A little preface: I’m having some technical difficulties with my blog (sometimes working, sometimes … not-so much). I don’t know what’s going on, but I appreciate your patience as I get some of the “bugs” out! 
So even though my birthday isn’t really until tomorrow (the 7th), I’ve already had an amazing (pre) birthday weekend! 
First on Friday, one of my co-workers baked me a birthday cake.
(This is the same co-worker who made the carrot cake. 
)
For my birthday, she made me a Texas sheet cake. And it was so. good.
I ate two four pieces, shared more with my co-workers, and then brought several pieces home to share with Brandon. He’s had one piece so far. Care to wager on how many I’ve had?
Then when Brandon came home from work Friday afternoon, he brought this:
Yep, he’s a keeper.
On Saturday morning, we woke up early and ran 6.2 miles (My knee is feeling better, by the way! Rest and ice seemed to help!). After our run, we got cleaned up and headed to Columbus for the day.
We always love going to Easton in Columbus, because it has really great shopping and plenty of good restaurants. Plus, it’s all outside, so you get to walk around in beautiful weather!
After fueling up with a BBQ Chicken Pizza from California Pizza Kitchen …
… we were ready for some shopping!
Later that afternoon, I made a Starbucks stop. As I’ve mentioned before, we don’t have a Starbucks anywhere near Wapak. So I was dying to get my fix!
And I was even more excited when I was able to get this:
A Pumpkin Spice Latte!
The fall “promotion” wasn’t being rolled out until the following week, but the Starbucks employee made me one anyways. It’s the small things in life that make me really really happy.
Next we headed to Dick’s. We both needed some running gear for cooler weather.
While Brandon tried on his clothes, I took in the scenery.
That would be Tim Tebow on the right, if you can’t tell.
We both found some great new running gear. I decided on these pants:
And this top:
I wore the top on a run Monday morning, because the temperatures suddenly dropped into the 50s around here. And it worked great! I think I want 10 more just like it.
After Dick’s we headed to Best Buy. And look what Brandon bought me for my birthday!!!
Hooray! A new camera! I can finally give his mom back her camera! 
Thank you, wonderful husband, for my birthday gift. I love it!!
My favorite part of the camera? It has a special feature just for taking pictures of food! How cool is that?!
After our day of shopping, we headed to our hotel to get cleaned up for dinner …
… and play with my new toy. 
Since Saturday was so hot, I was able to wear a dress that I hadn’t worn since our honeymoon!
(I like to make Brandon take pictures of me before I go outside and get all hot and sweaty. )
I had no idea where Brandon was taking me for dinner, but he had told me that it would be “right up my alley.”
And of course, he was completely right (he knows me too well!).
The restaurant was Rigsby’s Kitchen. It was voted one of the “Best Restaurants in Columbus.” And the thing Brandon knew I would like is that they use fresh seasonal produce. So their menu changes based on the seasons.
Brandon knows I love this place in Florida called “Seasons 52,” and one of the reasons is because the menu changes each season (hence the name haha). I love that he remembered that little piece of information!
As an appetizer, we tried their special of squash blossoms stuffed with ricotta and tempura battered.
These were absolutely amazing. Neither of us had ever had squash blossoms before, and I’m so glad we tried them. Delicious.
For dinner, Brandon had the “Wild Halibut poached in olive oil, with heirloom zucchini salad and a citronette.”
I joked that he was going to need a Big Mac later that night because it didn’t look like enough food for him. But he said it was very good.
For my dinner, I chose the “scallops with truffle mashed potatoes, carrots agro-dolce, and a port wine reduction.”
I looked up “agro-dolce” because I had no idea what it means, and evidently it means “sweet and sour” in Italian. So there’s a “fact of the day” for ya.
Regardless, the whole dish was delicious. Absolutely perfect.
(Don’t you love how you can see the waiter taking our picture in the mirror’s reflection? Awesome.)
After dinner, we walked around and decided to get a drink and dessert at another local spot, “eleven.”
This cake was made for me. It was called the “Buckeye Molten Cake.” A moist chocolate cake with a warm peanut butter center. And Brandon and I kicked it up a notch by requesting vanilla ice cream on the side (a requirement, if you ask me).
Brandon had a few bites, and then was kind enough to sit back as I devoured the rest. Now that’s a real man, ladies.
After our dessert, we headed back to the hotel to watch football and crash.
The following morning, we enjoyed free breakfast at the hotel before heading back to Wapak for church. Since it was still “my birthday” (just go with it, ok?), I decided to indulge.
Peanut butter, banana, and syrup on a freshly-made waffle. Perfection.
