* 31

Turning 31 yesterday was better than I ever could have imagined...

I originally looked at 31 as the 10 year anniversary of my 21-run and then felt really old when I thought about the difference between 21 to 31 being the same as 11 to 21...have I lost you yet? And now I'm 31 and my husband is 28! Age ain't nothin' but a number, right? In my 31st year, I'll be celebrating a lot, but most importantly the arrival of my first child. I used to think (maybe around 12 years old) that I'd be married no later than 25 and probably have 2 or 3 kids by 30...boy have times changed. The thing is, I'm perfectly content with how my cards have been played and can honestly say that I'm now counting down the days until my 32nd birthday when I can celebrate with my 6 month old.

I was completely spoiled rotten this weekend by my adorable husband...a new lens for my new camera, massage at a spa downtown, dinner at the Space Needle, a night at the Edgewater Hotel, shopping, coffee and flowers at Pike Place, brunch with my in-laws, relaxing at Carkeek Park and dinner with my family. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to my loving family and friends for the sweet messages over the weekend - I feel so blessed and fortunate to have each of you playing a special part in my life.

Me and my birthday twin - Miss Addi - at her 3rd birthday party Saturday morning. I love her wavy hair, huge smile and dimples. She'll most likely be taller than me by her 5th birthday.


My handsome man

Our room at the Edgewater


View from dinner




Complete relaxation - perfect end to the perfect day

Sunday morning sunrise, looking west from our room






Carkeek Park

Huge shout out to the Sun Gods for providing the most picture perfect fall back-drop for my already ideal weekend.

Flash back...me...31 years ago with my parents at Evergreen Hospital...I think my mom might be clenching her teeth wondering what she's gotten herself into.

Eventful Weekend...

And now completely exhausted...
If I were to lay my head down on the desk right now, I'd probably fall asleep in two minutes, so I'll keep this brief...

Friday Night:
Happy Hour with the bootcamp girls and our trainer at Earls in Bellevue. Then, off to Jamie's 30th Birthday party at glassybaby in Madrona. Wine, friends, dessert and glassblowing - perfect party for the birthday girl. Happy 30th Birthday James - hope you had a fabulous day!



James with some of the "babies"



glass blower



L.Spry, Cheryl and Leslie



Lauren, Ruthie, Jamie and Rothie
Saturday:
- Engagement shoot at Gas Works


- the Sounders game (and matchmaking for a friend)






Sunday:
- A long walk on the Soos Creek Trail with Steve
- Editing
- Laundry/clean house/trip to Costco. Attempted to get the garden started, but ran out of time.
- Dinner at our house with the Tharldson's...mainly because it had been way too long since I had seen this little man and it's always great to catch up with his mom and dad. With his baby brother on the way, I told Carter that if he ever needs to escape, he can come to my house and play anytime he wants. His giant blue eyes and smile melt my heart.



Hope you all had a wonderful weekend...goodnight...

DC { Recap }

The five days we spent in DC, Virginia and Maryland were so much fun. Despite the dreary, dark, rainy weather, we still had such a great time. Wednesday and Thursday night were spent with the Fitch's in Great Falls, VA - Friday and Saturday were spent with the Reynold's at their new home in Arlington. Here is a list of the sites we accomplished - we had so much more on our "to do" list, but with the crummy weather weren't able to do everything we had hoped (i.e. wine tasting in Virginia - planned by Stacie and Carrie).

☂ Downtown Baltimore

☂ Annapolis, Maryland - home of the US Naval Academy

☂ Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

☂ Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

☂ Smithsonian Museum of American History

☂ National Air and Space Museum - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (definitely the highlight of Steve's trip - all plane photos below taken here)

☂ International Spy Museum

☂ Happy Hour at the Australian Embassy

☂ Birthday-Eve drinks at the Reynolds local Pub - Bungalow Billiards & Brew

☂ Birthday dinner at Filomena's in Georgetown


Capitol Building


Abe Lincoln


Photo taken at the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument in the background


Lincoln Memorial and the reflecting pool


Washington Monument


The next piece of jewelry I'd like to add to my collection


The same plane that Steve's grandfather flew in WWII


Blackbird jet - Interesting Fact: In 1990 this jet flew from LA to DC in 1 hour and 4 minutes! I could get used to that sort of cross-country travel


The B-29 Enola Gay - dropped the Atomic Bomb


Mrs. R, Mrs. R and Mrs. M


Appetizers and beers at Gordon Biersch after the Spy Museum - probably should have reapplied lip gloss as I'm looking a tad pale


An attempt at a fun shoot to show off Carrie's Hunter boots...in the parking garage. Definitely fun and a great laugh, but her jeans were SOAKED after the 30 photos that were taken in this sequence


Just the perfect drink to get the birthday night celebrations going


Birthday dinner at Filomena's Ristorante in Georgetown - hands down best Italian food I've ever had!


Mr & Mrs R at Filomenas


Kev and Stacie


Cousins - Steve will forever be the tallest in ALL family photos


Baby Cousin Paul during breakfast. Also, the first photo taken with my new lens!! Thank you to my wonderful husband for buying my dream lens the Nikon 85mm for my birthday!

A Huge Thank You to Matt, Lisa, Carrie, Erik, Stacie, Kevin, Ben and McCarthy for celebrating with me and another huge thank you to all of you that called, texted and sent me birthday wishes - I feel very loved and thankful for all of you! Thank you for helping to make my 30th Birthday more perfect than I ever could have imagined.