Sunday was my birthday. We all headed to the local hot springs. The boys have not been in the water since this summer and wanted to make sure Jbird was still comfortable with his swimming. They had a lot of fun. It was very cold outside - probably 5-10 degrees. There are lots of pools inside but one outside. Every time the door would open to the outside, steam rushed in. It sure took your breath away when you walked outside, dripping wet into that cold air. But the nice hot pool was nice.

Then we had lunch. Tried out a new diner and the food was pretty good but the portions were huge. JR was not able to finish his! From there we dropped JR off at home and headed to some friends house - fun to catch up with them after a few years.

Later that evening, JR was working so the boys and I had cake.

The boys wanted me to have a lego cake, so they took the liberty of adding some decoration.

My boys and me!

Seems some of them were eager to blow out the candles, so Jbird was keeping them from doing so.

I still have some celebrating to do. Meeting a friend today for lunch and another friend tomorrow for lunch!

One of my goals this year is to learn to use the settings on my camera. I recently learned a new trick to soften the flash (until I figure out how to set things so I don't need the flash - which is the ultimate goal). If you place a white business card at a 45 degree angle in front of the flash (prop it up in the hinge) it will diffuse the light. The picture of the boys and I were taken using a business card and the picture of the boys was taken without a business card. Amazing the difference something so little can make.

Took B back to the orthodontist. Seems his mouth appliance was beyond repair, so another impression had to be made. The ortho did say though that it appears it was not his fault, but just not made real well (assuming that means I don't have to pay for another one). We have been working with this appliance now for about 3 months and it has yet to be tightened. I am ready to get things rolling!