the big 2-9

Monday was my 29th birthday – that number used to sound SO old! It's humorous to think of what I thought my life would look like at "29" – it's not at all what the reality is now. Truth is, it's better! God has blessed me with such an amazing life – I have a wonderful family, an amazing husband, and fabulous friends. I feel extremely loved & thankful for it all.

Brian & I started out my birthday weekend the same way we started it out last year... with cookie cake!

The pictures below made me laugh because Brian unknowingly got trick candles for the cake. We didn't realize it until they just kept re-lighting themselves. I'm surprised the smoke detector didn't go off. Can you see all of the smoke?

Saturday we had a relaxing day together, which ended with a fabulous dinner at our favorite place... Bottega Cafe.

And an "orange thing." Yes, please! {the picture below was taken with my new point & shoot, a canon powershot S90. I'm loving having a nicer small camera to just throw in my purse when I don't want to carry my SLR. thank you, husband!}

On Sunday the Fredrickson's came to visit. We had a great lunch at home. My Grandma made the trip & met Brian for the 1st time! Mom & Dad gave me this rug, thus completing our dining room! {It's been empty for the past 10 months so this is huge for us!} It looks even better in person – Willow especially loves it, as one of her favorite places to lounge is under this chair.

Caleb wanted to take me on a "date" for my birthday & somehow got it in his head that he needed to dress up. With his Nanny's help he managed to show up in a dress shirt, tie, sweater vest & blazer. How cute is that? He & I sat at the kitchen table {away from everyone else} so we could have our "date," since we were all staying at the house for lunch. I love overflows for this kid. Before lunch he pulled out my chair for me, while we ate he asked me questions, and at one point told me that "it doesn't have to be my birthday for him to take me on a date." We already knew he would be a heart breaker, but even more so if he keeps this up!

His mommy also came to see us, with boyfriend John in tow. We loved getting to meet him.

They did not come empty-handed. Another favorite of mine is the raspberry chocolate truffle cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. It's amazing!

The celebration did not end there... but more on that later.