a birthday post....

I'm pretty good about doing a birthday post for my kiddos and Mike but I don't always post about MY birthday.. but I feel like I should this year, it was a good one that I'd like to remember, especially since it's been a rough summer of sorts (rough on me anyway)

On friday morning  (my actual birthday) I woke up to birthday signs, a sparkly kitchen, flowers and breakfast on the table from Mikey.

He had bagels, fresh strawberries and cream and cinnamon rolls waiting for me. the house smelled AH-mazing! and he left me my favorite bag of chocolates for a mid morning snack;) nice

 In the middle of my quiet breakfast (everyone was still fast asleep) this girly woke up and came down bearing her gift...a home made birthday card (notice her drawing of the table and flowers...she got a sneak peak of them the night before while I was out I guess)

This was one of my favorite gifts! I love having my hair played with and getting massages from my kiddies! 

After a busy morning of some serious cleaning the kids and I had to do (we had a couple coming over for a second showing of our house that afternoon and they are making an offer today! fingers crossed!) and packing for a weekend trip, Mike got off at noon and we went out for lunch and headed to San Antonio. 

We headed to the temple. Mike and I have been wanting to go for so long! So I told Mike thats what I  wanted for my birthday. It makes me sad that it is 2 hours away...though I know there are so many saints around the world that would love to have one that close. We have just been spoiled in the past having one closer by that we could go to anytime with out having to make an appt. So we stayed at a hotel near the temple and had hopes to do a session while Josh watched over the kiddos and Lily napped. We set our appt early on but ended up having to cancel because we were stuck in traffic and they only have a few sessions a day :( 

darn that Austin traffic in the middle of the day! 

We went up there anyway and made it a family affair! I'm so glad we did that! I think I felt the spirit even more this time going with the kids and getting to see the temple through their eyes.

We were able to walk around and talk to the kids about this beautiful, sacred place and what happens within those precious walls. We could tell they each felt the spirit. 

Lily kept saying she wanted to go inside. We told her she could go inside someday. Josh proudly  told her she needed to hold a temple recommend like he held. To which she replied. " I want to hold the temple" ;)

Lily also started singing "I love to see the Temple" (one of her favorite primary songs) so we all reverently joined her and sang it together. It was my favorite part of the visit. 

the kids asked questions about the temple and about what we believe in. I loved having this opportunity to talk about those things there and being able to tangibly feel the spirit with my sweet family. It was a moment I will always remember and treasure... the best birthday gift I could've gotten! 

After our time at the temple we went across the street for dinner

this is a view from where we ate. can you spot the temple?

we ate some ummy gourmet pizza then headed back to the hotel

we finished the night with some popcorn and candy and Disney (we don't have it at home, so it is always a treat to get to see what's new on Disney!) 

after a few shows and treats the kids went right down and we all got a good night's sleep (happy birthday to me!! yay! that doesn't even happen at home always)

the next morning we went to Sea World and Aquatica!! thanks again to my momma for all the free passes, free parking, and 30% off food, we were able to do this and not break the bank! 

Bella and Lily were a little scared of the sharks that's why they are hugging each other.  Bella screamed a few times when she would look away and then look back to see the shark closer. 

This fella was pretty mean looking!

Zach,our nature boy, was in heaven!! we almost lost him several times as he would stay behind fascinated with all the beautiful sea life! 

Lily loved the rides at the sesame street area! oh how I love this girl! 

I wish I could have gotten Lily's facial expression! she really liked the "Doll-Pins"

We are a dolphin loving family for sure.

half way through the day we headed into Aquatica (poor little Z scraped his nose earlier this week!)

we are always fascinated by the stingrays and how friendly they are! (notice anything different about Sav?)

we enjoyed the water slides and cooling off from the mid day heat! 

we were pretty wiped out after spending the 2nd half of the day at Aquatica, so we headed back to Sea world to watch a few shows including a funny 4D pirates show

We ended the night riding the shamu express, which was really fun since it was the only ride the entire family could ride (lily was 1/4 of an inch too short, but they let her on anyway) and then we danced at a block party with the sesame gang! On the way home we hit torrential rain! The kids were so exhausted they fell asleep immediately and Mike and I got to enjoy some alone time talking in the car while it poured rain. romantic right?  I love him. I appreciate how he serves me and the kids on a daily basis not just on my birthday.

because of how rushed we were to get out on friday to the temple and then being gone all Saturday,  the kiddos were insistent that they make my birthday cake on Sunday after church. It was like a continuation of my birthday. They made dinner (scrambled eggs and fruit- fancy huh? ;) and made the cake while I napped and cashed in my gift from Sav and Bella rubbed my feet. It was a great birthday indeed!

Love this family of mine and I feel grateful to them for making me feel so special!