Rounding Out the Birthday with a Numbers Game

Sunday, March 25
Today is the end of the birthday celebration--if that is even possible.  I think my body needs a rest from all the snacks and "oh I shouldn't try this" nips.  It's all been worth it until I can't fit my pants on anymore.

Here's how the celebration ended.  Zack and I had pictures taken a JCPenny for our "March" birthdays.  Then we headed to 54th street for lunch.  When we arrived we decided to wait for Jordan.  We left and came back for dinner!  Yummy, my favorite.  Nothing is better than Chipotle Ranch Dressing.  Yes, it's not vegan but I don't have control and my body wishes it does later.

We headed home for Mom's peach cobber (only tried a peach--well maybe a bite) followed by presents!

My family and friends thought of "30" items and put together 2 huge boxes of presents.  I got 30 gallon trash bags, 30 zip lock baggies, 30 $10 bills, 13 going on 30, $30 in I Tunes cards with the #1 songs the past 30 years, 30th state quarter, 30 bags of peanuts, 30 pictures with my best friend, and the list goes on.  Jordan in her finest fashion got me something for the theme Flirty and 30 or as she calls it Dirty and 30.

Thank you to everyone who made this a thoughtful, fun, and one of a kind experience for my 30th birthday.  Birthday's just keep getting better, so if that's the case, bring on another year.

The Party Moves to St. Joe

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Saturday afternoon I had the chance to fly home for a few days. I had to be at work on Tuesday afternoon, so I flew in a few days early to continue the celebration. Dad and Mom picked me up at the airport before returning home to find we were having a BBQ! Mom just kept saying we were going to have "a few" people over, but I believe over 20 friends and family made it home for the event! 
How can someone be so loved? Look at the below pictures for a snapshot of the evening. Jordan is coming home on Sunday for the final party and presents.

Brad stopped by also to give us an update!  He has more tests this week, but the tumor appears to be gone!  Keep praying for a full recovery!

Party Continues

March 23, 2012

Friday night my friends from church were throwing me a party at Tani.  It's a sushi restaurant in Clayton, MO.  We ended up renting out the lounge area which worked perfect with getting everyone into the party.  I was able to invite Amanda (my best friend from the first weekend in St. Louis), my employees, and of course Keith and some of our friends.  Paul and Jodi, Mary and Steve, Cinnamon and her new boyfriend, Abbey and Chris, and Donna all made it to event!  They came with more balloons, fun glasses, candles, and stuff for Europe!  After dinner we stopped by Barcelona before calling it a night!  It was a night of laughter!  I'm extremely blessed to have met such a great group of friends.  Every time we get together it's a party!

Mary, Donna, and Jodi

Cinnamon

Jodi bought me this FUN glasses!

"Oh my God" sushi roll.  Yes, it's on fire!

Beth and Ann

Amanda

Mark--- He introduced me to Keith!

It's Finally Here....Let the Celebration Begin

March 22, 2012

It's here.  I'm 30!!  Everyone asked me if I was excited about turning 30 and my response was, "Do you know me?  I love my birthday!"  Everything about turning 30 has blown me away!  I have had the best of all worlds and even typing this today the party will continue!  Here's the details of the best birthday so far!

4:00 AM:  Somehow I thought it was time to wake up.  I needed to get the most of the day.  After I realized what time it was I decided if this is what happens when you turn 30, this is for the birds.

8:00 AM:  I arrived at work to find my office decorated with signs, balloons, and confetti.  It was EVERYWHERE!

11:00 AM:  My employees brought in a vegan cookies and cream cake, balloons, and flowers.  The cake was out of this world.

11:30 AM:  Keith sent me flowers and a balloon to work!  This was only the beginning of the thoughtfulness.

12:00 PM:  My employees took me to lunch at Magpie's in St. Charles.

5:50 PM:  Arrived right on time to Keith's who was waiting outside for me to arrive. 

