Anniversary Outing :)

Wednesday, July 25, was our 3rd wedding anniversary. Time flies. We were not planning on having a baby this soon, but clearly God had control of the situation because Beanie has made both of us happier than we ever knew possible :)

We couldn't celebrate on Wednesday due to Dustin's class schedule. He had class from 8AM-7PM so we decided that we would wait until the weekend when we had more time to enjoy each others (and Bean's) company. We planned a trip to Tampa and decided to treat ourselves to our favorite restaurant, The Cheesecake Factory. Being the considerate people that we are, we planned to go right when they opened so that if Beanie had a momentary meltdown, there wouldn't be as many patrons affected :)

On Saturday, Xavier woke up around 7:30 so Dust got up with him and let me sleep an extra hour (our weekend norm). Then Dustin ran to the gym while Bean and I got ready. By the time Dustin got home, Bean and I were ready for our anniversary date! Dust showered and dressed quickly, we packed the diaper bag, and off we went!

3 years :)

We arrived before the restaurant opened (we are both very punctual people) so we walked around the mall that is connected. With some of the extra time, we went to the jewelry store and got my ring cleaned. We spent the remaining 15 minutes or so walking past stores that we normally would have shopped in...before we had another little mouth to feed :)

<3

We walked back around to the restaurant just in time for them to open the doors. Apparently other parents had the same bright idea that we did because every party that was waiting to be seated was accompanied by a small child :)

While I would like to write about how nice and enjoyable our lunch was, I can't because I would be lying. Taking a child to a restaurant is not always a smart idea. Now, don't get me wrong, Beanie behaved brilliantly! He sat nicely in his carseat until he quietly dozed off. The spoiled little brat at the table beside us, however, was a joke. She screamed from the moment they were seated. Her mother made excuses that she was hungry. Not surprisingly, when her food came, the screaming did not subside. At one point I got up to use the restroom, and when I walked past her, she slapped my shins. Yes...I said shins...because at this point, she was laying on the ground, screaming...shin height. She was a hot mess.

Her grandmother was not much better. She brought two dogs with her into a Four-Star restaurant and was passing out fliers to random people promoting diabetes awareness. Dustin and I both agree that Diabetes is a serious issue that should not be taken lightly. There is a time and a place, however, and that time nor place is at our anniversary luncheon at The Cheesecake Factory......

pretending not to be annoyed.. :)

All joking aside, we really did have a good time. While we didn't enjoy our neighbors, we did enjoy each other! And it's amazing how a delicious lunch and a decadent piece of cheesecake can turn a meal around. Dustin ordered the Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo followed by the Blueberry White Truffle cheescake. I had my usual Louisiana Chicken pasta, followed by the Pina Colada cheesecake. They were scrumptious!

After lunch, we headed to a fish store in Tampa that Dustin rarely gets to visit. He had birthday money that his mom had sent him (thanks Deneen!) and it was burning a hole in his pocket. We put bean in the stroller and had a nice time walking around looking at all the aquariums, both on display and for sale. Bean really enjoyed this. He is mesmerized by Dustin's tank at home and this experience was like an overload!

I promise he was more interested than he looks...

Mommy and Bean!

My favorite people in the whole world!

Dust ended up buying some "Texas Holy Rock" for his tank...a rather boring purchase in my opinion. Afterwards, we hopped in the car and headed back over the bridge toward one last fish store. Bean had fallen asleep by the time we were there so I opted to stay in the car with him while Dust ran in to look at a fish he had had his eye on for a while. He purchased two new fish and off we were again.

Ready to go home!

When we got home, we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening curled up on the couch relaxing and watching the olympics. Beanie was intrigued! It was not as eventful as anniversaries past, but it was perfect.

I love my little family :)

Ruff!

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Watching the Olympics in my Bumbo!