Good Times with the Smithskis and KK Turns 30

Back in June Kathy decided what she wanted to do for her 30th birthday - a simple party in the park where we could play childhood games and relax with good friends. So we booked a few picnic tables in Golden Gate Park and waited for the weekend to arrive. I mentioned the party to Lauren and Stu, who found out a few weeks before the big day that a friend was driving up to SF the weekend of the party. Lucky me - a great friend's birthday and some of my favorite people in town on the same weekend. :)

Lauren and Stu arrived Friday night, and brought Mini KK along with them. We left her at home and headed out for dinner at Kennedy's Irish Pub (for Indian food, of course) and met up with a friend of theirs from law school on Union. They got to suffer through a truly Marina evening and know understand me on a whole new level. I never get to cook for anyone, so I invited them over for breakfast on Saturday morning and we made breakfast tacos. They were edible and possibly even good. We set off for the party, figuring Muni was the easiest way to transfer a life-size pinata.  

We had so much fun hanging out at the park together. Despite the frigid temperatures and bad wind, we managed to have an egg toss and a pinata beating. 

Happy 30th KK! I love you and am so thankful for your friendship.

Happy Birthday, AZ!

We celebrated the beginning of Alyssa's 33rd year with a very pink party on Saturday night. She went all out decorating her apartment and we all got creative bringing red and pink appetizers. Cupcakes and cookies were quite the most popular item. I started my day with a 20 mile run and decided that gave me leeway to try both types of cupcakes and the cookie. Luckily we were all so full we didn't even slice the cake. (Yes, we need to plan better. I didn't even get into the savory selections, but rest assured I tried them all.) Side note: If you need an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer, try this mini version of a Caprese salad. Slice mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes in half and add both to a toothpick along with a basil leaf. If you use marinated mozzarella balls, you're done. If not, toss in a bit of balsamic, olive oil, and salt/pepper.

Like all Girls Nights, it was a lot of fun. I hobbled home smiling after a great night with a group of awesome women.

Birthday, Part Two

The January edition of Ladies Night was a bit of a birthday celebration for me. Julie hosted and made my favorite funfetti cupcakes. Regal helped herself to the "B", "E", "T", and "H" cupcakes while we were making appetizers in the kitchen, but the rest were delicious. As usual, the night was full of laughter and love. And more food and wine than necessary.

Have I mentioned lately that I love my ladies?

Twenty eight highlights to capture my 28th year, in no particular order:

1. Running the Kaiser half marathon with Julie, Alyssa and Vanessa

2. My first triathlon and crossing the finish line with Lauren

3. A very impromptu trip to Turkey that was more amazing than I can ever describe

4. Seeing all four members of my immediate family at the same time five different times

5. Bonding with Vanessa as we took on 13.1 miles of SF on a beautiful July day

6. Deciding to take on another marathon and getting excited about running again

7. Taking a risk and starting a new job that I love

8. Volunteering at St. Anthony's

9. Meet in the Middle Weekend - the first of many annual BFF girls weekends

10. Running a PR during the Stadium to Stadium 10k

11. Camping and hitting up as many Wal-Marts as possible on a road trip to Oregon with Lauren and Stu

12. Mom coming out for a weekend and running a 5k with the girls

13. Finding an awesome new golf course in Oakland with Sean

14. A crazy night in Hawaii with Jen

15. The best first date ever

16. Tuesday and Thursday morning runs with the best running partner ever

17. My first NFL game

18. Going to three Giants games - I'm really a San Franciscan now!

19. Celebrating Dad's 50th birthday in Pebble Beach

20. A New Year's Eve day hike through Malibu and finding the most adorable winery ever

21. Muddy Buddy with Alyssa

22. Seeing JBPF for the first time in four years

23. Lazy Christmas day with the family, eating queso and working on a puzzle

24. Learning that single is oh so much better than being with the wrong person (I'm sure I'll continue to learn!)

25. Spending hours in the park visiting with friends on 4th of July

26. Vegas for Becky's birthday

27. A warm January day on the beach with Kathy

28. A million every day memories with people that mean the world to me

I can't wait to see what 29 brings!

Happy Birthday To Me!

After the Christmas festivities (or non-festivities, as we spent the day in our pajamas relaxing!) were over, we celebrated my big 2-9 with a night out in downtown Denver.

We started at Osteria Marco and I don't think I will ever forget the house made ricotta covered in house made mozzarella. Or toasting Becky with some yummy Prosecco - I still forget she's 21. My mom definitely found the mecca of cheesy goodness and bubbly for my birthday!

After dinner we headed to Sing Sing, a dueling piano bar. It was the best way to end our few days of family time and celebrate another great year. See the rest of the pictures here.