Birthday Time

I don't wear much else once October hits. Even if the Yankees aren't in the playoffs (like 2008 and that's like the only year!), I'm still decked out. Ammon decided that since he couldn't take me to New York, he take me to the closest thing--New York New York. That is one thing I've always loved about Ammon since before we even went out. While he was in Iraq and we would write, he would send me flowers--yellow roses, just because he would "find out" what one I type I liked best. If you can get him to put his mind to it, he really can be so creative and ties things together so nicely, especially if it's an important event! He told me to wear blue and that we'd be gone for probably five hours. After a nonchalent farewell from Matthew because he couldn't care less about us leaving him anymore, we were off. We ate New York pizza, rode the roller coaster, played games and toured the city. I walked hand-in-hand down the "streets" of New York admiring the miniature versions of my favorites across the country. I can't wait until Ammon gets to visit there. I think it's one of the best places in the world!

He has always folded his pizza for as long as I've known him!

The roller coaster was fun, especially in the front, and didn't compare to the nerves I remember from years ago the last time I went.


Then, we went to the other side of the strip to the Venetian to go to Legasse's Stadium to watch the game! WHAT A COOL PLACE!! The biggest screens and a great part about it was having other fans with us watching it too. We each got a burger, which I wasn't hungry in the least for, and got dessert that was amazing. We had such a fun day, and the Yankees won!

The Venetian and the Palazzo are gorgeous in the fall!

Sloan took me out for my birthday with her friends and I've really gotten to really appreciate all their invitations since I've gotten back from Kentucky. Kristie, Lacey, Julie, Tabby and Jessica all took me out to CPK at the District and I have a fun time when we go...probably because I never go anywhere with "friends" except Joanna (when I get to see her).

The 9th came and since Ammon has work every weekend, of course (which I can't complain--those are the best tip days), we went out that Saturday morning with Matthew. Ammon has been wanting to go to Hash House a Go Go for months because he heard the serving sizes are huge. He was right, and thank goodness. A great thing about us is that we NEVER share meals. I get one, he gets one. He scarfs his down within minutes and then eats the half of mine I couldn't. He's hilarious. In this case, he was in heaven.

My birthday flowers.

My HUGE meal with the BIGGEST hot cake I've ever even heard of!

Matthew ordered off the children's menu. Serious? This was definitely designed and created by a male, Ammon version.

He loves food. Understatement.

This is when I was done. Really.

Dumping.

Afterwards, we went to this running store and bought me some awesome new running shoes. It's a place where they film you run and then fit you to a shoe accordingly. I've been running a lot lately after I put Matthew down at night and the fastest mile I got was 5:42 minutes. Then I started doing another mile and so far, the fastest two-miler I got was 14:28 minutes. I am hoping to one day get a 13 minute two mile. After the shoes, we took Matthew to see the airplanes and go on the slide on base. We like to take him there at least once or twice a week because he loves it so much. I couldn't think of anything better than getting to spend time with Ammon and Matthew and getting to see Matthew get happy about such simple things in life!

Then it was time to open presents at home. Ammon got me a new camera since I'd lost mine somewhere and I love it! He also got me some new cookbooks, more baking things and a few Yankees shirts. He always does a good job! Joanna got me some Reese's (of course), a new hymnbook and the President Uchtdorf book. Chris got me the book by Elder Ballard about being a daughter of God. My parents gave me money and Sloan got me a great violin picture for our "new house" in Georgia (that we never moved into!)

That night after Ammon went to work, it was Stake Conference for the rest of us. My dad had to be away in California on business, so it was just my mom, Chris and me. As we were walking across the street, I told Chris that the Yankees would win that night because we were being obedient by attending stake conference instead of watching. And guess what? We beat the Twins, 3-0 for the series. All because we went. Sunday, Ammon got me a few cakes and we had a great dinner. What a good birthday week! I spent it with the people that matter most (although I didn't get to see Shaun)!