B-day Pics

So I know it's a little late but here are some pics from my bday. I sure love my family...they are so cute!

It was a yummy spread! Lil sausages, queso, cheese & meat, crackers, veggies, lil sandwiches

Fondue and yummy orange water!

Sweet little puppy. I love her so much! She looks like a fox here. She's not, but she's so cute!

My Whole Foods cake! I love WFs! The cake is made with organic

ingredients and eggs from cage-free birds.

We played silly games, each of which I won, and my reward for each win was a present. My fam rocks!

Lisa had her birthday celebration a few days later and we went to a Russian restaurant and bath. We didn't do the bath part, but it was certainly a cultural experience! There was a part of the business (in between the bath and restaurant) where I swear the Russians were planning a takeover. They speak with such passion and the language is so harsh, it probably just seemed like a war party. :) Shoes (my bro-in-law) and Lisa have the same b-day so we celebrated his birthday by babysitting Miles so that Heidi and Shoes could go away for a weekend.

Birthday Surprise

Let me set the scene. I was turning 23. I was still in college, was unmarried, and had not served a mission. I felt like a loser and the last thing I wanted to do in the world was celebrate my birthday. I am usually very excited about birthdays but I let it be known, no parties, no dinners, no celebrations of any kind were to be had. Enter my sisters.

My sisters decided that they would throw a surprise party but not a birthday party. It was a cheese party (because they know I love cheeses) and it was great. They had a friend take me out for a few hours and when I returned, they had me change into a fancy dress. I came out and they were all dressed fancily for my cheese party. We played games and I miraculously won every game. For each game won, I received a "prize" (really a present). They were so creative in finding a way to celebrate me without focusing on my age. I love my sisters and am so grateful for them and their support. What a blessing for me to live so close to them and have their friendship.

This year for my birthday, my family gave me another surprise cheese party. I don't have the age baggage I had the first time but it was a great surprise with my whole family present. I am so grateful for the knowledge that families are forever and so blessed to be in my family!!!