Happy Birthday to MOI!

"...happy birthday to you..."

The day started out with a visit from the birthday bear...

This is a Keys family tradition - the bear brings you your favorite cereal and candy bar....he spoiled me and brought two of my favorite candy bars - I felt so loved...oh yes and confetti & a balloon - of course I love that!!!

The next phase of my day took me to the city with my dear friend Shelly and her daughter Holly.  We had a great time walking around, eating chowder in a bread bowl, dancing and getting a present from a bird overhead....yes, even the seagulls knew it was my birthday and wanted to share the love.  Those pictures will have to wait for Shell to give them to me...

I was then able to call my parents in Russia and they sang to me (a Simmons family tradition...).

My cousin Michelle and dear friend Heidi escorted me to dinner...at one of my all time favorite places - Myagi's...delicious sushi. We had a great time visiting and eating. However, Heidi had another event she committed to at 8, so we had to rush her back to her car at the keys house...

I really thought she had somewhere to go and I also really thought Michelle was taking me somewhere else.  I was planning to go inside, put the food in the fridge, get a drink of water and head out to the rest of the evening. Well, I opened the door (it was a bit dark) and all of a sudden...

"SUPRISE!!!!"

I was really surprised! I havent had a surprise party since I was 16....lots of friends were there to celebrate. My Aunt, cousins and Heidi did a great job.  We played a couple of "do you know Shannon" games and had delicious food. The cake was a beautiful number with a strawberry jam filling. That was tasty.

It was a fun day and I feel very loved and blessed to have such great family and friends. I thank them for all their effort, time and energy into my birthday celebration...

oh yes, the house was full of flowers...thank you ladies for that-- i love flowers...

29 is going to be the best year ever!!!