Birthday Extras

After dinner on the 16th, Spenser and I went to the Front Street Brewery for a celebratory drink.  Since it was the middle of the week, we basically had the place to ourselves aside from one other group table.  Our waiter reminded me of a young Ray Romano. haha!  He was very amiable and lighthearted.  When I handed him my ID he kept staring and staring until finally he said, "Happy birthday?"  After I laughed and thanked him, he told me I could have a free half pint for my birthday. yay!  Spenser had their Raging River and I had the Old Davenport Gold and for the free half pint we tried the Bucktown Stout.

A few days later Becca came to visit.  Originally I was going to have a group of friends come (including Becca), but schedules didn't work out so I called it off.  Becca surprised me by calling and saying that she was coming anyway regardless of any cancellations.  She said she had made plans to come and she was not going back on 'em.  Go Becca, the girl takes action! :)

 

She came and stayed overnight.  She, Adele and I went out to dinner and stayed up talking that night before grabbing breakfast the next morning.  We went to our very favorite Ihop.  And are you ready for this?  It was Becca's first time eating at Ihop.  Adele and I were appalled and happy all at once, since we love Ihop (probably a little too much).

 

Then we went shopping...uh oh.  Though we were actually supposed to be shopping for Becca's niece, I thought it was the perfect occasion to buy a Lion King shirt.  Call it a birthday present for myself? ;)

Lastly, my parents came to town to take me out to dinner.  Not only were they coming to celebrate my birthday, but we were also scouting out a place to go for my graduation.  In lieu of having a party, we are just going to go for a family/friend dinner somewhere after the graduation ceremony.  And I think we know where that somewhere is now. Yay!

 

Thank you to everyone who came, visited, and celebrated with me.

Here we go, 21!

dinner

Yesterday evening, my dad surprised me by calling me up to say

he was on his way to take me out to dinner! 

We indulged our Italian heritage by eating delicious bowls of pasta.

mmmm!

 

thanks, dad!

Look who came to visit!

Spenser made a last minute decision to come yesterday evening.  Today we went to our very favorite Steak n' Shake and then because it was so beautiful out we decided to take a walk.  It felt so nice to get outside! The weather was perfect. (Though it was a bit windy: note hair. ;) )

Spenser's visit was a great break in the week and a great break from the homework.  Sometimes you just need to take a step away, you know? Thank you, boyfriend, for letting me do just that.

better than christmas

Last night I was talking to Spenser and the conversation went something like this,

"So how are your finals?

and yours?....

I really miss you!

I miss you too!.......

(fill in with other Spenser-Chelsea talk)

                                                                S: I have a surprise for youuu.
                                                                C: Okay, thanks ahead of time I guess?
                                                                S: Do you want it?
                                                                C: You can give it to me over the phone?
                                                                S: Yeah, but I need you to do me a favor first.
                                                                C: What's the favor?
                                                                S: Come outside and get me!"

Talk about a surprise! I was so excited! I was not expecting him to come visit, but the not expecting made it oh-so-much better!

And when I got outside, he was holding a red box-my Christmas present.  He wanted to give it to me right now so that I could start using it, which was beyond sweet.  We've been playing with it ever since...here's the result:

I couldn't have asked for a better surprise.

A Surprise Visitor

      Today, my mom and I went to the airport to pick up a very special guest.  Unbeknownst to anyone else, my Aunt Teresa flew in from Florida to be here in time to celebrate the holidays.  Shh!  We can't wait to see everyone's surprise!