Hi everyone! I hope you all are having a great weekend. Mine has been fantastic. I’ve had two days of birthday celebrations. I may just be celebrated out by the time my actual birthday rolls around tomorrow 
My mom, step-dad, sister, and brother-in-law rolled in around 9:00 Friday, and we all stayed up late chatting and catching up. That didn’t stop us from getting up and around Saturday to start birthday weekend! We headed out the door for a day of hiking. Before we made it to our final destination, we stopped in Van Buren, AR. Van Buren is a neat historic town that John and I had visited once before. It was on our way so I thought it would be fun to stop and show the family. We’re all history buffs and love poking around old towns.
Isn’t this a beautiful old building?
Newlyweds
Caite figured out the timer on my camera, and we were able to get a quick group shot!
After spending about an hour there, we left Van Buren and headed to Devil’s Den State Park. Arkansas has amazing state parks. Not only is the scenery beautiful, but the state does an excellent job of maintaining them. Devil’s Den is no exception. We had a quick picnic lunch, and then we were ready to hit the trail. But not before Caite and I had a thirty second dance party (<–any Grey’s fans out there?) !
We spent the rest of the afternoon hiking and we had a great time. Here are a few shots of our day!
We finished up the day with a trip to my favorite Italian restaurant and some frozen yogurt. Unfortunately, I was starving, and I wolfed down the food before I got any pictures! Rest assured that it was more than satisfying.
Before everyone left today, my mom had to help me put the new ribbon on my brand new tree. Mom’s a genius with the ribbon, and I’m pretty happy with the way the tree turned out. John had the honor of putting the new topper on, and, yes, I was worried about him breaking the coffee table!
I opened up my birthday presents, and, as always, my family out did themselves. I got a beautiful new dress, a cool retro carry-on bag, and my new daughter Christmas ornament. I also got one more thing that I’ve purposely saved until the end to show you all.
How awesome is this?! My sister is an incredibly talented graphic artist, and she designed this for me. I am thrilled, and I can’t wait to wear it. Between my presents and all the celebrating, can you guys tell why birthdays are pretty cool in my family?
I’m tuckered out, and I plan to spend the rest of the evening in front of the TV with a good movie. Since my birthday is tomorrow, maybe John will let me pick the movie. See you guys tomorrow!
How was your weekend? Tell me what you did!
Aww, it looks like you had such a great weekend with the fam! Whenever we travel or take roadtrips, my dad always insists on taking “the scenic route,” aka the super, super long way so we can poke around towns and whatnot. (In college, he majored in history, so he’s quite the history buff too.
) Caite did a phenomenal job designing the shirt–so cool!
I love my shirt! Your dad sounds like my kind of guy
I love seeing what’s out there to discover!
HOLY shiz your sister is adorable, I love that shirt! so sweet of her. these pictures make me super homesick but I just love seeing you with your family. melts my heart
Isn’t she cute?! She’s the photogenic one!
My heart just exploded with happiness!! This post was better than I expected!! The pictures of you and Caite dancing, the selfie of you and the picture of you and Caite on the trail just scream pure elation!! I absolutely LOVELOVELOVE the shirt!! Do I ever love the shirt! Nat — I’m SO happy that you got a birthday weekend you deserved!! I know for a fact, beyond even the smallest shadow of a doubt that this year will be the best yet for you. I think that you’ve really learned how to embrace life this past little while, and I know that you’re going to carry that wisdom and those feelings forward with you. I cannot wait to see what this year has in store for you, and how you’re going to make the most of it.
I’m beyond words ecstatic right now. Are you ready, World? Nat’s here for ya.
Thank you, friend! I’m really excited about the coming year as well. I’m composing a list of “30 Before 30″. 30 things to accomplish before my big birthday next year!
Aww that shirt is adorable! Your sister is very talented.
I was over the moon about the shirt! She is so good at stuff like that.
That shirt is awesome- and it looks super comfy!
Looks like you had such a great weekend celebrating with your fam!
My weekend- babysat my niece on Friday night (so fun!), shopping and Christmas party on Saturday. It was pretty great, but I’m super tired to start another work week!
We did have a blast! But I hear you about being tired-I feel like I need another weekend to recover from this one
Your family is so cute! What a great way to celebrate your birthday, and that tshirt is awesome!! Happy early birthday!
I love the shirt! I can’t wait to wear it! Thanks
Happy Birthday! Your weekend looks like it was a blast – I too love hiking and the outdoors. And, is that a Bear’s shirt I see on John? My husband and I are avid fans
It is a Bears t-shirt! I have to be honest-he’s not a fan necessarily. He just loves the shirt! He does love football though, and doesn’t really have a particular team that he loves. I’ll put in a good word for the Bears for ya
Awww such a great weekend! Your family is adorable! Happy late bday!!
Thanks, Laurie
And you’re actually not late! Today is the actual day 
Natalie, your shirt is seriously the cutest thing ever! Happy birthday!!! Sounds like my kind of day–cute little historical town, hiking with family, and Italian food!
Oh my goodness…I am originally from AR! I learned how to drive a stick shift at Devils Den State Park one weekend when my parents came to visit me at the U of A. The whole family went camping there. Our list of things we have in common just keeps growing.
Oh my gosh! That’s awesome! What a small world. And let me just say-kudos to you for learning to drive a stick shift there. That could not have been easy!!
No, it wasn’t. It resulted in tears with my very stubborn Dad…so no kudos should be given!