Birthday week!

Last Saturday (May 2) was my birthday, and we celebrated all week! I've never done that before, and it was kind of fun.

We started the week off in Napa, California...just Taylor and I! Taylor had to be there for a business trip and took me along. We flew in on Sunday and stayed until Wednesday. A BIG THANKS to Nana for watching Isaac while we were away!!

Napa is BEAUTIFUL! Our GPS took us to our resort the scenic way and it couldn't have been more perfect!! It was SO SO SO breathtaking! I told Taylor it was so gorgeous we could move there if he wanted. :) (That notion changed by the end of the trip when CA charged us a "transaction" fee at the gas station...who does that?!)

Anyway, we thought this was pretty funny. We got to our resort on Sunday around 4 or so and after checking in we drove around looking for a place to eat. After a day of traveling, we just wanted to eat. So when we saw the "Little Caesar's $5 pizza" sign we quickly turned in! What can I say, in Napa and eating $5 pizza! :)

Monday was my favorite day!! I got up and exercised in the fitness center while Taylor was in meetings, and once he got back we drove up to St. Helena--along the scenic highway--to the Culinary Institute of America. BEST EVENT YET! We got there early to walk the grounds and then participated in a cooking demonstration, it was so much fun!! Taylor is so good to go with me! Look how pretty and green it is:

Taylor knocking on the barrel to see if it is full or not...

Inside the cooking demonstration kitchen...my favorite!

On Tuesday, Taylor had more meetings in the morning and then came and got me for lunch. We went to In N Out Burger. I've never been there so I wanted to try it out. I wasn't really in the mood for a hamburger, but it was still pretty good! We had to hurry and get back because Taylor played golf with some business people while I hit the Premium Outlets.

That night we went to a restaurant that overlooked a vineyard and some hills, it was breathtaking!!!

Only complaint of the trip: wished it was a tad bit warmer! But other than that, it was a great, relaxing trip!!! Again, THANK YOU MOM for watching Isaac!!! You're the best!!!

On Thursday, we went to a silent auction fundraiser for UCCS called Boots and Stars. My dad is chairman of the Chancellor Scholarship Board (or something) so we went to support him. It was held at a house in the Broadmoor of more than 15,000 square feet or something, catered and all, so it was pretty fun! But even more importantly, it was an opportunity to dress up and get a babysitter!

Friday I met up with one of my good, good friends, Stephanie (Brady) Jacobs for lunch. She treated me to a yummy three-hour birthday lunch, but unfortunately, no pictures. :( It is so much fun to catch up!! She also accompanied me to a baby shower --Julie (Merrell) Jensen's -- in Denver on Saturday morning. She's so good to go with me and Isaac! And Julie looks tiny as ever, but I am sure ready to have her baby! :)

Saturday night, we went to dinner as a family at my favorite--The Melting Pot. YUMMY!!!!

It was the perfect end to the perfect week!

And I should mention what a sweet husband I have--after Isaac was born, Taylor gave me a diamond anniversary band to wear on my right hand. We decided with each kid I'd just add to it. After the loss of Angelina, he got me a second one to wear. I have since satered the two together and wear them both on my right hand, I love it! It's a constant and daily reminder of our children and our guardian angel watching over us!