Anniversary Weekend

As you all know, Bret and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary this weekend by taking a trip to Fredericksburg. Our real anniversary is not until tomorrow, April 14th, but we wanted to get away for a weekend. Technically we legally got married in the states of April 11th so in a way, we were celebrating one anniversary!

Our weekend started off pretty relaxed. Friday after work we went home where I quickly and excitedly applied my new letters for the chairs that had come in the mail (see previous entry) and then Bret and I headed to Blockbuster to turn in some movies we had gotten in the mail and exchange them for some new ones. We rented Marley & Me, The Tale of Despereaux and Role Models. After leaving Blockbuster we went and picked up Subway for dinner and then headed to the house. Our movie for the night was Marley & Me. I have not read the book yet which I am super mad at myself for, but I did enjoy the movie. Of course I cried like a baby, which was expected, but I really did enjoy the entire story.

Saturday morning Bret and I got up bright and early, 6:30am, to get ready and head off to Fredericksburg. We stopped at Chick-fil-A on the way to grab breakfast (I love me some chicken biscuit with cheese!) and then we were off! We got into town around 11:30am or so and quickly found a parking spot on Main Street and started walking around. I was really surprised by how many people were there. With it being Easter weekend I guess I just assumed people would have been with their families and such. Oh well! Bret and I went into a really neat wine shop first where we found a German wine that was in a bottle the shape of a cat. I am super in love with it! After walking through a few places Bret and I decided to stop at Fredericksburg Brewing Company: http://www.yourbrewery.com/ It was a lot of fun and I had the best chicken wrap I have ever had in my life from there! If you ever make it out to Fredericksburg this is a neat place to stop. After lunch we continued down our side of the street and then decided to go and check in at our hotel. We had originally planned to stay at this nice Inn but, due to weddings in town, it was booked... along with all other nice places. So, Bret and I shacked up in the Super 8. That's right - A hotel with style! I will say this for the Super 8 in Fredericksburg. Ugh. After checking in, Ugh, we headed out to see Luckenbach! It is only about 5 minutes away so the drive was not bad on top of the three hour one we already had done that day. We had a fun little time in Luckenbach. We went through the General Store and bought the tourists t-shirts and magnet and then we headed over to the dance hall where there was a band playing. After listening to them for a bit we went and walked around some. There was a man there letting people take pictures on a big longhorn (no thank you) and they were also setting up for a wedding so that was interesting to see. After our time in Luckenbach we headed back to Main Street in Fredericksburg to walk down the other side of the road. We decided to stop in for some cookies and this place called Clear River: http://www.icecreamandfun.com/ I got the best brownie I have ever tasted in my life and, for the first time ever, I ordered plain white milk from a restaurant. I do not like milk unless it is chocolate so this was a huge step for me! After more shopping around Bret and I decided to do a wine tasting at D'Vine Wine: http://fredericksburg.dvinewineusa.com/ This was a lot of fun - Most of the wines I chose were very fruity. (Strawberry, Blackberry, Peach, etc). While we were there Bret and I purchased a bottle of wine and had a personalized wine label made for the bottle. It was a fun little souvenir we got to take home with us. It was about 6:00pm when we were finally done so we decided to head back to the hotel, Ugh, for a bit. About 7:30 or so we decided to head off to dinner at Pasta Bella. A little hole in the wall Italian place that was recommended to us by our Uncle Kelly. When we got there there was a little bit of a wait - While I was standing inside waiting I started to get sick so I decided to go outside to wait so I could get some fresh air. By the time we got back inside I was really starting to not feel well and had to excuse my self to the bathroom to actually throw up :( Talk about a romantic dinner with your husband! To make a long story short, we had to order our food to go and head back to the hotel, ugh, where I continued to throw up for about two more times. Luckily, even though our hotel, ugh, was horrible, there was a microwave and refrigerator in the room so about 9:00 I was able to warm up my cheese tortellini! Bret and I think the wine tasting might have been too much for me. The mixing of all the different wines obviously did not agree with my stomach. But, once I was finally able to keep food down I felt much better. That was definitely an anniversary nightmare - thank God for my patient husband. Bret and I spent the rest of the night flipping back and forth between Apollo 13 and National Treasure on TV.

