Happy 30th Birthday Jeff!

Today Jeff turned the big 3-0!  I know its hard to believe but turning 30 is an affliction that can and (thankfully) does happen to the best of us.  In fact, it may have already happened to you.  How can you know for sure?  Check this list to make sure this major milestone hasn't slipped by without your notice.  If you are quickly approaching 30, you may be able to check a few things off the list already - you overachiever you!

You know you're 30 when:

You actually find yourself saying "They don't make 'em like that anymore" and "I remember when there were only 5 TV channels" and "Well back in the day...."

An invitation to a party makes you tired before you even go.

You have a party and the neighbors don't even realize it.

You wish you had a shed.

You have a shed.

Getting new sheets is exciting.

You're proud of your lawnmower.

You watch what you eat and check for the nearest restroom when eating something you know you probably shouldn't.

You leave concerts and ballgames early to beat the crowds.

You hear your favorite song in an elevator.

The phrase "I can't drink like I used to!" replaces "I'm never going to drink like that again."

You read this entire list looking desperately for one sign that it doesn't apply to you and can't find one to save your sorry old ass.  :)

Okay enough of my birthday attempts at humor!  We kept things pretty low key today since we are celebrating with friends and family tomorrow.  Jeff wanted steak for his birthday dinner but I am a VERY inexperienced grill-master while Jeff has made it somewhat of a specialty.  So in order to ensure a good meal for Jeff, he had to be his own chef tonight.  He decided to try a new method he saw Alton Brown do on "Good Eats" the other day.  Not sure everything that was going on there, but it involved a chimney starter topped with a grate and also a stainless steel mixing bowl (although we had to sub in one of our pots since all of our mixing bowls are plastic).  I took a few pics of the process and the final result too.

Step one:  Can you see the steak searing under there? 

Step Two:  Steak goes up top and immediately under the pot/bowl for a few minutes on each side.

And Viola!  A perfectly done steak just like you get at a fancy steakhouse.  Of course Jeff insists that it wasn't quite perfect (he likes his steak practically mooing) and plans to try again.

Enough with dinner - on to dessert.  Ben and I made cupcakes today during Hallie's nap.  Here are Jeff and the kids blowing them out after dinner.

Ben and Hallie were eager to dig in to the cupcakes.  As you can see, they both took it pretty seriously.  Jeff too.
    
Ben and Hallie picked out Jeff's birthday card this year.  They are firm believer's in the "bigger is better" theory.
        
And a few more cute pics from the night.  Hallie with her cupcake face (and hands) and Jeff & the kids with their party hats on. 


I also have to add this quick video of Ben singing Happy Birthday earlier today.  Its too cute not to share :)



It was a good night and Jeff seems to have survived not too much worse for the wear!  If you didn't get a chance to wish Jeff a happy birthday, feel free to leave a comment and tease him a little about getting "old".  :)   Love you babe!!