My birthday!

The last few days have been so wonderful. Tuesday was my birthday and the entire weekend was spent with family and friends.

Saturday night kicked it off with Anna H. and Sarah coming in town. Matt and I enjoyed a nice evening with them, Gabe, Anna C., Chris, and Knox, and Andrea and Travis-who joined us later. (I'm referencing names so when I'm reading this in the future I'll have a better recollection of it.) On Sunday Anna H., Sarah, Andrea and I went to a few antique stores downtown while Matt, Gabe and Travis went surfing. While at the store I saw the most adorable vintage little girl booties...I couldn't bring myself to buy them though.

Some fishing Saturday night!

Matt and Betsy

That night we had a few more friends over for an hor devours and cocktail party. It was a really great group that included: Anna, Chris, Knox, Anna, Sarah, Gabe, Clay, Amanda, Mel., Cash, Cal, Travis, Betsy, Matt, Brett, Cody, Melissa, Maverick, Melissa, Eleanor, Tyson, Amy, Landon, baby Eleanor, Nora, Martin, Sarah, Ronnie, and Cameron. (Hopefully I remembered everybody!) I lined our bar with mini quiches, chips and salsa, pita and pink salsa, a fruit tray, pumpernickel bread with smoked salmon, horseradish sauce and capers, and southwestern egg rolls.  It seems as though my birthday gift theme was candles, flowers, and wine because now I find myself with a lovely assortment of them! There was great conversation and swimming and dancing!

Some of the girls and Knox

Knox's favorite boxes

Anna Natalie Anna

Tending to my appetizers

Great smile, Anna!

Ready, jump!

Now watch me!

My best memory was sitting on the couch talking to Eleanor about my baby plans when Anna H. interrupted to say she needed to talk to me. I followed her with Eleanor out through the garage door and got a great surprise. Everyone had lit sparklers and were singing me happy birthday! It was so beautiful and awesome! They were horseshoed around a BEAUTIFUL hot pink bicycle and a lovely waffle cake.  I was so in awe of the sparklers, I didn't even notice the bike until half way through! My husband and friends are the best. It was a very happy moment. This was two days before my birthday.

My birthday surprise!

How could he not love my bike?!

The next day was kind of a lazy day filled with movies and lots of water. That night we had a family birthday party and we were joined with my mom and dad, Betsy, Andrea, Travis, MIL and FIL, Brian, Dawn, Kristian, and Journey, Bob and Betty. I put out baked beef and cheese flour tortilla rolls and more of the salmon on pumpernickel. We had lasagna and salad and my mom made me my favorite cake: strawberry cake with Jello No-Bake Cheesecake as the icing topped with fresh strawberries. We had a great time. This was the day before my birthday.

Family picture...but where is Matt?

Blowing out my candles with Kristian

On my actual birthday, I woke up to Matt asking me to come downstairs. He had a pretty little present display on the kitchen table. In my morning stupor I slowly unwrapped some cute clothes and a pretty pair of earrings. He was very sweet to wait until my birthday to let me have them. That day I went to work and received very nice phone calls and facebook messages, but the best thing I received......

....I will write about in my next post!!

Sparklers, -Natalie