Ain't No Big Thing...

Just another birthday for me. 31.  Thirty-one.  Why, does this not seem like as big of a deal as turning 30 did? It's a good thing though.  Since my birthday falls on Labor Day weekend every year, we tend to celebrate it all weekend long.  So first, a cooking update- I made something every single day since I got the Kitchen Aid. It is so fun.  My waistline is begging me to quit but the kids love having fun things to try.  So far I have made bread (twice) and more cinnamon rolls, as well as frostings and some yummy peanut butter cookies.

Anyhow, Saturday night Rusty took me to Kona Grill for dinner. It's a favorite place of ours because Rusty can order his (gross, nasty) Sushi and I can still eat normal food.  My favorite meal right now is the Macadamia Nut Chicken, seriously, so delicious! And the best part was the Red Velvet cake they brought me because it was my birthday!  We were sadly unable to eat the entire thing- though we did try!

Sunday was Fast Sunday AND 8 am church, and to top it off --two sick kids. I did end up making it in time for the last hour and Rusty kept the troops at home. When I got back Rusty was busy making my Birthday dinner. We had BBQ chicken, baked potatoes and cheese bread. I got to open my gifts and I was very excited.

Let me preface these presents with a story. 

A few years after we moved here, one Christmas my Mom opened a gift and she got so excited. My sister and I couldn't wait to see what it was! A surprise from my Dad...Let's just say, when she turned the box around and  we saw that it held a tool set, Rhonda and I were a little less excited than she was. I mean, how old to you have to be for a practical gift to be so exciting??

I guess for me that magic age is 31. Because the two things I got from the boys and Rusty were a new set of sheets for our bed (Ever tried finding California King in a color/sheen/thread count you actually like?! It took us a year) and my very most-est, favorite-est gift-----A NEW VACUUM!

I know, I sound pathetic, but we have been through 7 or 8 vacuums since we've been married, and after the last one quit a year ago I borrowed one of my in-law's till that died too. So, for the last several months I have been borrowing a vacuum. My cleaners have even learned that the infrequency of a vacuum in this house is such that they usually just bring one now... Anyhow, I was super excited to not just have a vacuum, but a Dyson. They really are as amazing as they say they are. I was so happy, I even vacuumed the whole house.  We couldn't decide which was more pathetic, a) Cleaning my house on my birthday-willingly or b) Not wanting to use the vacuum because it would get dirty...

After the cake the night before, I knew I had to try my hand at making some Red Velvet cupcakes of my own.  I've never made Red Velvet, let alone a cake at all from scratch, and I was pleased as punch that they turned out so well!

Here's my Ice Cream Cake- Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. I love ice cream cakes, and with the cupcakes, it was perfect.

Thanks to all my family who came to help me celebrate! And, after that many people left my house, I had an excuse to use the Dyson again! (I know, it's a sickness...)