32 and counting....

Ah, turning another year older, and blogging about it almost a month later. Story of my life. My birthday happened to fall during a weekend, much less a week, where there wasn't much time left to celebrate ole Shani. Which was fine by me - I was wanting more of a low key celebration this go around. Trying to tone down the activities these days.

I went to lunch at Ashland House earlier in the week with these three ladies. Emily, Leslie, & Sophie all kept on me about celebrating the bday, so I finally relented and let us four get together for lunch. I am so thankful for these three ladies and their friendship in my life.


The weekend surrounding my birthday was filled with the Sweet Sixteen and Baylor being in town. On my actual birthday, I was last minute going to a funeral for one of my dear friend's brother who quickly had passed away earlier in the week. So we rearranged the day and fit in breakfast with just the three of us. But not before some quick shots of the green cuties.


Justin was trying his hardest not to be still.


He has as of late been wanting to take our photo. I know some of your kids do this (and take some fantastic photos), but they have not tried it with my extremely heavy camera that I now take with me. Justin had to prop it on this chair to get his first attempt.


Derek gave him a hand on the next one. I can't blame the poor little man - most adults do the same thing when I give it over to them.


After going to the funeral, Kaki and I sped off to Roundtop for a mere 2 hours. I came back victorious, with a bookshelf I have been looking for for 3 years to complete the study area in my bedroom. Photos of that at a later date (I have to take them first!). We came home to a dinner prepared by my sweet hubby, along with this ginormous balloon! Which has since been untied by a certain three year old and hangs out currently on my ceiling, too far within reach of anyone in this household.


My parents, Coy, & Kaki were over for dinner. Derek had slaved away in the kitchen with ribs, new potatoes, a fruit salad, and Chinese coleslaw. And he had my favorite wine and some appetizers waiting for us when we walked in the door from our quickieRoundtop trip. My man rocks!


Teacher Aunt Kaki helping Justin color.


Derek ordered me a must - cookie cake. What he didn't know was that our mall has two of them, and he ordered from the opposite side of the mall when he called it in on the phone. He said the trip to pick up the cookie cake took about an hour, setting him back in his kitchen prep time for the meal. I kid you not, this was one of the yummiest cookie cakes I have had in a long time!


Justin fits in well with this family and our love of the cake.


And look, Big D made me a "Shannon arrangement", as he called it. He said it was no sweat since he has seen me make one dozens of times for different events. And ah, my favorite color of purple....


The day has come and gone, but 32 has started out a lot calmer then 31 did. Looking forward to living my life to the fullest this next year!