Happy Birthday to Us

Friday was our 28th birthday!!  I love birthdays, but I wasn't very excited about turning 28.  It sounds a little too old and definitely too close to 30.

The week started off with dinner with my in-laws at J. Alexander's!  Taylor, my brother-in-law turned 28 on the 2nd so we always celebrate together!  The Oser's gave me some money and an iTunes gift card! Nicole came by the Swanky Stork and bought me a gift certificate!  Yay!  Thank you very much!!

Brad came by the Swanky Stork on Friday and ate lunch with me and also brought Baby Bites for dessert!!  It was so sweet and delicious!  Thank you hubs!

Later that day, Mom came by and delivered a Happy Birthday balloon, Gerber daisies, and a card with money!  She and Dad also gave me another lens for my camera!  Thank you!

Emily and Elizabeth bought me this beautiful ring from At Home that I have had my eye on for a long time!

 Emily and I invited friends to celebrate with us at Cocina Superior on Friday night!  16 wonderful friends joined us and celebrated with us!  It was a great night and meant so much to both of us to have so many people there for us!  

Here are some shots from the night!

Wow, we are pale!  Can't wait for the Spring!

Alison & Tim

Holly & James

Jessica & Reid

Ashley & Jason

Sarah & Andy

Sabrina, Wes, & Lynlee

Saturday, Brad drove me back to the Eastbrook Flea Market in Montgomery so that we could buy the pastoral painting I wanted!!  Thank you Brad for spending the afternoon with me and buying the painting for me!  I love it!

Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate and thought of us on our birthday!

Operation Lakeshore

Yesterday, on Veteran's Day, Brad and I went to the Grand Opening of The Cottages of Lakeshore!  Capstone Companies, where my Dad and sister work, was one of the main partnering companies that fundraised, managed construction, and donated their materials and time to help make this project possible.  

From the Operation Lakeshore website, this is the purpose of The Cottages of Lakeshore:

Operation Lakeshore is a capital campaign raising money to build The Cottages of Lakeshore, a $2.3 million project to construct cottage-style housing on the campus of Lakeshore Foundation in Homewood, Alabama.

Lakeshore Foundation currently provides many short-term programs and weekend sports camps to help injured servicemen and women and their families from across the country regain active lives. All programs, and associated travel and lodging expenses, are provided at no cost. Participants and their families, who often accompany them for support, regain independence and confidence as they participate in these activities -- the experience has been transformational for many of them. The Cottages will let Lakeshore Foundation expand their programs even further by allowing them to host small groups and families for longer, more intensive and individualized visits.

Emily was the primary point person from Capstone who managed the fundraising, project budget, construction, and timeline, merchandising, advertising, and media.  She has been working on this project for months and months!  Today, was finally the grand opening and it went great!!!  Here is an action shot!

There were over 400 RSVP's to the event including donors, partnering company employees, Lakeshore Foundation employees, friends and family, and veterans.   It was a perfect Fall morning for such a special occasion!

Before the ceremony started, we walked around and toured the Cottages campus.  Here is the cottage site and set-up for the ceremony.  There are 6 cottages that open up to this courtyard.

Below is the outdoor fire place and arbor.

Playground for the veteran's families who come to stay.

Flagpole 

Close-up of a few of the cottages.

After walking around, the ceremony started with a Call to Order and a song by the Homeland band which is 4 retired vets!  They were great!  Then a Presentation of the Colors by the U.S. Army men as pictured below. 

Boyscout Troop 86, including my little brother Jeffrey, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

One retired vet was there with his gorgeous service dog!  These dogs amaze me!!

Overall, the Grand Opening was a big success and a great way to thank everyone who made this project possible and to honor and remember the veterans who serve our country and protect our freedom!