Birthday Week

So, as you all know, I turned 34 last Wednesday. I had a great birthday and it is amazing how much more exciting birthdays are with facebook. Don't you think? Thanks for all of your birthday wishes.
The birthday celebrations started on Saturday when Steve and I were able to get two very good and fun babysitters for the boys and we headed off on our three hour drive to Columbia, SC to go to the temple. I made chicken salad and we had cheetos and grapes and had a nice drive and a nice lunch in the car. We were able to do a session together which doesn't happen as often as I would like it to, and then we headed back home. The babysitters were alive and happy, the boys were alive and happy, and Steve and I were rejuvenated and very grateful for the nice day. Cindy and Carina found the camera while we were gone and here are some of the fun shots they took:
Poor Cindy!

On Wed. Steve decided to work since he got Thursday off for Veterans day. The morning started off pretty rocky, but Steve called and sang Happy Birthday to me at least six times, so that was fun. That night I took the boys to Chick Fil A for dinner so I didn't have to cook and then headed to YW's. My wonderful YW had planned a little surprise party for me with cake and ice cream, ballons and streamers, chips and dip, and so on. It was so nice and it really made my day. So, we partied for half the time and practiced for Young Women in Excellence for the other half. It really was so nice. Then when I got home I had a clean house that Steve and the younger boys had worked on and they even made a chocolate marble cake.
Since Steve had the next day off we went to IHOP in the morning for my annual birthday breakfast. I got the chocolate pancakes and enjoyed them very much. Afterwards I went over to the salon for my friend to do my hair, I got a cut, color and highlights and she decided she wanted to see if she could make it straight. What do you think? I still can't get over Steve's reaction. He really thought he was seeing a whole new woman and was very excited about it. The boys even said when it gets curly again I won't be pretty anymore. How Rude!
{Here is a little pregnancy shot for you}

Well, Steve had class Thursday night so we still didn't go out to dinner and have birthday cake, which brings us to Friday. We made plans to drive to the city Steve works in to have a cheap game of bowling and spend some time together as a family. We haven't bowled since we moved back to the states, and we had a wonderful time! The boys loved it. Steve won of course, but not by much!
{This is Steven's friend Nash helping Jacob. He was with us and spent the night that night. He is such a wonderful boy.}
{Pizza while we bowled}


Then we came home to open gifts. Steve gave me {a sewing machine} which is exactly what I asked for and I love it!! No more sewing boy scout patches on by hand. And I hope to be able to learn a lot more than that on it too. Now just to find a place to put it.

Italicized words were added after Sarah's comment. Thanks Sarah! :-)