Weekend Recap: My Birthday in La Crescent/La Crosse

This past weekend we headed back to my parents in La Crescent to celebrate my birthday and our upcoming anniversaries. It was weird to be there without Christine who is in France, but we still had a great time.

Our drive back on Friday was most unpleasant as it rained and then poured from St. Paul to Rochester. It finally cleared up a little past Rochester. Once we got to my parents we visited a bit and Chester got to open another birthday present! He was more interested in the bow than opening the present, but loved his new monkey plushie.

"oooo a new bow"

"Chester, give me the bow back."   
"NO!"

Getting out his new toy

Loves it!

Then we went out to dinner at Tequila's. We normally have wonderful service there, but not on Friday. It took them 3 tries to get me the correct meal, and at that point they just sent it with me to go as everyone else was done eating and I had picked at the first 2 attempts. Then we swung by the grocery store, followed by Dairy Queen to pick up my birthday cake.

On Saturday, Adam and Dad went fishing out on the river with Jesse.

Adam with a delicious bass he caught

Alex, Wyatt and Ava joined them later with their boat.

While they were gone, Mom and I took Chester for a walk, then a few people stopped by to visit. We finished watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, and then met Carey, Caroline and Mary at the movie theater to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in 3D. It was awesome! I was kind of sad when it was over though since now there aren't any more books or movies to look forward to.

After mass, we went back home and I opened my presents!

With my pressies

Me and Chester with my gift and card from him and Adam

"Hmm... I wonder what it is..." shake shake shake

 Mom and Dad also opened their anniversary gift from us.

champagne flutes! cheers!

 Then we went down to The Waterfront for dinner. We enjoyed appetizers (calamari, coconut shrimp and bruschetta) and drinks out on the patio.

I can't believe it was almost a year ago that we took a picture by this fountain at our wedding reception

Enjoying the view from the patio

Our meal was delicious and our service was exceptional. Adam enjoyed his ribeye, and I loved my halibut with black truffle risotto. It was seriously the best risotto I've ever had. Adam said it was the best steak he'd ever had as well. My parents also really enjoyed their meals. We finished with three desserts which were very good.

When we got home everyone was tired but me. I went and met up with Laura before going to see her new apartment. It got a little late for me, but it was fun to see her and visit. She also gave me a very thoughtful gift that I'm excited to use - vintage glasses with champagne and peach bellini mix.

On Sunday I slept in while everyone else had breakfast. We relaxed around the house a bit, and then Kim, Alex, Wyatt and Ava stopped by. It was fun to see them.

Once they left, we had a fried food party - deep fried pickles, onion rings, cheese curds and coconut shrimp (sans coconut for me). It was delightful!

Adam is in charge of frying

I'm in charge of coating

Chester is in charge of sleeping

We finally had my ice cream cake as well. Yum!

Chester making a break for it - This was right after he licked the cake and got scolded!

The cake was a little more pink than we bargained...

 We didn't actually leave until 7 pm which was fine because I wasn't too eager to return to our hot house. Our A/C finally comes tomorrow. Hopefully we survive until then!

I had a wonderful birthday with my fam. It wasn't the same without Christine though. I can't wait to see her when she gets back in a few weeks!

Something that amused me this weekend-
Supposedly now that I'm married, Mom gave up on giving me gross spider related things for my birthday and Christmas. But she just can't let it go that easily, oh no. Instead, she wore this lovely spider bracelet whenever she was around me this weekend. Lovely.