More Presents!

Last Monday night more presents arrived in the mail for Dan from his mom and dad. After a super long day of work and school, this was just what the doctor had ordered :) The box was filled with fun underoos (just what Dan wanted), books, a super cool mug, and a bonus gift for Rufus :) I must say though that Mama Rossi scored BIG TIME with the present she e-mailed Dan on his birthday...the recipes to our favorite food in Columbus (besides Mama Rossi's home cookin), the parmesan salad and the Mighty Mort sandwich from Zuppa's. Dan and I have been trying to create the dressing to the Parmesan salad for years!!! Way to go Kathy...this is the gift that will give for a lifetime.

Dan's Official 30th Birthday

It started with breakfast in bed (I made Dan an omelet with all of the leftover nacho fixins). After this Dan received his first present of the day...30lb weights that he'd been asking for. From here Dan left for work...only to be picked up by Mandilla a few hours later to be whisked away for a fun birthday day. We started with lunch at Salumi. We had the best seats in the house, right at the front window, as we munched down our salami treats. After lunch we made a quick shopping trip to Banana Republic to buy Dan a new pair of slacks for his business plan competition. From here we headed over to Pacific Place where Dan opened more gifts before going to the movies to see "21." After the movie was over we went home and Dan opened a special gift from Rufus...a husky soccer ball. After a fabulous day, Dan headed off to school feeling very mature as a 30 year old.












I wrote Dan a list of the thirty things I love about him. He did this for me on my birthday...and while I stole the idea from him, I wanted Dan to know that he is loved in thirty ways too!

Dan's 30th Birthday Poker Bash

On April 19th we celebrated Dan's upcoming 30th Birthday with a poker bash at the Rossi household. Before the games began, we all enjoyed creating one of Dan's favorite snacks at the build your own nachos bar. After this we sang Happy Birthday to Dan and watched him blow out his candles on the cupcakes. Finally...LET THE POKER BEGIN!!


Family photo with the Birthday Boy

Front Door Welcome

Grab your poker visor on your way in (They're all different with fun photos of Dan)

Follow the cards to the party


Dan and Mandy's visors

party decorations with fun pics of Dan




The table is ready

A nacho bar in honor of Dan's favorite munchie

Poker themed cupcakes with sprinkles of clubs, spades, diamonds, & hearts

The Spacciante Clan

Tony, Eric, and Dan (part of the MBA crew)

Our next door neighbors the Mitchell's (Trent, Rachelle, and Kylee)

More neighbors (Emily, Brian and Ashley)

Amy and Adam

Eric and Jodi Salenski (Dan's MBA teammate)

loading up at the Nacho bar

Dan and Steve

Enjoying a plate of nachos before the big event

Dan and Donnie

Notice the cupcakes with the pink icing on top (Special request from Dan)

The candles are blown out...now let the poker begin!!

Table One

Table Two

Dustin and Dania (neighbors)

The Salenski's teach Carrie and I to play Euchre

The two tables join as it's down to the final 7

The Birthday boy is out

The final two go head to head

Ryan Bergsman takes home the big bucks

A new round begins

75 degrees

This last Saturday was absolutely gorgeous!! It only lasted for one day, but it was heavenly. Since Dan was gone with his study group and I was without a car, I decided to spent the entire day outside doing yard work (while I know that doesn't sound fun...it was nice to just be outside in a T-shirt enjoying the day). Once Dan arrived home he finished off the yard work by mowing the lawn. Then we headed out to Alki Beach for a nice walk followed by pizza at Pegasus. Little did we know that EVERYONE was headed to the beach. It took us an hour to get over to Alki as the cars were backed up for miles. It wasn't bad though and was actually fun to people watch and see the cars cruising up and down the Alki Strip. The weather forecast is actually calling for a chance of snow by the end of the week...what a wild and crazy spring!

Dan and Rufus relaxing in the back yard after Dan mowed the lawn


Rufus enjoying the car ride over to Alki


The beach was packed





We watched this beautiful sunset over the Puget Sound while we ate our pizza