A perfect anniversary

Our tenth anniversary was completely perfect. 

I woke up early enough to see the sun rise while I logged my 10,000 steps

The kids were less destructive than usual at breakfast, and the omelet guy KILLED it. We threw on clothes, swim suits, and sun screen and headed out for a dolphin cruise. 

The kids were super scared of sharks, but the boat we chartered came highly recommended by our concierge, so we assured them it was safe. Then we pulled up next to a marine gas station next to an RV "resort," and I got nervous, too. 

Our captain was a cross between Crocodile Dundee and Captain Ron. He was thin and tan with skin like fruit leather and shocking white teeth. He mocked my request for life jackets-- which are only required by pesky ole federal law, which, in South Caroline is obviously trumped by state law. He had life jackets on the boat but said they were smelly and would just get the in the way. I could have them if I wanted them, he said in a way that let me know he would think way less of me if I wanted them. So we figured when in Rome and set out on our merry way. 

 Of course Captain Ron drove fast as hell, and every time he opened the throttle, Dorothy screamed "I don't like it!"

But the rest of us sure did. We saw at least 50 dolphins eating and playing and splashing, including 2 sweet little babies. Nothing, it turn out, is as cute as a baby dolphin. 

Captain Ron plans to go to Guatemala this year because it is the only place in the world where he can swim with great white sharks out of the cage, BTW. He got a text from his son that a tiger shark was hanging out near by and he hauled ass trying to find it for us but couldn't. Thank god. 

I really took bad pictures because I was too busy gawking

Then Harrison full-on drove the boat home-- SO SCARY. Except for the Aerosmith roller coaster he is finally tall enough for at Hollywood Studios and tossing the football on the beach with a real life OSU football player, that was the highlight of his trip. 

The babies fell asleep in the car, and we drove around for awhile before heading back to the pool bar for lunch and ocean views. 

Before hitting the hotel, though, the boys and I climbed a sweet little 6-story lighthouse and took in the view:

It started to rain for awhile, but we didn't care because my brother and his partner arrived to spend the rest of the trip with us and we were so happy to see them. We waited out the rain with beers on the balcony and then hit the beach again. 

For some reason I have no pictures of the rest of the night, but it was lovely. 

Ben and I got dressed up and went to a delicious wine bar near our hotel. We had wine (duh) and tons of food-- fried green tomatoes, crab cakes, salmon, lobster mac and cheese-- you get the idea. We capped the evening off with this perfect chocolate mousse that we pretended to share but I actually devoured. 

After dinner, we spent some time hanging out with Jon and Caleb, a rare treat by itself, and I went to bed only to discover that my little mate was hogging it. 

That was the second anniversary we have spent in Hilton Head, and both have been perfect. We were together for almost 10 years before we got married, and the whole 10 years we have been husband and wife have been about our kids-- so it was only fitting that we brought them along to celebrate the milestone with us. How lucky we are to have found each other and to have built this army of tiny people to share our lives with.