Happy Birthday, Nick!

This weekend the Hopkins clan rounded up the troops to head to Indiana to "surprise" Nick on his 30th birthday. Of course, his mind is so quick, he knew something was up and it wasn't entirely a surprise...But it was a blast nonetheless to celebrate his life and what he means to his family. Nick is as fun-loving as he is smart and witty...It was a pleasure to spend time in the lovely home he and Natalie have created for their baby, Ali.
About 15 of us (his in-laws included) met for dinner at an Italian restaurant in Indianapolis. My seafood pizza was delish...the fun of being around so much family was even better.

Nick blows out his 30 candles after a cook-out consisting of hot dogs, bratwurst, hamburgers, party potatoes and mac & cheese. Yum!
Earlier in the day while the boys golfed, the ladies took the kids to the zoo. Laney's dream of touching a shark came true!

The zoo had an amazing aquarium-like exhibit with cool shark features. Laney was in love. After watching a dolphin show, her Aunt Nat took the kids on a merry-go-round ride.

The smiles didn't last long...Poor Max sat on his lion with a dazed expression on his face as his animal stayed put while all the others rode up and down.

We each left Indiana treasuring sweet memories of moments shared with family. Mom & Jeff enjoyed the game times best...I didn't ask Dad but he probably enjoyed the golfing and smorgasbord of yummy but fatty food. Nick said it was all so special, he couldn't choose just one thing he loved best, a typical evasive male Hopkins response! I most enjoyed the conversations shared with the women of the bunch...talking to my sisters-in-law, mother-in-law, the lively ladies in my sister-in-law's family, and trying to get my two sweet baby nieces to babble!
When I married into Jeff's life, it came with lots of extras...some good, some bad. But I will enthusiastically say being included in his wonderful family is the biggest bonus of our marriage and I am so grateful.