Thank you, I had a wonderful birthday!

I just wanted to thank Gary and the girls for a wonderful birthday weekend. It all began at 5am on Thursday with a photography slide show prepared by my amazing husband, on our television and set to music I should add, of photos of us and the girls since we met. I couldn't have been more touched.....until he pulled out a bag and in it I found an absolutely beautiful pen and matching business card case designed by an artist. Black and ivory and elegant. I have never had a "real" pen or card case- both are very special gifts. The girls came over that evening and we had cake #1, the vegan edition (yes, my husband baked multiple cakes for us) .......Gary decorated it with a hockey rink, complete with the Sens and Caps at opposing goals. The girls gave me a beautiful Coach scarf. Which now brings me to part 2 of my birthday weekend......you may have guessed from the photo of cake #2 , little black dress shopping on Saturday. I have definitely married a patient man, because I think I tried on at least 30 dresses, and he happily picked out and brought me more. We found the perfect one- he picked it out- simple, elegant, and classic.....and little ;-) And then the Grand Finale, part 3, the Sens vs the Caps hockey game at Verizon center on Sunday with the girls. First Gary treated us to lunch at a unique Portuguese spot he picked out in Chinatown and then we all headed to the arena. Tika and Sam made Senators signs, 3 I think, and immediately headed down to the ice signs in tow, and armed with Tika's camera, to watch the Sens warm up and get some photos. I watched (somewhat protectively I must say) as they pressed the signs against the glass and took photos. Tika admitted that she and Sam got some big smiles! It was Kris's first hockey game and she jumped right in and joined her cheering (okay sometimes screaming) sign waving sisters. I am certain that hockey is a chromosomal dominant gene possessed by all Canadians. Kris is my evidence, her first game she didn't miss a beat.

So there you have it. I had a fabulous birthday and couldn't imagine it being any better. To Don, Michelle, Audrey, Leslie, Lisa and Mom.....thank you for the birthday wishes and gifts.

To Gary, Tika, Kris, and Sam....thank you for a wonderful time. It is so nice to have a family :-)

Laura

p.s. the Sens lost....I am adding this as an after-thought because in my mind it was a win.....but I thought I should tell you