It's my party and I'll cry if I want to...

Coming from a big family (Michael's side too) we have sooooo many birthdays throughout the year...moms, dads, siblings, nieces, nephews, the list goes on and on! :) Michael and I have birthdays fairly close to each other - his is November 12 and mine is January 8 (Elvis' birthday too! :D Hah!) This year we got to spend one another's birthday together, traveling. Which we love to do!

We planned a trip to head south for a few days to spend time with friends and family! We had such a blast! It was nice to get away from work and everyday life for a bit. We visited my sister and her family in Dallas for a couple days. Then headed to New Orleans for two days and ended our trip in Pensacola to visit one of Michael's best friends and his wife. We were definitely spoiled by the end of the trip -- neither of us wanting to go back to work haha. ;)

Enjoyed great food at MASH'D while in Dallas!

Dallas Aquarium -- too much fun!

Beignets at the infamous
Cafe Du Monde in NOLA 

Enjoying our first night on Beale Street.

On our way to Dallas, Michael turned the big 2-9! We spent a few hours in the car driving that day, so I tried to make it as special and memorable as I could! :) I wanted him to feel extra loved and extra special on his birthday! I put together "A Day Full of Presents!" Starting at 11:12 AM...11/12 is his birth date -- see what I did there? (; He received a gift every hour (for 12 hours) until 10:12 PM. I really enjoyed putting everything together! Check it out...

All the gifts (besides the cake haha.) Each labeled with a different time of the day!

11:12 - Card/favorite candy bar - Hershey's Cookies/Cream

12:12 - Book

1:12 - Written Letter

2:12 - Book

3:12 - Fuzzzzzy Jacket

4:12 - X Box Controller

5:12 - DIY Massage Kit

6:12 - Book..He likes to read ;)

7:12 - Etched Decanter

8:12 - Birthday Cake

9:12 - Picture of us

10:12 - Written Letter

First b-day cake in over 5 years!
His favorite - yellow cake, chocolate frosting!
Compliments of Katherine!

I had too much fun with this entire thing! :)
It was a task in itself making sure I didn't
forget to give him his presents at the right time.

We also enjoyed my birthday "on the road." You think we'd be sick of one another traveling together crammed in a vehicle, but I beg to differ. :) Michael surprised me with a relaxing birthday getaway to Gatlinburg! I had never been and I think it's safe to say we had a blast together! He got us a cute little cabin up in the mountains with a gorgeous view every day. He told me once how important and special he thinks birthdays are and likes to make the person feel loved. He definitely went out of his way to show how much he loves and appreciates me. (Not just on my birthday, but every day!) 

When we got there, we had time to relax and unpack. Our first evening he made plans for us to take a "Sky Lift" up the mountain to get a view of the sunset and then again after dinner to see the night life. Too neat! It was nice to enjoy a relaxing evening by the fire side. Might I mention, he got a fire going without matches, fire starter, etc. (Haha - we picked up fire starter our second day there, no worries!) 

Going up on the Sky Lift...I think he told me he was nervous at some point.. ;)

Such a beautiful view! Check out that FUZZZZY jacket he's sporting!
Wonder who got that for him? ;)

Our next day was full of adventure! I woke up and got served breakfast in bed. We had french toast and plenty of coffee! :) Michael is always thinking about the small things to make me happy. He remembered I had never been ice skating before and that it was on my bucket list. That morning we took a tram up the mountain to go skating. Let me tell you...I am ter-ri-ble. Haha. We both had a good time and later on in the afternoon went to an escape game. The first time we did this together was in New Orleans and he made plans for us to do another. Our theme was "Prison Break" and we had to figure out clues and codes to get out of the prison under an hour. With the help of 6 other people...we didn't make it out hahah. It was a tough game. Maybe next time... ;)

Our evening was spent cooking a meal together. :) He had everything planned out and ready to go. It was so nice of him to do! We had parmesan crusted tilapia over a bed of pasta and broccoli. It was fabulous! He's so sweet, always thinking of little things others don't. He bought me a bracelet and watch (knowing mine broke a few weeks prior..) and he bought both in rose gold!! Ekk, they're both so pretty!! <3 <3 He also bought my favorite ice cream...Moose Tracks and we (I, haha) indulged in eating a bowl, Michael decided to pass on eating some. We also enjoyed a taste of two different kinds of wine during the weekend...one of his favorites and one of mine!

Our last day was spent going to church and eating at a lovely place called Crockett's Breakfast Camp. Delicious food! We headed home, back to reality - luckily he drove (the weather was yucky!) The past few months have made me realize how lucky I am to have Michael in my life. Not many can say they have someone who is always thinking of ways to make the other happy, but he does. And for that, I am forever grateful for this handsome man! <3 I can't wait to spend my life with him and go on many, many more adventures together! We're already planning, hah. :)