My 29th birthday weekend went by in a flash but it was filled with great friends, good food and lots of time outside. A fabulous weekend by all accounts!
Unfortunately I lost my camera on Saturday night at a bonfire party so Friday and Saturday’s pictures have fallen into a black hole never to be found again. Well, I sure hope they are found again, but I am not holding my breath.
I’m bummed that I lost my beloved Canon S95 (it is a fabulous point and shoot camera that I actually convinced my mom and sister to buy as well) and I am in the process of comparing it to newer cameras before purchasing another one. Unless I can find a killer deal, the newest edition of my old camera (the Canon S120) is out of my current budget, so if you have a point and shoot camera that you love, please let me know!
Anyway, back to my birthday weekend recap with the small percentage of pictures I have to help tell the story thanks to my friend Minda’s Facebook page and my iPhone…
Saturday
Saturday morning began with a run outside and a short shoulder workout before Ryan and I grabbed breakfast at our local farmer’s market. After a quick walk with Sadie and a shower, our friends Laurel and John arrived at our house in Ocala to spend the weekend with us!
We had plans to drive to Melrose to hang out at our friend Heather’s house for a birthday BBQ since her birthday was on Friday. So many April birthdays!
(Minda, me and Laurel – Sorry for the butt grab, Minda!)
(Minda, Heather and Nicole)
(John, Ryan, Ryan and Clark)
Heather and her husband Chris live on a farm, so the party had an added element of fun since we were able to interact with chickens, goats and horses. The goats and horses basically ignored us, but the chickens were quite lively!
We ate burgers, hot dogs and typical delicious cookout fare and had fun chatting by a massive bonfire until it was time for us to make the drive back to Ocala. We spent an hour or so hanging out with Laurel and John before eyes started closing and we put ourselves to bed.
Sunday
I somehow managed to sleep until 8 a.m. on Sunday morning which was a serious victory. My birthday was already off to a great start before I even got out of bed!
Once everyone was awake, we drove to Darrell’s Diner for a delicious breakfast of eggs, toast and coffee.
After we were done eating, we lingered over coffee before piling back into Ryan’s car and driving back to our place. The guys watched soccer while Laurel and I had fun catching up. I miss her so darn much and am so glad I was able to spend my birthday my best friend. (We met freshman year in college and have stayed very close ever since. She’s the best.)
Laurel also surprised me with an awesome birthday gift – a hydration backpack for summertime hiking and running. After we said goodbye to Laurel and John, we took Sadie on a 90-minute hike and I tested out my new present. It made staying hydrated a breeze. Thank you, Laurel!
Birthday Date
Once we returned from our hike, we rinsed off and drove to Gainesville for a birthday date! Ryan treated me to a casual sushi dinner, a movie, frozen yogurt and ice cream. He knows the way to my heart!
I ordered two rolls including a build-your-own roll with salmon, cucumber, masago and tuna and a fried soft shell crab roll.
Ryan stuck to a bento box!
After dinner, we had 30 minutes to kill before our movie began and grabbed frozen yogurt from Yogurtology!
I filled my cup with oatmeal cookie and vanilla cake batter frozen yogurt topped with sprinkles, kiwi, red gummies, iced animal crackers and lots of whipped cream. It was a random combination, but I loved every bite!
Once we polished off our frozen yogurt, we drove to the movie theater to see Bears. I saw a preview for this movie a month or so ago and Ryan laughed when I said I really wanted to see it! I adore nature documentaries and thought the movie would basically be a documentary that followed the journey of a mother bear and her two cubs. Well, it was definitely more of a kid movie and Ryan and I had to laugh when we realized our (my?) mistake. We stayed through the whole movie – it was pretty cute and rather short – and I think kids who love animals would like it a lot! I’m just not sure I’d recommend it as a happenin’ date night movie. Oops!
After the movie, Ryan suggested a quick ice cream date at Coldstone before we made the drive back to Ocala. Ice cream!? You don’t have to ask me twice!
We shared a large Apple Pie a La Coldstone and loved every bite. It tasted like cinnamon caramel ice cream! The perfect way to end my birthday.
I hope you guys had a wonderful weekend!
Chelsea@TableForOne says
Ryan really does know the way to a woman’s heart. Ice cream and froyo make the best birthday ever!!
Nancy says
I’m sure you get it all the time – but you look so young for (now) 29! Happy late birthday. Does that mean you’re a Taurus like me too? Or does that not switch over for a few more days. 🙂
Brenna says
Happy Birthday! I really love your pink dress and I’ve been looking for something just like that. Where did you get it?
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food says
Happy late birthday! Sounds like a great weekend to me, even if you did end up seeing a kids movie haha.
Cheri @ Overactive Blogger says
Happy belated! I’m so sorry you lost your camera, and I hope you find it! I thought I lost a jump drive with all these pics on it last week, but it turned out that it fell into the lining of my purse. I hope you find it!
janet says
I have a Nikon Coolpix S3500 … great photos and dead cheap — got it at Amazon
Here is the link (cute colours too!)
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-COOLPIX-Digital-Camera-Silver/dp/B00BOZCUG2
… No I do not get any kickback if you buy it from there!
Now re: you bday.
BONNE FETE A VOUS
BONNE FETE A VOUS
BONNE FETE CHER JULIE
BONNE FETE A VOUS!!!
