The Phipps Family: Janelle's Birthday Weekend

My husband always make sure to spoil me to death on my birthday and he outdid himself once again this year. He took me out on Friday night (after a HUGE misunderstanding that led to me finding out what my big birthday surprise was...glad we recovered from that one) and again on Saturday night...

Here are the girlies with their Tom's from my mom. Aren't they adorable?

So I honestly don't remember the details, but apparently we'd had a rough week together preceding my birthday weekend and I'd left this sassy note on our bathroom mirror where we usually leave love notes to one another.

I think it's really funny now. It's hard to read, but it says,
"No need for a partnership in this marriage. We're so amazing we can work out our own salvation!"

Good thing we recover pretty quickly these days.

The only pic I have of dinner on Saturday night at our favorite restaurant, Jasoh's. Afterward we went to a comedy club in Ogden that had a hypnotist show. We ended up leaving early because it was a little ridiculous, but fun to try something new.

And then there was Sunday! The hardest day of the week! But do you see my clean house? That was my birthday gift to myself. And yet I remember that I struggled getting everyone ready that morning and felt overwhelmed as I usually do. In fact, I left our first meeting early just to come home with Eloise, who needed a nap anyway, and have a quiet moment to myself in prayer. David returned during the second hour (girls were still in nursery and primary) and convinced me that we ought to hurry back and make it in time for Sacrament meeting, even though Eloise hadn't slept yet. We made it back and were in our seats when someone came and sat beside me--MY MOM! That was a great surprise and a much needed visit. I burst into tears and enjoyed a lovely sacrament meeting.

Here we are getting ready to head up to Kevin and Vicki's for dinner with my mom.

Isn't Charlotte a cutie?

Remember that surprise that I had found out about on Friday, causing a slight "tiff" between David (who so desperately wanted to surprise me) and I? Well, it was an iphone. Unbelievable. Still a great surprise. He had actually told me it was a 3G without the internet when I found out I was getting a smart phone and I tried my best to be really excited, but was wondering what on earth I'd do without the internet? Then I opened the box and saw the brand new iphone 4S. Wow. Hello, Siri.

Have I mentioned that Eloise is in love with Grover lately? Every time she comes to Gram and Papa Kevin's she cuddles with this Grover and giggles. Then she makes her way onto Papa Kevin's lap and stays there the rest of the evening. My mom made chicken parmesan that night and David brought out the most incredible chocolatey ice cream cake from Cold Stone that I'd ever seen.