Natalie & Ryan: Cold Birthday

It's my birthday, so I'll wake up early if I want to!! (Imagine I sang that to the tune). I don't know why I've been having so much trouble with sleeping lately, but yesterday I woke up at 2, and was up for good. You could probably tell by how early my blog posts were published, that I put that time to good use. Guess it was an early start for this birthday girl!

Once Ryan got up, we did the traditional St. Nicholas Day shoe surprise. Lilly actually liked it this year, since there was more than just baby food jars this time. Ryan had to work, so we just bummed around the house until 1:30. I realize I'm now 24, but I wanted my birthday party at Color Me Mine. So what?! My mom, Susan, Tami, Erin, Lilly, Joel, and I all spent the afternoon getting our pottery on. When my mom and Susan showed up, they came decked with birthday decorations, hats, and goodies. She even stopped off at a cupcake shop to get everyone cupcakes...and mine had a candle!

Color Me Mine was more stressful than I would have liked. Lilly didn't want to be confined to the highchair, so she made it miserable. Ryan was given a half day, so he came to the rescue. He brought me flowers and a card, and then took Lilly home so that we could actually get some painting done. I also think I picked too many projects. Ha! My dad's house warming/Christmas gift was one project, I did a plate for me, and a giant piggy bank for Jack and Susan's wedding reception. I can't wait to see how they turn out.

After Color Me Mine, Ryan dropped Lilly off with Erin, and then took me out for an evening of surprises. First stop was our old stomping grounds, at Fortune Buffet. Ha! We used to practically live at this place when we lived in West Jordan. I could only eat a few bites, but they were SO yummy! When we were done with dinner, Ryan pulled the car into a secluded area and then told me that we had some changing to do. I was like "um, what?!" He had a duffle bag stuffed with the fixins for a cold night: boots, hats, scarves, and mittens. We bundled up as I wondered what we could possibly be doing as our next activity.

He drove us downtown and we went on a carriage ride around Temple Square. We got to see all the pretty lights from the comfort of a carriage, and didn't have to fight the crowds. Granted, it was FREEEEEEZING!! I had jeans AND sweats, two shirts, a hoody, a coat, and a hat, and I was still chilled to the bone. I was thankful that Ryan was so thorough in his packing for the evening, because if I didn't have all the extra layers that he brought, I don't think I could have survived. As we were getting back into the car, he gave me my present. It was a necklace that I'd been very subtly hinting to him about. It's a pea pod with the letter "L". There are two peas, one for Lilly, and one for a future baby, he just didn't think the necklace would look good with only one pea.

I had a great birthday! As always, everyone made me feel so special. It was mellow and low-key, just what I needed.