So, Rus and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary last week. Even though we’ve been together for six years–and acted like an old married couple for six years–it almost feels like the other five years don’t count. Not that they actually don’t count, but it’s like that little piece of paper is all the difference in the world.

And now I’m getting derailed.

Let’s start over. Rustin and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary last week. And it was awesome! No, but it really was though. For those of you who weren’t on the VIP list at our amazing ball-and-chain ceremony, let me just tell you, that was an event you should’ve tried to have been very important for. I would like to sit here and describe it all in the greatest of detail for you, but I have about 20 minutes before the offspring wakes up. So, it may not happen.

However…

We tried to recreate the day by going back to chat it up with the folks that helped us pull off the best wedding ceremony/reception since… ever.  Seriously, if you were there, you KNOW it was the best wedding you’ve ever been to.  And if you say no, you’re just jealous.  Unfortunately, Rustin wasn’t able to get ahold of anyone we knew, and by the time they got back to us it was too late to do anything super special.  Regardless, we went back and enjoyed a lovely lunch atop our snow-capped paradise.  Errr, peak. 

At Snowbasin, while we were waiting for the Gondola, one of the ticket ladies got mad us for bundling up the boy in the freezing snowy weather. I took a picture of her. And she was totally serious. We shared our romantically elegant lift with a complete stranger whom seemed vexed that we had brought a baby along for skiing. I took a picture of her too.

When we got to Needles Lodge I did not expect to be so overwhelmed with emotion. I may have cried a little. And I may or may not have wiped my nose on Rustin’s sleeve.

While Rustin got our lunch I promptly propped the boy on my hip and immediately began to engage the light fixtures for photos. Rus came back with some food and very bad news. Elio Scanu, our world-renown chef at the wedding, was no longer with Snowbasin, but good news he opened his own restaurant, Zucca Tratorria, very very close to us! While I had been dying for some of Mr. Scanu’s culinary masterpieces I was mostly glad to hear I could enjoy it whenever my little heart pleased, just not for lunch.

Almost immediately we called to make reservations and got in.

And here is where I turn into a free advertisement:

If you are in the Ogden, UT area and would like to experience heaven in your mouth, please visit Zucca Trattoria. It is the best food hands-down you will ever experience. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, Chef Elio Scanu is a culinary genius. But not just in the kitchen. His attention to detail in his restaurant is prime. It is not just amazing food, it is an experience. You sit at the table and feel quality all around you in the crystal, the pepper, the silverware, the cheeses. It is beyond anything I have ever experienced. Best restaurant experience ever. And the staff was incredibly knowledgeable and pleasant. Just brilliant.

Our server bought us dessert, a mouth-watering chocolate souffle. And because I have an obsessive personality, I am now in the market for some quality chocolate and a mixer for my soon-to-be souffle. Not to say that I think I’m anywhere near an artist like Chef Scanu, no. I just need a souffle NOW!

Our anniversary was one that will go in the books. Thank you to my wonderful husband for choosing me. And thank you to Geina for watching the boy while I was off in the clouds with my heavy spoon full of chocolatey heaven!

And all you Utahns reading, get to Zucca NOW! If you go and think it is absolutely repulsive I will buy your dinner. I’m totally serious. Free dinner from me, if you’ve had better food. Try me.

Oh my tiny child, I remember waiting in that wheelchair for your father to pick us up and take us home.  I remember worrying that your little body might not be able to handle such cold weather.  That first night was so hard for you.  You were hungry and I didn’t know it, so you cried your little heart out.  I worried that you would starve in just a few hours time.  But your cry never bothered me, it still doesn’t.  You hollered in my ear, and I held you closer.  You kicked and waved your tiny arms about, and I sang to you.  You would stop and listen to my sounds, my words.  You fell asleep to these words:

How glad the many millions of Perceval’s and William’s would be, to capture me.
But you had such persistence you wore down my resistance, I fell and it was swell.
You’re my big, brave, and handsome Romeo.
How I won you, I shall never never know.
It’s not that you’re attractive, but boy my heart grew active
when you, came into view.

The world will have to pardon my mush
‘Cause I’ve got a crush, my baby, on you.

Now. Now you’re nearing the five month mark and I wonder if time will ever stop for just a moment so that I can hold you for a little bit longer. Now I know when you’re hungry. When you’re tired. When you just need a cuddle. And I gladly and patiently give you all the time you need. Now, I can tickle you and stand you up on your little legs, and I don’t worry so much about harming your once crystal-like skin. I was so delicate with you, especially when I changed your clothes; I thought I could break you. Now, you smile at me when you see me. Now, you reach out to me. For now, I can make everything better. Then, I would ask, “Why, why do you need ME so much?” Now I wonder how long this will last, and I find myself trying desperately to hold on just a little bit longer.

It’s hard to imagine that you were once so tiny that I could hold you in one arm. I want to keep you here forever. I want to kiss your teeny fingers every day, little one. I want you to know how much I love you. How much I adore hearing you little voice call for me, every time. How much I cherish your morning smiles. How much I welcome your evening pouts.

I don’t want to forget anything about you. Your smells, your sounds, your gestures. I want to lock them all up in a little box and share them with you later.

You are so very precious to me, little one. I wish I could keep you in my arms forever. I can’t, but I’ll hold you here as long as you’ll let me, my child. I love you. And I’ll still love you when you trample my Peony tree, or break the window, or, heaven forbid, steal the car. But I’ll worry about that later. For now, sleep little baby. Sweet dreams, my little man. I’ll be here when you wake up.

I love you.

Not a whole lot to say.  Other than:

• Dog is still alive.
• Child is good and healthy
• Car is DEAD
• Cat is miserable
• Husband is happy (and still tired)
• Wife is happy (and still cold)
• House is shabby (until we get our gardens in! :>)
• Sun: iwillkillyouifyoudon’tstickaroundforlongerthantwodays!!!
• Family is good
• Neighbors good (except for Crazy Lady #2.  She’s still crazy.)
• iPhone still awesome

the end.

Also, I peeked at our web stats and someone found us via the keywords “laura fones” and it was typed with quotations and all, thought that was both strange and awesome.  If you think we can’t see you, we in fact CAN!!! muahahahahaha