Happy 26th Birthday Rick!

Rick turned 26 yesterday.  And I was determined to make it his best birthday ever.  I know. I'll probably try to do that next year also, but the difference is that last year we didn't celebrate at all.  Nope.  Rick was in Basic Training.  So, I wasn't even able to send him anything!  I bought him something after for his birthday, but it's not the same as going out to eat and having a cake and opening wrapped up presents.  So, this was going to be his best birthday ever.  Period.

Well too bad that one of the gifts that I ordered from him online was BACKORDERED.  So, I have no idea when he'll actually get that, but I think he enjoyed all his other gifts.  I definitely spoiled him.  He got beef jerky, a 12 pack of his favorite soda (A&W Root Beer), Gummies, a bag of chips and two chocolate oranges (they were on sale from Easter still).  And that was only the food.

Anyways, yesterday he had to go to work.  But he came home at lunch and I made him one of his favorite meals, which was Beef Kalbi or Korean Barbecue.  He had to go back to work after lunch, but as soon as he got home, he changed, we got shoes on Evan and we left to go out to eat to a nearby sushi place that we heard was pretty good.  And it was good.

This was a picture that the waitress took of us at the restaurant.  We did the sushi bar instead of the hibachi because we wanted sushi.  Evan got chicken katsu (basically breaded chicken), Rick got a salmon and shrimp specialty roll, and I got a mango, shrimp and fish specialty roll.  We even shared some steamed dumplings for our appetizer (I don't remember the name, not gyoza...)  The food was really good and I think Rick enjoyed his sushi.  I also think that he likes that I like sushi now, because I am willing to go to Japanese restaurants now.

After going out to eat, we went home and got the cake and the rest of the presents to open (all of the food was opened by lunch time).  I asked Rick what kind of cake he wanted.  He told me anything, and then I remembered that he likes cheesecake.  So, I made a no bake cheesecake.  The recipe is found at the cooking blog called:  just get off your butt and bake.  She has so many delicious looking food and desserts, I am going to be making some more of her recipes!

I love how excited Evan is about the cake.

"Hurry up Daddy!"

Evan and Daddy sharing a little laugh.

The scrumptious cake.  Best part?  It was no bake and way easy to put together! 

 While we were munching on cake, Rick started opening his cards and presents. His gag gift from me was bacon flavored toothpaste.  Nasty, right?  But here's the deal:  Rick hates mint and cinnamon flavored stuff so he practically gags whenever he brushes his teeth.  So, whenever I see an alternatively flavored toothpaste, I buy it for him.  I couldn't resist the bacon flavor.  He loves bacon.  ;)

Mmm.. bacon.

The next gift that he got was a geeky t-shirt that references "Monty Python and the Holy Grail".  I liked it because I don't think it's too obvious what it is unless you've seen it.

It's a "Knights that Say Ni" T-shirt

Okay, I know these presents seem random, but he doesn't tell me what he wants!  So, I have to guess most of the time.  The next gift is from Evan and it's a book.  We always, always gift books to each other, no matter the holiday.  So for Valentines Day one year, I got the book "Common Sense and Other Writings" by Thomas Paine.  Real romantic, right?  But since I love history, it was great.  Well the book that Evan got for Rick is called "The Toddler Owner's Manual:  Operating Instructions, Troubleshooting Tips, and Advice on System Maintenance".  It basically gives parenting advice in a techie way (like if you're working on a computer instead of a kid).  I knew I had to get it for him when I saw it!

Rick reading the section on waste disposal aka potty training while Evan listens on.

And last of all he got the game Fall Out New Vegas.  He likes his xbox 360 games, and since he's not as addicted as other people I know, I usually buy him games for holidays.  He picked this one out himself and used the money my parents sent him to buy it.

With his video game.

And of course, Evan was there too!

I call this his sugar rush face

So good at multi-tasking!  Eating and playing with the balloon!

He really liked the cake.

He even ended up licking the whole plate! 

Rick had a great birthday!  Evan and I love him so much.  We appreciate what he does for our family and the sacrifice he's made by joining the Air Force.  I can't imagine my life without him.  He is such an amazing support to me and I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for leading me to Rick and for giving me the promptings to marry him.  Best decision ever!  Happy Birthday Rick and I love you!