Gingerbread Adventures

Every year my family likes to put together a unique gingerbread structure. This year my mother thought of doing an igloo. We had all the family around to help and I think it turned out cute. Unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of time for lots of bells and whistles like we normally do, but it turned out lovely anyway.

Meg did a great job on the penguins!

My Birthday!

Well, I had one of the best birthdays ever! There were a few points which I will make to show that it really couldn't have been any better.

First, I took the day off from work so I got to sleep in just a smidgen. I didn't have to worry about what I was teaching, or which child was doing what. I simply got to get up and slowly get ready for the day.

Next, I cleaned and organized most of my guest room. Over the last few weeks somehow it became a junk room and it was a cleansing experience putting most things back in order.

Well, I really cleaned it out so the massage therapist could put her table in that room. My sister-in-law was so kind as to arrange for one as my birthday present. I just have to say that I felt wonderful after that and could have been completely happy with my day at that point, but the great thing is that there was more!

In the late afternoon I curled up on my couch with a good book and some light piano music in the background and read for a couple of hours! Jeff gave me "Catching Fire" on Sunday with the rest of his families presents so I had it out and ready to go. I read as the sun went down and until Jeff got home.

When he walked in he asked me where my phone was at in the house. I picked it up to show him it was in my lap and just then I got a text saying for me to check the (ugly, and I wish it would go away) pig, which is a cookie jar that sits on our front porch. I went to open the door and got a wonderful surprise when I saw our good friends Heather and Kayli. They brought me some cookies and a card. I felt so special that they would drive all the way up to Orem to make me feel special. We talked for a while and had some good laughs.

When they left Jeff and I went out on our date for the evening. He took me to my favorite place to eat, Jason't Deli. I just love the fresh deli sandwich and creamy broccoli cheese soup. After dinner we went to the movies and saw New Moon. It was a fun movie and we both enjoyed the story.

It was pretty late when we came out of the movie so we just went home. I walked into the kitchen and on the table was an amazing apple pie from Kneader's and some cute birthday balloons. Thanks goes out to Zack and Delta for bringing them for Jeff. We ate some pie and I opened my presents and cards. Jeff got me a beautiful necklace, that I picked out.

Overall, I just felt special and loved. I want to thank everyone for all the phone calls, e-mails, and messages that let me know how much I am loved. It felt good to know that people cared about making my birthday special. I love you all too!