The BIG 3-0!

This handsome devil turned 30 in September. Since it was a milestone birthday, we celebrated really big. I did "30 Days of Nic." It was really fun coming up with things to do for him. I had wanted to buy him a present for every day, but due to the whole in my pocket (i.e. no dinero) I bought him some big gifts and did small things for him and cooked some of his favorite meals. One thing I planned was a kickball game to remember the days of yester-year. We played at the field area in front of our subdivision. I went and got dinner and had Nic meet me. We were enjoying our meal when some friends of ours pulled up. Nic said: "Hey, look who just pulled up." I told him they must just be coming to the park for FHE. Next thing we know the kids come running out with big happy faces: "Are you ready to play kickball?" Nic looked up at me and said: "Kickball?!" "Happy 30 days of Nic!" More friends came and it was a fun time.

Some of the big gifts included a grill (too bad he won't be able to use it until next year), a video tribute, Metallica tickets (I bought them back in April-I almost gave them to him for Father's Day) and a book of stories that I collected from his friends and family. It was really fun getting everything together. Some of the stories were funny and some were really tender.

The day before his birthday, we had a surprise party for him. Bless Nic's little heart he almost found out about it, but when he saw the invitation on a friend's fridge he backed out of the kitchen and said he could not go in there. Saturday morning I went over to my friend Sarah's house to get everything going. Nic was away with the scouts for a camp out so it worked out perfectly-however he got back earlier than I had expected so I had to ditch Sarah and come home. I hurried to get ready and we went to a movie with the excuse that Sarah had invited us over for dinner and that we needed to be at her house at 7pm (on the invitations I said the guest of honor would be getting there at 7 SHARP!). The movie ran later than I had expected and we didn't get there until 7:30. I felt like such a loser. I'm kind'a anal when it comes to gatherings starting on time and the fact that it was my own party and I was late kind'a made me sad. . .all is well. Everyone had fun.

I also had a SUPER yummy cake made-no lie! It was the best cake I've ever had. I lady in our ward makes cakes. She did a fantastic job!

I found a cake design I liked and she went for it. The colors were exactly what I wanted and the flavors were DELICIOUS!! The top of the cake was a two layer white cake with a chocolate pudding filling and the bottom was THREE layer (yes 1-2-3 layers) chocolate with raspberry filling. I am not a huge chocolate and raspberry fan but it was sooooooooo incredibly yummy! The fondant was good too-it was marshmallow fondant. If you live in the Boise area and need a cake you need to get in touch with Mayona. You will not regret it! I'm trying to think of another reason I would need to get a cake from her.

I know I've taken to our blog a lot to say how much I appreciate my husband but it's so true. He is everything I could have wanted in a husband. He helps me and encourages me. He makes me laugh and helps dry my tears. He works hard. I love him so much!

Happy Birthday babe! I hope it was a great day for you.

p.s. When I posted the note about being a bad blogger, Nic felt kind'a sad that I didn't post anything about his birthday (which was before I even posted that). Sorry babe :(

Summer Lovin'

had me a blast! Summer lovin' happened so fast.


Summer came and went (and yes-I'm just barely blogging about it). I started out training for a triathlon but my knees and hips (read right knee and hip) did not agree with that so I had to stop. Majorly bummed, but I went and supported my two friends that I had started training with. They did AWESOME! But it made me super depressed that I couldn't compete.



This summer we spent some time at the lake (see previous post) with friends and it was fun. I love spending time in the water, it makes me feel at peace. We also went camping with Nic's family this year at Hell's Canyon, but it was so BLOODY hot that I never took my camera out but on an over-cast day when Nic and I went for a drive. Totally uncomfortable. Rumor is next year we are heading to Florence, Oregon-I'm totally down for that!

Instead of a mid-summer trip to California, we went at the end of August for my 10 year high school reunion. It was a blast. But the trip was too short and I didn't get to spend a lot of time with my family. Bummer. The nice thing though was that Nic and I FINALLY decided to take our time getting there. We stopped in Reno and stayed at Circus Circus on the way to Cali.

The day before the reunion (Friday) we had a gathering at a local park-a pack and play. We encouraged people to come with food and their kids. We didn't have as good a turn-out as we would have liked but it was still fun. I was able to catch up with my brother from another mother (at least one of them-he's s twin) and it felt just like yesterday we were running through the streets of our neighborhood playing ditch and home-run derby. The next day (Saturday) was the actual reunion. Which had a couple of surprises.

Surprise #1: Nic working the bar. Yes the bar where they serve alcoholic beverages. The actual bar tender somehow convinced Nic to help him tend. At first it was just water. Then wine. Then beer. Then mixed drinks. I expected him to start spinning and flipping bottles by the end of the night. The plus? He go tipped out. Surprise #2: We had enough food for everyone. We thought we would run out. But there was plenty left over. And the final surprise. Surprise #3: I was taking pictures of everyone having a good time and dancing the night away and then I hear cheering. Then I hear: "Elaine! Elaine! Look! Take a picture!" I figured it was one of my fellow classmates tearing up the dance floor. I look over and guess who it was? Yep. Nic! *Sigh* My hubby. . .

The reunion was really fun. Hopefully for the next one we will have a larger turn out.