One year older and wiser too...

Yes, I have had another birthday...shout hooray! I am one year older, but don't know about the wiser part! I have been sufficiently "birthdayed" for the year! On Wednesday, the day before my birthday, my dear friend Robin hosted a "Jane Austen" night at her house. Several sweet friends came and endured the movie and the late hour (most of them had been up since the wee hours of the morning!! and others would rather have watched John Wayne or some other action movie!) They were all sweet to come and spend time with me, eat yummy chocolate cake with mint chocolate chip ice cream (my favorite! how did they know?!) and they all brought me gifts which wasn't necessary...but very fun! It was a lovely evening!

The next day was my birthday and a national holiday! For some reason, our law firm made us work! (Even though all the courts are closed...oh well). So I went to work and everyone there brought all kinds of yummy foods. There were donuts, cream puffs, eclairs, chocolate cake (do they know me or what?) cherry pastries, cinnamon rolls, and then to look like we would be a little healthy, there was yogurt with granola and different fruits for toppings. We ate all day! It was great! There was so much food...everytime a secretary came into the file room for anthing, we would invite them to eat something...I got lots of birthday wishes and greetings all day long.

I also got about 50 birthday wishes on Facebook...you never realize how many friends you have! The one saving grace of facebook is that it reminds you of everyones birthdays. Love that!

The highlight of the day was on my drive home from work...Amanda called to wish me a happy birthday and said that Little David wanted to talk to me. He got on the phone and said, "Hey Grandma..." I said, "hey David, how are you?" and he proceeded to sing happy birthday to me...all the way through! Belted it out...on pitch I might add...and held out the "Dear Graaaaaaaandmaaaaaaa! Happy birthday to you!" It was precious!! I loved it! Amanda said they'd been practicing it all day! They did some cute pictures on her blog with some signs he colored too, it was very fun!

Lastly...Thursday night Dave arranged for all the kids to come to dinner at Japanese Kitchen!! I told him that was all I wanted, was to have dinner with my family, and that I had been craving Filet Mignon...I got my wish! (and red roses too!). Love that boyfriend of mine!! We had a fun time...here are a few pictures from our evening...

the birthday girl and her boyfriend who made the evening possible...

(I don't look too bad for a 29 year old, right? please agree with me even if you don't really!)

Megan and Ashley our "On time is when I get there" daughter who is always LATE! We waited 20 minutes for her...I was getting so hungry! :) But she finally arrived and we were able to eat! Her beautiful new haircut was the reason...she looks great! Megan is her good friend and we count her as one of our kids...Ashley's friend Mario was there too...

Clark took the day off work just so he could celebrate my birthday! (he works second shift normally). And Joel, always happy to be there even though he doesn't like very many foods.

It got quite smoky while our chef was cooking, but he was funny and entertaining and we all had a good time...

There's Mario in the back, and Maddy (Clif's friend), Clif and Clark enjoying his filet mignon. He knows what's good!!

When the chef found out it was my birthday, he made the fried rice into a heart shape for me...

and then he did the flaming onion trick ~ usually called a volcano ~ but he told me it was my birthday candle...everyone told me I should blow it out....ha ha!

The food was delcious and the evening was delightful. The only thing missing was the rest of the family that are in Georgia...my filet mignon was to die for...I went home stuffed!! And had leftovers to enjoy the next day!!

Here Joel is separating out his chicken from the mushrooms...into his take home box. Dad got all his mushrooms and veggies! Joel DID try the soup and the rice...and lived to tell about it...

Thank you all my family and friends for a wonderful birthday! It was so much fun that next year I will be perfectly happy to celebrate the anniversary of my 29th birthday again...