I’m not going to lie . . . I was totally dreading my 30th birthday. What can I say – I like the comfort of checking the 25-29 age box when filling out forms. There’s just something about your twenties that sounds so good and youthful. I feel like once you hit the 3-0 mark, you’re officially an older adult. Boo. Logan says that his 30’s were way better than his 20’s, but I’ll just have to wait and see before I can confirm that.

The morning of my birthday started off great with breakfast, cards and gifts from family and friends. Thank you to everyone that made me feel so loved! My husband spoiled me with a beautiful pearl bracelet and necklace. Pearls are my birthstone-isn’t he so thoughtful? Then it was back to the real world. Not only was I not looking forward to turning 30, but I had to work on my birthday. Double boo. I requested the day off but they couldn’t find coverage, so in I went, big belly and all, to celebrate my dreaded 30th birthday at work. I must say though that considering the circumstances, my co-workers really made the day enjoyable. They decorated the CT room with balloons and banners and even made me my childhood birthday cake of doughnut holes! It definitely eased the sting of having to work on my birthday and I really appreciated all that they did.

The rest of the week I did have off and so the next day I got to pamper myself with a pedicure and hair appointment. To my knowledge, we were leaving the following day to head to Catalina Island to spend a few days relaxing and celebrating my birthday. What I didn’t know was that my amazing/sneaky husband had planned on my sister and brother-in-law meeting us there! He surprised me that morning by telling me we would be taking a helicopter ride over to the island, but it wasn’t until we got there that he told me that they would be joining us for the trip. They were coming back from a vacation to New Zealand and Australia, but a flight delay put a glitch in their plans and so we ended up surprising them at the airport and then headed over to the helicopter pad together.

Easton thought it was his birthday when we told him we would be riding in a helicopter. On the way there, he got to sit up front with Logan. I think they were both in heaven.

Catalina Island is very laid back and peaceful. It was so nice not having an agenda for several days. There are no personal vehicles allowed over on the island, so we tooled around in a golf cart. Our days consisted of hanging out at the pool, shopping, fetching Easton’s boomerang out of the trees (that my sister brought back from her travels to Australia), and of course, eating. I definitely treated myself to a few virgin piña coladas!

Every night we had a great view of the water during dinner.

July 4th was just a few days away while we were there so the entire town was decorated in red, white, and blue. I have to give my brother-in-law props for taking this awesome photo on our way back from dinner.

Two nights went by fast, but I’m so grateful to my family for planning this surprise birthday get-together! I wouldn’t have wanted to spend it with anyone else! You guys are the best!!

We took our final helicopter ride back to the mainland and said our goodbyes to my sister and Ryan. It’s never too hard saying goodbye when you know you’ll see someone again very soon!

I had a wonderful week celebrating the big 3-0. Thank you again Logan, for making it so great. I’m still in denial that I’m 30, but maybe by next year it will have sunk in. Or maybe I’ll just keep checking that 25-29 box until I’m ready. Stay tuned for some awesome maternity pictures my sister took of me while we were there.