26th birthday celebration.

It's no secret that I love my birthday. Lately it is seeming like  a weeklong affair with husband, family, friend celebrations. I love any chance to see all my family and friends. First up, on my actual birthday my coworkers did a potluck for me at work where we grazed all day on yummy food. I came home and my wonderful husband took me to a fancy dinner at Ruth Chris. It was DELICIOUS. I had only been one other time and forgot how amazing their food and service is. Stephen always makes me feel so important and special on my birthday and this past year was no exception. I got so lucky.

 (The best cake in the world)

On Friday, it was the dinner celebration with my close friends at The Slide Inn in SE Portland. They have a great menu of German and American food. I was happy that everyone seemed to really enjoy the food and I got the greatest surprise of Molly coming down from Seattle to join in the fun. It felt so wonderful to have all my close friends together. We were quite annoying to the rest of the restaurant taking numerous photos, but that's what we do. The following morning Molly and I met up with Tiffany at Petite Provence for brunch since she was unable to make it to the night before. It's rare when I get to spend time alone with my two best friends and it's my most favorite thing. 

To my amazing girlfriends: I value my friendship with you all so much. We don't get to see one another all the time, but I know we will be a presence in each other's lives for many years to come. We have grown up together and been through some pretty great life events, I can't wait to see what the future holds for all of us. I love you!

Last celebration was my joint celebration with my sister at the family house. We first grabbed brunch at the Country Cat in NE Portland, which everyone seemed to enjoy. Then it was family bonding time back in Gresham. Everyone is so busy that it seems like holidays and birthdays are the one time where we all are together - I am talking about you Kyle. So I love when my whole family is present catching up and spending time together.

classic car show.

On Labor Day, we met up with Stephen's mom at their old family friend's classic car shop for a labor day concert he was putting on. I couldn't believe how many people turned out to listen to music and look at the cars! It was great to be able to look at all the classic cars and wish you could own one of these beauties. I love that their is still a fascination and interest in preserving these cars and the history behind them. I highly doubt we will see our current car models being put in shops decades from now to look at. Now if only I could own one..

oregon state fair.

Over labor day weekend (yes we're into September!), I dragged Stephen to the Oregon State Fair for livestock, rides, and fair food. I absolutely love going to the fair. It's always the same stuff, but it is exciting to look forward to visit once a year. I  am getting old and so we ended up riding the swings and ferris wheel rather than the crazy rides. We also watched a horse show, which was surprisingly entertaining. And of course, we looked at the livestock and ate fair food. Our annual tradition was good fun. Next year, we'll need to take one of the nephews down with us as they should be old enough to ride the rides!