8th Anniversary with my LOVE

Our 8th anniversary was on Monday, the 7th, but Trav would be back in Gallup by then, so we celebrated the Saturday before! I'm still too nervous to leave Olive with a regular, young babysitter, but Marcie's friend, Alison, was available, so I was so excited to be able to leave all 3 kids for a night out on the town with my favorite!

I had heard great things about a restaurant in Scottsdale called Culinary Drop Out. It's supposed to be an "experience", not just a place to eat. ;) It really was so fun! We had reservations, so we were seated immediately... and in these awesome, over sized wing-backed type chairs. I loved all the chandeliers and interior design. They had a menu of meats and cheeses to try for appetizers. Trav ordered us some stuff he ate on his mission in Spain. Manchego cheese and Jamon Iberico... black hoofed pig. Then we got the soft pretzel and provolone fondue. YUM. Carb heaven. I wouldn't have normally ordered fried chicken, but it was starred as a favorite entree. Trav's 36 hour pork ribs were a favorite as well. Everything was super tasty. But the guy in front of me was the best part.

Oh, not to forget! I asked for a side of ranch. I was not expecting this, made in house, delectable dip!! It rivaled Cheesecake Factory's... and that feels almost treasonous to say.

Next up, we went to an improv comedy place called Jesterz! It had been nearly 6 years since we had gone. Half way through they asked if anyone was celebrating a birthday or anniversary. We hesitatingly gave ourselves up. I'm so glad we did! We were the only ones having an anniversary, so the host told us they like to spotlight those, and asked us a bunch of questions about our kids, how we met, first date, etc. Then the group did a skit based on our lives. They basically played off the fact that we met in junior high when my family moved into his neighborhood. They also kept making dentist/teeth jokes the whole time. When the host asked us what our first date was, we both paused, uncertain, haha. We finally decided to go with a Diamondbacks game. They definitely made sure to make that a laughing point of the skit. It was just fun and unique to have the cast act out a spoof based on our lives! I was laughing so hard.

After that, we drove to Gainey Ranch, which is a Hyatt Resort in Scottsdale. They have gondola rides you can pay to go on. I feel like I've heard about these my entire life, and now I finally got to do it! We were by ourselves in our gondola and I loved snuggling up, gazing at the moon hanging high in the dark sky. It even felt pretty cool, out on the water. THEN, the guy paddling the boat (the gondalier??) asked if we'd like him to sing. I thought it was a joke! I kind of giggled and emphatically said, "Yes!" But I thought he was going to hit a button on his phone and a funny song would blare. Nope! He was a legit singer! Honestly, probably one of the best singers I've ever heard. He prefaced by telling us the background behind the ballad, then proceeded to belt out the most beautiful, Italian love song. It was terribly romantic. Sorry for the cheesiness, but it just was. :)

After that, we spent some time walking around the pools, waterfalls and gardens of the resort. There may have even been an empty cabana that got some smooching in. :) I cannot begin to express how happy I was. Everything was so perfect. (Umm, minus the potty mouth guys in the pool that finally drove us to change cabanas. Honestly, why do grown men act like that??!)

Anyway, after that, we finished up with sundaes and a banana split at the Sugarbowl! 

Perfection. 

That's all I can say. It really was the best night. I might even venture to say it was my favorite date we've ever been on. I am a smitten kitten over this guy. He makes me incredibly happy. There's no one I'd rather spend all my time with. I have NO IDEA how I got so lucky to be married to my best friend. He is everything and more than I could have ever asked for. Andddd he's hot stuff too. Double whammy. Home run. Outta the ball park. LOVE HIM.