2 Birthdays and a Party!

Currently recovering from a birthday hangover. Read on and you'll understand why. 

Andrew's Birthday--Tuesday, February 20

Dinner of choice: Chubby's peanut butter burger and homemade cinnamon rolls. I didn't know it was possible to marry someone who likes peanut butter more than me! Andrew will eat peanut butter by the spoonful. Even I don't do that. The stars aligned-- Chubby's monthly special happened to be the PB burger and Andrew regretted not trying it last year. In his words:  "There were moments where the flavors blended together very well and there were moments where they all clashed terribly." The peanut butter burger will not be ordered again. The tasty beer-battered french fries were amazing and it took lots of will power to skip the banana cream pie shake (for the cinnamon rolls). Although, my stomach was still touchy from food poisoning, so I was a cautious eater. We went around the table and shared what we love about Andrew. Jill joined and gave Andrew a birthday gift. The game "Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza" is wonderful! Even Izzy can play.

Tuesday, February 20

Activity: Andrew went to an escape room with friends! He had a blast! Aaron Hanich, Michael Bradshaw, Trevor Hendricks, Brad Nelson, and David Wicken went with him. Andrew's good friend Nick Humrich wasn't able to make it. Let me just say that I was glad I escaped going. Escape rooms aren't my idea of fun.

Saturday, February 11

Experience: Instead of gifts this year, we each chose an experience. Andrew's favorite band (Yellowcard) is coming to Utah this summer. We got tickets to their concert! I've learned many of Yellowcard's songs throughout the years and am looking forward to losing our voices at this event in June together!

My Birthday-- Sunday, February 25

Dinner of choice: Steak! Andrew has become quite the chef. His steak was top-notch. He also made loaded tater tots and cut up a delicious pineapple. He even stopped by the store and got Root Beer.

Activity: Date night. We went out to Mi Ranchito and then did sealings. We also left Penny with a babysitter for the first time. She protested. She was okay during dinner, but while we were in the temple, she wouldn't stop crying. The babysitter's mom had to come over and save the day. I felt so bad. Also, I ended up getting food poisoning at Mi Ranchito and got extremely ill. I was so sick I considered going to the ER. My eyes were twitching, hands went numb, throw-up, diarrhea, the whole gambit. Happy birthday to me! We had a neat and powerful experience during sealings though that I won't forget. I wish I could forget the food poisoning, but I doubt that will happen. I don't know that I can go to that restaurant again which is tragic. It was one of my favorites.

Saturday, February 17

Experience: I chose a cooking class at Harmon's cooking school! I've always wanted to do a cooking class together and am counting down the days until the gnocchi pasta class on April 13. 

Birthday lunch at Cafe Rio with Grandma. Friday, February 9

My Birthday Party! 

My birthday party was everything I hoped it would be! There were 3 kinds of cookies (Smore's, salted peanut butter cup, and chocolate chip), 2 kinds of Costco cake (chocolate and vanilla), ice cream, and lots of candy. I have wonderful friends! Several offered to help and bring things. One brought cookies, another picked up the cakes, someone else brought a water jug, and one even offered to make the cake. 

I couldn't have pulled the party off without Jessica and Jill. Jessica facetimed me multiple times and told me how to decorate, what to put where, and what to buy. It looked so cute! Jessica also picked out a new light fixture for my family room to replace the monstrosity that was there. (An old ceiling fan caked with inches of dust). Kudos to Andrew for stopping in the middle of the work day to come put up the light fixture hours before my party. He's gotten to be quite the efficient electrician. Jill helped get my house in tip-top shape before the big event. She re-tiled my fireplace, picked out a new clock to replace the hideous one I've hated since the moment we moved in, and made many home depot runs to ensure the new light fixture was up in time for the event. My sisters also helped me narrow down the party favors. 

The new light was up with 5 hours to spare

New tile

Old clock-- so not my style

New clock also moved locations and is above our pantry! 

If I do say so myself, the party was a smashing success. There were 23 of us-- Jessica Morton, Charlotte Smith, Amy Hanich, Rebecca Humrich, Sara Fisher, Alison Boone, Stephanie Smith, Ashley Hollis, Krista Perry, Anna Goldsmith, Kristina Anderson, Becky Roosevear, Mary Bates, Kirsten Stonebrink, Alysee Johansen, Malia Ditto, Camille Young, Lisa Blaylock, Elisabeth Larsen, Katelyn Blancahrd. Jill was in town from Cape Cod which made it extra special. 

McCall, Andrea, Meagan, Mikayla, Mandee, Sage, McElle, Kaitlin Lowry, Hailee Langlois, Hailee Sandford, Lucy, Allison Robbins, Kira, and Valerie didn't come.

For the book exchange, I had people grab a number, and we went in number order, white elephant style. When it was your turn, you could either open a new book or steal from someone else. I introduced each person when it was their turn. Jill brought up our family tradition which is to say something nice about the birthday person. After I introduced each person, they said something kind about me and then gave a 30 second summary of their book. People made me feel so loved. My heart was full. My competitive nature was brought up, my polite mannerisms, my calm home and self (ha), my grandma driving, facial expressions, cooking, and more. I learned I'm known as a "Disney princess" in one home and can't stop laughing about that. 

It was a late night. The last group of friends left at 11pm and then Jill and my cousin Sara stayed and talked until after midnight. I felt the late night the next day.

Book List:

I've already read 14 of the books on the list, but am looking to diving into these new recommendations/titles.

The last time I threw myself a birthday party was a karaoke party in February of 2020. It's now February of 2024. I have no regrets and am so glad I did the party. I will say that my next one probably won't be for 4 plus years unless someone changes my mind. Parties are a lot of work. I'll always remember how I entered my 31st chapter and am hoping for the best year yet! Pizza is calling my name, so I'm off to make dough.