new David Chihuly Glass and Garden exhibition that I have been so anxious to check out. It was amazing...so amazing that I am going to give it its own blog post, but here is a sneak peak of some of the amazing glasswork we saw.


On our way home, we had to make one more special stop. You see, we actually woke up on this day at our friends Arin and Kristy's house because we spent the night with their older kiddos since Kristy had gone into labor with this special little lady...

Meet Kinsleigh Hope Jenkins, born June 9, 2012 at 12:40 p.m. measuring 19.25" long and weighing 6lbs 7oz.

We are so excited to share our anniversary with Kinsleigh's birthday...we're thinking we might even take her to the Space Needle sometime to celebrate. =)

What a perfect day...can't imagine anything better!

Five Whole Years!!

It's official. Derek and I have been husband and wife for five whole years!

When I look at our wedding pictures, I just can't convince myself that they are five years old! I feel like they could've been taken yesterday...but they weren't. They were taken 1,825 days ago. Whoa!

Incredible...I still feel like a newlywed and I hope I always do. I feel so lucky to spend everyday of my life with the person I love most in this world. We are having so much fun together!

I have a few thoughts on marriage...maybe you've had them, too.

Marriage is just like a child, it develops in stages.

The first year is the newborn/baby stage. It doesn't matter what a baby does, you can't help but love it...through the smiles and giggles, the screams and cries. People love babies no matter what...just like the first year and "honeymoon" phase of marriage. Love conquers all!

Then come the toddler stages, years 2 through 4...yikes! What happened to our sweet baby? Who is this tantrum throwing, completely unreasonable child? But wait, this is still the child who loves to snuggle up to you at the end of the day and who still gives the best hugs and kisses out there. Of course, you still love the toddler as much as you loved the baby, but some days, it is just a little more difficult and requires more work and effort. But it's worth it.

Then you hit childhood, age five. A little older, much more logical, and able to more clearly communicate. It's a nice age. It feels like the age where you start to get in a groove. And though you occasionally revert back to toddler behavior, for the most part, those days are gone. It feels good.

And well, that's where we are...in a really nice groove. I have loved every second of our marriage, every stage that it's been through. And I really love where we are now. I wouldn't change or trade it for anything.

Thank you Derek Thomas, for loving me through all the stages! You are my one and only!! I love you!!

June 9, 2007
I couldn't have been happier to finally marry my very best friend and start our brand new life together!


2008
No picture...but there's a reason. We spent our first anniversary at Kids Camp in Boggs Springs, Arkansas. I do remember that they served up the infamous "Bogg Burrito" that night and ever since, I have a very strict "NO BURRITO POLICY" on June 9, ha!

2009
We had a fun weekend getaway in Portland, Oregon to celebrate our second anniversary. It was our first vacation since our honeymoon and the weekend that we fell in love with The Melting Pot! We love Portland!


2010
We celebrated our third anniversary with dinner at The Melting Pot and watching a Cirque Du Soleil show in Seattle. We spent the night and then the whole next day exploring our favorite parts of the city.


2011
For our fourth anniversary, we took a trip to Las Vegas!! Seriously, are we old enough to be taking trips like this by ourselves??


2012
On our fifth anniversary, we had a lovely brunch at Sky City Restaurant at the top of the Space Needle in Seattle.

After our brunch, we visited the new David Chihuly Garden & Glass Exhibition. I know...we're so grown up and sophisticated and stuff, right? Ha! I'll blog more details of our day later.


What an amazing journey it has been. I can hardly wait to see where it takes us next. Have I mentioned lately how much I love my husband? Well, let me say it again...I love you sweetheart, more than I know how to express in words. You are the BEST!!

Waterfront Dining

We're always on the hunt for new places to go on date night. The weather on Saturday was so pretty and it put us on the search for a place where we could dine on the water. We've heard several friends talk about different places they've tried, so we had a few options and decided on a restaurant on the waterfront in Tacoma.

My handsome driver...love him.


We went to this fun dining establishment - C.I. Shenanigans's


Apparently, it was prom night somewhere and all of the prom-goers were hogging most of the good waterfront picture spots so we snapped a quick one and went inside.


We had the most beautiful views while we dined. We made a later reservation in the hopes that we would be able to watch the sunset...and we did.


Truthfully, we were hoping that the deck would be open so we could dine outside. But it was either a little to breezy or they were a little too understaffed and it was closed. That's okay, we still had great views from the inside. :)



The clouds and the sun did some really cool things - it was so pretty. (I'm fairly certain views like this are worked into the menu prices, ha!)

We both had a really delicious dinner. We started off with Lobster Bisque, which we fell in love with at a restaurant in Memphis and have so far not found anything that even begins to compare. This bisque was wonderful! Derek had steak - although he said it just didn't feel right eating on the water and not having fish - :) and I had a roasted chicken with huckleberry chutney....doesn't it sound amazing?

Local people...did you know that if you join the MVP club on this restaurant's website, they will send you an email with a certificate for "buy one entree, get one free" (up to $25)? Then they'll also send you the same certificate on your birthday. Great deal! We'll be cashing in on that one!

Check it out...http://www.cishenanigans.com (Sorry, I'd link it for you, but Blogger is not cooperating, boo!)

