Here's to 27

I have to say that turning 27 feels like a big deal. It seems so much older than wee 26. It's just a few years from 30 which is almost too weird to wrap my head around. But what a merry birthday it was! Mom came to visit for the weekend and we kicked off the celebrations early! Just a few of the highlights from the weekend:

Birthday Cake (times two):

Mom made a delicious Chocolate Orange cake from scratch.

It was heavenly!

And we got the biggest ice cream cake Dairy Queen had. Because, why not?

Lunch at Spicy Thai:

This place is so good!

Lovely winter hike in Provo Canyon:

My actual birthday was on a Tuesday this year and therefore a workday. But my coworkers, family, and friends (near and far) made it feel like a party all day! I arrived at my office to find my desk decorated and a dozen donuts waiting for me. It seemed like every time I left and came back to my desk a new surprise had been delivered! Cookies from my sister, Flowers from my family, an edible arrangement from my dear friend Mary, along with birthday cards and sweets! I have the most wonderful people in my life and I sure feel loved!

Thanks, Mary!!

That evening Jeff took me to dinner at La Costa, a Mexican restaurant near our home that we've been wanting to try. It was really good and the service was very personable. The waiters even sang me a lovely birthday song in Spanish! Caitie and Trey (sans Nate since he is in the thick of busy season accounting) joined us and it made for a very nice birthday night! We went to our apartment afterward to enjoy the still only half eaten ice cream cake, and I opened presents.

Thanks for the cute bamboo plant, Caitie. I love it!

Thanks to all who made it such a special day for me!

Celtics vs. Heat

As an early birthday surprise for Jeff my mom got us tickets to a Celtics game! They were playing the Miami Heat, so TD Garden was packed even though it was a wednesday night. TD Garden arena is literally two blocks from where I work, and since Jeff has been working at a client in the city the past few weeks he was able to walk over to where I work and we walked to the game together. We grabbed some dinner at the Qdoba across the street and then hopped in the giant line that was forming outside of the arena.

TD Garden is pretty impressive. It's massive inside! It was pretty cool to watch players like Rajon Rondo, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade play live. Sadly Lebron James was out with an injury; it would have been cool to see him play in Boston. But it was still a good game and the Celtics pulled off the win in the fourth quarter!

Rondo throwing up a free throw.

Chris Bosh with the ball

This was taken after the game. Should have got one in the daylight!

Waiting for the bus home.

It was a fun deviation from our normal weeknight routine. Happy early birthday to Jeff! Thanks for the cool experience mom!