A boat load of pictures coming atcha…BOO YUH!! Today is #1…. (Why, yes! I am writing this at 12:30 a.m….. what gave it away?)

This is Ethan and I at the Benson Hotel in downtown Portland last weekend. Ethan surprised me with the stay for our anniversary. We stayed at the Benson on our honeymoon on the 7th floor. This time, it was way better. I mean it was great before – we had a lot more time to relax, but this time, it was dreamy on the other side of the building and on the 10th floor!

We arrived to get our car parked for us, then checked in and giggled a lot about the room and the view and how exciting it was and how awesome Ethan was for pulling this all off without me noticing. (or getting anywhere with my snooping ) Then he says “Alright, we’ve got a few hours before our dinner reservation downstairs, you wanna go walk to the mall?” to which I said “reservations downstairs? WOO HOO!” I remember the London Grill downstairs to be very good. (If you click on that link, there is a secret door that leads to the wine cellar to the right of the fireplace.) After our drizzly walk around downtown, we came back just in time. Ethan let me know I could get anything I wanted (said with a great big smile). After looking over the menu, I blurted out “frog legs!” We agreed. We’d try it. They were surprisingly very good. Justin came back and asked how they were, when we gave a rave review, he told us all about the new chef and how incredible he is…. we hung on Justin’s every word. I was so excited to be there at that moment eating gourmet frog legs in a beautiful building that is protected by the historical society while my husband made me feel gorgeous by staring at me all night with a smile in his eyes.

Even after an incredible dinner and walking around reminiscing about where we walked on our honeymoon, still, my favorite part about the whole weekend was falling asleep watching the cars come over the Fremont Bridge on the city horizon as Ethan hugged me. It makes a difference when you have had the time to fall even more head over heals for your best friend than you were when you were laying in that same hotel exactly five years prior. We laid there, listening to the city through the open window. I never understood how people could have so much pride and love for where they live until I moved here. It was the perfect night.

The next morning, we woke up to more delicious food!! We got breakfast in bed! Then we took our time getting ready. Before we knew it, it was noon and time to check out. Both of us a little sad but excited for our ten year anniversary so we can come back again.

The Fremont bridge was just to the left in this photo. We were so excited about the whole night, we forgot to take more pictures.

So, I’m sure these 3 pictures were a little under-whelming considering the title, but there is more coming. I just had to tell you all about this before showing more adorable pictures of the kids.