you say it's your birthday...

...it's my birthday too, yeah! Yep, that's right- another birthday has come and gone. Don't worry, this one did not go by without the proper celebratory activities. When Tison asked me what I wanted  to do for my birthday, I told him I wanted to browse local shops and then possibly look for a grill for our backyard. With Miss E around, it is hard to go in and out of places and so I have just been avoiding it all together to spend time with her. BUT... since he asked ;) he was in charge of baby girl while I got to look around while also enjoying their company. I wrote out a lengthy list of places and we hit the road.

{Here are a few snapshots from the days adventures.}

{At about 6pm I told Tison I really wanted to get the grill we saw at Lowe's and cook on it. He was like, "tonight??" So, we bought the grill, put it together, put baby girl down, and had a romantic meal on the back porch. It was perfect. And I love that our table setting includes a baby monitor.}

On Sunday, my in-laws invited us to Sevendipity Cafe for brunch. This was our second time there and we just love it!

{The huevos rancheros could be my breakfast everyday. And I am sure you have heard of the cronut? Well, the chef, Dominique Ansel, asked that Sevendipity stop using the name creauxnut. After a facebook poll, the new name for the amazing croissant/donut pastry is the juggernut. I'm not crazy about the name, but it's not going to keep me from ordering this dessert.}

On Tuesday, my birthday day, my mom made a home cooked dinner at their house. We arrived excited to see family, but I had no idea what was in store. The doorbell rang and Mom asked me to get it (she was busy in the kitchen.) I just thought it was Lauren and the boys arriving for dinner. I opened the front door and when I first looked out no one was there- and then- bam- Leslie jumps in front of me. I just stood there, literally for a full minute, trying to figure out why she is standing at the front door of Mom's house in the United States of America in July when I wasn't expecting her to fly in from Africa again until December!?!? She got me. She kept it a surprise from me and Lauren that she was coming in and we were both stunned, shocked, and thrilled. Everyone in the house knew but us! What a great secret :) She is in town for the next 3 weeks- whoohoo!!

{Tison was snapping photos of us when Lauren points out that she is sitting in a rocking chair with a blanket covering her legs while we all gather around her for a photo- she felt like a great grandma- we died laughing. Sure do love having everyone together.}