The Old Man's Big Birthday Bash

Because 30 is a big one, we decided to celebrate it with a bang. (And, like I said, what goes around comes around, right?? At least that is what I'm hoping...) Anyways, I planned a few very exciting surprises to help Jake enter his new decade of life with style. Unfortunately they didn't all stay surprises, but I think the overall birthday was a HUGE success. If I don't win "Wife of the Year" for this I will be shocked.
The first thing I did is ensure the arrival of lots of good birthday mail for my one and only. Jake loves seeing what we got in the mail everyday so I thought it might be fun for him to receive birthday wishes in the days leading up to his birthday. Thank you to all of you who participated! He received some especially good homemade cards and lovely pictures that were good for a laugh.

The next phase of the celebration was to pack up the car and head out to Louisiana. I sure won't be sad to get a bigger car, although the girlies do look cute all snuggled up and sleeping.

Friday night he received his next gift which was an LSU t-shirt from me and three LSU football tickets from his parents. I'm actually really surprised that he didn't expect to go to this game. This was a surprise that actually stayed a surprise.

Jake got to go to the game with his dad and brother Luke who is actually an LSU student. Even though they lost, they had great seats and still had tons of fun being at the game and eating fried chicken on the way to AND from the game. I'm glad no one died of a heart attack in their sleep.

That night I saw Twilight with two of my sister-in-laws and a friend. I already commented on my thoughts on the movie in my last post so I won't recap it here. I will say that I really enjoy going to the movies. Having children cuts down on movie trips immensely.

The girls had so much fun being spoiled by family on this trip. Elle was sad to be home last night. They enjoyed playing on this stump left from the tree that Gustav took down, playing with water balloons, taking lots of walks, going on an armadillo hunt, learning about trees, seeing Madagascar 2, and playing our own version of boccie ball.

Sunday was Jake's actual birthday so we celebrated with cake and presents. Esther is nice enough to share a cake with Jake. Their birthdays are three days apart. Thanks Esther- you know you love it!

And here is the first of many strange poses Jake decided to pull in front of the camera on this trip. Don't ask me why- he must think he's funny. Pay attention. You'll see lots more but I will not comment on them in hopes to draw attention away from this strange habit. Kirstie would hate it if he pulled one of these on her wedding day...

One of his presents were two Saints tickets and a Saints t-shirt given to him by the best wife around. He loves the Saints and is a true fan and remains loyal even through the losses (which at times can be many).

Jake and his brother Paul went to the game. We were lucky that they were playing a Monday night Football game the day after his birthday. It was meant to be!

The tickets weren't the closest, but they had a great time. Jake said it was the best football game he's ever been too. The Saints killed the Packers, tying the franchise record for most points scored in a game. A Saints player also broke the franchise touchdown record that night making it overall an awesome game. And you know how New Orleans likes to party. Jake and Paul hung around watching a street band play after the game, and I believe Jake even busted a few moves.

Tuesday morning Jake and I left the kids with his family and headed out to Destin, Florida (another birthday present). The only trip we've ever taken without kids is to the hospital to have babies and to Texas to look for a house. This trip was much needed.

I love the beach. I kept saying that to Jake. I also love the fact that all I had to bring out with me was this tiny purse.

It was so much fun to take a trip this time of year and see all the fun Christmas decorations (although I do still have a hard time feeling the Christmas spirit before Thanksgiving). And this just happens to be my favorite decoration. I'm thinking about getting a whole herd of moving ones for my yard. You know, and putting some blue lights on the ground like water.

Loved all these giant decorated trees...

The first night we ate at P.F. Chang's which is kind of our special restaurant. We went there on one of our first dates and go back occasionally for special occasions. That is also the night we saw Jake's new favorite movie "Twilight".

We stayed at the Embassy Suites and got upgraded to the "Celebration Suite" because our first room smelled like smoke and I am so picky about that. The new room had a much better view of the ocean so I was way happy. Also loved the gourmet breakfast we got both days.

