My Birthday!

I'm 31! I can't believe it! I have memories of my Mom in her thirties. There is no way that is me. I still feel like a kid inside. I remember watching my mom get ready for work in the mornings, 6am, putting perfume on and wearing big earrings. I remember the sound of her heels on the floor clicking. I remember how beautiful she looked, getting ready for work. Her pretty dresses and her long coats. Hmmm....I can't remember the last time I wore heels. Do I even own heels? Note to self...check on getting some heels. Maybe then I'd feel 31. In my head, I'm still just me. A year older but a year younger too. Kids keep me young, I can still get away with playing pretend all day :)

As far as my birthday is concerned...Dan gets an A++. Let the last week be declared birthday week. Without completely divulging all of the gushy and embarrassing (to him) details...I will say that he treated me like royalty. The nature of his work is he doesn't get much time off. He took almost the entire week off...FOR ME! Did he lounge around reading books and watching football...nope. He definitely deserved to. But instead, he spent the WHOLE week spoiling me...day after day. I kept wondering how I got so lucky??


On the menu: He made me breakfast every morning. And it was really good!!!! This particular sampling reminded me of Magelby's in Provo. Do you remember that all you can eat French Toast they have? Um, its amazing. He'll regret doing it though because now he's on the hook for making all the french toast around here :)Since my birthday fell on Sunday this year, Dan took us all out to Bridgeport for a day/evening out. They still had all the holiday decor up so it made for a festive get-away.

We browsed Borders. The boys spent most of their time reading Christmas books on clearance. I think they are feeling as reluctant as I am to admit that Christmas is over.Forrest found this tiger at Good Night Room. It was love at first sight.

The boys burned a lot of energy playing at the playground. This particular playground is kind of odd in that it doesn't have typical stairs for the kids to climb, or even a ladder. They have to Indiana Jones their way up a chain ladder. Parents take turns lifting their kids up to the top. I'm thinking whoever designed it, didn't do so with kids in mind. Even the older kids were asking for help. It was kind of funny. But, at least the boys (and Dan and I) got a lot of exercise, a good way to start the new year.
Addy got to ride in style. We love our baby backpack. That has become another member of our family. We take it everywhere. Adelaide loves being perched high on Dan's back and being able to see everything. She rarely makes a peep. She just looks around contently. Its extremely convenient. Its light-weight, and frees up our hands, plus we don't have haul a stroller around everywhere, which can be difficult in stores, etc. It makes little outings like this one so much easier :)

I took this picture of Drew while we waited for our Italian style birthday treat (pictured below). Looking at this picture makes me realize that I need to post more about Andrew...the incredibly clever things he says and the creative designs and projects he immerses himself into everyday. He just amazes me with his ingenuity. Santa was very generous this year and gifted the boys with A LOT of Playmobil. Between their new Playmobil and the Trio castle the Petersons generously gave them, the boys have had many more hours of creative play. I love listening to their little voices talking to each other.

So, back to birthday...

Gelato! Delicious.
Having a sweet little girl for this birthday made 31 feel good.

Thank you soooo much everyone for the thoughtful birthday wishes over the last several days! With my birthday falling on a Sunday, just after the holidays, I wasn't expecting anyone to remember. I was surprised and overwhelmed with your kindness in remembering me! Thank you soo much!!!

I especially need to thank my Heavenly Father for a wonderful husband. Dan is incredible! I don't deserve him. He is the best friend and sweetest companion I could of ever hoped for.

I also wanted to give an update on my Mom and sisters' recovery as well as express my gratitude to all of you who have been inquiring about them. The recovery has been remarkably smooth. My Mom's new kidney is working at what one doctor called, "the level of a twenty year old." Rachelle's final check up is tomorrow, and if all is well then she can return home to her own family. Thank you for all your love, thoughts and prayers! I also wanted to give a special shout out to my brother Nathan and my Aunt Nancy and Uncle Craig for spending a whole week with my parents and sister helping in their recovery and keeping them laughing. They all expressed to me how much they enjoyed your visits. You are wonderful!