36th Birthday

Happy Birthday to me! Another year older. I have always been one to celebrate my birthday with a group of friends, and while I have friends in DC we all live in different areas of the DMV. So, this year was a quiet year, but wow, I still felt very loved. On Saturday Anthony gave me my present - a Batman logo mirror. Say it with me, "I'm Batman!"

Also on Saturday night we played a game of Ticket to Ride and Phase 10, both of which I won! I am normally good at trains and I use to be really good at Phase 10, but since moving here I lose all the time when Playing Phase 10 - I blame it on the atmospheric change :)

On Sunday the cousins took me to my favorite restaurant, Chuys! Love this place and the beans are amazing! We all love Chuy's and normally we go every weekend.

At work last year I didn't tell anyone when it was my birthday. So this year, I told people. Martha brought me a Starbucks frap and cake pop, along with a hilarious card and Starbucks gift card. Gina gave me nail polish and I got a couple cards from co-workers. At lunch a group of us girls went to a restaurant by the office. It was a busy day and work, but I did feel special! I have some fabulous coworkers, who I consider friends.

The gifts from the cousins and of course they spoiled me like always. I think it's one of Tuf's missions to make me more girlie. :)

All the awesome gifts and cards from my MAF crew! They sure know how to make a girl feel loved! And I so did not cry as I was reading the cards and opening the presents. It was birthday week box that arrived exactly on my birthday! A huge shout out to Barb, Alissa, Bonni, Kathie, Karin, Danielle W. and Danielle T. I so miss these amazing people and receiving this box was one of the best things that happened on my birthday.

I skyped with Ri on Monday night and opened this very thoughtful gift and necklace that I will always cherish. I have such a good Bestie!

I also received several gifts from Lisa, including a beautiful charm necklace from Lisa's own business, I Declare Charms. Yesenia sent a gift card and Karen sent the perfect card for our relationship. I think people know my addiction. Hopefully in a year or two these will turn back into DB cards :).

 

Niki and Eli sent me an adorable birthday message. 

A dear friend at work took me to lunch at our new favorite place to eat on Thursday. Thank you Jen! I am so glad we work together and have become friends.

Throughout the day friends sent text messages and Facebook messages, including one friend who sent happy birthday meme after happy birthday meme. 

I truly felt loved and cherished by all the people in my life. I know I say this all the time, but I am truly blessed with the people in my life.

Memorial Day Parade

Melissa and I took an early train back to DC. We arrived back in DC at 12:30pm, so we met the cousins at my work and then went down to Constitution Avenue to watch the National Memorial Day Parade. I am so proud of Tuf for finding this event! Normally I am the social planner of our group, so I am always happy when other find things to do.

 The parade is huge! It was 2 hours long and honored our military personnel past and present! There were marching bands from all over the US, celebrities and different floats. It was an amazing day!

 Speaking of floats, nothing honors our veterans more than the famous Idaho potato!

Love this photo! Love Idaho and my cousin!

 An Idaho marching band from Cole Valley Christian School. 

 Another awesome photo, this is Kane from the Kane show and I absolutely love him. As we were doing the selfie, he is totally waving at us!

Fun day!

Hampton for Memorial Day Weekend

Over Memorial Day Weekend, Melissa and I went south to Hampton, Virginia for some pool time at Stacy and Robert's. I have only taken the train one other time to NewPort News and it was an hour late, this time it was two hours late! But we made the best out of the late train! Wine on the train, it is a signature move for Melissa and I!

 On Saturday morning, while Stacy and Robert went for a massage, Melissa and I stayed back and watched Peyton. I got some good snuggles in!

After a lovely brunch it was pool time! Stacy and Robert have their own private pool and I was looking forward to taking full advantage of this hot summer day (it had been a very wet May in DC - I needed some vitamin D!).

 

Saturday evening we had dinner at the Yorktown pub which happens to be along the pier in Yorktown. Love the sand and ocean water along the Chesapeake Bay.

 Back at home we enjoyed some adult beverages and adult watermelon (watermelon soaked in tequila). After the adult watermelon and a shot of watermelon vodka and huckleberry vodka we played Phase 10 twist.

 On Sunday we had homemade crepes and bacon along with donuts from local bakery. Next we attempted to go to Williamsburg before the rain was to come. 

Historic animals! It was a joke we had!

 As we were coming out a little building the rain came down in sheets! We got so soaked! We look like it was all fun and games, but it was kind of blah. Who likes to be rained on?

During the rainstorm we hung out at Barnes and Noble and then had lunch at a French pub. After lunch, we decided to come home and relax. We watched a movie and then pulled ourselves together and went to dinner at Cheddars. I have heard of Cheddars before, from Karen, but man the food was awesome! So good! And so cheap!

 To cap off our last night together, we went for a night swim!

Early on Monday morning we took the train back to DC. It was a fun and relaxing weekend hanging out with Melissa, Stacy, Robert and little Peyton.

It's my Birthday!

Well today is officially my birthday! I am writing this post about 2 weeks before it will post, so I am not sure what my birthday will entail - though I do imagine it to be a quiet one. This spring has been busy and so I am hoping that the summer is chill, before what could be a very busy fall/winter. 

This is my random post for May. 

Nobody knows what each person personal fight is, so remember to be kind to one another and remember to be kind to yourself. We are always hardest on ourselves.

 I have never had this opportunity. But it would have been amazing. Probably why I keep my grandma's number in my phone as ICE Grandma. I miss them both so much!

 A friend at work brought us lunch one day, an awesome Peruvian dish of a stuffed potato. It was really good!

 Speaking of food, my coworker/friend Martha, goes to the farmers market by the White House every Thursday. Last week she brought be back one of the best tamales I have ever had! I can't wait to go to the tamale guy, every Thursday!

 On Saturday, May 21, Martha, was part of her neighborhood Takoma Park music festival. It was a yucky rainy day, but we had a lot of fun and I was able to hang out with Gina and her boyfriend Mike. I even met someone that was from Reno! Small world! 

 It is a music festival and yet the copy made us turn it down. That was lame.

 My friend at work has such an adorable son! He even let me hold him in the elevator at work. I count that as a plus because the day before I made him cry by taking away my tupperware container from his cute little hands.

Going to the vet is a family affair, this time around 3 of the 7 animals went. Princess went because we needed to get an updated prescription for her insulin. Manny went to get an updated rabies shot so he could go to the groomer and Baylor went to get his toenails trimmed!

Love my awesome pillow gift from dear Kathie! Love it!

 A few photos of Hailey and Eli.

Love the simplicity of life.