The Dirty Thirty

Yep. I turn the big 3-0 tomorrow. It's still hard to believe that I will be the dirty thirty. I remember when I thought thirty was ancient. But now, I like to think that 30 is the new 20. I can get away with that delusional thinking because its my birthday and anything goes on your birthday. I had a wonderful weekend. I got to celebrate with my some of my favorite people. Stacey and I headed over to Bratt to begin the weekend festivities. Stacey and Aunt Susan surprised me on Saturday with a little family party. They completely got me!

Not only did Stacey make some beautiful cupcakes, she made me some special cookies too!



 The schemer, Stacey



The calm before the storm...

For some reason, Stacey didn't want me to feed her!?!?!

And just because it was my birthday, my Uncle Brett allowed me to have my picture taken with him. I feel special :-)

Later that evening, a few of us headed down to the beach to go eat dinner. It was a fun evening and I was glad to spend it with some good friends. (we missed you, Brandy!)

Of course the three musketeers were there. Sadly, my slacker brother decided that his sister's 30th birthday wasn't worth the trip home! So unlike all of our childhood pictures, where Stacey is always missing and its just pictures of me, Brad, and Heath, this time it was Brad who was mysteriously out of the picture. I had the fabulous, ragin' Cajun, fibbie Libbie come down to join the festivities. She was a trooper to come out. She had been down at the beach all day and still came out with us.

We also had a special visitor all the way from Thomasville, GA. My friend Will was sadly in Pensacola due to his grandmother's funeral, but he still came out to help celebrate my (really ours, his was on Thursday) birthday. I hope that he didn't think we were too crazy a bunch. I think he had a good time, though.

And of course my night wouldn't be complete without a little harassment thrown at Stacey.

"Ashley, get off me RIGHT now!"

I finally wore her down. She finally cooperated....

We were outside listening to the band and it was super windy. Half of my pictures are no good because my nappy hair was blowing all in people's faces. Which reminds me that I really need to go see my colorist. My hair color is awful right now...and to not wear a strapless shirt when you are taking lots of pictures. I look naked in just about all the pictures. I thought widom came with age?

Today we stopped back by my parent's house on the way back to Georgia for party #2.

No birthday is complete without a poster from my mom!



 Cathy-Mac busted out some old school photos. Ha! And if you notice one of my cards was from my babies (and Jack too). Yeah that's how we roll. And I didn't take the first photo with any of my babies today. I don't know what I was thinking!

Little Mister Barrett wearing my "princess" crown



"I seriously don't have to wear this, do I?"

Barrett negotiating with me to blow out the candles.

He got his way :-)

A little sampling never hurts...

Here is our attempt at a family photo...

Yes, my father taking a picture of Stacey taking our picture. My daddy and his phone haha!

And it's a miracle! My brother actually drove 3 miles down from his house to make it to my birthday.

I kid, I kid B-Rad. You rock. All in all, it has been a wonderful birthday. Turning thirty really hasn't bothered me. I am actually embracing it. After what I've been through this year, turning thirty is a piece of cake. My twenties were great and I enjoyed them, but I am really looking forward to what my thirties will hold. Thank you to everyone who made my birthday extra special. I love you all!