Seattle | July 17

Well, you heard about how we got to Seattle, but you haven't heard anything else yet.  Like how I spent my actual birthday with my Seattle family.

This face is what we got to see first thing in the morning.

I die.   Have you noticed that her shirt says, "I love my auntie?" Here, I'll add another pic just so you can read it:

Have you melted yet? No? Well, give it time, because I have about 1 billion more pictures of this adorable face in the coming posts.

Anyway, after an awesome breakfast prepared by Peesh (Michelle), and some ganging up on my brother, we headed off to the locks to check out the action.

In true Seattle style, it was raining...but that didn't stop us from heading out.

I have a sneaking suspicion, though, that this whole trip was simply a ploy for Marky to go boat shopping. He had his eye on the boat in the middle:

The boys got a kick out of the fish ladders, but I didn't even knew what they were until I saw them.

After heading back home to freshen up, we went out for a super special birthday dinner at a beautiful Italian restaurant that I can't remember the name of.

You might have noticed all the drinks in front of me. Don't worry, they weren't mine.

They were Aki's. :D (Now that's what I call a wine flight!)

Dinner was fabulous, and the company was even better. I don't get to see my brother and his little big family that often, so spending my birthday with them was a huge present.

...Of course, that didn't stop them from getting me presents.

Side Note: The funny/sad story was that Aki, Mark, and Michelle had been conspiring with Hubs to get me a present that they knew I wanted - a Kindle. Of course, if you read my previous post, you know that Holly got me a Kindle. Once I got it, I sent a HeyTell message telling them that I FINALLY have a Kindle and I needed them to loan me some books. Unfortunately, that meant it was back to the drawing board for my birthday present.  And there's an unopened Kindle just sitting at their house while Peesh tries to convince Aki to keep it.

They absolutely spoiled me by getting me the watch I had been wanting since Christmas, and Peesh even got me a super hot Pink Kindle cover with a light! (Btw, THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!!)

So much for insisting that no one get me any presents. (Not that I'm complaining!)

Link | Full Photo Set

Birthday Festivities | Pool Party

My other BFF, Holly Wolly, is the hands-down most thoughtful, selfless person you'll ever meet. Holly and I met in college (VC!) and pretty much became instant friends. She has been there for me through the worst times, and walked beside me during the best times. Holly has a heart bigger than this world.

Holly and me on my wedding day.  Photo by Wes Craft

It should come as no surprise to you, then, that she went completely above and beyond for my birthday this year. This girl? She brought up her nieces and nephew (who I have seen born and grow up faster than I can keep track of) and rented a hotel room just so we could see each other before I left for Seattle.

She thought of everything. Even the outside of the room door was decorated with a huge birthday banner, matching the room inside. I was even given a "birthday princess" sash to wear, and a Garfield birthday balloon. And the present? My Holly went WAY overboard and bought me the present I had been wanting for months - a Kindle! (Which, btw, I used all though the trip to Seattle.) It was WAY TOO MUCH and I kept insisting that she take it back. But one thing you'll learn about Holly is that she's as stubborn as I am, so I knew I was fighting a losing battle.

After she took us out to a delicious dinner at Cheeseburger in Paradise, we all went swimming in the hotel pool. I was beyond excited to go swimming.

Little Payton testing the water

And, of course, so were the kids.

Love that cheesy smile!

Payton, Maggie, and PJ were all excited to go swimming.

After a good 2 hours swimming, we went back to the room for a homemade Rice Krispie Treat "cake" (made especially for me because my Holly Wolly knows me a little too well).

But before I knew it, it was time to go home since I had to work in the morning. Holly Wolly always knows how to make a birthday girl feel special, though. THANK YOU, HOLLY WOLLY! I LOVE YOU!

Link | Full Photo Set

Birthday Festivities | A BEAUTYful Night

Just like last year, I have been completely spoiled for my birthday this year.  It's public knowledge that I have been known to extend my birthday celebrations for over a month, and this year is no exception.  This year's celebration started way back when on July 9th with my BFF Mrs. Chen (xoxo!).

Mrs. Chen is the ultimate party planner.  I mean, she pulled off her ENTIRE wedding in a matter of weeks (true story - I was even the Maid of Honor!).  So when it came to my birthday this year, she surprised me months ago with plans to see Beauty and the Beast downtown (who says you need to go to NYC for a broadway show?).

Needless to say, I was stoked.  B&tB was one of my favorite Disney movies growing up, and it was guaranteed to be a cheesy feel-good time.

On the agenda?  Sushi, B&;tB, Drinks, a random encounter with Cheryl and THOUSANDS of lighted bikers.

Sushi!

Ok, I'm going to admit something here.  Up until earlier this year, I HATED sushi.  And now, I cannot. get. enough. of. it.  (Rolls only, none of that raw fish laying on a bed of rice stuff.  Yet.)  So when Mrs. Chen suggested a sushi place across from Millennium Park, I was all over it like white on rice.

You laughed at my pun.  Admit it.

Yes, we pose with food.

The sushi was, of course, awesome.  Even better were the drinks!  Mango Madness and Lychee martinis...drool!

Yes, we pose with drinks.

Theatre!
A short walk later, we were at the theatre.  It was beautiful.

LOVE this pic of Mrs. Chen!  Super hot!

Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed in the actual theatre, so I had to sneak this one on my cell and call it a night as long as we were there.  A DSLR isn't exactly discreet.

Of course, B&tB was ridiculously goofy and awesome.  And if you're wondering?  The awkward part in the movie where the beast turns into a human is equally as awkward in the play.  Think 'spinning mummy accompanied by strobe lights.'

Drinks!
Next, we decided to head to the Palmer House Hilton for some drinks (because somehow, Mrs. Chen knows where everything in the city is...which is good, because I tend to prance around looking in store windows instead of paying attention to what block we're on).

And OKAY, the Palmer House is frilling beautiful.  Somehow, they managed to make the place look modern without ruining its historical pieces.

You know what else was beautiful?  The food, drinks, and dessert.

Cheers!

Neil from Antioch

You know what was ridiculous?  The amount of times we were hit on by drunken men at the bar.  My favorite was Neil from Antioch.  He was incredibly awkward to the point of creepiness and couldn't stop talking about how he 'liked my style and everything I have going on' (motions with hands).  Mrs. Chen's favorites were the red wine drunks who came to ask the bartender if they could buy some Red Bull to take up to their room...except it came out more like, "Can we has Red Bull deliver room service?  You have Red Bull?  Can we buy?"  They originally came over with some boring line, like, "Come here often?" as they sauntered stumbled over to our chairs and put their arms around us.

Lighted Bikes!
Apparently there's some huge nighttime bike ride downtown every year, and it just so happened to be on the night we were there.  And it just so happened that my friend/Team Lead Cheryl was riding in said bike ride.  So we trampled over to Buckingham Fountain (in heels, mind you) to meet up with her.

Blurry proof that I walked in heels

And, um, Chicago?  This event is HUGE.  Let me paint a picture for you:  THOUSANDS of bikers all decked out in glow sticks and flashing lights.  2 chicks wearing heels and dresses.  HUGE crowds of THOUSANDS of people.  Attempting to find someone in said crowd.  Finding the person in the crowd because I picked up a rogue glow necklace laying on Columbus and waved it above the crowd like a lasso.  People looking at said 2 chicks in heels and dresses like they're from Mars.  Yeah, we rock like that.

So that's the...long...of my birthday festivities with Mrs. Chen (might I call this a novella?  it's sure long enough).  I had an absolute blast and I am so thankful to have such a thoughtful friend...thank you so much, Mrs. Chen (and don't worry, I'll spare you from telling everyone the nickname that Neil from Antioch gave you).

Link | Full Photo Set

O'hare @ 1AM

O'hare @ 1AM, a photo by amandaandsteve on Flickr.

2 hour delay + 2 hour time difference = Tired.

Cute Castaway

I'm pretty sure this little castaway is coming back home with me.


I'm having a very hard time resisting that face and those pigtails.

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Birthday Wishes

It's been a busy day here in the city by the sea, but I've been blessed enough to spend it with the part of my family I don't normally see...especially this cutie pie:


I can't tell you how sweet they have been to me, and how spoiled I was by the delicious dinner and presents. Uncle Steve has suddenly become the best human jungle gym, and we are having a blast with our nephews and niece.

But to my fam back home, THANK YOU for the awesome birthday wishes. For some reason, my phone hasn't actually rang but your voicemails have all come through. And each one of them have managed to bring a (happy) tear to my eye. From little J's spirited birthday song, to my parents' even more spirited birthday song, to Pin's heartfelt birthday song and (tearjerker) message, you've all made me feel so loved. I even got a birthday text from Baby Atch prior to her October arrival! Even though I'm not there, my heart is
right there with ya.

I'm so thankful for each and every one of you. Thanks for making this birthday girl feel extra special.

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What You're Missing in First Class

Now I dont know about you, but I am not the type of person who is blessed with billions of frequent flyer miles and upgrades to first class. So in my mind, actually flying First Class seemed like an unattainable wish reserved for only those who have some sort of elite business status.

Until today. Today, I got to fly First Class for the first time, ever.

My husband is something amazing. He happened to notice the screen that we usually breeze past during checkin asking if we wanted to upgrade seats for a fee. Normally, it's some exorbitant amount that is totally laughable. But today, today, my friends, it was cheap.

So we did it! And here I am, sitting in First Class, with my legs propped up and my complimentary warm nuts and alcoholic beverage(s) sitting on the oversized arm rest next to me.





$2.00 for headphones? Not for us! Complimentary!

$6.50 for an alcoholic drink in a plastic cup? Not for us! Complimentary, and in an actual glass!


Waiting in line for an hour just to end up in a cramped seat for 4 hours? Not for us! We were ushered through the first class security line, greeted by name, offered a beverage of our choice, AND given a complimentary hot towel upon arrival on the plane.

$5.00 for a crappy "snack box" that was packed a week ago? Not us! We were given a choice of a complimentary warm meal (teriyaki mandarin salmon salad or a warm cheesy chicken sandwich) with actual silverware and a cloth napkin! "Would you like some complementary wine with lunch?" Why not!!





No dessert? Not us! We were given a complimentary warm cranberry walnut oatmeal cookie.



Nothing to do on the plane? Not me! Hubs surprised me with a pre-birthday Lego gift set!


I have been ruined for life. I cannot go back to coach.


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