Birthday Boat Party!

Birthdays are always special days in my house. Big or small, I love to do special things for my boys. However, I have a hard time sometimes doing things for myself, but this year I did something special for me -- my friends and I went out on a boat on the lake for my birthday! It was SO much fun! The lake was beautiful and it was some precious time with some of my favorite girls!

We started the night with a sunset boat ride on the lake. {Boats don’t come with much decoration, so I made this sign.}




Here are some more decorations and food to get the party started:

Nautical silverware:


Sand dollar cookies {yum!}



The cake, bunting and a beautiful sunset! {I ordered everything except the bunting!} ;o) 



But you know what? When it comes to my birthday, or life in general for that matter, I don’t really need elaborate decorations or a made to order sunset, all I really need are these girls right here:



Each one is so special to me! They have been with me through the best and worst times of my life and they are always ready to accept me for who I am, with open arms, God’s love and a lot of laughs!

They are even good sports when I say “When you drive the boat, you have to get to wear the feather boa! 



{Although be ready to wear it yourself – especially if you’re the birthday girl!}



Okay, I do love getting presents! {See that cool drink container in the forefront of this photo? Yep! For me! It has an ice pack attached to the lid so the drink inside will stay cool all day! I’ll have to wash it out if I want to take it to the park with the kids though, because it was filled with the most delicious rum drink…} My favorite part, however, is reading their thoughtful words. These girls are really good at writing some sweet and caring cards and I am so glad my friend Elizabeth was able to capture this expression on my face as I read one…



And they are always ready to make me laugh & have some fun!

With kids, husbands, boyfriends, work, family, it is so hard to get us all together – and I am so glad they took the time to get away and help celebrate my birthday! THAT means the world to me! I hope you have a group of friends even half as fun & loving as these girls because, if you do, you are extremely blessed! Thanks girls for helping make my birthday so memorable! I can’t wait until we can get together again! xo