Fun filled weekends

Two weekends ago we celebrated my 24th birthday. I felt like Princess for a Day... only it was spread out for a couple of days, which was even better. We got together with Nick's entire extended family on Sunday and had an amazing meal (shepherd's pie, fruit salad, cheese fondue with bread, veggies & dips, edemame salad) and a fall-inspired birthday cake for dessert. Nick's step dad, Bill, had his birthday earlier in the week so a double birthday celebration was in order. Two days later (on my actual birthday) my grandmother treated Nick & I out to Panera, where my parents & Alex joined us. Kim Hubbard joined us as well, and we celebrated her BD as hers was the very next day. My parents had a bouquet of orange daisies awaiting me on the table. Later that evening, we drove down to Leawood where we attended a worship celebration led by Paul Baloche at the COR (United Methodist Church of the Resurrection). Nick's mom had just found out about it two days before at church... apparently it wasn't advertised because it was part of a big worship seminar they were holding over numerous days for music ministers. There were probably close to a thousand ministers attending the evening worship experience (though whose to say how many of us just chose to join for the evening). I'm so glad we went... it was an amazing time. Besides that fun "treat", I was also thrilled to get the Monk season 5 DVD's from Nick (they make for great date nights at home), the last pieces to my Willow Tree Nativity set from Julie, and tickets to see the Broadway show the Lion King later this month at the KC Music Hall. Needless to say, I'm thrilled!

This past weekend the weather was absolutely amazing, which worked out well since we had outdoor plans. We headed out for Weston's Applefest early Saturday morning so we could get good parking (we learned after last year you have to get there early if you want a good spot in city limits) and so we could attend the parade, something we didn't get there in time for last year. I'm so glad we made it this year... it was so enjoyable and I'm glad Nick's mom, Julie, was able to join us. They had the local high school and junior high bands play, the St. Joe Shriners drove several vintage cars, and some of the local politicians running for office were there as well. By far we both enjoyed the bagpipe player the most. I also enjoyed having an opportunity to take several pictures with our new camera! We took our time checking out all the vendors, craftsmen exhibits, and shops. Julie and I got inspired by a local seamstresses goods... lots of cute baby goods ideas (ie, she made bibs with sleeves out of terry towels, and make homemade binkie bibs, etc.). We didn't end up buying anything of hers, but we took notes so we could make our own versions! We couldn't leave without getting creamed honey and some dip mixes.... they were just to good to pass up. After six hours of enjoying everything on the Weston square, we drove to Zona Rosa to eat a late lunch. Afterwards, we decided to go see Fireproof since we were right next to the Barry Rd. AMC theater. Nick and I were originally pretty disinclined to see it because we thought it might be pretty cheeseball or awkwardly Christianese. I'm so glad Julie had encouraged us to go see it though... it was wonderful. Everyone in the theater was crying towards the end and we all left clapping (it was really good!). I found out later that everyone involved in the movie production offered their services for free... no one was paid for working on the film. It was the result of Alex Kendrick (producer of Facing the Giants) and his church trying to find an outlet to minister to the mainstream on a topic they'd all find relevant- marriage & divorce. They didn't expect to get good ticket sales or win any awards for the film (and unfortunately, mainstream media critics tore it apart left & right)... however, it's done incredibly well in the box office despite. So, anyways... that's my little plug for the movie. Go see it! :)

Later that evening, we checked out a new shopping center across I-29 from Zona Rosa. It's going to have a large LifeWay bookstore that I'm really looking forward to. Many of the shops are still being built, so we check out some of the few that were open. We ended the day with supper at Houlihans. It was amazing that we were able to do all of that with a baby, but Luke did great the entire time (Julie would constantly remark that he was "a little angel" the whole day, which he was, but she may be a bit biased as his grandma).