The beach was beautiful and the weather was so nice. We collected quite a few seashells for the girls. We are trying to convince Jake's family that we need to all spend Thanksgiving down here next year. The girls would love playing on the beach and it would be such a fun break from the usual turkey eating routine.

We spent a lot of the day Wednesday shopping the outlets that were right by our hotel. We honestly shopped so much that Jake and I were both burnt out. Some of our purchases were super cute and so comfy jeans for me and some capris that were only $8. A steal.

I had made reservations for us at the Melting Pot that night. I had been wanting to try this place out for awhile. It was really good, but the main course wasn't my favorite. I liked the other parts (cheese, salad, dessert) much better. It was fun but I don't think we'll go back again anytime soon. We did enjoy our own little "private as possible" room, and they even set out a birthday card for Jake.

After dinner we went over to our friends Joey and Ang's house to hang out for a bit. Jake and Joey were really good friends freshman year of college and we always love seeing them and their cute kids.

We headed back to the children on Thanksgiving day to find everyone happy and healthy and in one piece. And you know what? I really don't think they even missed us. Even Jada was great while we were away (or so they say).

One milestone that was reached on this trip... Elle learned to tie her shoes. I'm lazy and hadn't taught her. Glad someone else took on the task.

I didn't do any Black Friday shopping (told you I was burnt out- unless you count a Wal-Mart run that night which I totally don't), but Jake did get to go to lunch with a friend and I got to go to a bridal shower. Gigi and Pops were super nice and took Elle and Mya to the circus that was in town. They loved it and even got to ride an elephant!

Thanks to everyone that helped make Jake's birthday so perfect! Now we have to hurry and throw up Christmas lights, finish decorations, etc. We only have less than three weeks until our next trip so not much time to enjoy the decorations! And life definitely doesn't slow down in December with cards and presents and parties and goodies and...

Bella and Katniss

Since it's going to still be a bit until I can tell you all about our wonderful birthday/Thanksgiving vacation I thought I would discuss two really important things. First being Twilight the movie.
So, I have seen it twice. Aren't I completely lame?! The first time was with two of my sister-in-laws and a friend, and the second time was with Jake. Now, for the record, Jake did not want to see this movie. But we were in Florida and we wanted to see a movie and our choices were seriously limited. So Twilight it was. I really was happy to have him see it with me because I wanted to know what he thought. And despite the fact that he gave me a big thumbs down when it was over, I think deep down he secretly liked it. Ever since seeing it he'll randomly ask me questions about the story like "What happens with Jacob?" so I know he cares, even if he'll never admit it. My thoughts on the movie... I liked the book better for sure. I missed a lot of the dialogue from the book and felt as though the movie kind of rushed into things and all of a sudden they were in love. It had some good and funny parts, but also some bad acting parts. Jake thought Bella was a horrible actress. Overall opinion- good, not great. I hope they keep making them because I think book two could make a great movie. And we all know how I like that Jacob Black!
And next, a great book I finished reading on the trip. Really really liked this book. I have to recommend it with a warning that the major premise of the book is based around having to kill people, but it's a young adult book so it is not too bad. Despite the occasional violence it's a really easy, suspenseful read with a cute love story. Part of the end turned a little too sci-fi for my liking, but it was short-lived. And I definitely did not expect it to end the way it did. Just when I thought it would all be wrapped up...

Surprise, Sister!

For my sister Kirstie's bridal shower I thought I would give her the best gift imaginable- a little surprise visit from me! (Well, that, and a VS gift card.) So little Boo and I took to the skies Thursday morning and headed out to Cali for a fun getaway. I was so lucky to have Jake's parents come into town to help with the kids for most of the time I was gone. It is such a relief to know they are in good hands, and it lowers my stress level about leaving tremendously. So thank you thank you to them, along with my hubby Jake (who really did get spoiled with all the help), and to my friends here who helped out with Elle and Mya. You are all great and deserve lots of money. I'd give it to you if I had it! Anyways, leaving your life and kids is no small task. I had to make a seriously long to-do list for Jake's parents to ensure that the girls got where they needed to be at the times they needed to be there. And Jake's parents were spared no activities- we're talking preschool, kindergarten, soccer, gymnastics, soccer party, etc. The list was intense- I even highlighted the important items.
The girls did great, made it everywhere they needed to be, and even had some fun amongst all those other things. I, of course, enjoyed myself tremendously and realized how easy life is with just little Boo. How is it that when you only have one kid, one seems hard. Then, by the time you have three, to just take one with you is extremely easy.

