Breaking 30!

30 MILES!! In one week! That was my goal last week, my first week as a 30 year-old. I reached it too! : )
So, yep, I broke thirty in more than one way last week, and my friends and family made it really fun for me. My first birthday gift was this bouquet of 30 gerber daisies with a one dollar bill pinned to each flower...wow! I decided at this point that turning 30 would have its perks. : )

We got together that day with several other sisters in the Portland area, and celebrated three birthdays, Cheryl's, Becky's and mine.

Mom and Michelle came to visit over the weekend of my birthday. That was really a treat too.

We met up that day looking like we had dressed for Valentine's Day...so Michelle held this little heart-shaped candy to add to the effect. : )

Michelle put this crazy photo on her facebook, so I just want to openly claim this picture. I think I was laughing because the candles wouldn't stay lit, so I only had to blow out about three of them. I'm not sure it was quite as funny as it looks like it was...but the picture is definitely a keeper.

My real "birthday wish" was to see Margaret Greenaway...and it came true! We had lunch with her at Karen and Nyla's. Cheryl and Becky came too, and more birthday celebrating ensued. It was a really special time.

Next stop, Saginaw Hill, for a slumber party! It was a great evening, I just realized that Barb got this picture of Ellen BEFORE Ellen changed into her "slumber party attire", we all wore our pjs to supper (no boys allowed)...and had a GREAT evening! Shauna and Linda fixed a fabulous Mexican meal.

Becky, Amy P., and Elysse, with our fabulous ice cream cake with chocolate ganache in the foreground. After dinner, and lots of hilarity, and a big dishwashing party, we sat around the fire and told stories (all of them true, most of them funny, and some of them very special). Then we transformed the living room into a workout studio and did a Nia routine. (At this point, Barb and Cheryl said goodnight). Then I think we went downstairs for some around the world ping pong. We got to bed several hours before dawn, and enjoyed a lovely breakfast and Bible study together in the morning.