Ten Years!

Ten years ago today, Dan and I were married!  The years have gone by fast.  We've had eight children, three of whom are already in heaven.  We bought our dream place out in the country.  We've had lots of adventures and fun times together.  Here's to the next 10 years together!

One of our engagement pictures.

At our wedding rehearsal.

Taking the formal photos on our wedding day.

The wedding Mass in progress.

Saying our vows.

Exchanging rings.

Newly married!

The happy couple.

Arriving at the reception hall.

Cutting the cake.

Our first toast.

After a fabulous Wedding March, we had our first dance.  We danced to "When You Say Nothing At All," by Alison Krauss.

Birthday At The Zoo

Monday of last week was my 40th birthday, so the kids and I took a day off school and went to the zoo!

We finally got to see the baby orangutan.  He sure was cute!

The kids thought it was funny that the baby orangutan has toys similar to ones they have.

If you look close, you can see the baby wallaby's head poking out of the mama's pouch.

We must always have at least one picture of the kids on a zoo sculpture!

Anthony "relaxes" in style!

The kids were pretending they were blasting off to the moon.

Anne, my smiley girl.

For the first time ever, we stopped to feed the giraffes. 

The twins said the giraffes licked their arms!

Joseph gave the little giraffe some leaves.

Anthony and I just watched and took pictures, but it was really neat.

Later, we were planning to go out to eat somewhere, but I was surprised with a date instead!  My lovely sister-in-law volunteered to watch all of the kids.  So the kids got to go play with their cousins, which they loved.  Dan and I went out to eat at Beijing Bistro!  It was great birthday surprise!  Thanks, Al and Brenda! 

Our Date

On Saturday evening, we dropped the kids off at Dan's brother's house (thanks Al and Brenda!), and went out on a date!

We went to Chester's Chophouse and Wine Bar, somewhere new to us.  It was wonderful, but not cheap.

Neither one of us could remember when exactly we went on a date last.  For sure, we know it was sometime before Anthony, and he is almost two! 

Here we are, looking like newlyweds!

The menu:  Appetizer:  Raw Oysters - Dan
                                      Mussels - Janet
                   Wine:  Merlot for Dan and Pinot Noir for Janet
                   Entree: New York Strip Steak with Lobster Tail - Dan
                                Filet Mignon - Janet
                   Sides:   Brussel Sprout Slaw and Ginger Snow Peas
                   Dessert: Chocolate Bread Pudding and Chester's Irish Coffee - Dan
                                 Creme Brulee Trio - Janet

Wow, what a meal!  It reminded us of some of the meals we ate on our honeymoon in Italy, not necessarily the food, but the attentive service and the leisurely meal.  We never felt rushed and the whole meal lasted over an hour and a half.   It was expensive, just like our honeymoon meals, but we've been waiting a few years for this one!

Not quite the Amalfi Coast, but we'll take it!

A wonderful Anniversary celebration!