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots says
Happy birthday! Sounds like a great weekend!
Jasmine @ A cupcake for my thoughts says
Happy Birthday!! Looks like you had a great weekend! That ice-cream looks delicious, I miss coldstones so much, they have the best ice-cream ever!! 🙂
Lori says
Happy Birthday!! Please let me know what you decide on a camera as I am looking for one for our upcoming WDW trip!
Polly @ Tasty Food Project says
I’m sorry to hear about your camera but I’m glad you had a fun birthday weekend with your friends and husband! The sushi looks so good!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
Happy 29th birthday to you!! Looks like a perfect weekend of celebrating.
Livi says
Sounds like the ultimate birthday to me!! Maybe some cake too? There’s never too much dessert on your birthday!!
Sky @ The Blonde In Black says
Happy Birthday!! It looks like y’all had a great weekend! Your fro-yo and ice cream look super delicious!
Jillian says
Great dress!! Where is that from?
Hilary says
Happy birthday !! No better way to do it than froyo and ice cream in the same night!
ellie @ fit for the soul says
Happy birthday once again, Julie! (late bday) 😛 And eeeeekssss I would be soooooo sad if I lost my camera. It’s the one thing I’m really–omygosh be careful with it and please wash your hands. I hope yours does pop up somewhere, miracles happen! Also, do you know where Minda got her dress?! It is sooo pretty and simple, perfect for warm cali weather. <3
Annette@FitnessPerks says
What a fabulous birthday you had!!! I love ice cream and fro yo and movies–sounds perfect to me!! Happy B-day!!
Katie says
Happy Birthday!! Your pictures make me miss Gainesville!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
Happy belated birthday!
cait @pieceofcait says
what a perfect birthday celebration!!! happy bday pretty lady <3
Vicki says
Sunday was my birthday as well. Friday and Saturday I attended the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo at McCormick Place, and had such a blast! On Saturday I dressed up as Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) from the Marvel movies, and had so many great moments during that day that the sore feet at the end of the day were totally worth it. Yesterday was a little more low-key for me, mostly resting up from the previous two days. In the evening, my small group had a cookout and they had a delicious cake for me!
Nicole says
A few days late, but….HAPPY BIRTHDAY nonetheless!! I enjoy reading your blog every day and appreciate your thoughts/perspective and ambition! Cheers to you for the coming year!!
Julie says
Thank you so much!
Meg DeCarvalho says
Happy birthday, Julie! I’ve been reading your blog for about a year and just wanted to thank you for all that you share. I’ve tried a number of healthy breakfast and lunch options you suggested and I appreciate my local body pump class more because of your comments (especially when I’m feeling tired). Thank you again. I had to wish you a birthday wish when I noticed you and my husband (also named Ryan) share the same day! Good people.
Julie says
Thank you, Meg!! Happy birthday to your husband!
Brittney @ Sweets 'N' Greens says
Happy birthday! And what a great b-day present! I’m curious to hear your review of the backpack once you’ve used it more 🙂
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
Sounds like you had a great birthday weekend! Happy belated! 🙂
Sarah Whitney says
Happy belated birthday, Julie! Here’s to a wonderful year ahead! 🙂
Runner Girl Eats says
I have been having the most serious coldstone craving lately so this post was torture! Glad you had such a great bday weekend! 29 seems to be off to a great start 🙂
Coty and Mariah@quirksandtwists says
Can’t beat ending your birthday with ice cream! What a fun weekend; happy belated birthday!
Betsy says
Happy belated birthday, I’m glad you were able to celebrate with so many friends!
purelytwins says
Happy belated birthday!!
Lora says
Have you tried sweet dreams in gainesville? Best. ice cream. ever. Happy birthday, Julie! Your blog is so fun to keep up on! 🙂
suzanne @ Mrs Mix It says
Frozen yogurt and ice cream in the same night?! Best birthday, ever!!
Samantha Scott says
My husband and I just upgraded our S100 that we’ve literally used 5 times that we were planning on listing on eBay. It’s for sale if you’d like to replace yours 🙂
Jen says
We have the same Birthday! Happy belated Birthday!!!
Ashley Carol says
Looks like you had an amazing birthday. I love those mini bento boxes too!
lori says
Happy Birthday! Where did Ryan get those coral shorts?
Julie says
TJMaxx!
lori says
Nice! Do you happen to know the brand? We are doing navy and coral for family pictures and are trying to find shorts like those!
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions says
Frozen yogurt AND ice cream?? Sounds like a perfect birthday! I’ve been to more than my fair share of frozen yogurt places around here, but I’ve never found one with whipped cream as a topping option. Now I really wish we had that…
Erika says
Happy belated birthday!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Happy belated birthday! My bday weekend is this coming weekend yay!
Kelly says
Happy birthday! Froyo and ice cream and sushi sounds like heaven!
Chelsea says
That Canon series is the best!!!! I have the s90 and this deal on the s110 is making me consider upgrading. Camera, card and printer for only 200? Might be worth the hassle of submitting the rebate. I instantly thought of your post when I saw it!
http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/119364/buydig—canon-powershot-s110-12.1mp-digital-camera-16gb-sd-card-pixma-pro-100-printer
Good luck!
Alex @ Alex Runs For Food says
WOW what a perfect birthday!! Sushi, a movie, frozen yogurt AND ice cream! AMAZING!!