31 years old...

My birthday started at 6:45 am, as I walked through the front door of my house (just got home from work) and quietly snuck down the hallway, I heard my Lacy call my name very softly:


Mommy, are you home?



Yes, Lacy, good morning!



Come here, I want to tell you something...it's your birthday today and I wanted to get you a present...




Yes, today is my birthday. I'm 31 years old. (I said as I sat down next to her)

I have a song for you.... happy birthday to you, happy birthday to my mommy, you're thirty one years old, happy birthday to you!

(it was the best version I had ever heard and it was followed by a three year old little girl giving me a giant hug, kiss and...)

I love you mommy, you are my best friend. And also underwear. (Her new random word she likes to toss out from time to time!)

Underwear? Under there? Under where? Over where?

He He He... yes I said underwear. (Followed by Lacy cracking herself up even more!)

Later that day we packed up the car and headed down to Coronado Island and the Hotel Del Coronado.... one word, BEAUTIFUL. Two words: FREAKING BEAUTIFUL.

Before dinner, and as the sun was just about to set, we took Lacy down to the ocean for the very first time in her life. She had a blast. It looks much darker outside than it really was. I took off both of our shoes and let Lacy put her toes in the water. Of course we managed to get in a little deeper than I anticipated, so my pants were soaked all the way to the knees. I was in heaven. Where else can you do this three days before Christmas?

After the ocean, we had a very opulent dinner at the Sheerwater inside "The Del" (as we regulars call it - ha!). I had Kobe Steak for the first time and Randy had lamb... delish. Lacy preferred to eat the butter. It was wonderful to spend a nice meal with the Isley clan. It was bittersweet, of course, to be without Big Randy, but we all thought about him and made sure to comment about how much he would have loved this meal! I know we were all thinking about our fancy schmancy meal at Disneyland's Club 33 that we had a few months ago as a family.

After dinner we all walked back to our room and had cake. Randy had made me a four layer lemon cake with raspberry-cream cheese frosting. As always, he did an amazing job!I got to open some cards and gifts... of course Lacy was there to help!This morning Lacy and I got up early and went downstairs for some hot tea and hot chocolate (her favorite!) Down in the lobby there is a giant bird that I wanted Lacy to see. This bird just hopped right up on my shoulder and watched me. I was a little afraid that it might peck my eyes out, but it didn't.I thought it was a boy bird at first, but I noticed that a sign said this was a female. So I started singing Aerosmith's song Dude Looks Like A Lady, except I changed the words to, "Bird looks like a lady..." the bird started bobbing her head and dancing every time I sang that song. It was hilarious. After a few minutes I managed to get the bird back on her cage. Later that day when I walked into the lobby, she came right to me. If I wasn't in the room she would stay on top of her cage (about eight feet in the air). Before we left for home, I went by the cage one last time. She immediately climbed down and sat on my shoulder. I decided to pet her a little and she curled up into my arms like a baby. It was hilarious. As I was about to leave, another guest asked if I'd put the bird on his arm... I said no because I really didn't know the bird (oh, and the sign that said this bird was a female, also said that the bird might bite! oops). I put the bird away and started to leave. The guest that wanted to hold the bird decided to give it a try and that bird went after him with full force: claws, beak and all! Apparently I am the bird whisperer!

On our way home we stopped at Seaport Village in San Diego and walked through the shops. Not a good idea with a toddler, but we managed to make it through.

Our last stop was very unexpected... we somehow (I think I invited myself!) to Randy's cousin's beautiful new home. Actually we had gotten off the freeway to look at the model homes, but then we managed to score an invite for dinner... Staci, David and the newest family member Baby Katie were all at their new home with Aunt Linda, Uncle Jim and Jamie Corey and Lacy's cousin Mac... here is Lacy "riding" her new pony... Uncle Jim... you know he is going to feel the pain in the morning!! He is an awesome "grandpa"!

Here is Lacy and her cousin Mac climbing on top of Jamie! Lacy and Mac have soooo much fun together!