My in-laws also threw me a little birthday dinner last night, but I’ll share the details of that event later this week.
Question for ya …
How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
What did you do this Labor Day weekend?
Happy happy birthday!!!!! I’m glad your site finally got back up and running. 6.2 miles!!! Look at your climbing up those miles! Next thing you know, that will be a ‘short’ run
Super cute Under Armour long sleeve…I might copy you!
I usually love to start out with a good mellow run,eat a lot of dessert, eat out, drink too much champagne and shop! (aka my normal routine just on steroids)
Janelle recently posted..Pre-Wedding Festivities – AKA Disastrous Fun
Hahaha sounds good Janelle! We’re actually up to 10 miles … we’re slowing it back down because we have our 10k on the 17th, so we want to rest a little before that. But after the 10k, we’ll be back moving towards the 13.1 half marathon goal!
Happy Birthday! It sounds like you had an amazing weekend!
Have a great day!
Gretchen recently posted..It’s time for a random post!
Thank you, Gretchen!
Happy birthday!!! You got some great stuff and that cake looks delicious
Hope you have a great day!
Alexandra recently posted..Good News/Bad News/Great Eats WIAW
Thanks, Alexandra! Hope you had a good weekend!
Looks like lots of fun! We love Easton… that running top is super-cute, I might have to look for one.
We laid pretty low, went to the Jeffersonville outlets on Saturday and pretty much relaxed the rest of the weekend. It was glorious!
Sara recently posted..rain
That running top is awesome! It’s like thermal long-underwear, but made by Underarmor, so it keeps the sweat away. I love it!
happy birthday! hope it’s a great one. =)
amy @ fearless homemaker recently posted..fresh peach + raspberry galette
Thank you, Amy!
so sad we didn’t get to meet up! my mind was overtaken with my test all last week and i forgot to email you! next time for sure! and i’m so jealous you went to rigsbys….one of my all-time favorite restaurants in columbus. SO GOOD. funny thing is i ended up wandering around easton on saturday anyways, and i was down in the short north by rigsbys saturday night! maybe we saw each other and didn’t even know it
happy birthday!!!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..WIAW: Labor Day Eats
That is so funny! We probably saw each other and didn’t even know it!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTEN! It looks like you had such a wonderful day (and an even BETTER one now that I know pumpkin spice was involved
)
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance recently posted..Chia Seed Thick Oats Trick
Thank you, Brittany!!! Hope you’re having a great week!
Happy birthday pretty lady! I hope it’s a great one!
That camera looks great! Have fun playing with it. Aren’t new toys the best even if you’re an adult?!
Lyndsie @ highcottonlivin recently posted..WIAW + The Disappearing Bush
Thank you, Lyndsie! Yes, I’m loving my new “toy!” So fun!
what a sweet co worker!! and I love how you admit that you destroyed the cake. I would NEVER admit that, you are a much stronger and braver woman than I am!!
:)
and Tim Tebow…DROOL!! That is a MAN right there! And a God fearing one at that, does it get any better??
Kat recently posted..A Tired WIAW
Amen, sister!! After my husband, he’s the best looking Christian man I know!!
Happy early birthday!! I love your running top im gonna have to go check that out. Glad you’ve had a great time so far
Thank you!!
Happy Birthday
I love Dick’s that place is sooooo dangerous, I could get stuck in there for hours. I live right by a Nike outlet it’s so hard to hold back!
Becky @ Fit Chick on the FLy recently posted..Decadent Roasted Vegetables
Thank you! And yes, it’s DEFINITELY dangerous!
Yay I can get to your site now
. Happy birthday!!! Sounds like you had an awesome time celebrating it! Brandon is such a good hubby!
Lindsay@ In Sweetness and In Health recently posted..Walk it Out
Thanks, Lindsay! He is a VERY good hubby. I’m a blessed woman!
Happy Birthday! Your birthday dress looks amazing on you and I love all of your new work out gear and presents. I had no idea that Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back already at Starbucks, excuse me while I go get one.
Thank you Tabaitha! They sure are back .. now hurry up and go get one for both of us!!
Omgosh you look amazing!! Go gorgeous! Happy Birthday
I am in love with Tim Tebow!
I wish we had a Seasons 52 near us…I have been dying to try it…glad you had a very nice weekend!
Amy@ahealthyandhappyheart recently posted..Be Inspired Tuesday..Teacher Style!
Thanks, Amy!! I kinda love Tim Tebow, too. He was my #1 guy until I met my husband haha!
Happy Birthday! Sounds like a great trip to Easton!
Thanks Jenny!!
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