he's THIRTY.

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Last weekend I surprised Jeb with a little getaway to Big Cedar Lodge to celebrate our sixth wedding anniversary and his 30th birthday. Jeb did not want a birthday party, and after two big vacations with the kids in the past two months I knew that a little downtime and relaxation was just what he needed! Jeb loves the outdoors and we've been wanting to go to Big Cedar for several years, so this was the perfect opportunity. When Jeb got home from work last Thursday, I told him to jump in the shower because our bags were packed and we were leaving. "Today?" He asked. I had everything taken care of...my dad was going to check wells for him that weekend and his mom was going to keep the kids. So we hopped in the car and headed towards Branson, Missouri! 

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Big Cedar is a beautiful resort in the Ozark Mountains on Table Rock Lake. It was started by the founder of Bass Pro Shops, and has lodges, cottages, cabins, swimming pools, a lazy river, several restaurants, running and hiking trails, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and a marina with a small beach and boat rentals. Jeb loved the place from the moment we pulled up! Although all we could talk about the entire weekend was how much our little fisherman, Reid, would love it here! We can't wait to take the kids for a surprise trip before school starts! 

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This is Frosty's...a cute little airliner turned ice cream parlor down by the Bent Hook Marina. 

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Does this guy look THIRTY?!

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We woke up on Friday morning and had brunch at a little sandwich/soup cafe and coffee shop near the lake and then took a little stroll around the property. We stopped to check out the marina and ended up getting in a kayak! It was so much fun and the scenery was gorgeous! 

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After kayaking we headed up the hill to the Wilderness Clubhouse and took a dip in the lazy river. When we got back to our little cottage, we put on our work-out gear and decided to run the 5K trail. And let me just tell ya...the 5K trail at Big Cedar is NO JOKE! Up and down and up and down....I thought I was going to die! 

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We had reservations that evening for a couples massage at the spa, and it was perfect timing because that run was killer!

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This is the one-bedroom cottage that we stayed in for the weekend....so quaint and relaxing!

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It was hard to sleep with this guy beside me! Oh, and with Jeb beside me too ;)

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When we got to our room that evening Jeb had a birthday card and cake waiting on him! 

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Saturday was my favorite day of the trip! We woke up early and drove about twenty minutes to Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. We rented bikes and rode about seven miles on a beautiful nature trail! It was so relaxing and even more romantic! 

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Wish Bowl

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The oldest human remains in Missouri were found here...8,000 year-old bones! 

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We rented a boat Saturday afternoon and went out on the lake. The lake is gorgeous and the water is crystal clear! We danced on the boat and had a "party for two!" 

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We were even in two places at once...in the middle of Arkansas and Missouri (notice the state line sign in the background!).

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Saturday night, we ate dinner at the Worman House with a beautiful view of the lake and a romantic music-filled dinner!

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We missed the kids, but it is really good for us to get away every now and then...just the two of us. It was the perfect weekend with the most amazing guy!  This one's a keeper. Oh, and the fish is too! ;) 

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Jeb's 30th birthday collage

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Dinner and The Great Gatsby on Jeb's birthday

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Eating at Paul's Place for Jeb's 30th and Kassidy's 22nd

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The BIG 3-0!!!

3 & 5. the birthday parties.

This post is a couple of months late, but I wanted to post a few pictures from the kids birthday party. I thought that if we took the kids to Walt Disney World for their birthdays that I wouldn't have to do birthday parties this year. I was wrong. When we got back from Disney, Reid asked if his friends were going to come to his birthday to sing "Happy Birthday" to him. He said that he really wanted to open presents with all of his friends. So...I threw together a last minute birthday party at Incredible Inflatables in Shawnee. Reid wanted a pirate cake and LilliAnn wanted a princess cake, so we had a "Princess & Pirate Party!" It was crazy, chaotic, and tons of fun, but I don't think I'll ever be doing a joint birthday party with both of the kids again. There was too much going on! We gave the kids cupcakes, but forgot to cut the cakes and offer it to the adults that were at the party! I felt terrible! 

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Cake Diva in Shawnee did our cakes and they were delicious as always! 

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When I first became a mother I told myself I would never have cheesy birthday parties with Walmart decorations. BUT...two hours before the party I found myself on the party isle at Walmart buying plastic princess tablecloths and cheap party favors! New moms...never say never! But guess what?! My kids LOVED it all! I've killed myself doing Pinterest parties the past five years and all Reid remembers is going to Chuck E. Cheese when he turned three! He doesn't even remember his baseball party with the adorable water bottle labels and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" table! 

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Lil wanted to wear her new Cinderella shirt that she got at Disney World.

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Reid and his cousin Jett...this is a classic picture of them at this age. They fight like brothers!

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LilliAnn and her new friend Sophia Wilson

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Wardrobe change into our Cinderella princess dress!

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After the party Reid went outside to get his big surprise from his Papa Jeff...his very first gun...a 410. I was not happy about this, but daddy put it up in the gun safe until he gets older. 

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Reid was LOVING it!

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Reid with Papa Jeff

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It was a fun, super easy party and I'm glad  that we did it. I forgot how much five and three year-olds enjoy opening presents and eating cupcakes with their little friends. Cheers to ice cream cups, bounce houses, and Walmart decorations!