Jeff & Mal: Birthday Celebrations!

Birthdays come but once a year. I typically don't really celebrate a lot for my birthday, because to me, it is just another day. But for some reason, I was super excited about my birthday this year and made plans to celebrate. Celebrations began on Monday when I bought myself a lift-top coffee table as a birthday present to myself (my grandparents and parents gave me birthday money to use towards the table - thanks!) I will try to get a picture of it soon to share!

Thursday I was so excited and surprised when I got a package in the mail from Jeff's mom and dad! I wasn't expecting such a sweet surprise! Inside the package, among other things, was a tote bag from Aerie - one of my favorite places! I have used the bag almost every day since then!! :) (see below for pictures...) I continued to celebrate on Thursday with some friends from school and my roommate by having some yummy dinner and a few drinks at Tavern on the Tracks behind my apartment while I eagerly awaited Veronica's arrival. Sure enough, Veronica arrived and we spent the next few hours catching up. I was so excited that she came to visit!

Friday morning - my actual birthday - Veronica and I got up super early and took showers and headed to my Aunt and Uncle's house so we could go on a furniture shopping adventure with them. On our way there, we decided we needed breakfast, so I stopped at Chick-fil-A. V had no idea they had breakfast there, but was thrilled with the choice after she ate her food. :) We were on a search for a children's bookshelf and a new living room set. We went to what has to be the largest furniture mall in the world. V and I were so amazed! We were worn out after walking around the place! We got a nice laugh about one of the furniture brands. We enjoyed this brand so much that we took a picture and sent it to Lindsay for her enjoyment! Here is what we were laughing at - really mature, I know...

Once we finished shopping around, we headed to grab some lunch at a delicious pizzeria near my Aunt and Uncle's house. The pizza was delicious!! We then picked up Rachel from car-pool which was quite entertaining for V and I. We didn't stop there! We headed to the mall to find an outfit for the evening's celebrations and to the grocery store for some appetizers.

Around 7:30 that evening, as I was eagerly awaiting Jeff's arrival, several of my law school buddies came over for appetizers and beverages to get the celebrations started. Haley and Kristine surprised me with an awesome new wine bottle rack and some really awesome sticky notes! (see below for pictures) Before I knew it, Jeff had arrived! I literally ran out the door to meet him in the parking garage! It hadn't been too terribly long since I had last gotten to see him, but it felt like forever since we had seen each other! I can't tell you how excited I was to see him! As I was helping him unload his things from his car, he handed me a gift bag from my mom. Inside was a cake baking pan in the shape of the WVU logo! I was so excited because I had been looking at one just like it recently and was thinking of all the fun I could have with the pan! Stay tuned and maybe I will find some time in the near future to make something yummy in the new pan! As if that surprise wasn't enough, Jeff handed me a gift bag. I was really unsure about what this was and who it was from and I think he could tell that from my face because he said, "It's from me - Happy Birthday Baby!" I was so surprised because I had told him that all I wanted for my birthday was to spend time with him - him coming to see me was more than enough of a gift for me! I was ready to open it right there, but he said I had to wait until we got upstairs. We headed back upstairs to my apartment, where everyone was having a great time! I was finally able to introduce Jeff to my wonderful friends Kristine and Haley - as well as some of my other law school friends that he had never met before. Jeff got ready and we all headed to Tavern on the Tracks (yes the same place I was at the night before - it really is amazing food and atmosphere) for a birthday dinner! More people met us there for dinner and we had about 15 people all together! We had a blast watching the WVU game against Marshall (even though it was a nail biter)! Even the non-WVU fans joined us in cheering on the Mountaineers! Luckily, the Mounties pulled through and won the game!

After we all enjoyed a wonderful meal, we headed uptown to another Buffalo Bills bar - Town Tavern. I think I forgot to mention that Tavern on the Tracks is a Buffalo Bills bar and is located right behind my apartment - coincidence? I think not! :) Anyways, we hung out uptown and met up with some other friends for the remainder of the evening before heading back home early Saturday morning! We had such a great time with everyone!

On Saturday, Jeff, V and I spent the day lounging around, being lazy and watching football. Jeff and V got to experience Jersey Mike's sub shop for the first time for lunch too! That evening, we continued watching football at Haley's house for the Alabama game. She is an awesome football watch party host - we arrived and were greeted with TONS of food! My friend Amanda made an AMAZING queso dip that Jeff is begging me to get the recipe for so I can try to make it for him. We also had amazing spinach dip, fruit salad, pizza and cookies! We had a great time relaxing, watching football and hanging out with some friends.

Sunday morning, V got up early, put on her Army uniform, and headed off to her two week long training. Before I let her leave, I insisted that we have breakfast at Einstein's bagels across the street. I am almost positive V was super happy she stayed for breakfast! :) It is one of Jeff and I's favorite bagel places! I soon realized that my birthday weekend was coming to an end as everyone began saying their goodbyes. I got to spend a little more time with Jeff after V left before he too had to go home. I truly cherish every moment I get to spend with him because every moment counts and we aren't always sure when we will get to see each other again.

Here are some photos from the weekend:

Soon to be Mr. & Mrs.

Ladies & Martin

My New York girl... Shannon

Chip being really awesome...

Ladies!

Birthday cupcake - well, what was left... Thanks to my awesome roomie

for making cupcakes for the special day! They were delicious!

Fun wine rack that makes the bottles look like a bouquet - thanks Haley & Kristine!!

WVU cake pan from my mom! :)

Cards from everyone! :)

The bracelet was not a birthday gift... but the blue and gold beads were! Thanks to my wonderful fiancé I can now show my WVU spirit on my Pandora bracelet!