Birthday Extravaganza!

That's right folks, I just celebrated my 25th Birthday!  And celebrate I did!  All.weekend.long. :)

Cole was a sweetie and said that I could have a whole birthday weekend full of fun.  And I wouldn't have had it any other way!  It was PERFECT!

My actual birthday was on Friday, the 29th, and the day was pretty typical, with little bursts of special moments.  When I came down in the morning with Tavian, Cole had beautiful flowers and a card waiting for me:)  It is a pretty wonderful way to wake up in the morning.  Tavian and I were also treated to a bit of extra special fun and we got to go to the pool with my sister and her kiddos.  It was a fun day!

We did some family celebrating with just us and we got to say the Blessing Cup which was really special!  Cole even made me yummy cupcakes...he's such a sweetie!

That night was to be celebrated just me and my hubs!  My bestie Amy is a amazing and offered to watch Tavian for us so that we could go out together.  My friend Elissa ended up coming too, and I was so thankful for their help.  Cole and I put Tavian to bed and we were headed to dinner in downtown Fort Collins.  It was so fun getting dressed up and spending quality time together.  We ended up walking around in Old Town for a bit, and then decided to eat at The Beach House because it has a roof top patio.  It was the most perfect setting being outside and looking out over Old Town.

(But, on a side note, the food really isnt' my favorite.  It was totally worth it and perfect because of the atmosphere, but I wondered if any of you have eaten there and if you liked it.  Am I just ordering the wrong thing??  Let me know!)

 

It was a very special dinner and the best part was when we decided to start making a list of our top 100 goals and dreams for our lives.  We talk about it all the time, but we finally started writing things down.  And Cole gave me wonderful gifts too!

We didn't stay up too late because I'm pegnant and tired, but the night was perfect!

Saturday Cole and I woke up early to head to a large garage sale that was being hosted in a school parking lot. SO fun, and so many good deals.  We got a lot of great books for Tavian.  Straight from the garage sale we headed to the Larimer County Fair.  My neice Kenzie was twirling in the parade (she is adorable!) so we went with a lot of my family.  My sister Ellen and her fam were in town so we got to spend time with them over the weekend too.  Tavian loved the parade..he especially loved the horses!!  And, he and Cole even made it into the lime light.  lol :)

http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=G2&Dato=20110730&Kategori=CONNECTIONS&Lopenr=107300803&Ref=PH
(pic 17)

We drove right from the parade to Longmont to visit Cole's sister, Angie, who just had her first baby.  Little Rowen is adorable and we were so glad to get to meet our new nephew.  I'm sure he and Tavian will be good friends before too long!

When we got home we did a very tiny bit of relaxing, but I had to quickly start getting ready for Amy to come pick me to start day two of birthday celebrations.  We went to Centerra and shopped at Charlotte Russe.  It was so fun and they were having amazing deals.  I walked away with two adorable tops for like $5 each and a great pair of skinny jeans (I wanted some that I could have Cole alter for pregnancy wear), for $3!!!  And Ames was super nice and bought me some adorable earings.  All in all, VERY successful.

She's pretty much the best!  Love her!

Then we were off to dinner.  I chose to go to Bonefish.  Have any of you been there?  If not, don't wait another moment.  It is SOOO good.  Amy and I had the best time laughing, and talking, and of course stuffing our faces.  We ate so much and enjoyed it so much!  Every last bight was worth it:)  I am so happy to have her in my life to share all these special occasions with.  It was wonderful getting a night out the two of us!

Last on the amazing night was going to the movies.  Elissa was able to join us for this part.  We saw Crazy Stupid Love, which, to be honest I wasn't that excited about seeing.  Nothing at the theatre was really catching my eye, and that one just happened to be playing at the right time.  Having said that, I think I was pleasantly surprised.  It was a much more depressing movie then I had thought it would be (I suppose I am one who thinks the thought of divorce is just way super depressing), but when there were funny moments, they were really, really funny.  And I love Steve Carell.  And Ryan Gosling isn't bad to look at ;) 

So all in all, another great day celebrating!  It was just so nice having some free time!

Sunday was a great end to the weekend.  We went to 8am mass, and then met up with my sisters and their families to have breakfast at Panera.  (i love that place!)  It was a wonderful, relaxing morning and we all headed to the pool together.  It was great having relaxing, quality time with the fam.  And all of the cousins are so cute and always have sucha  fun time toether!  We went home to give Tavian a nap, which ended up being an amazing three hours (thank you very much!), and then we headed for a family dinner at Sarah's house.  They even surprised me with delicious strawberry shortcake for a yummy birthday dessert!  Perfect!

Pouring water on Daddy's head

We're kind of a big group!!!

I know this was long, but it was a weekend worth remembering, full of fun, family and friends...oh and food too ;)

Thanks to all those who wished me a happy birthday, it really meant a lot to me :)