did you know that its been over three years since we have been on a trip with just the two of us? thats a long time. and in those 3 years, we've been on less than a handful of dates. ridiculous.
i wasn't sure about leaving the boys. the only time i've been away from lane was the ONE night i was in the hospital delivering gage. (that hardly counts as a get.a.way) and gage, we've never left each others sides. they've never been put to bed and not had a good night kiss from me.
i cried lots saying our goodbyes. lots. at one point vance asked if i was going to be ok. and i was totally ok. and they were more than ok too...they had grandpa & grandma reimer taking care of them.
we started off by going to one of those fancy smanshy steak houses that we would never think of taking the kids. it was a.maz.ing! (when pregnant i crave meat in a serious way!)
we wanted to do a little get.a.way without going to far away. the mountains were a great escape!
i can't even describe our refreshing this trip was for us. 
ate along an amazing rushing river.
vance had photography lessons throughout our time away. he now understand shooting in manual...way to go!
we could eat in peace. didn't have kids climbing over us and then spilling our drinks just because they want to drink out of straws. we could take our time picking out ice cream.
eating lots and lots.
it was great having no nap times to hustle back for...
and it was fun hiking so high and not worrying about little kids falling...instead i just worried about my husband! (being above the tree line freaks me out.)
we learned a few things about each other...vance likes to take pictures like this, of landscape. (which in this picture he said THIS valley is where he wants to live).
and i like to take pictures like this. (isn't this way more fun to look at? come on people, be on my side!)
one of our most favorite little lakes...we were there by ourselves, well worth the muddy snowy hike.
we thought of the boys ALL THE TIME! we knew they would love seeing the moose.
and another set of twin moose sitting with their mama.
we needed this trip.
to relax,
laugh,
get out,
and just be us.
but we both agree...
being at home TOGETHER with our boys feels pretty good.
going on "walks" with grandma.
ginger taking gage on a walk. i really wouldn't have needed to go...ginger did all the work. gage just held on to the leash:)
and by the end of the walk...lane was giving sammie a walk while ginger continued taking gage. 
making cupcakes.
slip and slide.
this is where i'd often find gage...by himself helping himself to snacks in the pantry.
while we were there we were excited to go to bentley's first birthday party. 
...as i was looking through pictures i realized i didn't take ANY of penny!!! how horrible of an aunt am i?! in my defense...if she was around i was the one wanting to hold her. we even took a few naps together while renee went and played with my boys. (awesome!!) tom, renee, & penny are coming TOMORROW so don't worry...you can expect lots of pictures of her cuteness!! 