A birthday to remember

What an amazing birthday I had this year! I was able to celebrate with so many different friends and family and I appreciated every second of it. It's funny that I actually kept forgetting how old I was turning - seems like once I hit 30, I can't keep the number straight. I actually had to count the years from 1975 a few times! That must mean I am getting old. Oh well, I had a great time turning another year older!

The week before my birthday, Derek and I went to a Tyrone Wells concert with 5 other couples. We all had dinner together at a place called Quinns, went to a meet and greet with Tyrone, then found some great booths to sit together and chat until Tyrone was on. So much fun. Then the best part was we stayed downtown Seattle in a hotel that was practically walking distance from the concert - that was what I had wanted for my birthday. It was super nice and I loved not having to drive an hour home!
The next day, I got to have lunch at Mama Stortinis with these great friends - Amy Jo, Chrissy and Heather. I don't get to see them nearly enough, so I love our tradition of getting together for each of our birthdays.
The night before my birthday I worked on Project 365 at Lisa's - what a small group this has usually become! But it was actually really nice just being able to visit with the two of them, even if I didn't get near as much as I wanted done. Lisa made delicious cupcakes for us, complete with a candle and everything. And I am going to be looking good in the kitchen with the most adorable apron she gave me!
On the morning of my birthday, the girls could not have been more excited. Hailey told me later that she was tired because she had to get up so early to prepare for my birthday! They brought me breakfast in bed and let me SLEEP IN (one of my all time favorite birthday presents). Then they created a cute little scavenger hunt for me to find my presents. Here are some of my clues (written by Derek, said by them)...
After church and an afternoon nap, we went to dinner at Red Robin. Of course, the people had to sing and bring me a sundae, the girls insisted. Notice where Hailey's eyes are in this picture!
The next day we celebrated at my Mom's house, and she had been talking for weeks about how excited she was about my present. I had no idea what it could be, and I could never have guessed. This has to be the most thoughtful present I have ever received! I first opened a little box that held this letter in it... If you read my blog, you might recognize this as a post I did a while back about how there are so many things I want to fit into a day and just can't do it.


Then I opened 12 separate gift bags , and each one had a printed strip of paper with one of those things on it. Each gift addressed one of those goals! For example, "Going to bed at a decent time," was a bag with new sheets and a reed diffuser from Pier One. Or "Friend Time to chat and catch up" was a gift card to Olive Garden and pedicures for two. And "Laughing with Derek, time to hang out," was a gift certificate to Amtrak to take a train to Leavenworth, while Mom keeps the kids. I won't explain every one to you, but let me tell you, it required so much thought and effort and was SO nice!! I hope I can give such thoughtful gifts to my girls one day, because I know how awesome it is to receive them.
I actually got to go to coffee and breakfast with Sara this morning, as our own little celebration, but I can't believe we didn't take a picture! I know, it seems like I should be all celebrated out, but I couldn't forget to mention her. And then I will still celebrate with my Dad and Debby on Thanksgiving and the Edwards family a couple days after that - it is starting to seem a little ridiculous. But once I mentioned a few here, I couldn't leave anyone out... hope I didn't! Thanks again to all my family and friends who made me feel so special, it was way more than I deserve and I love you all!!