Happily 33

Dear Friends and Family,

Last week I happily turned 33 years-old. I am just so pleased with where I am in life and so grateful for my wonderful friends and family.  Despite getting older, I certainly have nothing to complain about.  Life is GOOD!  For my birthday, Chris and Claire took me up to our favorite German restaurant (yes, they know us there now) and we had dinner in the biergarten!  It was perfect because once Claire was done eating she could roam around the fenced in patio while Chris and I got to enjoy our supper, have a conversation, and savor a beer.  That was a birthday gift in itself!

Dressed in her Dirndl (by Nana), Claire's ready for her German dinner!

After dinner, there's nothing like a lemon to cleanse the palette!

I know!!! They look so much alike!

Me and my sweetie!

On Saturday, Claire and I had fun playing around the house and enjoying the amazing weather!  We have been going for some great walks on the island and doing lots of color chalking!

"Claire, would you like to come out and play?"

Drawing some great straight lines! And look at those good hand holds!

What a cutie!
(I realize we aren't on the good chalking blacktop, but the front walk was too nice and shady to pass up!)

Chalking in a tutu, what could be better?!

I told Claire she had something on her nose and she immediately rubbed her nose with the blue chalk in her hand... "Nice work, Claire!"

Time to clean up!

Claire has fun exploring the pier!

She is also becoming a great runner...I am learning to expect it anytime I let her feet hit the pavement. For example, when I prepared to take this picture she was standing in front of me smiling. I guess I better start taking her for island walks with a life jacket on!

Saturday evening, Chris stayed home with Claire and I got to go out with the girls for a ladies night! A bunch of girlfriends and I had a delicious dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Paladar.  I'm sure this gave us all the chance (but especially me) to put on a dress, try some new make-up tricks, and a new hairstyle.  I would do this all for Chris, but let's be honest, the girls care more about those little things than boys do!

Burglars beware! Chris continued to impress me with his handy, man-of-the-house skills by ordering, installing, and activating a security system for our home.  Another sign that we live in the future is that the system is completely cellular so we didn't need to get a land line phone.  We can even set and disarm the system via our cell phones.  An application on our phones will also provide us with a history on which doors of the house opened at what time and when the alarm is set and turned off.  This totally amazes me and provides us both with some peace of mind!

Speaking of fun applications. I downloaded one to my phone that takes pictures like a photo booth in the mall/movie theater.  I have had lots of fun letting Claire pose for it!  Here's the latest photo set!

I hope everyone is having a GREAT week!
Love,
Bethie