birthday party

On Saturday, July 23rd, Kenton invited our family & friends over to celebrate my 30th birthday. He did a great job of delegating food items to some of our guests so that I wouldn't have to prepare a bunch of appetizers! Thanks to those who brought food - that was so nice! I did prepare some bruschetta that ended up being pretty popular. It was so yummy the next few days, as well! :)

We really enjoy having a big back yard, especially in the summer. In the evenings, it's nicely shaded & feels great when the weather is warm. I was lucky & got another sunny day on my party day (we've had such unpredictable weather this summer).

One of my only requests for my birthday bash was that I wanted to have mojitos! It's the first drink that I ever really liked & didn't try to just tolerate. Also, we make them with coconut rum & they're SO tasty! I was excited to share them with Amy, who feels very similarly to me about alcohol, & even more excited that she liked them too! :)

Kenton asked Finn what he wanted to get me for my birthday & he said, "A dress!" So Kenton took him shopping & they picked the above dress out together. Such great taste! I love it. :)

Paris themed watercolor prints from my mom. :)
They look quite nice in our bedroom, on either side of the bed.

I made a quick birthday "crown" for myself, inspired by these.

Mom & Papa

Cute babies & mamas

After I opened the gifts that were wrapped, my dad told me to close my eyes while he brought out this unwrapped gift!

My parents & siblings all went in together on a cruiser bike! I was super excited & even got teary eyed (big dork!) because I'd been wanting one for a while now. I had asked my dad to keep an eye out on Craigslist for a cruiser for me, knowing that he looks at bike listings often.


He was able to find the perfect bike, in perfect shape, just in time for my 30th!


I like this photo (despite the light bulb coming out of my mouth) because Kenton & I were laughing together about how I started to cry when I saw the bike. I'm a dork!

Kenton made a Coconut cake for me, following one of his co-workers' recipes. It was so good & everyone agreed! Can you tell I have a thing for coconut?! :P

My lovely sisters!
We missed you, Erik...thanks for the bike, though! ;)

Kenton cut the cake & Colin helped serve it. My mom also brought a rhubarb pie! Mmmm...

Kenton started a fire in our fire bowl - yay for using it for the second time! :P


It was getting cool enough outside that the fire felt nice.

I was really glad that it started to get dark before the party was over. I always want to be outside to enjoy the party lights, but we rarely gather with friends outside in the evenings. It's so pretty; I don't know why we don't?

Kenton played a VHS tape of my first birthday before the party wound down. It was such a great evening - I really had a lot of fun! Thank you to all who were able to attend. You really made my 30th birthday feel special. :)