6:00 PM:  Headed to dinner at Barcelona's in Clayton, MO.  We loved this tapas style restaurant as we are able to share everything.  We got our ratio reservations and started ordering our food item by item.  Keith started to pay for our dinner and mentioned he was cold.  I was thinking, "Ok, I guess we are done!"  I asked Keith if we could drive somewhere, really quick.  I had no idea he had other plans!  We drove by my new office that has our sign on the outside of the building.

8:00 PM:  Arrived back to Keith's place to find a SURPRISE party with Keith's family and friends.  I was completely shocked.  Keith ordered 2 vegan cakes, chocolate and cookies and cream.  He made a cranberry and apple cobber, had champagne, and 2 different types of ice cream.  WOW!!!

I've never met someone who was more thoughtful.  Keith made a present made, protein bars.  They are made with vegan ingredients, but on the outside it says, "Oh my gosh I"m 30 bar".  He thinks I say "Oh my gosh" with an accent and all the time.  Then I got to open a Garmin running watch!  Wow!!  I needed that!  Keith's family and friends got me gift cards, wine, and cards.  How thoughtful!

This was the first celebration, but wow a celebration it was!  I felt so loved with all my family and friends calling me and telling me Happy Birthday!  The years just keep getting sweeter!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

March 17, 2012

Keith and I got up and ran in the St. Patrick's Race in Downtown St. Louis.  It is a five mile race and I have my personal best time, 46 minutes!  Keith was anxious at the beginning of the race since we were in the "non-competitive start." As soon as the gun was shot, he was out of there.  He finished in 35 minutes!  It has been outstanding weather in St. Louis, so we hung out downtown before meeting some friends for lunch. 

This weekend I was able to experience my first pro-racquetball tournament.  Both Friday and Saturday night was filled with intense games of racquetball!  I want to see if I can improve my skills now also!

America's Got "No" Talent

Friday, March 9th

Marianne scored 2 tickets to the Fox Theater this weekend for the taping of "America's Got Talent".  She wasn't able to go, so she gave me the two tickets.  Keith and I showed up right on time and found the line wrapping around the streets of St. Louis.  Lucky for us, it was a great evening and wasn't to cold to wait in line.  After over 1 1/2 hours of waiting, we finally got into the studio.  We were within the last 100 people to be able to enter the taping.  We saw several acts, but none that I would say that's the winning act.  Howard Stern, Howie Mandel, and Sharon Osbourne were the judges.

Once intermission hit, we made our way to dinner.  It was something we could say we have seen, but I'm sure we won't ever watch the show.

Sorry no pictures.  They wouldn't allow cameras or phones.

Little Britches

March 1-4, 2012

This time of year is my favorite for several reasons.

1.  It's my Birthday month!
2.  It's March Madness, which means that Northern Iowa will be playing in St. Louis.

Chris, Rachel, and the boys made the trip down to St. Louis (which is always a party for the boys).  We had a fun packed weekend, including a slumber party.

Thursday night we met at the boys' favorite pizza parlor, Dewey's Pizza.  The pizza guy tosses the dough in the air and occasionally splashes the boys with flour.  Friday after work I met them at the basketball game.  Afterwards, we headed to Union Station, followed by the candy bar at Macy's, and Friday's.

Saturday was my day with the boys. I don't think I could of changed the schedule even if I wanted to.  We started at Chick-fil-A with a quick lunch and playland.  We couldn't get to Magic House fast enough. The boys only had one rule, You must stick together.  They did a great job of taking turns on choosing the activity.  Magic house is so much fun, but exhausting.  We had a quick quiet time, followed by dinner, and the movie Lorax.  I quickly found out that both boys can't use the restroom at the same time and when this occurs your dinner will most likely be cleaned up when you are gone!  It's alright, I would rather have that experience every weekend.

Sunday we met back up with Mom and Dad and sadly had to say our goodbyes.  Until next time...I'll keep the party going in St. Louis by myself.

Macy's Candy Bar

We could hardly wait to get to the Fishing Hole