28

Gone are the days of celebrating your birthday for an entire week with all of your best friends.  But...I'd have to say that the celebratin' I did this weekend was just as fun!  Friday night, my amazing friends organized a celebration at Avo/Dram here in B'ham...I was surrounded by almost all of my best friends...I even had 3 of my high school friends there...it was WONDERFUL!

Today, I met my parents and the Crowes for a birthday lunch...at Cracker Barrel!   Yes, I guess my choice of lunch spots is a sign of my older age!  haha  My always thoughtful Mom made our table feel almost as homey as our kitchen table in A'ville.  She brought flowers, festive napkins and presents! 

I was totally SURPRISED when I opened my present from my parents...a new lens for the Rebel!  They gave me the one I rented back in the summer...the 100 mm Macro!  I'm absolutely in LOVE with it already!!

Our waitress brought me a sweet treat for my special day...their cake will literally melt in your mouth!

After lunch, I went back to the Crowe's hacienda to snap some pics of my "love-bugs" in their matching Valentine's outfits!

I sure do love my girls!

Thank you to everyone who made my 28th birthday so special!  I have a feeling that 28 is going to be my best year yet.  I've got a chicken taco chili in the crock pot and am waiting on Caroline to come over so we can watch the Grammys together...a great end to the day!

And as if this weekend wasn't enough, the celebration continues tomorrow at work in "The Nest"!  Yay!!!!!

Carter's Sprinkle

People always say that "time flies when you're having fun"....and after this weekend, I know that saying is true.  Sister, Libby and I loaded up the "Burb" and went to the A-T-L to spend some time with my sister from another mother, Tara, a.k.a. "61". 

For those of you who are new to the blog, I'll explain who "61" is.  Not sure when I met 61, but it's been a LONG time ago, now.  She's always felt more like a sister and a true member of the Decker fam than just one of Sister's college friends.  When she and her hubby Felix lived in AU as newlyweds, I would have spend-the-night parties in the "heavenly".  I've been lucky enough to be a part of some big events with her...I went to her wedding, sat in the waiting room during a BIG surgery, and even happened to time it just right to meet Baby Blair right after she came into the world.  And, I have to note that she plays "referee" between Sister and me when we start fighting...she LOVES to call "reindeer"! haha 

So all of that to say, when I got my invite to Baby Carter's Sprinkle, I knew I couldn't miss it.  Like me, Sister has an amazing group of college friends.  They throw parties like professionals!  Baby Carter was given some of the cutest gifts...she is already so loved by so many ppl!

After dinner Friday night, Jenn Simp gave 61 a much needed pedi!

Baby Libby went on her first road trip!  She traveled like a champ and enjoyed her first "girls weekend"!

The Sprinkle was held at "The Swan Coach House" in ATL...it was a perfect venue!

Here comes the honoree!

The gift table

"Sally's Porch" was full of girls ready to pamper Baby Carter and Tara with lots of love and presents!

We loved the dessert in the shape of a swan!

These cake pops were UH-MAZING!

Time for presents!!

Sister and Claire

Sister, Blazer, Tara and Claire

The OOC girls!

Sister, Jenn Simp, Blazer, Tara, Jess and Rigsby

Aunt June, Tara and her mom, Debbie

Tara and her sweet Mom!

Megan, Tara and Kelly

Between these girls, they have almost 8 children!!

Loved spending time with Sister!

Tara, thanks for letting us blow up your house this weekend!  Also, thanks for letting "the little sister" tag along...I had so much fun!  Let the countdown begin to precious Baby Carter's arrival!!



January Recipe Club

Meghan hosted January's RC and chose "From the Garden" as her theme.  All the recipes needed to contain either fruit or veggies (basically anything without meat).  Everything was delish!  Check out our blog if you're looking for a yummy veggie recipe!

I made "Artichoke Bites"

Liz made "Asparagus Bites"

Caron made "Asparagus Strata"

Meghan made a Vegetable Tortellini

Lauren made a Spinach Casserole

I made a "Skillet Pineapple Upside Down Cake"

Hello, February!

I don't know about y'all, but I've never been so glad to see February arrive!  January seemed like the LONGEST month ever.  I love February for lots of reasons:  it's a short month, it's my birthday month, and we get to celebrate Valentine's Day!  I'm totally in the holiday spirit and have V-Day decor all over my house...gotta love a holiday that is all about the color pink and candy!

Happy February, y'all!  Hope everyone's February is full of love...oh, and lots of candy eating!  :)