Smoky Mountain Birthday

Dad's region is now the whole state of TN and they have meetings at different places in the state. Typically, they have been in the Nashville area since that is central for most everybody. This time, they just happened to have their meetings in Knoxville right before my birthday. Dad came into Knoxville on Wednesday and was supposed to go back Friday morning for work. The plan was to have dinner at our house Thursday and then for Zach, mom, and I to go out to dinner Friday night on my birthday since dad had to get back to work.

It never fails that when I really want to be done with work a little early, things come up and I have to work a little later. This was the case on Thursday. I was trying to get home and change before everyone came over for dinner. Even though I was a little later than planned, I made it home in plenty of time to change clothes and visit with the fam. Danny, Janice, Jessica, and Justin all came over to celebrate also.

When it comes to opening presents, most people don't like to wait. Me, on the other hand, I like to save things. I don't really want to open things early. The rest of my family, especially Zach, likes to open right away. He is actually worse when it comes to giving presents. Zach is so excited about whatever he is giving he can't wait for the recipient to open. It was all I could do to wait until just before dinner on Thursday night to open. Zach gave me an ipod!! Yeah!!! I'm so excited. I got some other nice things as well, but no need to go into details.


Zach's showing me how to turn on the ipod

For dinner we had a Boston Butt (barb-b-que by Zach), and potato salad, baked beans, and green beans (made by mom). It was delicious! Then came the cake. It was a yellow cake with whipped icing from Wal-Mart, one of my favorites!! Zach said that when he picked it up he thinks the WM people think he has a daughter. I wonder why?


The Whole Group....


The big surprise of the night was that my dad had worked it out so he could work from Knoxville on Friday and be able to go out to dinner with us on Friday night. I was thrilled. Birthday morning came and dad and I went to McDonald's for breakfast. We drove separately and Dad got there before I did. He was waiting on the sidewalk when I got out of my car. As I was getting out of my car he began singing "Happy Birthday" at the top of his lungs. I was trying to get him to stop all the while looking around to see if anyone was watching. I couldn't see anyone, but I'm sure people in China could hear him singing. He was grinning the whole time and we busted out laughing when he finished. What a treat! :)

Next, I went to work for half a day. My co-workers had gotten some donuts to celebrate including 6 sprinkled ones just for me!! It was so sweet. They also got me itunes gift cards and a cd to enjoy with my new ipod! I work with some great people. Working half a day is great. If only everyday could be a half-day.

Friday afternoon we went up to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. We did a little shopping and went to dinner at the Park Grill. Zach and I had found this restaurant on our anniversary and loved it. They have the best steaks (other than dad's of course)! It was delicious and just as we had remembered it to be. We also got some creme brulee for desert, complete with a candle and a song. All in all a very good quarter-century birthday.