Happy Birthday To Me!

What's better than a little shameless self-promotion?  Today is my birthday.  (Okay, technically I am writing this Sunday night, so it's not my birthday yet, but it will be by the time you read this.)  I've been celebrating all weekend and will actually spend today at work followed by a quiet dinner with the parents.  And that is perfectly fine, wonderful even.  I think 31 is going to be my best year yet, of course, I don't think anyone goes into a new year of their life thinking, "This year is going to really suck."  But I think I should get a point or two for being optimistic.

As for the weekend wrap-up, I took Friday off and spent the day hitting some of my favorite shops with Tara, Amber and Macy Jane.  When we got back, I got changed and met Casey for dinner at my favorite local place and then went out to spend some more time with Tara.  You have to soak up all the time you can get with visiting friends.  Saturday, we hit our favorite winery again, then had chili and all sorts of other goodies at Tara's parents' bonfire.  And Sunday, we had my auntie's 50th birthday party and celebrated my 31st as well.  There was great food and it's always a good time to get together with my extended family.

Here's just a sampling of pictures:

 Macy Jane, whom I can't believe is already this big

 A group shot of the whole gang

 I miss this sweet girl already!

Lulu and Miss M

 My mom and her siblings wrapped up my great-grandma's sweater and old lady shoes for Auntie (She's the baby of the fam, and just 19 years and 11 minutes older than me)

Some people had a little too much party

Is it sad that we are still celebrating birthdays next weekend?  I think I'm stretching 31 out as far as it will go!  No harm in that, I suppose!