A Magical Birthday

The birthday festivities started a couple weeks early while we were in Montana. This year my cabin birthday was DONUT themed which was just awesome. I woke up to decorations and donuts for breakfast and ended the day with a night at the 'Mill of course! Being with family is the best.

A couple days before my actual birthday, I was having some serious FOMO and was kind of bummed I wouldn't get to celebrate the official day with my fam. Little did I know Anj had a great surprise up his sleeve.

Tuesday after work I came home to an already packed overnight bag (hmmm) and directions to go get in the car because we were going to an early birthday dinner. I had to run a few errands for my new calling as Relief Society President, and they ended up taking longer than I thought. Andrew was planning on going to one of our favorite BBQ restaurants in Orlando, but by the time we left, he knew we wouldn't make it. So we hit the freeway and ended up at a  Five Guys in Ft. Pierce.... kind of a random birthday dinner surprise!

We kept driving and driving, and though I am not known for directional prowess, I did have a feeling that we were headed to Orlando. There aren't TOO many things to do in Orlando, so I had my suspicions, but I still had no idea what was in store.

The next morning we woke up bright and early to open a few presents which included tickets to DISNEYWORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yippeeee!!!! Andrew figured that if I couldn't be at my favorite place for my birthday, I might as well be at my second favorite place. What a guy. So we ate a quick Fairfield Inn breakfast and headed to the park. I have ALWAYS wanted to go to Disneyland for my birthday so I could get one of those birthday buttons, and I finally got my chance. 

We decided to go to Magic Kingdom because it is just the most happy and magical and Disneyland like, but DisneyWorld itself is HUGE! We got there right as it opened and just had the time of our lives the whole day. It really was a such a happy birthday surprise. 

LOL^^

We made it in! And I got my birthday button first thing! All of the cast members say "Happy Birthday" all day and it just makes you feel so special.

splash = wet.

What 25 year old doesn't want to spend her birthday riding a carousel?

Birthday Perk: We ordered one Lafou's Brew (toasted marshmallow flavored frozen apple juice with passion fruit mango foam.. aka wanna be butterbeer?) to share and they gave me a free one for my bday. Oh yeah.

The line to see Mickey was 100+ minutes, so Mary will have to do.

DisneyWorld is a little smaller than Disneyland, and it was a busy day, so we had hit all the rides we wanted to do (including waiting 2 hours for Peter Pan!!!!!) and braved some good old Florida rain. By 7 pm, we decided to take off for a delicious birthday dinner at our favorite BBQ place. We went all out. So worth it. 

On our drive back to the hotel from dinner, we passed a familiar looking place... The Orlando Temple! It is such a beautiful building, and it was another fun little surprise.

I had to be back at work the next day, so we headed home that night. Naturally, I broke out the donut socks for the drive. It was a perfect, happy day, and I felt so celebrated. Ir's always fun to see who ends up writing on your wall, commenting on your pictures, and sending sweet messages on your birthday. Thanks to everyone who shared the love!

I can't think of a more perfectly magical way to start 25!

Whole30

Want to know what's up with this Whole30 thing? Click to read on....

Love, Love, Love!

I'm obsessed with Valentine's Day.

I always forget until about the week before, but then I go wild. I love wearing every pink and red combination in my wardrobe. I love painting my nails red. I love writing sappy love letters to Andrew. I love giving people Valentines. I love this holiday because I love love!!

This Valentine's Day was Andrew and my fifth Valentine's day together, but this one was different. 

This Valentine's Day we just so happen to be in the midst of Whole30.

I'm planning on doing a pretty extensive blog post about that, but what it comes down to is all those Valentine's treats that I am seeing all over my insta feed and that I would normally be consuming are a definite no-go. That's been a little rough, but I also feel SUPER good lately, so I keep telling myself it is all worth it.

So, tune in soon for a Whole30 wrap up (we're on day 28, almost there!). Here's some pictures from our festive weekend of love:

 I got together with my cute friend Whitney to experiment with Jamberry nails. Even though I WAY underestimated how big my nail was, they still turned out pretty cute!

Our Valentine's Outfits:

I made Andrew dress up festively all weekend too. My mom sent him this cute tie and sent me the adorable pink salt water sandals. Thanks Mama!! We had to open them a little early so we could show them off at school/work.

Valentine's morning, I surprised Andrew with some heart-shaped breakfast in bed. Why is heart-shaped food so much fun?

Whole30 has motivated both of us to actually get moving, and we have run 3-4 times a week the past month. We usually get up and go before school/work which is hard, but it feels good to be active.

Andrew made me brave the grocery store on my own this weekend. We have been shopping together because the near-by market where we get all our produce is SO crazy and busy and full of grumpy old people. It goes a lot faster when you work as a team. He had some Valentine's planning to do though, so I went off on my own. This Ice Cream at Trader Joe's almost made me cave!

I came home to a beautiful bouquet. Andrew picked out all the flowers and arranged them himself! What a guy!

Then, I went into the bathroom to take a shower and found two cute new lipsticks by the mirror. This guy knows the way to my heart.

I had made these little washi tape valentines for the two girls I visit teach and I found this adorable Five Guys valentine idea on Pinterest. I'm going home next weekend, so I figured Andrew could use a burger while I'm away.

We had been trying to decide whether we should eat out or stay in. We decided to leave it up to Andrew and have it be a surprise. Andrew had me 100% convinced that we were going out for dinner! He told me we were going to leave at 5:15, so I went to shower and get ready. When I came got out of the shower, I found this note! What a tricker! He had even hid all the groceries he purchased so that when I unloaded mine I wouldn't see them. He's good.

 My sweet grandparents always send us some type of Valentine's treat. Since Whole30 limits our treat options, they sent us some money instead. I used it to purchase these beautiful berries. YUM!

 I had to get all glammed up to go to Andrew's Amazing Grill! Love the lipstick he picked for me.

 Andrew lit a candle and went wild in the kitchen. At one point the entire apartment was filled with smoke but nothing actually got burned, so that was pretty impressive!

 Dinner was delicious! Andrew found this recipe for a "perfect steak in a pan" and it seriously turned out divine. I was impressed that mine was even cooked medium--just the way I like.

 I'd definitely go to Andrew's Amazing Grill again.

 Andrew loved his gift card and I also surprised him with a clock just like the one in my little brother's room at home (we stayed in his room over Christmas and Anj loved how the clock projects the time on the ceiling). My FitBit came in the mail and Anj surprised me with a few fun band colors.

We ended the night with Stake Conference (romantic right?) and then a quick trip to Whole Foods to share a berry+kale smoothie. Yum!

 He's silly. He's fun. He's got the best hair. He's smart. He's stylish. He's my best friend.

I love my forever Valentine. Thanks for a great weekend, love!