30 for 30

This year, Josh turned the big 3-0.  I wanted to do something a little more special but had a hard time coming up with something.  We unintentionally scheduled our Myrtle Beach trip right between our 30th birthdays (which are only 5 weeks apart), so we said we could count that as our "big" thing, but I still wanted to do something a little more special than normal the week of his birthday.  I had a few big ideas that I gave to his parents.  His dad took him to a Cubs game that he really wanted to go to, and his mom got him a Soda Stream machine that he wanted.  But I still wanted to do something myself, so I finally came up with giving him 30 presents for his 30th birthday.  It wasn't an original idea (my friend Andrea just did it for her husband), but it was fun to put together!  The kids and I literally walked every aisle at Wal-Mart for inspiration.  We got him lots of little things like a new belt, candy, a swim shirt, sunglasses, a water bottle, a CD, a movie, and a Sports Illustrated subscription.  We also counted everything we made, like his ice cream cake, birthday cards, cinnamon rolls, and ribeyes.  A few of the things on the list were a stretch, but we made it to 30!

(About 15 of his 30 presents!)

Josh's company gives them their birthdays off as a holiday, but he ended up taking the day after instead, so we went to his office on his actual birthday with Chinese food for lunch and a balloon and a big tray of homemade cookies.

 Hannah & Jake had to try out the Speedco Motorcycle.  

Josh also lucked out to get to go to three big sporting events for for his birthday-for free!  First, his dad got great seats to a Cubs game on bobblehead day.  Then, Josh got Colts tickets at work for the day after his birthday.  They were club seats and were in the 6th row!!!  And then, our family got to go to the opening day of Illini football and use his family's club seats!  Wow-how cool is that?

 We are not Colts' fans, but we sorta dressed the part!  Lucas-Oil Stadium was pretty cool, and our seats were awesome! 

 Illini ice sculpture at the pre-game breakfast!

 Josh's birthday at his mom's house

Emily and her husband Keith did a great job of finding things at Dollar General in quantities of 30--stickers, trash bags, and prostrate health pills (I didn't even know those existed, haha!).  

All in all, Josh had a great day.  He (half) jokingly said that he wished I didn't do so well because now the pressure is really on for my big day....