Then we finished off our night with this colossal carrot cake - best ever!


We had a wonderful night! We feel so fortunate to be able to spend such special date nights together.

...and if this date was so wonderful, I am just giddy at what next weekend might hold. Derek's keeping the details of our 5th year anniversary celebrations totally hush-hush. I can't wait!!!

Baby Girl Showers!

I can't think of any party sweeter than a baby shower. I love everything about them, especially the oooing and aaahhhing over the tiny little clothes. Lucky for me, I have lots of friends in that stage of life so I have gotten lots of opportunities to take part in these precious celebrations.

A couple of weeks ago, we had a baby girl shower for my friend Kristy, who expecting baby #5 mid-June. Here are some highlights...

Kinsleigh's nursery is done in a sweet birdie theme, so we planned the shower to match & called it a "Birdie Brunch."


Guests left their fingerprint and signature on this painting for Kinsleigh - I think it will make a cute addition to her super adorable nursery!

...and let me add that I stressed so much over painting that tree, but am happy with how it turned out. The single creative bone in my body is geared to impress preschoolers, and even then, it fails me sometimes, ha!

So many great friends...


So many gifts to show love to Kristy & Kinsleigh...


By the end, I had written a pretty long list.


It was a perfect day and I just can't wait to welcome Kinsleigh Hope into this world!

And just last night...

We got to host another baby girl shower, this time for my friend Laura, who is expecting baby #2 mid-June (yes, mid-June, just a day or two away from Kristy!). This will be Moises and Laura's first daughter. They already have super adorable Levi, who you probably remember from a blog post or two. ;) I just can't wait to meet Lexi(e)...(spelling of the name is yet to be determined.)

Check out this picture...

Kristy, Me, Laura, Terry, & Amanda

This was taken in the fall of 2010 when Laura was expecting Levi - this was the first baby shower I got to help plan since moving to the Northwest. Funny that since this photo was taken, Kristy and Laura are now both expecting & Terry had precious twins Tesa & Tyce. (Amanda already had three sweet girls.) Geez...I think I'm falling way behind! But one thing is for sure, my life is full of sweet little ones to love!

So here we are a year and a half later...I am so thankful for Laura and her friendship. She is just wonderful!


My friend Sarah was sweet enough to host in her home and let me tell you, she is a decorating professional! Seriously, amazing!


We planned a fun dinner menu for our "girls night out" themed shower.


Drank punch (not moonshine!) out of these mason jars.


Such a lovely group of ladies...


We had this adorable station set up for friends to create headbands for Lexi.




Super cute! Lexi(e) will be so stylish in her custom headbands. :)


Maria organized some really fun games for the night. Like this one - how many clothespins can you pick out of a bowl of rice in one minute? This was sooo hard...the next time you get bored, just dump safety pins into rice, blindfold yourself, and see what you think!


Chelo dominated with 18 safety pins!


Then it was time to open gifts...have I mentioned how much I LOVE this part??


We even played a game during the gift reveal...fun!


There were so many adorable gifts, including this homemade ruffle-bun onesie that Molly made, so crafty!


Or this absolutely precious blanket that Mary-Hayden made...I wouldn't even know where to start!


Wait...you thought I said she was having a girl, right?

This story is so cute...

When Laura had her first ultrasound, she was told she was having a boy. At her next ultrasound, and in the one that followed, she found out that it seems a little girl is what God is adding to their family. Sweet Chelo never got the news that things had changed and bought the most adorable baby boy gift. We had some good laughs, but really, it was the cutest gift!

It was a great night!

Now comes the not so fun part...saying goodbye.

This is me with Laura, Mary-Hayden, Jaclyn, Sarah, & Libby. Sadly, Jaclyn is moving to Georgia this weekend. The military has a way of moving people around, but this time, Jaclyn's hubby is getting out of the Army and going into the reserves so they are moving back home to be closer to family. My heart is happy for her, but seriously sad that I won't be seeing her or her sweet family any time soon. (Did you know that her five year old, Aubrey, is my bff?) Such is life here in the Northwest when you live near an Army base.

We'll miss you Jaclyn! You have such a special place in our hearts!

A Brand New Date

Sometimes dinner & a movie can get old...and expensive. Don't get me wrong - I looove dinner and I looove going to the movies, but it's always fun to change things up a little!

Not long after we moved here, some friends told us about a drive in theater not far from here. I guessed it slipped our minds and we never got around to checking it out until this past weekend. We drove over after church on Sunday night (yes, I said AFTER church...the movie can't start until dusk, which is about 9:30 p.m. these days).

After pulling the car in both forward and backward, we decided on leaving it in reverse. We brought plenty of blankets & snacks, got all bundled up and settled in for a movie marathon. The cool thing about this theater is that they always show a double feature and this night they were showing Battleship & The Avengers - did I mention they only charge $7 per person for BOTH movies?!? By the time Avengers started, it was 11:30 and I did pretty good for the first hour, but after that I was completely zonked. What an old woman I've become, ha! Thankfully, my sweet husband didn't mind loaning me his shoulder for the rest of the movie - he's the BEST!











Can you read my shirt? It says "My husband rocks." And yes he does! Love him and our fun dates so much!!