Sunday morning Bret and I got up, check out of the hotel, ugh, and headed off to get some donuts! The donut shop we stopped at was super cute and Bret got the largest Cinnamon Roll I have ever seen in my life! I was seriously the size of a dinner plate. I was amazed. After breakfast we went to the National Museum of the Pacific War: http://www.nimitz-museum.org/ We really enjoyed walking around the museum and learning even more history about the Pacific War. It was a very moving museum and if you ever have about three hours out of your day, I suggest you take the time to pay your respect. One thing happened while we were there that broke me heart... Bret and I were next to a Dad and daughter, she was probably six or seven and she turned to her dad and said "Dad, I have a friend at school that is Japanese. Is she a bad person?" It really shocked me to hear such an adult thought come from such a young mouth. One part of the museum was a replica of a battle zone that you got to walk through but you had to have a tour guide. So, once Bret and I were done with the museum part we had about an hour to spare before our 1:00pm tour time. We headed over to a little side walk cafe to enjoy some drinks and a live singer that was there. Sunday was such a gorgeous day, perfect Easter weather, and it was absolutely great being able to sit outside and enjoy the warm arm and the sunshine. Once 1:00pm rolled around we walked the two blocks to the other part of the museum and it was really something spectacular. We got to see old boats, cannons, guns and planes that survived WWII. Very fascinating. Once we were done with the museum it was time to hit the road! Bret and I stopped and got McDonald's for lunch and I got to eat FRENCH FRIES. I was so proud of myself, I survived Lent and didn't eat a single potato the entire time! But now I am prepared to gain 20lbs from all the potato eating that is going to be happening this week!

Once Bret and I got home we watched The Tale of Despereaux and played Rummikub. Despereaux was cute, not as good as I thought it was going to be though. I think I built up all the cuteness too much for me but I still really enjoyed it. We ate some Mac-n-Cheese, I beat Bret at Rummikub for the first time ever, watched a little of Jurassic Park and then passed out about 9:30pm. We were worn plum out! Tomorrow is our official anniversary and I know it is going to be great too! We will go pick up our cake after work, pour us some champagne and watch our wedding DVD. Cannot wait! Thank you to everyone for all the anniversary wishes, they are being received with much love and happiness!

Here are the pictures from our weekend - Does anyone ever feel really dumb taking pictures while you are out on vacation? I always feel like a tourist, which I know I am, and I get embarrassed taking pictures! Oh well.

The beautifully wrapped gifts and cards - I heart cards!:

Our open gifts! I got Bret Astros vs. Rangers tickets for the main gift and Bret got me Wizard of Oz tickets for next Monday!:

The outside of the Library in Fredericksburg - I love all the old buildings:

I thought this big eagle was neat:

The menu at Fredericksburg Brewery:


The seal and some of the flags from the brewery:

All the tanks behind the bar:

Bret and I in front of the tanks:

"Not so dumb blond ale" :

The Post Office in Luckenbach:

The Dance Hall stage:


Bret and I in front of the restrooms! Haha, I liked all the plates:


Yes, that's right, I am a tree hugger and proud of it!:


While Bret did not personally de-face the pretty tree, I thought it was neat we found his initials:


Beautiful Tree:

The sweet little chapel in Fredericksburg:

The most wonderful brownie and milk in the world - Chocolate Chip Brownie with Chocolate Icing. That's right, I am watching my weight... :

Where Bret and I attempted to eat dinner:

The adorable donut shop:

The biggest cinnamon roll, ever!:

The Nimitz Museum:

In front of the Memorial Wall honoring soldiers:

Bret and I found one plaque particularly interesting:

Entering the Garden of Peace given to us by the Japanese:

There was a section that honored all the Presidents who had served in a war. This is Bret in front of JFK's:

A door from the U.S.S. Arizona that went down during Pearl Harbor. The hole at the bottom is where it was cut to see if there were any survivors. It was pretty heart breaking:

One of the many war artifacts that were recovered:

I found this hankerchief moving - This is what the wifes of Navy men would carry while their husbands were away:

At the street cafe enjoying a break:

Bret and I in front of a truck - I am not a very good personal photographer:

Here is the actual truck:

The fun things we got to bring home - Notice my kitty wine: