34th Birthday in Review

Our birthday is always a little hectic with 4th of July being the next day and all.  But, this one was just perfect.  I got to go to a yoga class and got to go out to eat at Cane Rosso with my family.  (These two things rarely happen these days, so I consider them a treat!)

I also got some needed/wanted birthday gifts.  First up, from Patrick, was my new Vitamix!  I've been wanting this for a while now (since we went to our juicing class last August at Travaasa Resort).  

From my mom and dad, I got my new Le Cruiset pot that I have been wanting.  For some reason, when Patrick and I got married, we didn't register for new cookware.  I have no idea what I was thinking!  (And had no idea how much I would actually be cooking at home).

From Bob and Ann I got Northpark gold... always a favorite gift of mine!!  (For those who don't know, you can get gold, kind of like a gift certificate but in the form of gold coins, and can spend it anywhere in Northpark Mall!)  And, thank you for a fun birthday dinner as well!

From friends, I got a cute pair of gold earrings and a great, new cookbook which has quickly become my new obsession!  What does it mean that 99% of my gifts have to do with food???

Birthday Festivities

The week started off with a celebration of Pops' Birthday. Both my mom and Patrick's dad have the same birthday of Feb. 23. Just two days before Charlie's. So, Babo and Pops came over, brought dinner and cake, and Charlie's birthday gift. Here Charlie is opening the gift:

Eating cake:

And the video!


On Thursday, the triplets and Julie came in to help set up for the birthday party. We had planned a nice meal out with the babies for my mom's birthday on Friday night. Somehow, though, my parents missed out on the dinner... we still decided to take full advantage of our reservations though. Thanks to Aunt Jennifer for coming with us! We went to Cibus because we knew that if the kids got restless we could just take them into the mall or out in the courtyard. I would say the dinner went as well as could be expected with 4 toddlers in tow. Here are a few cute pics from the evening:
Patrick and Charlie

Julie and Cooper

Manny and the girls

Charlie playing in the courtyard

Trying to capture all 4

Happy Birthday Patrick!

Yesterday was Patrick's birthday. Since it was Veteran's Day and he works at a bank, he got the day off! And, since I never work on Thursdays we got to spend the day together. We started off the day going to Taco Joint for yummy breakfast tacos. (Best in Dallas if you ask me.) We took Charlie to daycare and went to work out at the YMCA. And then, we did something we never get to do, and went and watched a movie in the middle of the day! "Due Date" was the movie that the birthday boy wanted to see... pretty funny I must say. We split up for the afternoon. Patrick went to get his friend, Asa, from the airport. I met up with Jessica and Johnette at the Arboretum to celebrate Olivia's 2nd birthday. (Happy Birthday Olivia!!) For dinner, we went to Picasso's as a family. This is also something we never get to do ionce Patrick usually doesn't get home from work until 7ish, which happens to be Charlie's bed time. Such a fun day! Here are pics of Charlie helping Patrick with his birthday gifts:

I hope Patrick had as much fun as I did celebrating his birthday! We love you babe!

4th of July Weekend

Our internet is FINALLY working at our house, so I better get this blog post in fast before the rain takes it away again. We had originally planned to spend the weekend in Spicewood, but according to the weather man Austin was going to see a lot of rain over the weekend, so we switched our plans to stay in Dallas. Saturday was my birthday.... thanks to all who emailed, called and texted. It was perfect just spent with Patrick and Charlie at home...we went to the Lake Highlands 4th of July celebration. It was super fun complete with a train, a petting zoo, a sand box (possibly the highlight for Charlie), balloons (another highlight), men on stilts, and good food. We missed the parade due to Charlie needing an early morning nap, but this will become an every year event for the Allen household.
Petting zoo fun!
There is also a splash park at the LH Rec Center. So fun!! Charlie had a blast. (Again, we failed to bring a swimsuit... when will we learn?)

Special thanks to Patrick for making my birthday so great... he really went all out with Sprinkles cupcakes and my gifts! Thanks babe!

On Sunday, we celebrated the 4th by going to watch the fireworks at Royal Oaks Country Club with the Hamilton's and William's. It too might become a yearly tradition. We kept Charlie out until 10:30!! All of the boys did great. The fireworks started at about 9:30 and by 9:40 Charlie was passed out on my chest. Bless his heart, he missed the whole show! But before that, when he would see a firework he would say "Oh, wow!" So cute.
Rhodes and Charlie wrestling. They would fall on top of one another and roll down the hill and then do it all over again. It is so cute to see them actually playing with one another rather than just beside each other.

Charlie got SO sweaty from all the playing and rough housing he was doing!
Sweet baby Drew
Dean
This was at about 8:30. Charlie just fell over and layed down right in the middle of playing. Poor thing... it was only 1.5 hours after his bed time!

On Monday we went to the YMCA for a family swim. Here is Charlie trying out dada's goggles.

And, I will leave you with this. Charlie has a new face that he LOVES to do. It's so funny, but I'm pretty sure he is saying "You are an idiot" with this new face of his!