Hello 35!

February 12th I turned 35! Yes, hello 35.... here you are and I am choosing to embrace you (I'm convincing myself as I type!). Really though... I consider myself so very lucky this year as I turn 35 and look forward to the year ahead. I have so many blessings in my life - a husband that loves me and that I'm crazy about, my two amazing girls, and family and friends that I adore!

My birthday celebration began the week prior to my actually day. I met my lovely friends Michelle and Noelle for coffee one morning after dropping Lilly off for pre-school. Noelle's birthday was the day before so we were celebrating both of our days. It was so nice to take time to sit and visit with each other, it was a great start to my day.

The evening before my birthday Tony, the girls and I went out to dinner to celebrate. We wanted to do something with the girls since we were going out of town the following day for the night and they were staying with my mom. Lilly kept saying "mom.. I want to go to your birthday". So cute... to her a birthday means party! When we were sitting at dinner Kyla must have told the server 5 or 6 times it's my mom's birthday (even though it really wasn't until the following day). At the conclusion of our meal we were surrounded by our server and his co-workers LOUDLY singing "Happy Birthday" as they delivered a giant piece of Mud Pie. I always get so embarrassed by attention of this kind but smiled and hid as best I could looking at Kyla who was beaming because she knew this was due to her persistence! We all took a spoon and dug in!

The following morning, the morning of my birthday started the best way possible. Kyla and Lilly both came and climbed into bed with me for some snuggle time! Followed by a shower and coffee delivery from the hubby I was off to a great start! We met up with my mom and Larry (my mom's boyfriend) at Panera for breakfast. I have developed a love for Panera over the past few months having met up with girlfriends there from time to time. I really enjoy their french toast bagel with light raspberry cream cheese and a cappuccino to drink... my birthday breakfast of choice (of course!). Tony and I also love their Thai Chopped Chicken Salad.... YUM! After breakfast the girls headed out with my mom for an overnight stay and Tony and I headed to Seattle for the night.

We checked into the hotel, Olive 8. It was a beautiful hotel, contemporary with an emphasis on being "green". The first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified hotel in Seattle. It really was so impressive, a luxury hotel with an emphasis on the environment in the heart of downtown near all of the shopping, dining and theaters. As well, the hotel restaurant Urbane supports a locally grown, in season menu for sustainability of growth in the Northwest. The hotel staff was so friendly when we checked in at an early 12:30. They wished me a "Happy Birthday" and immediately made available a top floor room with a great view. Since Tony is a Hyatt rewards member they also offered up a late 2pm check-out the following day!

Now that we were checked in we headed out to do some shopping. Before leaving the hotel we made a stop at the concierge desk to solidify a reservation for dinner. Chuck, the concierge was the absolute best! He was very knowledgeable and friendly and helped us get a dinner reservation on one of the busiest weekends of the year (the weekend before Valentine's Day).

Out and about shopping we stopped on one of the sky bridges to snap a photo of downtown. We just had my little Nikon point and shoot as I call it because I didn't want to lug around my bigger camera. Tony teased that he could take a better picture than me. My photo is the first one with the Nordy's sign included. Tony's is the second one. What do you think?

After shopping we returned to the hotel before our dinner reservations to find a nice surprise. Chuck, the fabulous hotel concierge, had delivered to our room a complimentary bottle of wine and chocolate covered cherries with a nice "Happy Birthday" card.

Dinner was at Blueacre Seafood. The restaurant was a very short walk from our hotel and had a great contemporary atmosphere. Our meal was wonderful! Our entree had both salmon and white salmon which we had never tried before. Tony preferred the traditional salmon while I really enjoyed the white salmon.

After dinner we headed to the movie theatre downtown and watched Just Go With It starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Anniston. It was a great romantic comedy with more comedy than I expected. We then headed back to our hotel to enjoy our bottle of wine and chocolates.

The next morning after sleeping in we headed out to Starbucks on our way down to Pike Place Market. I enjoyed my free birthday drink (yes... I am a gold card holder).

On our way down to the market we stopped into Sur La Table, a fabulous kitchen store right next to the market. I could have spent hours in this kitchen store that was so jam packed full of kitchen stuff you could barely make your way around. Tony however had endured William Sonoma just the day before so I decided to go easy on him and compromise my time in the store.
The market was beautiful as always. We had a great time picking and gathering an assortment of fresh fruit to take home. I had a special Valentine's breakfast planned for the girls the following morning so I was able to get the strawberries and red grapes I needed.
We decided to take a self portrait with the market in the background. This picture makes me laugh.... I love Tony's smile! I had forgotten my straightening iron and my curling iron.... my hair is far from wash-n-go because it is thick and course. I had to make do with a blow dry, hairspray and pulling it back.

We had grabbed our assortment of fresh fruit and it was nearing lunch time. Tony spotted a stand inside the market with these spicy sticks. He bought one and offered to share. To my surprise it was moist, spicy and delicious! I was not expecting something so yummy from looking at the other fried food to the left and right of it.

We stayed a little longer at the market stopping to enjoy some of the great street entertainment that makes downtown so wonderful. This group outside of the original Starbucks store had drawn a big crowd and the girl standing playing the banjo? was dancing in her tap shoes and singing. They really were very good!

As we headed back toward the hotel we stopped for our pre-planned lunch at P.F. Changs one of our favorite places to eat when we get the opportunity. They had a special meal for two because of Valentine's day so we enjoyed our favorite appetizer, dishes and even a shooter dessert.
The weekend and my birthday was more fabulous than I expected. Much love for my amazing hubby for arranging it and spoiling me! Well rested, I was excited to get home and squeeze my girls!