Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Closing Out the 20's

Spoiled. That describes my birthday this year. By family and friends...just spoiled.

I love dragging out my birthdays as long as possible, so we partied all week and made the most of it! I'm sad I didn't take pictures of everything...

I am lucky enough to have 2 good friends with birthdays close to mine, so there is a lot of joint celebrating that goes on. Katie's (a good friend from law school days)birthday is the day before mine, so every year we get the law wife group together to celebrate. This year we went to the Pink Taco and had yummmmmy Mexican food. I wish I would have had a picture of this night, it was a fun one. These girls have been with me since day one of law school and I wouldn't be the mom I am if I didn't have them (ah man I'm getting all teary!) to help me. It's always fun to get together.Like I said, no picture of our night out, but how about one from my baby shower, just to show how long we've been pals. You're welcome Tara. 7 years may not seem like that long, but it's a lifetime for our kids. I'm lucky to have these awesome girls to help me raise mine. (Not pictured are Katie (her hubby had already graduated) and Liz A. (who was a law wife at a different school.)) Just 5 years from when this picture was taken, and between the 4 of us in this picture we have 9 kids. Not bad!

Saturday morning was my actual birthday, and I had decided a few weeks before that I wanted to go on a morning hike to watch the sunrise. There's a small hill down the street that has a good view and isn't hard for someone out of shape like me. :) I figured my birthday was the perfect time to guilt some friends into going with me. Shannon and Sara (and her 3 kids!) came along and we had so much fun! I'll probably do this every year, but hopefully more than just on my birthday...it was pretty. In the past, seeing a sunrise means being grouchy at my kids because they have woken up at some ridiculous hour...but seeing it by choice is rather nice. Shannon and I also try to celebrate our birthdays together. Hers is on the 23rd.This is us at 5:30 in the morning. I think we look pretty good. This year we went to lunch (again, Mexican...yum!) with another good friend. Thanks Kara!Sara's husband had to work early at the temple, so she got her 3 kids out of bed to come with me...SO NICE! It made me wish I would have woken up Easton, but he hadn't slept well the night before, and I needed him nice and happy so he could, in the words of my dad, "honor me" all day. Sara has been a lifesaver! She's in my ward and we became fast friends, and our kids too. I'm so grateful for her. She made the delicious cake below...it's peanut butter. Sooooo good.


I was also spoiled with gifts, cards, emails, texts...I loved every second of it. Steve got me new running shoes...mine were so old, and even though I kind of despise the activity, I have been trying to run every once in awhile.

And in case that wasn't enough fun, my sweet friend, Kashina took some pictures of the kids last week. I love them!



14 comments:

Alison Carter said...

Looks like you had a GREAT birthday! Isn't it nice when it falls on a weekend? It's seems to last longer! Enjoy your last year in your twenties, I'm a little jealous. =)

Matt and Shannon said...

that one of you and Carly - so frameworthy! I love it! And thank you so much for posting that terrible picture of me :) That is my final birthday present to you - my pride :) Just kidding, it was fun, beautiful, and I will go next year for sure.

Alifinale said...

That picture from your baby shower made me tear up! I love that we have been such good friends for that long and you are never allowed to move away from me.

Wish I had a baby that sleeps so I could get up and hike with you. Maybe next year.

And those pictures of the kids are so dang cute. I agree, the one of you and Carly is perfect.

I love you and I am so glad you were born!

Megan and Greg said...

I'm such a dummie. I was at the mall or somewhere with Greg and said, "What day is it? I think it's Emily's bday!" And then I forgot to call when I got home. I'm sorry. I'm glad you had a great day/week. Those pics in the morning are awesome! That is the LAST thing I would EVER want to do on my bday. It would be all about sleeping in. Happy late Bday!!!!

Aimee said...

I'm glad your birthday was so fabulous! We'll have to hit up some more Mexican next week, yummy. I love those pictures, you have such a cute family and I love you all and can't wait to hang out!!

Vegas BABY, here I come!!

Paul & Ashley Justensen Family said...

Happy Birthday! I am so glad you were spoiled and had such a wonderful day. I wish I were closer so I could party with you!

Carol and Bruce said...

I just love hearing about you and your friends and how great they are. I'm so grateful that you have them, Steve and the kids to make your birthday great and, of course, the famdamily. We all love you to pieces!

We miss you guys! Those pictures are so great though, they help a lot. Kisses to my babies, who are kids now but still my babies.

Kara said...

I'm glad you got spoiled and felt loved on your birthday! Believe me, I had envisioned doing more for you and one of these days I will make it up to you! I hope you know how much I appreciate your friendship (now I'm getting teary eyed)! I feel like our kids are growing up together too and if it weren't for you and Easton, I don't think I would have lasted in Vegas as long as I have. Love you and your family and love the new pictures! I want to put them up on my walls!

Jenni.Woodmansee said...

Oh I'm JUST DYING!!! I wish I could add audio to my comment. This is me: " awwwwwwwwww, oh oh ohhhh carllyyyyyy." hahaha! Your children are SO CUTE and those pictures bring my heart so much happiness!

I am so glad you got spoiled on your birthday as that is what you WELL deserve. You look SO CUTE! I'm loving your hair right now and you're so skinny and so beautiful!!

Sunrise hike? Who are you???? And what have you done with my sister who would never voluntarily get up that early?! Well, I'm glad it was worth it!

I'm so sad that we won't be there for memorial day :( Miss you!

Melanie said...

I've been staring at that picture of Carly!! It's so beautiful! All of them are great! I am glad you had a fun birthday week and that you got to do your hike!

Christi said...

First of all I love that first picture!!! I am so glad that we have been friends so long! I am sad that I missed your hike. Next year for sure, or sooner :)
I love all the family pictures too!!!!

Kirk and Dynelle said...

I love the pictures! What a gorgeous family you have. You deserved a fabulous birthday!

WASHINGTON SOUTHWORTHS said...

Don't you just love dragging your birthday out?! I have always enjoyed it, especially being so close to Memorial Day weekend every year. I have to remind myself that the Monday off is NOT to extend my birthday weekend! :) Looks like you had a great time. I'm with Megan - can't believe you got up so early on your birthday. Great family pictures, by the way!!

Jill said...

gorgeous pics of the kids! I want one or five! I love the one of you lifting up Carly like the one you have of Easton. So sweet.

Looks like a fun birthday. You deserve the spoiling, my dear.