Dinner with the Parents!

A few years ago, my parents started a tradition of taking us out to eat to celebrate both our birthdays. Usually we try to arrange it kind of in the middle of our two birthdays, but this year it came right before mine, because I guess we were all busier than we thought! :)

And since I was the one with the "big" birthday this year, I picked the spot, and I chose the Gaither Restaurant, because it is one of my most favorite places to eat. I guess Wednesday night isn't their most popular, because it was pretty quiet while we were there. YAY!!!!!! (I like having places all to myself.)

Ryan and I loved the coffee  mugs!!

My parents are always good to pose for the required scrapbook photo:

And she said the fruit was as good as it looks. :)

Ryan and I got some delicious dinners. (If you heard the podcast, you'll know the salad saved me...I was the only one who went home NOT miserably stuffed that night!)

And of course, we had dessert. Choosing a dessert at this place ranks among life's toughest choices. They're all good! Ryan talked me into the ice cream. :) Salted caramel, you know.

He had pie.

I squeezed in a little shopping before we had to leave, and on our way to the car, I asked Ryan to take my pictures with this sign of the lyrics to Because He Lives. Though I have no memory of it, I have heard this song was sung at my baby dedication, and it seemed appropriate to document that as I stood on the edge of 40!

And just for fun...a peek at that day, forty years ago. (Plus a close up of the dress. Because it's cute!)