Taxation without Representation

It's been four years in the making, but this city finally got ALL of me. I had a license after year one, but it took me over four years to commit my car to this city. Today I went and filed all my paperwork. It's official, folks. I'm here for a bit longer. My plates (yes, DC has a front and back) now show that I am a DC driver. So, I can't use the NC plates as an excuse for driving slow in DC (cuz I'm likely lost) and I can use the DC plates as an excuse to drive more like a "Yankee" when I go home. You win some, you lose some...

I was pretty psyched today to get my new plates. You're now looking at my fresh parking sticker. Check it:

Birthday Orchids

Every girl loves to receive flowers. When they are delivered to work and as an early birthday present, they are even better! Ryan did good and I am one lucky girl!

Birthday Fun!

This year is the last to be included in the decade of my twenties. So, I made sure to celebrate properly! It was a fun weekend which included dear friends and family. On my birthday morning, I went with Ryan and roomy, Danielle, to our local farmer's market that opened on May 1 (just in time, right?!). After we scoped it out and returned home, Mallory, Ryan and I packed our picnic items and began our next adventure: winery tours! The three of us rode out to VA and met some of my other friends for three winery tastings and an afternoon in the sun. We visited Bluemont, Breaux, and Hillsborough vineyards.

Farmer's market flowers.

The weather and company were perfect! We spent quality time at each location- enjoying each other's company, soaking in the sun, sharing laughs, and celebrating. Besides me, three other people in our group had just celebrated a birthday within the last two weeks, so it was fun knowing that it was more of a birthday "season" (as my friend Jenn calls them) than a birth "day" celebration.

Mal is sporting Ryan's hat as we drive TO the wineries.

Guess one can't be too prepared for fun!

After an afternoon of tastings and picnicking, Ryan drove the sun-weary sisters home. We all chilled for a bit (by "chill" I mean that I took a hard nap for about two hours) and then some more friends came over! So, we kept gabbing and celebrating until the wee hours. It was a long, exhausting and funfilled day.

On Sunday, Ryan made brunch (including funfetti chocolate chip pancakes!) for Mal and me. After an afternoon of errands I came home and he then cooked my "birthday dinner" which I had requested for Sunday evening instead of on my Saturday-bday. Dinner was amazing. He's such a talented chef! He made blackened salmon, mushroom risotto, mashed butternut squash and a mozzarella salad. It was delicious! Not only did he make enough for the two of us, but Marie and Mal joined us AND there was anough left over for lunches. It was a feast!!

I feel so blessed and feel that my "29th" got off to a bangin' start. I can't believe I'm 29, but then again who ever feels their age? Enjoy the pics from the weekend!