thirty-one

I don't brag on my hubby all that often.  It's just not my style to do so.  Besides, we're not that special.  Or romantic.  He doesn't send flowers.  And we tend not to exchange gifts for special occasions (Christmas, Valentine's, even our anniversary).  And I'm totally okay with all of this.  We are both content just living our lives.  Because it makes the surprises that are few and far between that much more special.

Today marks my 31st birthday.  Unfortunately, the hubs had to leave town super early this morning (5:15am) for a work trip.  He'll be in Minneapolis until late tomorrow night, and with the exception of saying good-bye to my half-sleeping self this morning, he's missing my birthday.  Even though it's just another day out of 365 in my eyes, he felt pretty horrible about not being here to celebrate.  Especially because that means I'm on full-time mom duty.  Daycare drop off, daycare pick up, dinner, bath, bedtime, etc.  For two days.  Not a huge deal...I know that some moms do it all the time.  But he felt bad about leaving me with all the responsibility on my birthday. 

However, he also left me with a few surprises before he left home just to ensure that I'd felt special on my special day.  One of which was a letter from Brantley.  Pretty sure I was in tears {of laughter} while reading this thing.  And it's too good not to share.  Or document on the 'ole blog, for that matter. 

One of the main reasons I love my hubby.  He always makes me laugh!

He also left a gift from Brantley (as I'm sure you read in the letter)--an Elmo shutter buddy.  Also known as a way to bribe Brantley to look at the camera.  And little did I know when I asked for one of these thingies...it squeaks!  Even better!  I might actually get Brantley and Kinnick to look at the camera together!  Never did I think my 31-year old self would be excited about a squeaking Elmo toy.  I suppose that's what having a kid does to ya... :)

And that cupcake he mentioned?  Here it is in all its glory.  It even has a cookie on top.

But shockingly, I haven't eaten it.  Because I met a friend for dinner and she brought me these...

Prego heaven! :)

Speaking of my birthday dinner, how stinkin' cute are these two boys?  Lucky girl I am to have had a dinner date with both of them!  And Hollyn, of course!

And in other birthday news, I'm buying myself a thirty-one tote for my thirty-first birthday.  It's only fitting, right?

And 31?!?!  It's been ten years since that all-exciting 21st birthday?!  How in the world is that possible?  I dug up an old picture to reminisce.  Here I am celebrating my "first" beer with my college roomies ten years ago tonight.  (Must have been taken after midnight - hence the 1/16.)

Anyway, that pretty much sums up my 31st birthday.  Like I say each year, I love getting older...the thirties don't scare me one bit and I truly think each year has gotten better and better.  I'm confident in saying that 31 is going to be yet another fabulous year!  Thank you to my hubby for making me feel extra special today, even from hundreds of miles away!

P.S. - In case you were wondering, Brantley obeyed and had no poopy diapers.  Instead, he saved it for the bathtub.  Happy birthday to me... :)

A Week at the Lake

We're back from a week at the lake!  (Well technically, we were back on Saturday, but had a busy weekend!)

My family's been going to the same resort at Lake of the Ozarks every summer since 1997, but crazy enough, Craig and I hadn't been since 2009...long before this blog was even created!  Weddings (ours, my bff Sarah's) and a baby seemed to get in the way!  Despite not going for four years, everything was exactly as I remembered and I could have sworn I was there just one short year ago.

I have so many memories at our resort - Lone Oak Point.  After all, I've been going since before I was in high school!  We've always gone with my dad's brother's family and their three boys.  The youngest, Jesse, who wasn't even born when we first started going is now the age my sister was (12) during our very first trip to the lake.  I can also remember when the middle boy, Nathan, was a year old - the age of both Brantley and Kellen now!  Pure craziness!

My sister and our cousins in 2006.  Then ages 9 (Nathan), 12 (Andrew), and 5 (Jesse).  Now ages 16, 19, and 12!

