My 22nd Birthday

Yesterday was my 22nd birthday and what a day to remember. *happy sigh* My Love stayed home from work just so he could celebrate with me and make my day even more special. Personally, him taking off of work was the best birthday present I got that day. 

Throughout the day I kept having to remind myself that I am now 22 years old... I haven't quite wrapped my mind around it yet. Well anyway, here are some pictures that sorta describe the wonderful day I had. Enjoy!

The first present I opened that day was my, now named Orange Blossom, teddy bear. I have been asking Justin for a bear since we first got married and I was very happy to find he got me one for my birthday.

 

The second, and most beautiful, gift he gave me was this heart-shaped locket with our pictures in it. From now on you will hardly see me without it on. I love wearing it!

Here is a picture of the gift my Hubby got me just a couple days before my actual birthday; our sweet, well behaved little Pip. I have wanted our own dog since before Justin and I got married. But our Landlords were going to make us pay a ridiculous amount of money to keep him here. So we waited until I couldn't take it any longer and sent the Landlords a letter saying how we would like to own a dog without having to pay their high price. They wrote back saying that since we were such good tenant's and they trusted us that we could get a dog. Yay! And here the adorable little guy is telling me happy birthday. :D   

Right before lunch time Justin and I headed up to Peoria to get my engagement ring cleaned. We have to do that every 6 months and it seemed a perfect time to get it done cause then he could take me out to eat. For lunch my Man took me to Culvers for a delicious cheeseburger.  

     

After lunch Justin took me down Grandview Drive in Peoria. They have a bunch of different lookouts you can stop at and see most of Peoria from the higher point of view. It was absolutely beautiful!!

My Handsome Chauffeur. 

My iPhone really didn't do this beautiful view justice. But it was the only camera we brought along so it will have to suffice. 

Stopping at all of the lookouts reminded us of our honeymoon in Tennessee where we did almost the same thing. 

Also on Grandview Drive is a bunch of ritzy houses. Again, my phone did a horrid job of capturing the beauty of all these homes. 

This one really caught my eye because of the beautiful turrets it has. I seriously cannot believe people live in these houses!! I'm sorry you cannot really see this house very well because I took the picture right as we were passing a tree... But you still get the idea. :)

I think this one was the third biggest house on the block. As you can see this one is ginormous and oh so pretty!

 When we got back from our outing to Peoria Justin needed to mow the lawn before it rains this weekend. So here is the gorgeous man I get to call my own, mowing the lawn.

Pip was very interested in watching Justin mow.  Just look at that adorable face of his!

Before Justin started mowing he bought me a yummy Blue Raspberry Slushy. Nice and cool for a hot Summer day.  

That evening I asked Justin if he would play the Settlers of Catan two player card game with me. We have so much fun when we play this game together! He always beats me but I enjoy trying my best to win. This time I only lost by ONE point so I'm getting better. ;)

Pip enjoys sleeping with my Orange Blossom Bear. 

 

Justin said it was a rule to have cake on my birthday but since I am having a party with my family on Saturday and I had to get two cookie cakes I decided that I didn't really need a regular sized cake for my birthday. I found this adorable piece of cake for 2 bucks and I got it just so Justin couldn't fuss. ;) It was the perfect size for the two of us and he even fit 22 candles on it! My man has got some skills!

 

Here are all the cards and gifts I got on my actual birthday (minus Pip). 

For dinner we had some pizza pockets and watched "Run Away Bride" together. Justin was SO sweet to watch the whole movie with me. :)

My birthday could not have been a better day. *smiles* I already have everything I want and need so what more could a girl ask for? I am so thankful for the love of my life asking me to marry him exactly one year ago yesterday.

It was August 30, 2011-  And here we are just moments before he proposed...



Who would have thought that exactly one year later we are still happy if not happier than we were that day? *smiles*

Life is good and I am blessed beyond measure. Even if I still cannot get over the fact that I am now 22 years old! ;D

Until next time! 

~Melinda