My older sister Kellie and Brad's oldest sister Kelly, along with a few others, did an awesome job with all the food and decorations. Everything was just perfect. I loved the napkins held together with diamond rings. Such a cute idea!

Brad's mom had framed a bunch of engagement pictures to display. And the little party favors were chocolate framed pics of Kirs and Brad. (Elle couldn't believe it that you could eat the picture. Her and Mya thoroughly enjoyed eating Kirstie and Bradley tonight for dessert.)

It was so much fun to spend time with my mom and sisters. I love my sisters and am so glad my girls will have each other one day.

We got to sign a platter, which was yet another great idea.

Kirs got seriously spoiled with all the gifts she received. I told her she's going to have the best decorated newlywed apartment ever!

Notice me in the pic above performing one of my many tasks I took on at the shower. Sadly, I had too many other jobs on my plate so being the gift recorder fell to my friend Heidi. I was too busy being the part-time photographer, trash collector, bow and card keeper, and present move out helper. It was tough, but someone had to do it.

Here's my friend Heidi, who I sadly only got to see that night. Don't worry, I'll be out for sixteen days at Christmas time so I'm sure we'll see more of each other then! And below is my cousin Cheryl, who is always fun to see.

And I just had to take a pic of these cookies because they were seriously too cute!

Jada got lots of time to play with her little cousin Logan who is about four months older than she is. And, contrary to what it may look like in a few of these pics, Jada's suitcase didn't get lost at the airport and she in fact did have clothes to wear on this trip. She just seems to be missing them in a lot of these pictures.

Above is when my mom decided that 6 a.m. was a good time to give the kids fudgecicles (okay, so maybe it was more like 9 or 10 a.m. but honestly, isn't any time before, let's say, noon too early for one of these? Maybe it's just me.)

And what's a weekend with the sisters without some serious shopping?! It was my goal to get as much Christmas stuff done as possible before and on this trip so I don't have so much to haul out with me come December when I'm traveling with all my kids. And I had to take a picture of all the presents below so my kids will know that there really are presents even if they won't be under our tree. They just have to wait until California to see them.

I was also so happy to be able to help Kirs assemble around 300 wedding invites. The glue stick is my friend.

Had to include a pic of Kirs in her cute new "jumpsuit" (don't ask me why Bradley called it that).

I told Kirs that this would be a nice framed decoration for the living room of their new apartment. Somehow I can't see her husband going for that, although my mom did think that it added a nice touch to her hallway decor. (And don't be fooled by the betraying look of the picture above. Jacob Black, I am still your number one fan, always and forever. Until you met Renesme, that is.)

Jada enjoyed overcoming her fear of the dogs, playing with the cat, and going on the "wee" (swing). We can't wait to go back in a little over a month. That trip is going to be packed with all sorts of fun. You can definitely expect a long blog post after that one!

Just a few shots from the back row of the plane. I survived yet another flight with kid in tow. I am amazing.

Now I have to make a quick turnaround before our next Thanksgiving/Birthday extravaganza trip. It should be lots of fun, even though Jake knows quite a bit of what is going on (unfortunately- but like I told him, the surprise is only part of it. Actually doing everything I've planned will still be so much fun.) Still trying to convince him to take me to go see "Twilight", as I'm sure all my friends will have seen it by the time I get back. This may take some coaxing, but the way I see it is that he owes me after I planned the biggest birthday celebration of his life. We'll see how convincing I can be!