the best birthday ever...

the best birthday ever!!! as most of you know, i turned 30 last week. and what a birthday it was. i was starting to feel a little sad about the big day, knowing that i wouldn't see my family, and that i would be spending most of the day alone. saturday (3 days before my birthday) i went duck hunting with aram, darren, and brooks. we had a great time but didn't get many ducks. aram told me we had to be home by 2:00 which was fine since we left the house at 4:30 in the morning. (YES I WAS TIRED! not to mention FREEZING COLD) when we got back to boulder. to my surprise my family's car was near my cottage. (but lack of sleep did not allow me to think clear enough to realize that it was their car, and the mini van next to it was cj's family's. a minute later everything registered and i realized that indeed my family was here.

hugs were had. they were really excited to see my cottage so we went there first. only to get surprised again by ANDREW and LISA in my bathroom. (they care from north carolina) huge sacrifices here made, and everyone in my family was there. i needless to say was a emotional roller coaster the rest of the day. mom and dad rented a cabin to stay in. we spent the next few days around boulder to see some of the wonderful beauties this land has to offer.

we went to the school on monday and had a HUGE game of kick ball. the kids loved it, but i think my family enjoyed it more. i laughed a lot.

we went to a drumming class. it was so much fun. blake was the best one in the group for sure.

then lisa got into it with her modern dancing. everyone loved it.

we headed down the burr trail to one of my favorite spots to hang out and draw or to play the guitar. my family loved it as well.

blakers and i in the slot canyon

the girls (except we don't know where lisa took off too)

we then headed to another area called hundred hands. canyon became my little hiking buddy. i carried him most the way. he had so much fun.

well THANK YOU AGAIN FAMILY! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH. thank you for the sacrifices you each made to come here and be with me. what a great time.