Silly Sunday & Valentine's Day Surprises

It's been quite a silly Sunday here as you can see from the photo...honestly, that's how Joshua chose to run around this morning. Tool belt around belly-- wouldn't allow it around his actual WAIST-- (with screwdriver in place) and with "cleaning" rag on his head. I swear- I couldn't make this stuff up.

Yesterday turned into quite a special day. I already posted about our haircut adventure. If you missed the classic photos of that one, please scroll down so you aren't deprived of that joy. Then my parents came for a visit, which we always enjoy. Later in the afternoon after Joshua's quick nap, I was really wanting something to do. On a normal weekend, I'm perfectly content to lounge around the house in my sweats, but yesterday I kept saying to Jason that I felt like doing something last evening. I even joked that I wish we had friends because it would be fun to do something with another couple last night. I had pretty much made up my mind that since Joshua was awake, I'd get him ready and go to the mall for a little while. We didn't really need anything, but I figured it would at least get us out of the house and give us a little change of scenery. But when we came downstairs, Libby and Stacie let out a big "SURPRISE" that nearly made me and Joshua both jump out of our shoes! Evidently Jason had been cooking up quite a surprise for a few weeks now, and they had magically appeared in the short time it took me to change Joshua's diaper. Unbelievable!

We had about an hour to get dressed up (all he would tell me was that we had to leave at 5:00 and that he was wearing a suit). No other clues, despite my begging. We got things ready for Joshua to spend the evening with Aunt Libby and Stacie (got dinner ready for him, laid out his bath stuff and pj's, the whole nine yards) and then headed off. As soon as we hit Route 80 and headed west, I knew where we were going. We had a beautiful dinner at the Carnegie House in State College...somewhere I've been saying I'd like to go. I had been there once about 6 years ago with a State Farm agent friend for a business dinner and had loved it. I had mentioned to Jason that I thought he'd really like it--- we both LOVE to try new places and really enjoy a great meal in a nice atmosphere. Well, this place was IT! The restaurant/inn is the actual summer home that Andrew Carnegie built and enjoyed, and it's been turned into quite the classy restaurant. It's the kind of place where you're escorted to the library for cocktails and hors d'ouevres and you actually place your order while you're enjoying the fireplace. Then they take you to your table when your dinner is ready. I enjoyed a wonderful glass of wine (I know, GASP)...I think it may have been the first drink I've had since I got pregnant with Joshua.

The food was incredible. I had some amazing lobster ravioli and pork tenderloin with pancetta and goat cheese and mashed sweet potatoes. The star of my meal experience was definitely the ravioli. I actually said to Jason when I was eating my appetizer that I was considering asking them to keep the pork tenderloin I had ordered and bring me another order of the appetizer! Jason had scallops and a pretty awesome looking lobster tail and steak combination. And while the dinner was amazing, it was mostly special to spend some time eating a whole meal together and enjoying each other's conversation and company. Our dinners usually consist of being entertained by Joshua or scrambling to get all of the pieces on the table at the same time, and this could not have been any more of a stark contrast. What a wonderful Valentine's Day surprise. It'll probably count as our anniversary celebration too since that's coming up right around the corner as well.

Joshua LOVED playing with his Aunt Libby and Stacie. He was asleep like an angel when we came home and slept right through the night. Mommy was too tired after the late night to get to church (and Joshua was in a mood at the time we would have needed to leave), so we thought it best to stay home this morning. We're so thankful that Lib and Stacie made the trip to hang out with the little guy. I didn't worry about him for a single second...which made the time with my Valentine even more relaxing.

So, enough of the novel. Sorry for hijacking the Joshua website with info about us. A very special HAPPY BIRTHDAY wish to Aunt Libby! Hope it's a really special day, Lib! And thanks a million. I owe you.