It's Great to be 28!

I was not looking forward to this birthday.  While 27 could still be considered mid twenties and is closer to 25 than 30, 28 is definitely late twenties and closer to 30.  I'm getting old.  Sometimes I feel like a baby and sometimes I feel like an old lady.  This is a weird stage in life, especially with all the uncertainties of this year.  But after talking with my good friend Vicky, she convinced me that just like it's "great to be 8" (our baptism preview slogan for Primary), it's great to be 28!  I'll keep that as my motto this year and try to feel youthful while I can. :)

My birthday was a great day!  Every year while working at House of Antique Hardware, I've brought in birthday treats because they all love my baking.  This year instead of cupcakes, I did a chocolate sheet cake with peanut butter frosting found from Our Best Bites here.  I received rave reviews from my coworkers about it, one even called it heaven. While I thought it was good, I thought the frosting belonged more on brownies than cake, but that's just my opinion.

I went to work in the morning and stopped at Starbucks (which never happens though I often want to) for a Caramel Apple Spice- my favorite!  The morning was good, typical work routine. My boss brought me in a birthday balloon and candle with a card.  She is an awesome boss.  I also received a lovely bouquet of tulips sent from my parents.  I was just about to clock out for lunch when Dustin surprised me by showing up at my work! He was supposed to be in clinic but clocked out to join me for lunch.  We went to Jersey Mike's for a free birthday sandwich along with my coworker Kelly.

After lunch Dustin told me he was going to play hooky for the rest of the day so I decided to join him.  We spent the afternoon together watching Downton Abbey, getting the house ready for the night, and just relaxing, which is my idea of a perfect afternoon!

 For dinner we went down to Clackamas to Bajio's which isnt' as good as Cafe Rio, but it's the closest we got here in Oregon!  Plus Thursdays are their small salad special. :)  We had dinner with a few friends and my aunt, uncle, and cousins (thanks for dinner Art and Sheri!)

 and then came to my house joined by some more friends for cake and ice cream.  Thanks Vicky for the freaking delicious chocolate fudgy cake!

Birthday presents this year included adorable new oven mitts, a 2 inch (think big honkin cookies) cookie scoop, a 2nd Kitchenaid bowl, new heels, and a Sephora gift card. Thanks love! You did great this year. (not that I bought most of those myself haha...)

 We ended the night watching the first part of Sleepless in Seattle, but it turned out that we weren't sleepless at all  and were falling asleep, so we changed it up by watching my favorite shows Parks and Rec and Parenthood.  Side bar- does anyone else watch (and LOVE) the show Parenthood??!!  I am in love with Christina's hair right now and also really mad at Joel.  This show makes me cry almost every single episode. If you don't watch it, you should.

Anyway, it was a great birthday and it's

GREAT

to be 

28!!