Birthday Fun!

Well y'all, I am no longer in my twenties. Sigh. But, if my thirties are anything close to what my twenties were, I have a lot to look forward to. I had a wonderful birthday dinner with family and friends. I was so honored by everyone who came to celebrate with me and I missed those who couldn't be there.

Abbie put her baking talent to work and made my beautiful cake. It was one of my favorite flavors, strawberry, and was so delicious. She was so thoughtful with the zebra pattern. She even made me six German Chocolate (my other favorite) cupcakes to take home.


Apologies for the many pictures and list of people that are about to follow. This blog is not only for my friends and family, but also my way of capturing and later remembering my life and I want my 30th birthday to be remembered in detail.

Abbie and Chris


Alex and Ron


Steph and Matt


Ashley and Neil


Kristen, Jimmy and baby Grace


The Hazelbaker fam (minus Curt who was out of town on business). Caroline, Melody and Maddie


Laura, Nathan, Brandon, Kelly and baby Anna


Lindsey and Nathan


Lindsey and Katelyn (minus her soon-to-be hubby Derek, who had to work)


Chad, Caroline, Jeff and Carrie


Michael, Julie, baby Ryan, Missy and Bobby


One of my college BFFs Erika and her sweet daughter Savannah. I haven't seen her since November and she and her family drove over an hour to come right after her husband had just gotten off of a plane from a business trip. It meant so much to me!


Erika's son Noah



Meredith


Renna


Sweet Renna Margaret


Anna partied a little too hard.


Anna and Ryan discussing their future


Renna Margaret helping me blow out my candles



Somehow we managed not to get a single picture of Paul and I, my mom, my Gram and my good friend Daphne. It was certainly not on purpose. Despite family and friends who live out of town and the people who couldn't be there, it was a perfect birthday! I am truly thankful and blessed for all of the special people in my life.

Chicago

We had the privilege of spending Memorial Day weekend in Chi-town for my friend Stephanie's wedding. I got to go for several days last spring to visit her, so it was my second time getting to go but was Paul's first. We flew in on Friday to 50 degree weather which was quite a difference from the 90s we left behind. My good friend Anna who lives in San Fran was also there, along with our other dear friend Kristi and her husband Craig. The four of us girls grew up riding horses together and I am so glad we have stayed such good friends throughout all of these years.

Friday when we got there we met Anna and Craig (Kristi was in the wedding and was busy with pre-wedding festivities) and wandered around the city for a while.



That evening Paul and I had dinner at the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building. My friend Alexandra used to live in Chicago and had recommended this to us months ago. I am so glad we went. It was AMAZING and definitely way up there on our favorite date night list!


This is a view from the women's bathroom!


Our view eating dinner.


It was so beautiful as it got dark.


View of Navy Pier




Saturday we ate at a Chicago style pizza roof top restaurant for lunch and roamed around the city some more before the wedding.



The wedding was supposed to be outside at Promontory Point on Lake Michigan but sadly it was cold and pouring down rain all day. The wedding was still beautiful and it stopped raining in time to get some pictures of the awesome view of the city.



Stephie was a stunning bride!



Anna, Kristi and me





Sunday we had all planned to go to the Cubs game. I've always wanted to go to Wrigley Field and had looked forward to this for months. The forecast was not calling for rain as of Saturday morning, but I quickly learned that Chicago weather is as unpredictable as you can get. Literally the second we stepped off the train in Wrigleyville, a monsoon came. We ate a long lunch hoping it would stop but it poured for hours. When we heard the game was on a delay and not cancelled, we headed to the field to wait it out there. It was so cold and rainy and the fog was so thick you couldn't even see the buildings.




Kristi, Craig and Anna finally decided to leave because it didn't seem like there was any way possible they would still have the game. Paul and I decided to stick it out in hopes of them at least being able to get in a few innings. Finally about 3 hours later it stopped raining. When the field crew came out to start taking the tarp off, you would have thought the Cubs had just won the World Series. The fans went crazy! And I was pretty excited myself. In a matter of minutes, it went from looking like there was a lake on the field, to a completely dry and beautiful field.








The game was so much fun and the Cubbies even pulled out a win.


Kristi, Craig and Anna left early Monday morning but Paul and I had a late afternoon flight which left some time for a little more sight seeing. We spent the afternoon at Navy Pier. It was hot and 90 degrees, which felt like a scorcher after the 45 degree weather from the two days before.





It was a super fun weekend. Thanks to Stephanie and Jevon for getting married in Chicago!