The Big 3-0

I guess turning 30 is a devastating event for some people (my mom included).  I'm supposed to officially be OLD now, right?  Whatever - I still feel young, so I say 30 is the new 20! 

We did lots of celebrating - mostly eating - for some "turning 30" fun.  My birthday fell on a Saturday, but the eating (and shopping) started Thursday evening with a trip to the Plaza and Westport.

I have heard a lot of talk about these fancy Baldwin jeans made with raw denim that are from right here in KC.  Of course I'm all for supporting the local economy, but these have always been waaaay out of my price range.  Matt has seriously been asking to get a pair for a solid year at least, so we finally decided to pop in the store and just try some on.  For fun.

They are not soft and stretchy like my cheap Old Navy jeans.  They're stiff and skin tight -- because they supposedly stretch and mold to your body.  And you aren't supposed to wash them.  Like, ever.  Gross. 

The trying them on "just for fun" turned in to Matt shelling out some serious dough for two pairs of them.  The deal has always been he could get a pair as long as he bought me a pair, too.  Happy Birthday to me!  I officially own a ridiculously priced article of clothing. ;)

 After the shopping extravaganza (which also included a trip to H&M), we went to Westport for dinner at Beer Kitchen.  Their short ribs and polenta might be my favorite meal in KC.  (I think I was still too excited over the jeans and forgot to take any pictures!)

 On, Friday, Matt took me to Jun's sushi - my favorite sushi in KC - for lunch, and then to Port Fonda in Westport for dinner.  Yum. 

   

Sushi for lunch.                                     Mexican for dinner.

We talked about going to a movie after that, but since I'm officially in full swing training for my first marathon, a nice long run was in store bright and early on Saturday.  We went home and went to bed before 10pm.  My kind of Friday night! 

This is how I started my first day in my 30's: 

My mom provided me with all the necessary equipment for that:  an awesome watch, comfy running shoes (never mind that they're actually old-man shoes - they're the only ones that fit my super wide foot), and a running belt...all for my birthday!  Oh, and then she mowed my yard for me while I was running...and gave me an absurd amount of cards to come home to.  She's the best.  :) 

After that 10 mile run, I needed some food.  My mom and I met my favorite little guy for some lunch at Jason's Deli.

Hunter had a card for me, too!

He experienced - and loved - his first ice cream cone! 

Click HERE for the YouTube video.

The rest of the afternoon was spent doing some yard-work and napping.  Just a nice, relaxing day. 

That night, there was more eating out, of course.  I had planned on going around KC to different spots - my favorite drink, my favorite appetizer, my favorite entree, and my favorite dessert - but that seemed like too much work.  So we decided on dinner at a new spot called Collection near downtown.  And I wore my new jeans for the first time!  (I actually tried to wear them to work on Friday, but when I went to pull them up, the zipper broke.  That's how tight they are.)

My card from Matt.  I used to collect Unicorns when I was little. : )



Heading to dinner



Collection - from the outside



Our entrees were seriously SO good

On to dessert.  I had been craving some creme brulee from Fogo de Chao ever since we went there for Christmas.  So we drove down to the Plaza and just ordered that.  It was just as good as I remembered.  So good, in fact, that I felt it necessary to lick the bowl.  And help Matt finish his.

 The sky was crazy when we left the restaurant.  (Oh did I mention that we totally lucked out all weekend with awesome parking on the Plaza?  That's some birthday luck.) 


No filter.  It was that cool!

The final birthday celebration was with my whole family.  Dinner at Will Jenny's on Sunday night.  They have big enough tables for all of us, and there is something that everyone can eat there. 

Hadley brought down my birthday card and present...and then proceeded to open it for me.  It was too cute. 



Hadley still just adores Hunter and always want to play with him.  He usually isn't as interested, but I got a couple cute pictures of them together.

Obligatory family pictures galore after dinner.  My mom tracked some random guy down who was walking to his car to snap one of the whole fam.  


I love my big, crazy family



 

 A few of the presents I got:





A purple, sparkly scarf from Christa that I wore to work the next day 



An awesome original drawing by Allie.  I seriously love it (all colors of kids holding hands around a heart-shaped drawing of the world).  It's framed and in my bathroom now.



 

A new mouse pad for work from Christa/Tony.  It now includes all my nieces and nephews and has new pictures on it.  (The old one was a birthday present two years ago.)

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So here's to my 30's.  I'm really looking forward to this decade.  It might be the best one yet! :)