Anyway, Lone Oak Point is on mile maker 11 on the water, right by Ozark Barbeque.  The address is Sunrise Beach, but closest town is Laurie.  Osage Beach (the big lake city) is about 20 minutes away, across the community toll bridge.  There are over 90 miles of lake, if I remember correctly!  It's pretty crazy, really! 

Our resort is very secluded and family-oriented.  There's an outdoor pool, indoor pool, baby pool, a couple of hot tubs, three swim docks, a boat/fishing dock, some hammocks, a game room, and a park.  You can walk from one end of the resort to the opposite in under 10 minutes.    

Our condo is a 3-bedroom/2-bathroom unit on the water.  We've been in this particular condo for a few years, but have stayed in multiple units at this same resort.

Our days spent at the lake are pretty relaxed and low-key.  They usually look something like this: dad fishes at the butt crack of dawn, the rest of us wake up at a normal time, breakfast, guys play tennis, pool time, lunch, more pool time and/or lake time, shower, grill, eat dinner, play cards/games, bedtime.  Repeat.  For seven days.  Sometimes we rent a boat, sometimes a jet ski, sometimes we go to town to play mini golf and ride go-karts, sometimes we go shopping at the outlet mall, and we always go out for dinner on Friday night.

This trip was a tad different with a baby along (more pool, less lake for instance), but I was excited to introduce Brantley to the place where I have such fond memories.

You'd never guess from the pictures, but Brantley didn't love the pool.  Strange, because he's been quite the water baby this summer at our neighborhood pool.  Kellen, on the other hand, who hasn't always loved it, did!

The hubs loves being competitive with my dad.  So between tennis, cards, and ping pong, I'm pretty sure he loves every minute.

Craig left us early Thursday morning to head back to work.  I demanded a quick photo shoot Wednesday night before he left.  Can you spot my new Walmart shirt??

Annual group shot

On Thursday evening, we headed to Ozark Barbeque to show the boys the big fish.  Carp, I think?

On Friday, we headed to our typical dinner spot, Paradise, for dinner.  It's too good, too convenient, and too picturesque to want to try a new place!

And then headed back to our resort for a few more family photos.  I swear we didn't color-coordinate our outfits on purpose!

What a fun extended family vacation it was!  Now we're home for six full days and then off the Florida - just the hubs, myself, and B-Man!  Can't wait!

And because I didn't already post enough pics, how about a few more!  Here are my Instagrams from our week in the Ozarks!

Row 1: Pool time while baby's napping | Lake-watching | Morning cup 'o joe always tastes better with a view like this

Row 2: Our balcony view | Hammock swinging with my babe | Baby trunks hanging out to dry | Thursday night fish fry | A nice pool refreshment

Row 3: Morning bloody | Watching for boats | Hawaiian chicken kabobs | Last night din din | Mmmmm smores

Row 4: Dessert kabobs | First time in the lake for B | Worn out while shopping | Ozarks sunset | Brantley's fave place in the condo

This Spring Break...

It's not like I'm looking forward to going back to school tomorrow, but I'm okay with it - for once.  It begins a new quarter (the 4th and final) and at this point, I'm just ready to finish out the year!  Believe it or not, this break seemed to not fly by in the blink of an eye!  That really warm, near 80-degree Friday seems like forever ago!

This Spring Break...I did lots of things!  Here's how I spent my SB2013!

******************************************************************************************************************

This Spring Break...I watched the snow fall.  And fall some more.  Snow on Thursday.  Snow on Saturday.  And seven more inches overnight Saturday into Sunday.

This Spring Break...I played with my sweet baby Brantley.  He became quite the mama's boy over spring break.  Makes me even more excited for summer!  9 weeks and counting...

This Spring Break...I participated in not one, but two, NCAA March Madness drafts!  I've got $30 on the line to win either $40 or $80!  But it's not looking too great in either draft...

