Birthday Part 2

We held the hubby Dan and sister Katie's birthday party last Friday.  I made a delicious Devils Food cake with a rich Dark Chocolate Ganache for Dan and a Triple Berry pie for Katie.

  Once we dropped off the gifts and food at Mom and Dad's, the fun started.  Dan, his father, and I drove 30 minutes to the gun range and shot for an hour or so, before the party.  I was using Dad's lever action 22 {i think}, it's the only gun I enjoy shooting.  I tried his handgun, but it kicked back so violently, I screamed.  It wasn't as bad as I made it, but it did surprise me.  The lever action that i'm used to has no kickback and sounds beautiful.  Only problem was that it wasn't sighted right.  Dan kept adjusting it, but we figured out that he was adjusting it backwards :) .  So, even though I was aiming correctly, it was hitting the target area high and to the left.  Oh well, if you really look at it, I'm aiming well, just gotta wait to get it sighted right for next time.
 
We then drove the 30 minutes back to the house in time to cool off.  It was so hot and dusty at the range, I can't wait to someday join a club so we can go to an inside range.  I did surprise Dad by informing him I joined the NRA!  My sister in law Marci was cooking everything while the other sister Katie and the kiddo's arrived.  I love my niece Donna and nephew Presley, they're just adorable.  Dan was playing with Pres- flipping him over his shoulder while Pres kept repeating "Ready, set, GO!"  We still don't know where he got that from :) .  We then all sat down for dinner, and it was yummy!  Per the birthday boy's request, we had Ribs, Funeral Potato's {mm good}, Coleslaw, Cottage Cheese, and Chips.  It was super good.

Dan and Katie opened their presents and then were present with the deserts.  Dan loved his, it was so rich and dark.  I think Katie liked her's... I was a little sad because the crust was darker than I wanted it to be. But I think they liked it.

We then sat around and played games, talked, and played Wii.  After wards, Dan and I crawled home and had a great night of sleep.

 

As I just had a big can of drama poured on me, I'm out early.  I'll elaborate later, if I can.

 

Thanks for listening...

Birthday Part 1

Yesterday was my wonderful husband Dan's 27th birthday.  It was a great day, cause we spent it together {pauses while everyone watches the hearts fly}.  He had to go to work of course, but was able to get off around 9am.  We were pleasently aware it was paid time off, which makes it 100 times better.  We got ready for the day, and started by a trip to Cabela's.  If you don't hunt or fish, you might not have ever been in a Cabela's as it is a hunting/fishing/game {animals, not nintendo} store.  We spent a LONG time playing with the guns and seeing which one would be perfect for me {weight, kickback, comfort, etc}, which ones he liked, and which ones we could afford.  Since we couldn't afford a third gun for our home, we moved on to the knives.  Dan's been wanting a new hunting knife for a while, but we still didn't find one perfect for him.  We then drooled over the fishing gear and decided to come back after his party, since he's hoping for a new pole and reel combo.  The fun thing about Cabela's, if you've never been, is the animals.  They're dead of course, who would want a live bear in the store?!  They have the middle of the store roped off with all these beautiful animals placed in a well made out scene.  They also have a fish tank with lots of pretty fish :) not the kind you normally see in pet stores.  These are the type you actually fish for, like Pike, Carpe, Bass, Catfish, etc.

  

Then we did one of Dan's favorite things, we went to ZamZows.  I know, sounds lame right?  Well, he loves it.  We go to look at the animals, more specifically the reptiles.  He likes to drool over the Agame's, the Dragons, the Snakes, and other animals.  Once he's done explaining everything he knows about all of those animals, I'm finally allowed to go look at the birds and rats.  We spent some time talking to the birds and feeding them, then we went on to the reptile equipment area.  For those who don't know, Dan is making a new tank for our bearded dragon Reptar.  It's going to be huge, an estimated 400 gallon tank.  We were looking at new lights,  new equipment, and new landscaping items for the terrain.  It's going to be a beautiful tank, well suited for our growing little girl!

  

I then treated Dan to The Ram Restaurant.  He'd never been, but had heard good things from me.  I had been there I believe 3 times when I was in Washington earlier in the year, and was in love with a particular burger they had.  When we went this time, though, it wasn't the same.  I ordered the same burger {I believe}, but it came with pepper bacon.. I hate pepper bacon!  The burger from before had honey bacon on it, and the bun soaked up a little honey so the bun was just sweet enough to blow my mind.  This bacon was making the bun peppery.  Ugh, I don't know about you, but pepper is disgusting if you can taste it.  Dan ordered a burger that was way on the spicy side, it even had spicy mustard.  He enjoyed the meal, but wasn't as impressed with The Ram as I hoped he would be.

 

We had to stop at Winco for some Pearl Onions for dinner that evening, then we went hom.  We then did Dan's new obsession, we took a nap.  This boy gets up at 4am for work, but we lately haven't been going to be until 11:30pm.  He then doesn't sleep at night, and is tired all the time.  So when we got home, he slept for a good 4 hours, but I only got 1 or so, since I had to get up and prepare dinner.  So 3:30 comes around, and I'm preparing the pot roast.  This pot roast was beautifuly surrounded by baby red skin potato's, carrots, celery, pearl onions, and a juicy goodness.  I tell you, that dinner was gooood when we finally ate at 6.  Topping it off, he got fresh triple berry pie.  I am proud to say I FINALLY DID A PIE RIGHT!!  The recipe my sister Katie gave me was perfect.  I made it before we went to Cabela's, and it sat all day cooling and setting.  It was finally right, only problem is I don't like blueberries, so I had to take Dan's word it was good.

  

To round the night off, I let Dan play video games until 11 or so.  Uninterrupted video game time with a bunch of good beer, a smoke or two, and pie was all he needed to finish his birthday right.  We then snuggled watching Cops and then we were off to sleep.

 

And now all that's left is his birthday party with the family on Friday :)

 

Thanks for listening...