Turning 30

(long post and tons of pictures!)
My 30Th Birthday was last week. What a wonderful week I had. Andy planned some really fun parties, we ate some good food, played, relaxed, and had great company.
On Wednesday we headed up to our friends Jen and Chris's for a little El Pollo Loco, Jazz game, Cake and girl talk. It is always great to get together and I felt very special. Thank you all that were able to come.
Thursday was my Birthday! A pretty bit of snow had fallen during the night and made a tiny blanket of snow, It was pretty. Andy took off the first couple of hours that morning and we all headed to Dee's for some Breakfast. My birthday presents were some delicious girl scout cookies (which were gone in 24 hrs), A penny souvenir holder(yes, I am a dork and smash my pennies while on vacations), and a new camera. Plus all the fun parties (Thanks Babe!) After spending a fun day receiving all the "Happy Birthday" notes from facebook, emails, and phone calls I felt so loved. Then I heard a knock at the door and had a beautiful flower bouquet sent to me from my parents.
Once Andy came home and we headed off to . . . Chuck E Cheese. Now I was given the choice to go pretty much anywhere, when cute little Etta took my head in her hands and looked me right in the eyes and said, "You really want to go to Chuck E Cheese for your birthday, right mom?" What else could I say but yes. We had a great time eating pizza, playing games and getting prizes.
Saturday Andy had told me our friends Mike and Chelsea had invited us to their house for dinner. I didn't think anything of it since my birthday was on Thursday and we had already had a friend party Wed. Well, when we arrived surprise there were a few more people than just us and the Walsh's. And for the next hour or so more of my friends arrived and it made me so Happy! We ate sushi, wantons, steak, chicken, ham fried rice and cake. Man, Chelsea can cook!

Birthday Morning Breakfast

Me, the birthday girl and darling Etta posing for my birthday

Jason giving me the front seat for my birthday

My sweetie Andy, or it could be Joaquin phoenix

My beautiful Etta sang Happy Birthday to me all day

The fam at breakfast

Gibby always wanting to be just like his daddy

Chuck E Cheese

Gibby lovin' the pizza

Brothers giving me a smile for my birthday

She is just darling!

Gibby playing the Simpson's pinball game, I helped him a little

Daddy and kids winning lots of tickets

Etta teaching Gibby how to play all the games

Silly Etta having so much fun in the Jungle Gym

Taking the dog for a ride

High flying games,

cages,

and monster safari rides.

Gibby's favorite game

Father and son playing football, just perfect

Water game, she played this game all by herself

Andy and I playing the basketball game...

I won!

Happy mommy- I had a great birthday at Chuck E Cheese!

Etta and her jewelry she purchased with the tickets

Gibby and his ball from the ticket winnings

Just a perfect Birthday, Gibson and Mommy at the end of the day!

Saturday night surprise birthday get together

Jake, Cole and Jason chillin' on the coach, Cole is giving me a Happy Birthday smile

Sarah, Jill and Richard came all the way just for me!

Sarah and Me, I am mad Jill wouldn't get in since she promised a later picture and we never got took it. ( I still love ya Jill!)

Me at my party with Andy and Stacey and good friends!

Eating the yummy food!

My CAKE!

I had the most wonderful night, week and day. I wish I could turn 30 every year!
Thank you to everyone for coming to my parties, for the food, friendship and memories! BIG Thanks to my wonderful Husband for putting everything all together.

We love pudding

Last week my good friend Angelica sends me a text and says she and Layla and Weston are in town and wanted to see if we could come over and play. We miss playing with them since they moved to AZ so when ever they come we try to make sure we hang out.
Angelica had the best little idea for the kids. She had made pudding and divided it up and colored each one in a different food coloring. Then we set the kids on the table and they finger painted, got all messy and then licked it off. A very fun and tasty activity.
Layla knew just what to do. She just dove right in painting and licking that pudding up. Etta and Gibson watch for a bit, then they touched the pudding. After a second or two they brought their fingers to their mouth and that is when the light when on. Gibson was doing a bit more licking than painting but all three where having the time of their lives.

Angelica helping the kids get their fun pudding paint

Gibby not really sure what to do

Layla showing my kids how to paint, eat it and have fun

The kids painting their masterpieces

This is funny, all three have their fingers in their mouths

Messy Layla

Getting better at actually making a picture

Etta didn't get to messy but...

She sure was having fun

Miss Layla being silly

Gibson's main goal was to get the pudding in his mouth

"How to" by Gibson
How to make sure you get all the pudding

1.
Pick up your dish

2.
Make sure everyone is watching

3.
Start licking the dish

4.
You can't get it all unless you stick your whole face in the dish

5.
Pure pudding enjoyment

We had so much fun. After we cleaned up we headed outside and played find all the Mardi Gras beads. Angelica had hidden close to 50 mardi gras beads and the kids ran around trying to find all the beads. It was darling how excited they would get over finding them and how sometimes Layla or Etta would be not to happy the other one found one. This age is so darling.

We had so much fun Angelica and Layla we can't wait to play with you again soon!

Free trip to the Zoo

The last Wednesday of the month during the winter season the Hogle Zoo does "Free Zoo Day". We headed over there last Wednesday right as the Zoo opened. It was a beautiful morning and the kids where all so excited. Etta brought her camera and was taking pictures of everything at first. Then just wanted to look at the animal with her friends. Gibby stayed in the stroller for a bit but then wanted to walk and get up close to the animals just like all the big kids. The elephants, bears, penguins and giraffes were the favorites. Once we headed over to the tiger area we had to leave. Etta had dance so we couldn't stay the whole time. Just as we were heading out buses full of kids where coming so we weren't to sad to be leaving. We will for sure hit up the Zoo a few more times this year. Kids just love the animals!

Etta taking a picture of her monkey, she loves monkeys and says she wants to be a "monkey Dr" when she grows up.

Draling little girls just watching the Elephants eat

The Zebra's were very popular

Asking me if I can see the "ebra"

I think gibby loved that the Zebra's, they were at his level

Trying real hard to find the bears

Oh, there they are I see two bears

Mom's favorites the penguins

Gibby loved them too, I think he just loves all the animals

He couldn't take his eyes off the Giraffes and Etta was showing me how the Giraffe's eat

Showing me the tall Giraffe

My little tiger

Riding the Tiger picture

Etta loves all her friends and loves holding their hands, just darling!