Ok, so it was my birthday yesterday!
Colten and I went out for breakfast with my sister-in-law Kayla and my niece Jillian. I just LOVE The Athenian Grill in town. My favorite guilty pleasure on a day with no kiddos is to stop there and get myself a gyros. If you are ever in the area... the Athenian Grill in Dubuque You won't be sorry!
So, here was the first stop. The Athenian Grill for Birthday Breakfast!

Jillian had a little package for me to open right away. She did up a little bag for me, with stickers all over it and put the tissue in all by herself. Inside was a pair of funky Halloween Jack-o-lantern socks with light up eyes. If you press his nose, they blink and he makes noise. She thought I really needed those. Which, of course, I do!


Hee Hee! Thanks Jillian :)
We ordered. Oh boy, I got the Gyros Supreme Omelette with double meat and feta cheese, and I also added spinach. I almost forgot to take the picture, and I had already spread the Tzaziki sauce. When the plate came out, it was a lovely dollop on the eggs. It was FABULOUS. I was a VERY happy birthday girl.

The chef came out to talk, and I stopped short of stalkerish picture taking with him. But I cannot rave about this breakfast enough, or the restaurant in general. I do give the Athenian Grill some big fat Greek love.
Here are Colten and Jillian ~ all done eating and ready for the next stop.

Then it was off to the park for an hour to let the kids play. Kayla and I watched and caught and intervened, etc while they were on the jungle gyms. I also got to open my presents from Kayla! YAY!

They were so pretty! And yes - it was windy and yes - I did have to chase down some of that tissue paper across the park once. LOL My first present was more socks. Still funky but no flashing lights or noise.

Then I got me some new earbobs! Kayla said she had a hard time deciding, she said they all "looked like me...." so I said, "What? ANTIQUE?" She just smiled knowingly....
Hardy har har. You just wait, whippersnapper! But they are very pretty, and yes- antiquey looking.

Next was a nifty noodle hostessish cheese/patisserie tray with a glass dome. Uber moderne chicness! (Those little bakery cupcakes are what I let Colten pick out to satisfy his need for me having a cake... I wasn't about to come home and bake for myself. I'll just let the boys eat all the little cupcakes!)

Lastly, I got a really cute Fossil purse. Very Autumnal and stripey.

I really like it with the dark brown straps and the colors in the stripes. And it looks awesome with my new olive green denim jacket! I'll be stylin.

Thank you Kayla dear! I love all my goodies and you too. Even if you did agree that I was an antique...

No, we didn't plan to wear almost the exact same shade. That's just how we operate. Accidentally ESPing. We do that a lot.
But then we look like idiots. Especially if I have made her jewelry for the shirt she is wearing, because I usually make hers very similar to what I make for myself, and we had nearly the exact earrings and bracelet on as well. Same beads, different pecking order. So we just look stupid.

We left the park and shopped awhile. Somehow Colten got a new toy, then we went home. Late afternoon, after Wyatt got home from school, my Aunt Bonnie stopped by when she got off work. She brought me a couple little gifts too. Bonnie grew all these gourds and pumpkins. What a lovely gift! You might not be able to tell but that orange one is HUGE. There is no way I can lift it. Maybe another day I will take a pic of something in reference to how large it is. Meanwhile, Just relate that it is sitting next to a 5 gallon milk can.



There are actually about 5 more little ones not pictured, but the boys snagged those for their rooms and for one by Hallie's bed. So, ALL those gourds & pumpkins!YAY! Also, this little butter crock, which I collect. She filled it with peppers from her garden as well. So pretty!

We had a nice little visit and cup of coffee. Then Mark got home, and we all went to Olive Garden for dinner. Here are Wyatt and Mark patiently waiting for yummies.

Next, there were about 6 pictures that looked like this of Colten and I... while we tried for a NORMAL one and provided entertainment to all the nearby tables.

Finally a nicer shot!

Here is my yummy Chicken con Broccoli, which I *always* get there.

Very nice birthday spent with very nice people. My family.
Happy birthday to ME!

And now to make Kimmy happy, I will post another witch!

Here is one of the little orange witches.

the ribbony side

Top of her jar, with lil owly.



As I said, I put this series of 7 different jars down at the shop. I MAY pull one, or make a similar one for eBaying. Have to see how much time I have. Sadly, I did not keep any witch jars for ME! There should be at LEAST one witch in my collection, I think. Don't you?

All in all, a Happy Birthday, and an orange witch. Happy Thursday night!