Happy Birthday to me!!!

I got to spend the last several days in Utah for a fun trip and for my birthday celebration. Alex had been eager for me to come see him and Stacey, and to meet their new baby girl, Jan. After a busy week in Boston, I left right after school on Friday and headed to the airport, where I sat and sat too long, and was way too cramped in my seats. I was so thankful to be out of the planes and to be met at the Salt Lake airport by Stacey and baby Jan. I spent Friday night with Stacey and Alex-laughing, hanging out, etc.

Then on Saturday morning, Alex took me on a grueling run up Rock Canyon. He decided that he needed to kick my trash, so he wouldn't be embarrassed about whether I beat him or not, so he made me basically climb a mountain and gasp for air the whole time. So the elevation did not cooperate for me, I must be acclimatizing considerably to Boston and sea level ;) After our run, which Alex wants everyone to know that he kicked my trash on, I met up with my dear friend, Sarah for a yummy breakfast.

Then I headed into Salt Lake. My Aunt Susie needed to be with my cousin who had been admitted to LDS hospital for medical complications, probably pregnancy related (Nicole-you have been in my prayers!) and so I took Presley for a couple of hours. I used to play with her lots when I lived in Salt Lake, so we spent the afternoon doing some of our favorite things.
Here is Presley at the park; we picked up food for lunch and headed to the park for picnicking.
Presley then took this picture of me. We had a yummy lunch and as we sat under the trees, all of the leaves were falling like crazy...falling onto our lunch, all over our picnic blanket, and even into my purse. It sure was funny. We watched the dogs, and then we played on the playground. Afterwards, we went to find a spot to do sidewalk chalk up in the Avenues, where I used to live, so I hope no one minded our sidewalk art. Then Presley was a bit disappointed that I didn't have a house for us to go to and do one of our all time favorites-bake and decorate cupcakes. So instead we opted to go to Mini's Cupcakes on 900 S.
We each had a cupcake and then decided to save the rest to share with Susie and Nicole. I, of course, had to have the peanut butter chocolate one (top right).
After stopping for cupcakes, Presley and I headed back up to the hospital to meet up with Susie.

I headed back to Provo after that, and had a really fun, really awesome Saturday night ;)

Then Sunday morning, I went with Alex, Stacey, Jan, and Brian up to Temple Square where we watched Music and the Spoken Word. I love listening to wonderful music, even if I am not musically talented myself, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performed so well. It was definitely an inspiring, uplifting way to start my Sabbath day. After Brian headed back to Provo, I went with Alex, Stacey, and Jan up to Bountiful to visit my Nana. She was good and quite chatty. I attended Alex and Stacey's married student ward; BYU students married and so in love...it was almost too much for me ;)

Here are Alex and Stacey in the Visitor's Center on Temple Square, what a cute couple!
No wonder they have such a cute baby! Isn't she darling!?
She is so cute and so fun and loves me so much, she even lets me squeeze her, and apparently squish her a bit too much.
Jan Eliane Carruth is my 8th niece, and I do have 1 nephew, too. She is so fun. She is very alert for a 2 month old, she laughs and smiles a lot, she giggles, she scoots on her playmat, and she lets me hold her, feed her her bottle, talk to her, sing to her, and rock her to sleep. She even lets me change her diapers-what luck!
I love her!

I miss you already, Jan!

Then I spent Sunday night, and all Monday with good company, in good conversation, having great fun and even eating good food...what more could I ask for?!

Which brings me to Tuesday-my birthday! On Monday night, Alex had asked me what would make a perfect birthday, and I decided that not having to go to school or work was going to make the day pretty darn good. After experiencing the day, I would say it was perfect...the best birthday that I have had in quite some time. Part of the reason that it was so wonderful is that I got so many phone calls from all of the people who love me and care about me. It was so good to hear from all of you, and I love you, too!

I spent the morning with Alex and Jan, playing at home, and then we went to the mall with Stacey. I got new jeans with my birthday money, and had the luck of running into my friend, Sarah again.

Then I went with Brian at 1:00 to one of my favorite places in Utah, to Main Street in Park City. We spent the afternoon meandering through the fun shops, the furniture boutiques, and the art galleries.
Here I am with the random moose along Main Street, he was a little shaky so I guess I am lucky that he did not decide to tip over on me. Although getting trapped under a moose in Park City on my birthday might have made for a really great story later.
This monkey puppet reminded Brian and I of Alex...who is slightly obsessed with YouTube and had shown us a clip of Bubbles the Monkey performing on Britain's Got Talent. I love you, Alex, and even your wacky sense of humor!
Then at the bottom of Main Street was this huge sculpture by FrogMan, an artist who makes all of these frogs from bronze. Brian and I had seen a bunch of the smaller versions in an art store. The bright colors are probably my favorite part. There were signs that said Do Not Touch, but I am not actually touching the frog, right?! Just getting as close as possible ;)

After meandering through Park City, Brian and I ended up on the freeway headed towards Salt Lake City, which was perfectly fine with me...it meant we would be getting there for dinner time. You can imagine how excited I was to get to eat at one of my favorite restaurants ever-Aristo's! It is an awesome Greek restaurant in Salt Lake, up on 1300 E. by University of Utah. I love the ambiance, the service, and the food is just amazing. No one is ever disappointed when they dine there with me, and Brian definitely was not disappointed. I make it a point to go back every time I am visiting in Utah. Man, I am craving some amazing Greek food now, opa!
After dinner, Brian and I headed back to Provo. Here I am at Alex and Stacey's later that evening with one of my birthday presents...a Belle barbie doll. It is a funny story for another day, but just know that I was really excited and she has already found a special place on my bookshelf.
Brian and myself (the newest, proudest owner of Belle!)
We made German Chocolate cupcakes which were really yummy and Alex insisted we play a game. After I frosted them, we used the writing icing tubes to play pictionary on the cupcakes. We each took turns drawing a picture while everyone else guessed. I really love decorating cupcakes, so I think this might be my newest, most favorite game.
Alex also insisted on putting all 26 candles in one cupcake for me to blow out. 26! I know, I am getting so old ;) but thank goodness that this mini bonfire did not get out of control, or burn Alex and Stacey's apartment down.
I set up my camera on my gorilla pod (my little tripod that Mom got us all a few Christmases ago; yes, Mom, I do use it!) and we had a mini photo shoot, serious and funny poses. Here is one of the non-goofy ones. L to R: Alex, Stacey, Brian, and the Birthday girl.

We finished off the night playing cards and having a lot of fun. After a perfect birthday, I had to pack up and leave Wednesday morning. I made it back safe and sound to Boston on Wednesday night and was thinking of all of the catch-up work I needed to do, for my calling and for student teaching...and what a lovely surprise I had waiting in my bedroom?!
Here I am with my beautiful bouquet of flowers! Thanks, Brian!