Great Catch-Up : My birthday

This year, it was the birthday that kept on giving. The day before was spent in NYC, after Gil and Rachel's wedding (photos to come). Heath and I walked through the city, found a great little sports bar and watched the Chief's beat the 49ers.

[sports bar fun]

The next day, Heath headed back to Chicago, so I had a fantastic dinner with my boss and a couple colleagues at a funky Italian restaurant in Tribeca called Il Matto. No photos from the evening, but trust me - it was DELICIOUS.

When I did get home, I had a lovely dinner at a new Brazilian restaurant in the city with Heath and my fabulous in-laws. Again, no photos, but very tasty.

What DO I have photos of? My last big surprise of the week... After dinner at one of our favorite new places in Pilsen — Decolores — I was a little surprised when a lot of friends needed to head out early, but figured it was a lot to ask for people to hang out late on the southside. Imagine my surprise when Heath and I return home to a roomful of those same friends, a few more, cake and the "signature drink" of the evening: Strawberry Basil Mojitos. It was a big surprise and a lot of fun. Heath deserves major kudos for planning it all under my nose and, with the help of the Decostanzas, pulling it off.

[from the dinner]