This is what it looks like. . . .

to turn 32.

Birthday at the CCF

If you will remember, I had a birthday. One of the things I like best about my special day is the shameless attention I solicit. The girls at the CCF were so sweet to me again this year. They made me a special birthday sash, sang glorious melodies & brought goodies.

Thank you, friends! It was a bounteous birthday. This is my friend Megan.
You might recognize JaVan--who has the most amazing taste. . .
LOVEd my cake, balloons, and notes of birthday goodness.

Miss Marisa Park is Superstar Material.
Oh, I adore Alisha. She is the best!
Rachel & Kaitlin celebrate my big day for the first time.

The whole Birthday GANG!
Tasha and Holly--whom I suspect instigated a great deal of the celebration.
A surprise visitor! Yes, friends--Jared White was back in town for my special day. Oh, he is so cute.
Veronica (whose March birthday goodness shines) seems to love my special day, too.
It's always an honor to have my photo taken with the CCF employee of the month. Congrats again, Emily!

M.T. & Chicken Pie

Tuesday evening I pulled out the old apron and we had a lovely LATE birthday dinner for our neighbor, M.T. A little of my famous chicken pot pie and some super-dee-dooper chocolate cake and you've gone entertaining magic.

Chicken Pie

Crust:
2 sticks butter or margarine 4 oz cream cheese
2 ¼ cup flour ½ tsp salt
Blend ingredients with pastry cutter and 4 T water.

Filling:
3 cups cooked and diced chicken. 14 oz frozen/fresh vegetables. 1 onion sauted. 2 cans cream of chicken soup. Brush top with beaten egg. Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes.

Ali

Ali turned 6 today. She is so sparkly. She had a wonderful birthday party. I was lucky enough to be an invited guest. Perhaps you can best understand Ali's character by her 2 birthday wishes--a trip to SeaWorld or a live pet dolphin. Just as I was leaving last night, Ali gave me a big hug (the kind that make you feel like a million bucks), looked up to me and out of the blue said, "you need to get married." I just laughed and told her she had better start praying for me. Just at that moment she hit the sidewalk and in the most flamboyant Ali voice, she said--DEAR GOD, help Michelle get married." Oh my heavens, I laughed so hard. So, if Ali's prayers are answered, I'm taking the little dolphin lover to SeaWorld. It seems like the least I can do. Happy Birthday, my sparkly little friend.

Partyin' with Poncho

Romina supplied this precious photo of Poncho & I exchanging birthday cuddles. Look at that Baskin Robbins cake. . .tasty. Very tasty.

I sure wish I had opened my two tubes of Rembrandt toothpaste before the party started. . .

Thanks for the photos, R. You're the best.

30 Sucks

When the party starts to wind down and the police are at bay, I enjoy one last rendition of "Happy Birthday"--helium style.

30th Birthday Bonanza

This has the potential to be a long post. . .but who cares. I'm 30 now and can do and say whatever I want. If that means a recap of my entire birthday--so be it. First of all, Friday the girls at work treated me to a myriad of birthday surprises. It was so sweet and quite wonderful.

I woke up yesterday morning and went for a run. It was a bit windy, but these 30 year old legs still have some action in them and wouldn't be slowed down by some wimpy Utah gusts. It was just after my run that I noticed some green birthday graffiti on the Passat. Huh, I wonder who that could have been?

No birthday would be complete without some shopping. . .so, Mark and I headed to Park City. He has had his eye on a suit for months and so he bought it for himself for me for my birthday. The most amazing thing happened to me while we were there. You might believe it. In fact, I had to pinch myself several times to make sure it was for real . .I found jeans. Jeans that fit. Jeans that I love. Yet another very birthday miracle. After lunch with the Loveless clan, I put my silky pajamas on and did some party prep and birthday relaxation techniques that Chuck Norris taught me a few years back. Dinner with Kimmy, Laura and Eric and then off to the party.

Now that I have this picture downloaded, I think it looks creepy. Josh and I were trying to look like old people without teeth using a walker, but it just looks like we're weird. Please note that my birthday cake says "Happy Birthday, Michelle. You rock my world." Special thanks to Kimmy & Mr. Baskin Robbins.
My long lost friend, Emily Sego. She is so glam. So excited to see her. A moment to treasure. Three Torries and a Michelle.
I awoke to some green graffiti on my car. Poncho? Hey--who ended up with a picture of Poncho & I. Let me know. I need it.
Fashonista Lady Romina pays me a birthday visit. Love her.

The Loveless clan--gosh they're great. Please note that Ryan was well-fed at the party. . .it's not a dental issue. Baby Max was sleeping peacefully in my room and Uncle Mark was home sick.
YES, that's THE White Julie, Jared, and baby Tayson in the GV 15! Joyous. Love this little posse.
Pictured left--my new friend Dave. . .just met him at my party. He's a friend of Bowman (pictured right). Is it just me or does Bowman look like he's about to attack? Maybe he's jealous of my new lover Dave.
Jared is always a Virtue party favorite. He and Kimmy love to take engagement photos in our kitchen. What a cute couple they make.

I swear that the only reason Eric & Laura stayed for my party was so they could hang out with Jared. Doesn't bother me. . .I'm just glad they stayed.

The last of my guests to leave. . .parting partying is such sweet sorrow! A special thanks to my Miss Kimmy for putting on a birthday bash to remember. You rock my birthday world, sister!

You might think (or hope) that this is the end of my birthday bonanza. Well, the best is yet to come. Close to 10, there was another knock on our door. The party was still going and I assumed it was another guest. Not so much. The police officer looking the situation over led me to believe that my party was just getting started. I offered him some cake, but he didn't seem to excited to partake (probably just miffed that the icecream cake was gone). . .something about being "on duty." He left without arresting me. I think he thought I was hot and didn't want to ruin my birthday. If anything, he was the perfect ending to a perfect day. p.s. this is a true story.

I loved my 20s. . .but so far, my 30s are looking pretty freakin' great!