Milestones, Memories, and Mayhem: Hello 40!

So, this is 40!

I've heard this is a tough birthday, but I feel so excited. Maybe it is because my kids are still young, or that I am healthy and still feel very young, but I am excited to have forty years of life under my belt.

With Daniel away for the moment I took time off to drive home and celebrate with my family and my oldest friends. TopGolf was the perfect celebration spot!

My beautiful besties from college. We have been friends for two decades and even if we go a while without seeing each other, every time we get together, it as if there is no time or distance between us.

Weston brought her whole family and they made the party! Bruce was amazing with helping all the kids with the game. Alexander was so proud to get the top spot on the leaderboard!

The ladies of the group. So blessed by my fabulous friends and family!

Took me a little bit, but I soon got the swing of things.

Heidi made my absolute favorite, rice krispies instead of cake. This did not make it to the party, because I was not willing to share!

TopGolf took care of the party food, though. The party package included so much food, we had enough for our cookie decorating party the next day! Heidi also brought a cookie cake to the party, so there was cake to share with everyone.

Leaderboard Kid

Uncle Craig helping Niko

Gammie planned to take the boys home early, but they all stayed until the end, even when we extended my party for another hour!

The sweetest!

Daisy was so excited to see her cousins, she did a trustfall into their laps in a huge embrace

Letting my baby stay up so late he fell asleep in my arms

This trio has my heart

Cookie decorating party

Meticulous!

We made the most of our short trip, to include a national lights show that happened to be in Marietta this year

The lights danced with the music and had us all filled with the joy of the season

We let the boys hang out of the sunroof, and Niko kept asking Uncle Craig why he was driving so slow. He wanted speed!

My best cousin-in-law Heidi celebrates her birthday the day after mine. It isn't every year we get to celebrate our birthdays together, so this was a very special treat.

Heidi has amazing friends. We had a great time eating too much and laughing hard. I couldn't hang as late as the crowd, but I definitely enjoyed celebrating one of my most favorite people.

Photo Drop!

Between Heidi and my birthday weekend and Alexander's birthday this weekend, we added some fun seasonal spirit!

Alexander had a very special gift for Gammie this Christmas. He bought her a story anthology so that she can continue to have new stories to share with his class.