Twitter Machine Tuesday

The Twitter Machine in which I write about what Erin and I did on our anniversary.  Don't judge my lack of a creative intro to this edition.  I lack inspiration.  Just read and hopefully enjoy.  Actually I don't even care that much that you enjoy.

-I've kept with the theme of traditional gifts for wedding anniversaries since the beginning.
-In case you're wondering, the fifth anniversary is traditionally wood gifts (insert Kim snickering).
-And wood can be hard (insert Kim laughing uncontrollably) to find a great gift.
-I had a great idea though: Wine from Dreaming Tree (Erin's fav Dave Matthews song) because tree=wood #getit in a wicker picnic basket. #DMB
-Problem 1: Wicker picnic baskets are apparently not cheap. I can't see myself spending $60 just for the container of our romantic lunch.
-Problem 2: We planned on hiking in the morning to a lake or river, but Erin had to read at church which threw a wrench in hike plans and the picnic plan.
-Problem 3: It was like surface of the sun hot on Sunday, and going anywhere cooler would have taken 2 hours. Nothing says romantic like sitting in the car.
-So I went with plan B: Keep the wine. Wooden jewelry box. And a gift card for a massage because she'd like that more than the picnic basket anyways.
-My mom was nice enough to watch the girls on Sunday. So thankful for that. The only problem was we had no idea what we were going to do.
-This of course led us to Yard House for beers in the middle of the afternoon. I've notched another couple of beers off my list #30by30
-Halfway through lunch I suggested we go bowling. Why the hell not?
-So we drank beer and bowled. It was the white-trashiest wedding anniversary celebration this side of Branson
-We talked about going out for a romantic dinner too, but we missed the girls and decided to take them and my mom out to sushi #howromantic
-Ana and Grace know how to eskimo kiss which might be the most adorable thing ever. Ana even says "Es-mos" #idie
-I'm teaching them butterfly kisses too. Not like the stupid song. This is inspired by The Untouchables #obviously
-Whenever I see a story about really valuable items found in an attic all I can think is "This is just going to enable more hoarders"
-The homerun derby has become so boring. How many times can you hear "Back, back, back"?
-MLB's All Star Game is the best in any sport. If only because you know that everyone is actually trying. You still have to pitch, catch and hit.
-This year is especially nice with 4 different Giants starting. World baseball domination has begun #sfgiants
-Then I can tune out after 3 innings
-The great thing about turning your wife into a Giants fan is we have excuses not to watch The Bachelorette #sfgiants
-I don't understand the reason behind a red carpet to the All Star Game. So stupid. This isn't Hollywood.  It's baseball.
-I still have a Groupon for Icing on the Cupcake, and it is absolutely burning a hole in my pocket.
-Grace now throws her food everywhere. If we had a dog this would be ok, but you're only as patient as how often you have to pick up eggs off the floor.
-I taught Ana how to say "Go Cain" in the lead up to the All Star Game. I'm raising them right.
-Erin made this recipe that Crazy for Crust had on her blog. It was amazeballs and should become a summer staple.
-It has blackberries, so you know it's good for you.

That's all for  this week.  We'll see you next Tuesday.

FIVE!

Five years ago today I married my best friend.

As I look back at every version of myself, I have no problem saying it has been the best five years of my life.

No offense high school and college me, but you guys just don't hold a candle to happily married for five years me.  You may have gotten summer vacations, but I get to wake up every morning to the love of my life.  You had it easy, no doubt.  But you also didn't get to see your first children born, so I'm counting that one in the win category for the me of the last five years.

Colorado me tries to make claims that he had a pretty good run, and I don't disagree that it was a beautiful and enjoyable time.  There was a lot of freedom and getting to know myself there.  I also got to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.  Unfortunately it was also a time spent away from Erin.  As Colorado me knows, this will always be a time that I missed out on years we can never get back.  Once again this one goes to happily married for five years me.

The me of the last five years also takes the win in sports memories.  From attending a World Series game to watching my team win it all, it was only made better with my wife by my side and my children on the way.  It only is made better having spent it with someone you care about.  Sorry every other me, but you didn't see the Giants win the World Series.  Happily married for five years me wins yet again.

The thing that earlier iterations of myself could never understand is how incomplete they were.  You couldn't convince me of that in high school or college or any time really.  I was dating the woman that would become my wife throughout most of that time, but I wouldn't spend every day with her until we got married.  I thought I had it all I needed in life until I heard my beautiful girls say "Dada." 

You don't know how empty your arms were until you've held someone you love in them.  You don't know how empty your heart really was until it's been filled up.  I've held Erin and my daughters, and it was the first time my arms felt full.  My heart has spent the last five years being filled to the point of overflowing.

I love you eringirl.  You've brought so much joy to my life.  You constantly challenge me to be a better man without condecension.  You value my opinion over all others (or at least you don't tell me otherwise so you don't hurt my feelings).  You truly look at me as your partner and not just some guy that doesn't do the laundry nearly enough.  You're the first person I see every morning (except when you put Grace in the bed to wake me up) and the last person I see as I drift off to sleep.

I love my life, and this amazing five year run all started with an "I do."  I wouldn't have it any other way.

Daddy Daughter Days

Daddy Daughter Day from last week got rescheduled at the last second.  I had to go into work because I changed my schedule around, so this left me with no pictures or time with my girls.

It really leaves a void in my week when this happens.  I look so forward to spending one on one time with them (or one on two time more accurately).  There are times when all I do is sit in the chair and watch them interact with each other.  That usually devolves in getting on the floor and playing with them and wrestling.

But I was back off and playing with them yesterday.  Enjoy.

Here the girls are enjoying their oatmeal. They like to look at each other when they eat.

We went to Mother Goose again.  Ana was saying "GOOSE!" when we got there.  Needless to say they were very excited.  They were also very tired when we got back home after all the dancing and singing.  So we ate lunch early and took early naps.  Nap time used to be Walking Dead time.  During the summer it is Futurama time.

Grace wanted to brush her own hair after her nap.  It's obviously awesome.

Seriously this kid makes my heart explode

I wanted a nice little picture with me and the girls, and Grace decided I needed her baba.  She's such a giver.

Erin got off a little early.  This was the text that she sent me.  We decided to do something impromptu like...

Going to Folsom Lake with the girls.  Grace loves the water.  She ran right into it.  Ana on the other hand wanted nothing to do with it.  She just kept saying "Hold You" whenever we got close to the water.  There was much sand in diapers and Grace had a mini-meltdown when we had to leave, but it was a great way to end the day.

Ana also was running a fever all evening.  She woke up in the middle of the night and Erin brought her to bed with us.  She wasn't acting sick.  Just a little lethargic.  There was a point where she was crying because of the discomfort and only wanted to be held by me.  I didn't know I missed the feeling of rocking them to sleep until I got to do it again.  As Erin said "This is why people have more babies."

Hope you all have a great weekend!