Valentine's Party for the CBH

For the past week or so, Courtney & I have been planning a Valentine's party for the kids at The Christmas Box House (CBH) as part of our on-going volunteer work with them. I was REALLY excited about this project because we actually get to interact with the kids. So Friday afternoon, Courtney, myself, Terri, Keri and Keri's sister all went to The CBH to setup while the kids finished their lunch and played outside. When we were ready, we split them into two groups and they took turns playing ring toss & bean bag toss. The kids really got into the games and seeing how many points they could get. Quite a few of them asked if they could keep the game so after the party we donated the games to the CBH to keep. After the games we had the kids decorate their own heart sugar cookies. It was messy but a lot of fun for us and for them. They really enjoyed decorating their cookies and I had so much fun helping them and see the different designs they would make with the frosting and sprinkles. There was an adorable 2 year old African-American girl that was such a cutie while eating her cookie. She had frosting all over her face, hands and clothes. It was SO funny to watch her. I wish we could've taken pictures of the kids, but due to privacy issues we are not allowed. I took some pictures while we were setting up before the kids came in but that's all we were able to get. I absolutely LOVED playing with the kids. They were such good kids that it's hard to believe the reasons that they are at CBH. This has been my favorite activity with the CBH and I hope we do more activities like this with the kids in the future.

Pizza Birthday Party at work

Last week I had helped one of my clients, Rock Creek Pizza Co., with a huge Workers Comp issue. Long story short, I fixed his problem and he offered us free pizza because I am so awesome! LOL. The timing was perfect, so I took him up on his offer so that we could have a Pizza Birthday Party for me, Destini, Marshall & Karen since we all have our birthday's in February. Mine, Destini's & Marshall's are almost right after each other. Marshall's is the 6th, Destini's is the 7th and mine was the 9th. So Tuesday we got 5 specialty pizzas and drinks for everyone. It was fun just hanging out and the pizza was pretty good. I got some cute birthday cards from Courtney, Christy and Barb. Christy also gave me the cutest Elvis beanie! I love it! Thanks Rock Creek for the pizza!

And yesterday, the 2 producers I work with, Ryan & Darrin took me & my assistant Courtney to lunch at Ruby River for my birthday. Thanks guys!!

Birthday with my family

Last night we went to my mom's to celebrate my birthday with my family. I decided I wanted all my favorites for my birthday instead of going to a restaurant. So my mom made delicious Navajo Tacos for dinner and Strawberry Shortcake for dessert. Mmmmm!! They were SO yummy! We watched American Idol while we ate and then I opened my presents. I asked for money to go towards my San Diego trip in March with my mom :) But I also got a really pretty watch, a book and a bookmark that my sister-in-law made. It was casual, but fun and I got to have all my favorite food. Thank you everyone! I have such an awesome family :)

Happy Birthday to me...I'm goin to Graceland!!!

Yesterday was my official birthday. As in my previous post, and my complaints to everyone who asked about my upcoming big 3-0 birthday, I was not happy about it. I finally decided to take the day off from work. Mostly just so I could sleep in, which I did. And because I could sleep in, I stayed up the night before my birthday watching medical mystery shows in bed (which I love), and at midnight I got a glass of wine and toasted to myself. (John was asleep). "Happy Birthday you old woman!"

My mom had planned to take me to a fancy lunch at "La Caille" but the morning of my birthday she found out they do not do lunch, only dinner. So we went to "The Cheesecake Factory" instead. The waiters & waitresses sang Happy Birthday and gave me the most delicious Strawberry Shortcake dessert with "Happy Birthday Tahna" written in chocolate around the plate.

Afterwards we went to see "He's just not that into you" in Jordan Landing. I LOVED the movie and I had fun hanging out with just me & my mom like old times. We would've gone shopping like we both love to do, but it was raining too much. I actually loved my day with my mom and it was perfect. When I got home I got ready and John took me to dinner at "Tiburon" my all time favorite restaurant. I chose an Italian bottle of wine (2007 Kris Pinot Grigio) that went wonderful with my Rocky Mountain Elk tenderloin with a creamy mushroom duxelle green peppercorn demi-glace. It's SO delicious! When we got home I got to open my presents which were actually hints to my REAL present. The first was a jug of Jim Beam which I kind of sarcastically guessed, "are we going to the Jim Beam distillery?" The second was a book. But not just any book. It was a pop-up book of............GRACELAND!!! Yes, the famous home of Elvis Presley himself!! I almost couldn't believe it that I kept interrupting John telling me about the trip just to make him confirm over & over again that we were going. The plan is to fly to Louisville, Kentucky to visit several distilleries, including the Jim Beam distillery. We will then drive to Nashville, Tennessee and do some sightseeing and take the General Jackson riverboat ride on the Cumberland River. After Nashville we will drive to Memphis, Tennessee where we will stay at Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel and take the Graceland Elvis Entourage VIP Tour. John's original plan was that we would be in Graceland on my birthday, but because its still cold in Tennessee, he decided to postpone until April when it's warmer. John is the most wonderful guy and he really made my 30th the most memorable birthday ever! Not to mention that I got a lot of loving & supporting texts and facebook messages that it made me feel good througout my whole day. Thank you everyone!! And thank you honey bunny for my AMAZING gift!! You truly understand my man crush of the century ;) lol

Me & Homer J with the Elvis glasses from the book

Birthday Brunch

Saturday officially kicked off my big 3-0 birthday. I went to brunch with Lynzie at "Paradise Bakery & Cafe". We were both disappointed to hear that they had stopped serving their wonderful croissant breakfast sandwiches 5 minutes before we got there. So we ended up ordering coffee and muffins. A little while later, Jacque joined us. I was so happy she came because we haven't seen her in a while. She gave me some lotion & bubble bath from Bath & Body. Our friend Taylor called to say she couldn't join us because of school. But her & Lynzie's birthday are coming up so we said the 3 of us would get together to celebrate all our birthday's together. Anyway, we had fun talking and afterwards we went shopping at World Market where Jacque got me the cutest wine glass charms with the wonders of the world on them. It was a nice & warm day and I had a lot of fun. Thanks Lynz for kicking off my birthday!! Luv ya!

Lynzie, Jacque & Me at Lynzie's Wedding