30ish

The 14th was a busy day. For awhile I didn't want it to be, and then I decided busy was perfect. I had taken the day off because of my birthday stance from a few years ago and it turned out to be the only, therefore perfect, day for Nathan's swearing in. I got up that morning around the same time as Nate (he had to work most of the day) and snuck off to the gym for a solo workout before breakfast was needed. I loved it. It felt good to workout in the morning again, it felt good to not have anywhere to go on a mid-week morning, and it amused me that a lot of retired men work out around 7:45am. After my time at the gym, I joined my parents and in-laws for breakfast-it was the first time in a long while that I actually had family around right on my birthday and it made me feel positively spoiled.

We got ready for the swearing in, and made our way to the courthouse. Clark county decided to give me a birthday present in the form of a still paid for parking meter and I took it as a sign we are where we're supposed to be. After the ceremony, we took a tour of the courtroom and the offices and headed for lunch at Bahama Breeze. A co-worker recommended this place, and I went only because of an appetizer she described. It's turned out to be one of my favorite places so it was a fun birthday choice.

After lunch, Nate had to go back to work for a couple of hours, so we dropped him off, split up a little and I went shopping with my mom. We went to Kohl's and found ridiculous Christmas candles that will never sell, and a couple of necklaces that we proved would sell. After Kohl's, it was off to Von's to find a particular laundry detergent mom has been looking for---and we had success! This part of the day was the most low key by far, but again, it had been a while since I've been able to just hang around and shop with mom, so it was perfect.

For dinner, we all met at our place and had a little party. It was odd to actually have to be the hostess; I'm so used to living in a too small space that won't allow visitors, so it was fun actually having enough room to have a proper party:

Liz before embarrassing herself (yet again) with her complete inability to blow out birthday candles. I'd say it's an age thing, but I remember being about 10 at my grandma's house when I experienced the same issue.

Thanks to Jack for taking a few pictures of my parents; Dad's real smile is sometimes hard to catch, so one must be tricksy.

Mom's cute profile.

Clearly we are both very excited about our "new" VHS copy of "Lord of the Dance". Somewhere in Saratoga Springs, Matt is breathing a sigh of relief.

The next night after birthday fun, Nate and I went down to the Strip with Jessica and Woody. They ended up being better tour guides than us by far; Woody found the perfect parking spot for one who wants to avoid the "authentic" Strip feel.

By the Bellagio fountain with my too prominent ghost head.

In the lobby of the Bellagio...Nate really did try to wait for her to stop holding the horse up, but she kept it up, so I feel like she earned her spot on this post. Go USA.

Turning 30 was a lot more enjoyable than I expected! Mal enjoyed it so much that she decided to try (and like) corn chips. Here's to getting older and enjoying salty snacks!