Happy Birthday to ME!

I'm a litte behind on my blogging! On March 10 I turned the big 3-0 and I had such a great birthday. I thought that I would be depressed about turning 30 but it really didn't bother me. The first time it hit me was when I had to input my age on my elliptical machine after my birthday. This is going to be a great year! I am determined to get in the best shape that I've been in since before having kids and I know I can do it. Since last August I've lost 20 lbs and have about 20 more to go to reach my ultimate goal. I'm only 6 lbs away from my goal for my cruise! I've got until May 1 to lose these last 6 and know I will.
Anyway, the Friday before my birthday we celebrated with our closest friends here-Hooper's, Dennehl's, Coryell's, Clyde's. The Pengelly's couldn't make it :( The plan was to meet at Flying Star for dinner then go bowling at the Santa Ana Star Casino. We had lots of laughs at dinner and I openened my awesome presents. I got Bath & Body Works candles, lotion, and body wash from Amanda, Katie, and Becky. Then I got an initialed wooden cheese board and a gift certificate for a mani and pedi from Julie, Rachelle, and Heather. After dinner we went to the casino and the bowling alley was only open to leagues. Bummer! We were surprised since it was a Friday and annoyed that we walked through the smoky casino for nothing. So we all met back at our house for games. We ended up playing Just Dance on the Wii and it was soooo much fun! It was better than bowling in my opinion. Watching those grown men dance to the Spice Girls was priceless!
For my actual birthday on the following Wednesday I just relaxed and took care of the kids as usual. I did NO housework and watched tv in the middle of the day so it was great! I also baked a delicious chocolate cake for myself since Ben was at work and I wanted to anyway. When Ben got home I opened my presents from the kids. Ben had taken the kids to the dollar store and let them pick out anything they wanted to get for me. He didn't help them at all, just let them get whatever and it was so cute what they chose. Clara got me a flower windmill to put in the yard, Meredith got me a hanging bird's nest, and Ethan got me a candle and a rock type thing with birds engraved and the saying "peace" on it. Ethan had $2 of his own to spend and decided to spend it on me so he could get me two things. How sweet is that? Then Ben made me a yummy dinner-grilled chicken, grilled asparagus, grilled foil packet potatoes, and french bread. Afterwards we all had chocolate cake and Blue Bell ice cream. The perfect end to a great birthday! Here are some of my favorite pictures of my birthday events.