above and beyond...again.

Lisa brought these cookies to the birthday party. I just wrote about how she is always going the distance. Well, check out the surprise in these chocolate chip cookies. An entire oreo. Inside the cookie. Unbelievable. And so, so crazy good.

a birthday surprise

Two nights before we went to California we were to have supper with my folks to celebrate my birthday with the two of them. When we got to their house, they, and the Groves clan were each holding a mylar balloon and ready to celebrate. It was a great surprise that I had completely sniffed out. Honestly, I have overhyped my birthday so terribly much that the real surprise would be if there wasn't a surprise planned. Family and balloons was perfect.

I had read Rory the story I wrote about the mylar balloons from my 7th grade birthday a few weeks ago. When I was done reading it he said, "that first paragraph was so sweet. I wasn't ready for the rest to get to serious." I think this party, with all of beautiful, shining balloons was his way of trying to put the fun back in mylar for me.

california cousins

We got to see Rory's cousins Tim and Brittany when we were in San Francisco. Tim and I attended our first Groves Family Reunion together when we were both engaged to be married into the clan... I've always felt a special bond with him because of this fact :)

They are salt of the earth people and I wish we all lived closer!

my 30th birthday

Shannon pulled out all the stops for my 30th including 30 balloons to be delivered, a 90(!!) minute massage, supper at a French Bistro and gifts and goodies all day long. Every moment had been considered and I felt so loved.

green pastures

We spent my birthday weekend with our friends John and Shannon at their place just outside of San Francisco in Marin County. It is also their daughter Kate's birthday weekend. We were with Shannon two years ago when her water broke with Kate, and were together last year as well. And I was with Shannon the day she found out she was preggers with Kate. It is a joy to celebrate with Kate.

John and Shannon live in a really gorgeous part of the country. Everything was green, and gave us a welcome break from winter white. Rory spent much of his time walking around their place with the camera and took some glorious pictures.