How Do Old People Celebrate Birthdays?

With milkshakes, duh!


He picked Peanut Butter & Bacon. 

We met up at Sonic and indulged.
Happy Birthday to Paul, who enjoys the simple things in life!

Making Things Right

I figured once we got home, my birthday would get the attention I felt it deserved.
It didn’t.
I waited and waited and waited.  Nothing.
I suppose rumors, a new ward, and callings to fill might fill someone’s mind.
So I decided to stop sulking and do something about it.  I bought myself a cake. . .
But who in their right mind can finish an entire cake?  So I cut it up and froze pieces so I could enjoy it longer.

And I bought myself a birthday present

It might have been nicer if I didn’t have to celebrate all on my own, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
Lesson learned. . . don’t travel on your birthday AND speak up or it might be forgotten.

What to do . . .

It was MY birthday so I got to pick.  All the things I wanted to do wouldn’t work because when it’s Mardi Gras time in Louisiana, it is assumed that everyone wants to do Mardi Gras-ish stuff.  So most things were closed (including LSU!)
So this gal who hates shopping picked going to an outlet mall.  Really?  What was I thinking?  Age must have addled my brain.

We hurried back to town to dine at an Italian restaurant I had picked out.  But it was closed.  I guess they were too busy Mardi Gras-ing too.

So we decided to go to the mall. . .  (I still hate shopping) . . and wander around. 
This store had popcorn in every imaginable flavor.

The kids loved the train that chugged around.

and we had a lovely food court lunch.
Later, we met up with the Kellars to get Leah’s picture taken.  It was POURING rain.  I can’t remember the last time I saw it rain so hard.  Good thing they had an umbrella!
While we were waiting for our turn to view the pictures, Samuel took Leah outside. . . without the umbrella!
Jennifer wanted to eat at Golden Corral so we went there and enjoyed a lovely meal with tons of other people. . . most of which let their kids get their own food.  It wasn’t pretty.
No one seemed to remember it was MY birthday and left me sitting at the table while they got their food.  And then, one-armed me had my turn.  It is really hard to slop food on your plate when there is no place to put it down.
At least Leah was cute!

I was extraordinarily grateful for all the texts and facebook wishes I got because all I got here was a last minute “oh yeah, it’s your birthday” at the end of the night.  No bueno.

Guess Who Had a Birthday?

The timing of our trip hinged around this monumental event.  It was Leah’s first birthday.
We started the day by going to church.

How cool is it to have a temple right next door?
After church we headed over to the Kellar’s for the festivities.

Leah had no clue what was in store for her so she just played with what she already had.

Good thing her daddy knows what’s what. . . .  He tried valiantly to teach her how to rip open presents.  He tried to get her interested in them too, while mommy watched.

But Leah knows what she likes!

The excitement wore out . . . Paul.

Then it was time for birthday cupcakes. 

Happy Birthday Leah!

A Slice of Heaven

After grabbing a few hours of sleep, I found myself heading back down to my newest love of my life!


While her mom and dad napped, I got to hold this precious bundle.  To think a few hours earlier, she had been hanging out with Heavenly Father!

I love that they make awesome name tags for all their guests.

Allie was never a babysitter but this little girl would change that for her, right? 

I couldn’t ask for a better early birthday present!!!!!!


I decided to head home the next day because the Jennifer and Leah would be in the hospital for several days, I wanted to spend some of my birthday with MY man, and I wanted to let Jennifer and Samuel have their first Valentine’s Day without me hanging around.
Even though they had this life changing event happen, Jennifer and Samuel plied me with birthday gifts (as if a grandbaby wasn't enough.)  Allie took me out for ice cream and sang to me.  I felt so loved!

It was a great trip, but I would be back SOON!

No More Teenagers . . .

While she was home, we wanted to celebrate her birthday (even though it was after the fact)
We needed cake. . . .
and ice cream . . .

and Daddy bonding time (Allie-style) . .  .

and puppy-cuddle time. . .

(We shopped for her presents last time she was home and she took them with her!)
Happy 20th Allie!!!!

Allie’s Birthday!

We arrived back home the day before Allie’s birthday.  We were super glad that she survived her time home alone.  We are so grateful to all those who watched out for her and entertained her.
It’s not too often that a college kid is home for a birthday so we felt really lucky.

She opened birthday greetings from relatives. . .

and got everything she asked for.
We have been so blessed to have Allie in our lives.  She brings a smile to our faces with her personality and we enjoy the depth of her thinking, her joy for life and her kindness to others.

A Month Down the Road

Exactly one month after classes started for my college girl, Allie was to turn 18.

This fact did not sit well with me.  I have always been able to spend time with my children as they turn 18.

What’s a mom to do?  Luckily for me, there was nothing to prevent me from going to her.  She said she did not mind so a road trip was in order!

I’ve never driven both to and from Utah by myself.  It’s nice to have company to help you stay awake.  Since that wasn’t going to happen, I loaded up my iPod with lots of tunes, packed my bags and headed out.

I caught up with Allie the day before her birthday.

 

I was greeted with enthusiasm which was a pleasant bonus

 

 

 

 

and got a tour of her apartment.

The Room. . . Allie has the bottom bunk.

  The living room. . . where the roommates like to peer out the window at night and see what is going on.

The kitchen where they cook lots of food to feed lots of people.  And Allie actually hand washes dishes! 

 

 

 

 

 

The volleyball court behind their apartment where they gather on a nightly basis.

Allie and her roomies have hit it off.  They have added some really cute touches to their apartment.

Quotes on the fridge and a countdown chain for the birthday girl.

Allie has THE best roomies ever.

I was able to take Allie them out to dinner to celebrate.  But we had to hurry!

Why?  It was “Taco Tuesday” which Allie invited me to go along.  A bunch of the crowd head off to a taco place nearby where tacos are $1 on Tuesdays.  They eat, laugh and enjoy each other’s company.  I forgot to take any photos until the way back. . . .

The next morning ... on Allie’s birthday, I brought her some of her favorite donuts and gave her a ride to school.  I had arranged to meet her for lunch (along with some friends from our ward who in town.)

I was waiting for the appointed time to come so I decided to browse around in the bookstore.  I was near the exit and heard Allie’s voice.  So I chased her down. . .

We had a lovely lunch with some lovely ladies

And the birthday girl

I am so glad I went.  I feel so much better about leaving my girl behind.  She is happy

and she is at the right place

at the right time.