Birthday Week

When I was living at BYU, I had a roommate whose birthday was a week after mine.  She started birthday week.  She made a snake out of some extra material and placed 7 little presents in sectioned off pieces of the body for me.  It was adorable!  So it was birthday week, mine started it hers finished it.

Birthday Week this year took on a new meaning.

I was able to fly home to be with my family, and triplet siblings to celebrate our birthday.

Boy did we have so much fun!

We had a family party at my older sister's house the day before our birthday.

I had requested this Costco chocolate cake!  So yummy!  Delicious!

There was lots of laughter.  We were laughing so hard that my stomach started to hurt.

I was able to spend a lot of time with Buff which is never dull.  He took me on a tour of the island, we sat in their hot tub, we went on a walk for some exercise, we played euchre (a game Buff learned at Dartmouth).  He is such a great guy and I am lucky he is a brother to me.

On our actual birthday, Paige and I met my mom at a restaurant called Cava.  And it was again delicious!  Paige's suggestion.  

After our lunch we went and were pampered with manis and pedis!  I love them!  

That night we had dinner with her friends.  She is so lucky to have a great group of friends that love her and think she is as amazing as I do.  Oh, and Paige's husband, Andy, added to the fun as well.  We had just settled into our seats at the table when the waiter brought over drinks for the table.  (Andy had called and pre-ordered and paid for them.)

We had a delicious dinner.  Paige and I split a steak and a corn salad.  

After dinner her friends had the waiter bring this sweet treat over:

It is an ice cream cake from Cold Stone, I think it is Peppermint Chocolate Perfection, or something like that.  So, before we cut into it, I asked Paige to let me take one more picture of her with the cake.  She obliged willingly.  She was even so kind as to pick up the plate so I could get a better angle of the cake in the picture.  She didn't foresee that the cake would slide from the plate right onto my lap!

We were laughing so hard.  We had such a great night!

L'Auberge Chez Francois.
Because we decided to abandon our plans to travel to New York and see Wicked (due to Hurricane Sandy) we had to come up with something special to do.  That evolved into going to dinner at L'Auberge Chez Francois. This fancy restaurant has BIG meaning to my family.

• For my high school graduation, while everyone else was getting luggage, my mom gave us (triplets graduate high school at the same time, haha) culture.  We went to a matinee of Les Miserables and had lunch at L'Auberge Chez Francois.  That is one day that is an experience on my dash  (a previous blog post).  
• After being a fabulous single woman for several decades my mom found the love of her life.  She married him.  And, she married him in the beautiful gardens of  L'Auberge Chez Francois.  What another great day!  Of course the reception was there afterwards!  I just remember being with my family and laughing.

And today was another day of laughter with my mom and sister.

We were able to go to the United States Holocaust museum.  (More on that later.)  But on the way, we stopped to "smell the roses" and took these fun pictures.

We were able to meet up with Todd at Panera Bread on Thursday morning for breakfast.  I really enjoyed my time with just the three of us.  Most of my formative years (teen years) it was just the three of us and my mom.  So, I always feel young when the three of us are together.  I think it's a good thing that we don't have a Panera Bread here in Utah.  I would be there everyday.  Their Pumpkin Pie bagels with streusel on top was ah-mazing!!!

We also were able to get facials. It as Paige's present to me.  I haven't had a facial since I was a teenager.  I honestly have never felt so relaxed in my life.  Even from all the massages that I've had.  It makes me wonder how much tension I store in my jaw.  Then we had a complimentary makeup touchup.  I loved how the girl did my makeup!  I wish I could duplicate it!

That night we had a homemade dinner of chili and cornbread at Paige's house.  We again played euchre! Amid lots of laughter.  I guess you could say we were a little addicted.

And, Thursday night I was able to see my mom's new place and spend the night there.  She is such a gracious host.  I really enjoyed the one on one time with her and Al.

Friday we all met back up again for Tobin's football game.  A play-off football game for State Title.  I felt so nostalgic being back in the football stands.  I always loved being in the stands during a football game.  That is why I only cheered for basketball season when I was in high school.  We had hot chocolate.  We laughed.  We were warm under our blankets and mittens.  And we got to see Tobin play.  He did great as the quarter back.  Although, I have to say that I was a little worried each time he would get tackled.

Robin was able to drive me back to the airport.  I loved that time with her!  She is such a great big sister and I appreciate her for all that she brings to our relationship!

Of course, due to the winter storms in Utah, my trip home was anything but boring.  Boring is good.  Boring means things goes as expected.   Let's just say that I didn't arrive home until 4 a.m.--which means 6 a.m Maryland time--4 hours later than anticipated!  Boy was I tired.  And Steve, he was such a trooper!  Never once about complaining about having to drive to the airport twice.  Once on really snowy roads.  I love him!  I was so happy to fall into his arms.  I think it it was socially acceptable outside at passenger pickup, I would have fallen asleep right then in his arms.