This Spring Break...I broke my toe.  I'm pretty certain of it anyway.  I'm so clumsy and somehow hit it on our ottoman.  I still can't bend it and cringe anytime someone gets close to stepping on it.  It's black and blue and has a bone popping out not like the same toe on the other foot.  I'd post a picture, but don't want to gross you out.  In fact, I avoid looking at it as much as possible.  (Second toe to break in about 5 years by the way...)

This Spring Break...I researched a summer vacay to FL!  It's been in the back of my mind for a few months, but the snow convinced me that it's time to book something!  Gulf coast.  End of July.  Can't wait.

This Spring Break...I took a photography class and practiced my skills.  I already blogged about it here.  I also tried to take some Easter-themed photos of Brantley, but he wasn't having it.

This Spring Break...I tried Boulevard's new Coffee Ale.  Yes, it was that exciting.  My friend Erica was lucky enough to find {and buy} a bottle...but only after being questioned big time by the store clerks.  So, I better blog about it and make it worth it!

This Spring Break...I went to lunch with friends.  Twisted on Wednesday with Katie and Lauren.  Urban Table on Friday with work friends!

(source)

(source)

This Spring Break...I blogged and blogged some more.  I love blogging.  I love documenting our life.  Not working lends itself to lots of blog posts!  You are welcome. :)

(I have no picture to signify blogging.)

This Spring Break...I took B-Man to meet the Easter Bunny!  He actually loved the bunny with big ears...starred at him for awhile and then cracked the biggest smile!  So, so cute.

This Spring Break...I finished the basement remodel.  Well, I didn't do that...the hubs did.  But it was completed over SB, nonetheless!  I blogged about it here.

This Spring Break...I spent four straight days with the hubs.  We may not have gone anywhere warm and sunny, but he took two days off of work to hang out with us watch basketball.  Haha I'm not kidding.  But he hung out with us, too, and I'm gonna guess it was better than his time spent watching basketball.  Right, honey??

This Spring Break...I wished for warmer weather, hoped for some sunshine, and dreamed of being outside.  None of that happened, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time off regardless!

******************************************************************************************************************

P.S. It's been 10 years since my Spring Break vacay in Cancun.  10 freakin' years!!!  Sarah and Casey, can you believe that?!  How about some pictures for old time's sake?

Look how tan we were!!

St. Patty's Day booze cruise, if I remember correctly!

So pretty

Loved the swim up bar(s)!!

We did NOT build this...but did pose by it!

Look at how much fun we were having!

Heading back home

P.P.S. - My, how times have changed.  This was before the days of Facebook, blogs, teaching majors (for Sarah and me), husbands, and of course, kids!  What a fun time it was, but I wouldn't change a thing about where we ended up today!

My Big 3-0 (Part 1)

Last Saturday night was part one of my big 3-0 birthday celebration.  My girlfriends and I headed to Hook Gallery for a little wine-drinking and painting fun!  After a little mishap with the gallery (they double booked and asked us to come earlier than planned), things turned out wonderfully!  They more than made up for their unorganization by giving each girl a pretty significant discount, letting me attend for free, and giving us all $10 off coupons for a future painting happy hour.  Oh, and they're letting me go again for free!  Thursday night painting and wine happy hour, anyone??

We all painted the same thing.  Well, except for my co-worker, Angie, who did her own Andy Warhol-type painting.  The employee walked us through the painting and no prior artistic experience was needed.  Proof in point - many of us are math teachers.  Math teachers have zero creativity.  And our paintings turned out just fine.  In fact, I actually hung my work of art in our master bathroom!  However, two of my bestest friends are art teachers.  I think the gallery employees were a little intimidated by those two.  They were giving the group just as many tips as the gallery folk. :)

Before and afters

My work in progress

All the while painting, we socialized, drank wine, and ate Cupcakes a la Mode.  (Thanks for those, Erica!)  It was superb.  Here are some pictures of our painting party fun!

The group

Our masterpieces

After painting, we headed to Brio on the Plaza for a yummy dinner.  It was the perfect way to ring in my 30s!  Thanks to all my friends for coming out in the January cold to celebrate!  Love you all!