After the long first night in Colorado, we were up and at ’em to go to the Vail Farmers’ Market for day 2. We had planned on going before going on our trip since it’s only open on Sunday so it would be our only chance. Knowing this, I reached out to the friendly Executive Director of the unique market to ask about helping me with a little 8th Wedding Anniversary surprise.

I had no idea just what exactly could be arranged, but I told Angela, the kind director, how it would be our anniversary soon and I wanted something to surprise her while there. I love surprises, big or small, and when given the opportunity, I’ll take it!

That opportunity arose when Angela suggested making use of the live jazz band to announce our anniversary and play us a song in the center of the market. I immediately said yes to her suggestion and couldn’t believe how generous she was just talking to a stranger from Texas. She arranged for the announcement and even told me the time to be there, asking nothing in return.

But geez, getting everyone to stick around the area proved to be an arduous task! I should’ve know how hard it is to do anything that involves standing between a woman and shopping, and it almost resulted in a little argument when I became a tad pushy about moving back towards the jazz band. Notice how I’m walking ahead of everyone in the picture above.

With the help of my wonderful in-laws and several covert e-mails with Angela (Kelley kept bugging me about getting off my phone), we made it just in time to hear the band announce us by name and say happy 8th anniversary.

Steve, Kelley’s dad / Papa, works wonders with the camera, and captured our family of three enjoying the song the band played for us.

Make that two of us enjoying the song, Avery just wasn’t excited about the large crowds and wanted to run around more. We asked her to smile for another picture, but she only looked more annoyed.

She did, however, seem interested in sitting down to finish watching/listening to the band play “our” song.

Kelley was surprised, and beautiful smile on her face filled me joy. It might sound corny, but it’s true, and I will never hesitate to announce it through and through! She’s so wonderful and I’m lucky to call her my wife and best friend. I think Avery was feeling far from being either of our best friends, especially when she had to go in the stroller.

Not that it stopped us from taking turns getting a picture with the happy girl.

All of our moods took a turn for the worse when we walked to Sweet Basil, a restaurant within the town square where the farmers’ market is held.

Avery was already hungry and cranky, and the rest of us were turning hangry as well. It took an hour before our food arrived and the unenthusiastic and uninformed waitress hardly knew what her place of employment served and forget about getting anything answered about the menu. Avery had to be taken outside several times when she turned on the vocals to scream in protest. Thankfully Cousin Ashlee was there to help watch Avery as she ran around with an “I do what I want!” attitude.

Normally, it’s just kids being kids, but we all wanted to do the same and couldn’t blame her. She would hardly eat, and would not have it sitting in the high chair. She went back and forth to Kelley’s and Nana’s lap and we felt it was a win after she ate the watermelon and red onion salad I had to piece together from two separate entrees.

Notice the surprised face on my wife after Avery took a bite. It was clear we had an unruly toddler at the table, but waitress even took her Sweet Basil ass time to bring us the tab we asked for. But don’t worry, she had plenty of time to stand and talk to the patrons at a table next to us about her college plans and probably how she sucks at hearing or just life in general.

Sorry for the rant, but we all left the place extremely irritated and unsatisfied. Plus we were all still hungry! In sum, go to the Vail Farmers’ Market (it’s full of unique crafts, fresh food, and local wine and spirits), but DON’T GO to Sweet Basil!

The Vail Farmers’ Market was only half of our day 2 adventures. Once we returned home to Nana and Papa’s Kelley and I took off to the nearby trail I went on the first day to spend time hiking together. I’ll save our hiking story for the next post so as to not drag things on in one post.

Don’t worry, it won’t be long. For a little teaser, I’ll say that at one point, I found myself stuck between a rock and hard place.

Have you ever had a horrendous dining experience? With or or without kids?

Do you enjoy Farmers’ Markets? Any favorite finds?