5 Years

We celebrated 5 years married last Thursday and what better way to celebrate than going to the Buffalo Museum of Science! :) I'm afraid that anniversaries are falling to the wayside already, like birthdays. Even though we keep saying "Someday when we have money, we'll really celebrate." (But then I think we can't be doing too bad because I have memories growing up and being family camping and suddenly my mom will say, "Oh! It's our anniversary!" And my Dad would say, "Oh yeah, happy anniversary honey!" And they both would laugh) But honestly, I loved our day. Just spending it together made me happy. I had heard that you can get a free pass to the museum through the library and it was true! You have to go to the Central Library downtown (Trav stayed in the car while I ran in so we didn't have to find parking, which made it way easier) and you just go to the information desk where they give you a laminated "pass" that you check out like you would a book and take it to the museum. Of course you have to return the pass after a week, but my local library took it so I didn't have to go back downtown.

They have a hands-on room that we spent most of our time in that Collin loved.

 OK, funny story about this pump. Trav started pumping the handle, but nothing was coming out. So he half said to himself, "Maybe I need to prime it first". So he poured water down the top and sure enough, it started pumping water! He was cracking up but I totally didn't get it. I guess there was an old, cheesy seminary video about "Priming the pump". (How did I miss it?!) He told me all about it and it would take too long to explain, but maybe some of you remember it?! Well, know that it works! haha. Just prime the pump and you'll have everlasting water/eternal life. :)

 Our babysitter for the night fell through, but the Goode's saved the day and watched Collin so we could go out to dinner. Cheesecake Factory of course. We had a gift card (thanks Paula!) but I would have chosen there anyway.

 OK, pay close attention.... I have found the most AMAZING meal there! I was already in love with the Navajo Taco and dipping it in their ridiculously delicious ranch, but I had just gotten it a couple weeks ago on our girls night, so I decided to venture out. On their add on menu page, they had Caramel Chicken. It looked like what I had gotten at their sister restaurant, Grand Lux, in Scottsdale. I substituted out the rice (yuck) for mashed potatoes and I was in food heaven! Really, words don't do it justice. Remember, While You Were Sleeping, "These mashed potatoes are so creamy"?... well I was doing that times 10! Mmmming and ahhhhing through the whole meal. Trav's salmon was totally jealous of my devotion. And best part was, it was huge, so I got to relive the magnificence the next day too. So get the Caramel Chicken and thank me later. Or now. Whichever.

 For dessert I made a Red Velvet cake because that's what we fed each other at our reception. We didn't have cake (not a huge fan of wedding cake), but the top layer of our fake one was real so we could do the "feeding" thing. I tried saving it in the freezer so we could thaw it and eat it after 6 months or a year (I forget which one), but someone had thrown it out! Sad day. So after 5 years it was time to relive the magic :) I searched forever for a good recipe and it still turned out dry, HOWEVER, I did find the most mouth watering cream cheese frosting recipe. I will never use another one! So I have to share:

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 - 8 ounce (227 grams) cream cheese, room temperature

1 - 8 ounce (227 grams) tub of Mascarpone cheese, room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup (115 grams) confectioners' (icing or powdered) sugar, sifted

1 1/2 (360 ml) cups cold heavy whipping cream (double cream) (35-40% butterfat)

In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and mascarpone cheese until smooth. Add the vanilla and confectioners sugar and beat until smooth. Using the whisk attachment, gradually add the heavy cream and whip until the frosting is thick enough to spread. Add more sugar or cream as needed to get the right consistency.

I couldn't find Mascarpone in my rushed trip to the store so I doubled the cream cheese and it was still phenomenal, but next time I really want to use the real thing.

HaPpY 5 YeArS to my best friend.

We watched our wedding video after the kiddos went to bed and I fell in love all over again. (Although it made me feel a little old to hear our comments of "Man look how skinny we were.... or tan.... or what was it like to have French tip nails?! Maybe we've frumped out a bit sooner than our time. Well, I won't speak for him, but I certainly feel that way!"

A couple months ago at book club, Diana made the comment that of course you love your husband when you get married, but you can never tell for sure how he will be with you when you're at your worst or how he'll be with your kids, etc until those things happen and "sometimes don't you just feel like you got incredibly lucky?" I couldn't agree more. I really believe he is perfect for me and sometimes I wonder why it is that I got to be so happy when so many aren't. Maybe I'll never know, but I am supremely grateful!