Time To Celebrate!

Another year to celebrate ME! :)

Just for kicks, I thought it would be fun to put up some pictures of me on a few of my FIRST birthdays:

{No. 1}

{No. 2}

{No. 3}

Not sure where No. 4 is but here is...

{No. 5}

It's fun to go back and look at childhood pictures. I also noticed that I liked wearing dresses on my birthday. Maybe I should go back to that tradition? :) Would give me an excuse to get dressed up more often.

And let's just say after turning 30, I'm not so much in the mood to keep counting - or revealing the number for that matter! :)

This year on my birthday though, I woke up and had a new found appreciation for my children. For without me, they wouldn't be here! I know that's common sense and you're probably thinking "duh!" but it really did dawn on me how lucky I am to have these 3 amazing children that I have been given and trusted with - to raise up and love!

I also woke up to find Aubrey making me (and her siblings) breakfast! Such a TREAT! The waffles were yummy and it was really cute that she did that for me before taking off for school. She's the best!!

{A picture of my kids together on my birthday}

Sabine, a friend of mine from church (who also happens to be Aubrey's piano teacher), took me and my younger two out for lunch. I chose Noodles & Company as I've never gone before - and it was really good! I had a Mediterranean dish with grilled chicken and the kids shared spaghetti and meatballs. We were the first ones there to eat so it was nice and relaxing. And after Andrew ate, I let him down from the highchair and he wondered off to see some gentlemen that were seated across from us. He would walk close to their chairs, look up and smile, wonder away and then go back. They didn't seem to mind the attention of a curious and happy baby! :)

{Me & my sweeties at Noodles & Co.}

{Sabine & Jocelyn}

{Goodies from Sabine - doesn't that cake look good?? It's from a German shop.}

{Flowers from one of my girl friends}

John was sick on my birthday and wasn't up for making me my birthday dinner as planned, so after he got off of work, we met up at Firebirds, a new nearby restaurant. It was a nice atmosphere but probably not one I'll take the kids too again. It wasn't as kid friendly as I thought it would be. Yes they had crayons and a kids menu but it was still too formal in my opinion. Jocelyn LOVED finding a big steak knife in her silverware bundle! For safety purposes, I quickly snatched that away from her possession! But it was still fun to try out something new. The kids had grilled cheese, macaroni and bbq chicken. I had a french dip sandwich - and a lemonade that was funny to watch Andrew take drinks from. He'd pucker up his mouth and give the wierdest sour face! :) John had a huge (and he said tasty) hamburger.

{my birthday dinner}

{John & I - I'm wearing the cute top and sweater my Mom sent me for my birthday - Thanks Mom! :)}

After we ate dinner, we took some pictures near some pretty planted flowers. It was a fun birthday. And I made it ALL DAY without cooking. :) My kids spoiled me with a Three Doors Down cd and a KitchenAid ice cream attachment for my mixer I've been eyeing for quite some time. I can't wait to try it out and make some ice cream, sorbets and frozen desserts! John spoiled me completely by getting me a new lens for my (our) camera. Another item I've been secretly eyeing and now I'll finally be able to get some closer shots at Aubrey's games and while out with nature. And a big thank you to my friends and family for helping to make my day a great one! :)