Adding more candles...

In my books July is the best month there is. Not only is it home to my 2nd favorite holiday (July 4), but my birthday as well. And this year it was even better because instead of a birthday, it turned into more of a birthweek. No complaints here. Monday started out with a combined party at Harbertson's to celebrate both Jeff and I. Tuesday, the actual day of started off with quite the surprise. Deke set the time on our alarm clock an hour ahead so, instead of getting up at 6:15, I actually woke up at 5:15. grrrr... You'd think the darker sky would have given me a hint. Sometimes (well..make that many times) my hair color should probably be a few shades lighter. So, at the supposed 7:15 I start walking out the door for work (it was really 6:15). The following conversation takes place:

D: Where are you going?
J: Umm..it's 7:15. I leave at this exact time every. single. day. This should not be a surpise.
D:Well, can you just hang out for a little while?
J: What? (slight irritation in my voice. I absolute HATE being late to work. The sooner I get there means the sooner I can come home).
D: I, uh, well, can't you just stay? Just trust me.
J: Babe. I'm totally going to be late for work. This should SERIOUSLY not be a surprise to you.
D: Fine. Go look at my cell phone.
J: What the? 6:15? (I start to laugh. Totally not surprised I fell for this one..) Ok. I think I might be able to.. (now I'm feeling guilty for being semi grumpy.)

He then surprised me by driving me to IHOP where he had planned a big breakfast with friends. One thing I love about Deke is his love for birthdays. He never fails to make the day feel truly special!

IHOP:



Later that day Deke stopped by my work to drop off something I had had on my birthday list. A plant! Call me nerdy, but but desk needs a little TLC. It's a tad on the boring side. I followed that up with lunch with my Mom, sister and sister-in-law at Plates and Palates. This last weekend the celebration continued with shopping, the cabin, 5 star dining, and the Utah Symphony at Deer Valley.

Butcher's, the ultimate steak house:



We had so much fun at Deer Valley! It was Beatles night with the Utah Symphony. The performance was fantastic but 2 things made it even better.

1) 50 - 60 year olds getting wasted with beer and wine and dancing their brains out. We had a dancing choo choo train, wanna be 50 year old ballerinas, along with many many entertaining interpretive dances.

2) The down pour of rain. We're talking sheets and sheets of rain.

You can't see it very well, but this was the beginning of the down pour:



Me, trying to keep cover:



Hanging out under our soggy blanket:



A break from the rain:



My birthday couldn't have been better. Here's to another year of learning, loving, and surprises!