birthday love.

We definitely spread the "birthday love" out over a stretch of a few weeks this time around. Kevin and I have birthdays that fall in the same week each year and this year we have celebrated and celebrated.  We have had Such a fantastic time with family and friends.

The fam before Tucanos.

Ann and Lee.

We went out to eat at Tucanos with Annie, Scott, Jenna and their baby Emily. (they give a buy one:get one free coupon for birthdays. sign up here.) It was deliciously FILLING. (I can only eat so much meat...)We couldn't feed Lee fast enough. It was fun to spend time eating with S&J without all of us chasing kids, and of course we are getting in as much "Annie time" as we can before she leaves in a few weeks.

 Mostly it was *REALLY FUN* to actually get out. Admittedly Kev and I have never been good at that and it got worse once we had Lee, we've been on one whole date since he was born.... Well, two now if it counts to take him with us.:)

We had a celebratory dinner with my whole family on Sunday, and for dessert Annie made this *INCREDIBLE* cake which actually isn't too tricky.  (try it! get the recipe here.) Chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, chocolate ganache...
Kevin blew out half the candles but...he was the one taking pictures so we missed it.  :( We are trying to soak up the times that we can all be together before Annie and Dave leave on missions and we move this spring when Kevin finishes his Masters.

Of course he was laughing right Before the pic.

Lee and Ann.

On Monday we took Lee swimming for the first time at the Bountiful Rec Center.  It was PACKED because of the holiday and Lee didn't care much for the crowd in the main pool area. But had a *blast* once we took him in the lap swim area.  We all had a great time, my mom even went on the water slide. :)

 After swimming we went out to dinner at Arella Pizzeria in Bountiful.  Every-Single-Pizza was amazing.  Kevin, being the food connoisseur that he is, was in *heaven*. We had a traditional margarita pizza with fresh mozzarella and basil. (my favorite) We also had an Alfredo chicken and bacon pizza, a arugula and blue cheese pizza with caramelized pears and candied pecans and a pesto chicken pizza with tomatoes and mushrooms.   It was all delicious.

*Annie, David, Mom and Dad.*

*Kevin, me and Lee.*

*alfredo chicken and bacon pizza and arugula pizza.*

*pesto chicken pizza.*

Ann and Dave.

On my actual "birth-day" my cousin and friend Ashley Anne surprised me by coming over with Clara Mae to cook us a delicious lunch, give me a hand and foot massage and spend the day chatting.  It was wonderful.  (Ashley's birthday is this week too and we're going out tonight with the hubbies and kids to celebrate together!)

Mostly, I am a sucker for good food and even more for good company, I have felt showered with both and so blessed to spend my last birthday around my family...with them.  Thank you, thank you!