Birthday weekend

I had a blast celebrating my birthday this year, here is a quick recap of that weekend

I have always had a huge love for Sailor Moon since 4th grade and I recently started to rewatch the episodes again and Dan must have noticed because he picked it out to be part of my cake. Dan always picks the best designs and I can’t get over how much I loved my cake this year! Me and Scott still play with my little figurines that decorated my cake.

We took a quick weekend trip up north to Duluth with friends to visit the light display there called Bentleyville. It was so much fun!

The Grinch drove this wagon from our hotel to Bentleyville

It was a great light display!

We got free hot cocoa, cookies, and popcorn!

They had so many photo opportunities

Scott looks so cute in this picture, I am obsessed and will get this one framed

They got to meet Santa and Mrs. Clause

They also give away free hats and the designs change every year. I really liked this year’s design

Afterwards, we took the kids to the pool and hot tub. My oldest went since the other 2 were super tired and while he hung out with the other kids me and my friend Becca tried to finish up this puzzle. We failed but it was a fun activity to do.

Breakfast the next day. Again, I can’t get enough of Scott lolol

We took the kids to a place called Adventure Zone and the kids got to play laser tag, video games, and mini golf. It was a lot of fun! Scott was beating everyone in mini golf until he had enough at the 6th hole and quit lolol

Afterwards, Dan took Scott back to the hotel to try to nap and the rest of us went to a distillery.

We booked a sauna that was right outside of our hotel and you could also do the polar plunge in Lake Superior if you wanted. Our friend Becca, did amazing in the plunge and I attempted to go in but only went to my stomach. It was indeed freezing!

Scott loved this Santa statue at the restaurant we ate for dinner.

Breakfast the next day had some amazing bacon

After breakfast we all headed home and Scott took a nap right away. The drive was only 2 hours and love how short is felt this time.

On Sunday night my friends drove in from Chicago to celebrate my birthday and watch the Vikings vs Bears football game. We decided to check out the European market that is held at the train station, Union Depot.

So many tasty things to eat and drink

This cup was so cute filled with mulled wine.

They had this cute holiday train that offered free rides and since there was no line we decided to go on it. It was super cute!

Afterwards we got a Groupon to eat at a nearby Brazilian steakhouse called Bullvino’s

One thing you must know about my high school friend group is that they love to eat. They travel to eat and really immerse themselves in the food culture. This restaurant is just like Fogo De Chao and you flip a card that has green on it to get a variety of meats to come to you and when you need a break you flip it to red and they won’t disturb you.

I am not a big buffet eater but I do love meat as I have mentioned before and this place did not disappoint. Their prime rib was phenomenal and I still think about it now.

The next day I took them to a favorite breakfast place of mine in St Paul called Hope Breakfast Bar.

Little Scott joined us too and behaved so well! It is always a miracle when he is good and I was happy he ate most of his pancakes.

Can you believe I have known these women for over 20 years?!!!! My best friend since 2nd Grade is also in the picture (first one on the left in the grey and white striped sweater and jeans) and I have known her for over 30 years!!!

During the day after breakfast they went to Mall of America and I met them up after I took Scott to class.

We then went to the football game that Monday night.

Of course I was the only Vikings fans amongst my friends, as they cheered on their Chicago Bears

It was sadly a very boring game to watch and Bears won on just field goals but we still had a lot of fun.

Love that we have indoor stadium so it wasn’t cold inside like it was outside.

They had to leave the next day to get to their families but we went to a cute bakery in St Paul for breakfast before their long drive back to Chicago.

I had such a great birthday this year! It was so nice to have a nice long celebration with my Minnesota besties and my Chicago Besties! It was a great surprise and an amazing way to ring in my last year of my 30s. Getting old doesn’t feel too bad when surrounded by loved ones.