a week of dates.

The older I get the more I realize that my true love language is quality time. I love to spend quality time with the people I love, in quality conversations, eating quality food and really cherishing the time we have. It's a nice break from our day to day routines, busy schedules and endless to do lists. And it's so important!

Our favorite babysitter was in town last weekend to visit her family for the holidays so we snuck away for a quick dinner and dessert while she played with the kids. I've been obsessing over a local food blogger now for several months, reading her books, following her on social media and pretending we are best friends. So, naturally it was only time to try her restaurant. And it did not disappoint! Matt said it was easily the best pizza he's ever eaten in his entire life. It was so simple with really good ingredients, a perfect crust and just the right amount of cheese. Seriously, if you are ever in Ballard, please go check out Delancey!

We wandered just a few blocks down to Salt and Straw for dessert to get one last taste of their seasonal gingerbread ice cream. But then, I sampled a bite of their lemon chevre cheesecake and was sold! 

 Without realizing it when we were scheduling dates Matt and I got to have another date the very next day. And this time overnight! For his Christmas present I booked a room at the hotel we stayed at for our wedding. I knew after a very busy month of birthdays and Christmas celebrations we both needed 24 hours to just relax. So we dropped the kids off at the beach house and made our way up to Bellingham. It was SO stormy (picture sideways rain, crazy winds and bitter cold) but we made the best of it by wandering through small, local stores moving as slow as we wished. I cozied up in the cookbook section of our favorite local bookstore, we sampled some delicious vinegar and oil next door and then went wine tasting.

 Since our hotel room wasn't ready we decided to venture downtown for more shopping at our favorite home decor store and then an early dinner at the restaurant we went to for our first date. D'Annas has the very best pasta and is absolutely my favorite meal of all time.

 I always order the exact same thing. There are so many delicious items on the menu but I just can't get enough of their homemade spinach rigatoni with marinara sauce and 2 meatballs (yes, you really need to order 2, they are so good!). We came back to the hotel and after a long day of walking, shopping and eating I laid on the bed and fell fast asleep. At 6:30pm. Out like a light! Matt figured it was a quick cat nap and I'd be ready to go out again later but I never woke up! Haha...clearly I needed a good nights sleep.

 The views from our hotel room were so beautiful, even on a stormy day.

 We woke up early the next morning (because that 6:30pm bedtime!) and wandered back to Fairhaven to our favorite breakfast spot.

 Even though it was windy the rain had stopped so we took a short walk to our favorite park where we got engaged and then headed back to pick up the kids. The best 24 hours we've had in a long time and so, so needed! Can't think of a better Christmas present to ourselves!

 Dating our kids is important too. I know that sounds weird but spending quality time with them is really what they want and love. A trip to the park on New Years Day was perfect. We aren't NYE people, never stay up until midnight or have a party but getting outside on New Years Day has always been a great tradition to start the year off right.

 Later that day the big kids were invited over to our neighbors house (and Carter's former teacher!) for a pasta and ice cream party. They hand rolled and cut pasta before cooking and eating it and then mixed and churned homemade peppermint ice cream. It was so fun for them and I know our neighbor had a great time too!

 And now back to routines. Big kids at school, Matt back to work and me spending my days with Simon. Lots of neighborhood walks, park dates and playdoh.

It's been a good start to 2019!