17 Years

We celebrated our 17th Anniversary yesterday.

We didn't have a babysitter so we decided to take the whole family to Lake Tahoe for some outside fun. It was wonderful. We enjoyed sunny, warm weather at King's Beach. The kids played for hours in the sand and water, while Seth and I relaxed on a blanket on the beach. I finished reading a book. Seth took a nap. And, the kids just kept playing. I had a low key water fight with David. Seth built sand castles with the kids. We both helped Jonathan, Thomas and Elsie bury themselves in the sand. It was a delightfully fun and relaxed afternoon.

After our beach fun, we went to a local restaurant for dinner. Our kids were well-behaved. We felt so blessed.

We walked outside after dinner and took in the sight of moon over the lake. Next to the restaurant where we ate, there was a wedding reception taking place. The music was playing, the moon was shining, the kids were talking animatedly and walking toward the car. We captured the moment- and kissed.

It was a very good day.
 ~~~~~~~~~

The kids did not argue all day. Not once.
We stayed a long time. They didn't complain when it was time to go.

"I didn't know anniversaries could be fun." David (age 8)

"Happy Anniversary" Thomas (age 7)  He said this to us numerous times throughout the day and it was as sweet as could be.

Jonathan was the first of the kids to bury himself. The pictures of him buried in the sand are cute but I love this photo of him best.

"I am the sandman." Jonathan (age 11)


David was not about to cover himself in sand. He did have a blast knocking down a castle that some other people left behind.

Elisabeth wasn't still long but I caught this picture of her deep in thought.

Seth and I took a self-portrait with my cell phone:

Jonathan took this picture of us before dinner:

Our family at the end of dinner:

The moon over Lake Tahoe: