weekending

mike celebrated a big birthday this weekend.

this milestone often involves gag gifts and surprise parties, or trips to faraway places.

my guy decided he wanted a cozy celebration at windmill beach.

his appreciation of the small things is just one of the things i love about him.

because we all know, or should, that the small things matter big.

and although windmill beach isn't faraway, it may as well be on another planet.

the sky was showy and the surf was singing.

it was a perfect november weekend to be close and cozy.

his only request was that we watch the badger game he decided not to attend.

we took over half the handlebar.

we cheered the team onto victory, ate bar food, played pool and pac man, and got lily addicted to pull tabs. 

the rest of the night went like this: poker tournament, delicious lasagna dinner, a birthday toast/roast, and then my brother played dj into the night. i half expected the guys to take the polar plunge at some point, but no one made the challenge.

sunday we woke to a temperate day so we took a walk before breakfast, or caught up on stranger things and played ping pong or worked on the puzzle.

we left midday so lily could meet with friends.

the guys watched more football while i prepped dinner.

the birthday boy's choice was chicken marsala.

it was a good one.

look at those caramelized shrooms.

we had family dinner in the candlelit dining room. 

then we gathered in the living room for presents and pictures.

and i just hope that my guy knows how special he is to all of us everyday...

not just on his birthday.