Old Timer

Zach had his "dirty thirty" last month.  It's crazy to think that he was 18 when I met him! I have loved being with him through each new phase of life, and watching him take on new roles...boyfriend, fiance, groom, grad student, father...He is an amazing man, but you all know him, so I don't need to go on and on about that. 

So instead I'll recap his birthday celebration.  A very big thank you to Queenie and Man-Man, who graciously hosted our family and watched the kids multiple times for Zach's birthday weekend. The kids and I picked Zach up from work on Friday night and headed down to Seneca.  Zach didn't know our plans, so I had his bag all packed, and the kids were about bursting with the news.  Once at Q&Ms' house, we abruptly dropped off the kids and headed out to dinner. We went to Calhoun Corners, a great restaurant in Clemson that Zach and I hadn't been to in eight years...since the night he proposed! We ate a disgusting amount of delicious food and then admired all the new buildings on campus.

The next day, Queenie and Mantis took Owen out for his birthday lunch and shopping trip, so Zach, Caelum, Esmé, and I went to Smoking Pig for lunch and then Issaqueena Falls and Stump Tunnel.  It was a beautiful day for a little hike, and Cae loved going in the old train tunnel.  Sorry there are no pictures, but we plan to return soon since Caelum really wants Owen to see it.  Caelum talked incessantly the whole time, and I realized just how much Owen usually dominates a conversation.  The burdens of the second-born, I guess.  

Queenie had made the classic chocolate pie for Zach, and we all enjoyed it.  Here you can see the excitement for pie.  I particularly love Owen's face in this picture!

 

Queenie got Zach some classy clothes that he has already been wearing a lot.  He sure looks good for an old guy! That Saturday night, we left the kids AGAIN and had another date.  Thank you, thank you, Cathy and Mark! We went to River Falls Lodge up in the woods of Greenville County.  The last time we were there, I was seven months pregnant with Owen.  It was so much fun to contra dance with Zach at one of our favorite places to do so.  We felt old when we walked in, but we danced and danced and danced like the spring chickens that we aren't.  The band was great and my partner was the best!

We went to Clemson Pres in the morning and then had a quick lunch with my blessed in-laws before hitting the road.  Sorry there are no pictures of the grandparents with the grandkids, but I will remedy that soon!

Zach's actual birthday was the following Wednesday.  We had company coming into town the next night, hence the early celebration.  We had a big breakfast with Zach, and then he went to work for a few hours before we met him for lunch at Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack.  As soon as he got home from work, he began his three scavenger hunts.  The boys each wanted to make him one (Owen's had 12 clues!), so he had a lot of seeking to do in order to get his presents. 

 

The boys both got him Pop Tarts as a present.  Perhaps slightly selfishly motivated.  Zach is rebuilding his bike, so his present from me was bike parts that he picked out himself.  Hurray! I also got him a baller pea coat from the the Gap, on clearance, and Wii Sports. 

 

For dinner, we had his favorite: cube steak and mashed potatoes followed by...you guessed it, chocolate pie.  Can you tell we love food?

I hope you had a happy birthday, Zach.  We love you!