Aunt Tricia- The Birthday Girl

Not only is July the perfect time to schedule a vacation from Texas, it is also BIRTHDAY MONTH! Birthdays are a big deal for me. I celebrate and celebrate and celebrate some more, and I absolutely love to make them special for my little girls. After Tyler and I got married, I kidded and said that everyone deserves a whole birthday week. Tyler wasn't sold at first, but I convinced him with my amazing convincing skills. ha-ha! Anyway, it was the perfect time to head to San Diego because not only is it my birthday month, but it's Tricia's too! So we went ahead and celebrated two weeks in a row. ;)
Tricia wanted her birthday to start out with a run on the beach. So we woke up super early and headed to the coast for a beautiful, breezy 5 mile run. My Grandpa Barrow jokes and says that the weather in San Diego is so boring. Who'd ever want to live in a place with boring weather?  That would be me. He's right- it is boring. Every single day is perfect. I'll take boring, thank you.

Next up on the agenda was going to the most enchanting temple in the world- in my opinion anyway. Don't ask me why there's an annoying blurry spot in the lower right hand corner- I have no idea. Dumb thing.

Now this is an unusual shot... How did I ever manage to get a shot of the temple grounds without anyone standing in it? I tell you what, the place is always packed with people, brides, wedding parties, and tourists. It is insane!

The temple grounds are lovely, don't ya think?

There we are!!! Golly, that temple is beautiful. I had a small picture of the San Diego temple in my room when I was a little girl that stayed with me all through high school. It was were I wanted to marry my prince charming. 

Turns out, I got married in the Houston Temple instead... I like it better that way. After all, it is deep in the heart of Texas.

The three of us after the session... Look, we even have that after-temple glow... I love the temple and I love birthdays!

After the Temple we headed to Panera Bread for lunch. Have ya'll ever been there? Boy is it top notch! I've been craving it for weeks! After lunch we went home to check up all everyone. And thanks to Cody, everyone was still alive. He even changed a poopy diaper! Bless that boy! 

And the celebrating didn't stop there. Tricia picked a steak dinner for her birthday which was followed by delicious cupcakes. 

Tricia was kind enough to let Rachel help her blow out the candle. 

Rachel LOVES blowing out the candles.

hmmmm... this looks interesting, I think I'll lick it and see...

ooooooo, it IS good! I knew it!

Maggie definitely approves of birthdays. 

Happy Birthday Aunt Tricia dear!