One of the big challenges of the birthday road trip was figuring out how to drive the dogs in our fabulous new car.  We didn’t want them slobbering all over the doors and windows, so we found this fabulous gate to keep them back in the cargo area.  We loaded it up with blankets and their dog beds, and they had quite the posh setup back there.  Even so, I think they were a little nervous when they first saw their new setup.

We rolled on through the mountains of Maryland and Pennsylvania…

And eventually the dogs settled into their new digs.  Aside from a few stops and potty breaks, they slept the ENTIRE 9 hour drive to Ohio – such good boys!

And there was just enough room between our bags for me to keep an eye on them.

As part of our road trip food stash, I had been eagerly anticipating what was in this box for two long days.

Ashley dropped by earlier in the week to deliver birthday cupcakes!  I decided they would be a fun birthday trip on the road.  Delicious red velvet and chocolate peanut butter heaven.

I busted them out during a Starbucks stop in a strip mall.

Totally delicious, and a perfect mid-day treat!

Back on the road, we continued our cross-country tour of the Midwest.

Casey was amazing and drove the ENTIRE nine hour ride!  My hero.

The pups were precious angels in their backseat prison.  When we finally got to Cincinnati, we took them to their favorite kennel where they are having fun playing with all their old friends.

Check out one of my birthday presents from Casey – my first pair of Tom’s!  I am totally in love with them, and haven’t taken them off since I opened the box.

Finally after many long hours in the car, we made it to mom’s house for a delicious birthday dinner with my mom and Lindsey.

Vegetarian skyline chili – birthday girl’s request.

Set out on the pretty table – complete with cornbread, cheesy toppings, and homemade salad.  So delicious!

After dinner we did gifts…

Check out these AMAZING dog coats for Huey and Indy embroidered with Daily Garnish logos.  My mom is too cute!  The boys are going to love them.  That short hair doesn’t keep them very warm in the winter.

And after gifts is of course – DESSERT!  Four ice cream options – vegan ice cream, two kinds of vegan sorbet, and Cincinnati classic Graeter’s Ice Cream.

Happy Birthday to ME!

A double chocolate vegan cake from Whole Foods.  Incredible.

Lots of wishes for a healthy and happy year ahead.

It was the perfect birthday, and I wouldn’t have changed a thing.  While the road trip was long, it was actually really nice for Casey and I to both just unplug and spend quality time together on the road.  We talked for nine hours straight, and then the fun continued when we got to Cincy.

Thank you ALL for so many wonderful birthday wishes, emails, and Tweets.  I feel so loved!

Since I am spending the majority of my birthday road-tripping across the Midwest, I thought I’d take you guys on a trip down memory lane.  Believe it or not, I’m actually really excited about turning 30 today, and in the spirit of celebration, here’s a look back at my first 30 years…

I came into the world on February 24th, 1981 – I believe it was a Tuesday.  My mom tells me that from a very early age I have always been a creative thinker and a free spirit.

For the first few years, I had these precious little pigtails that my mom adored.

And then one day, when left alone with a babysitter, I snuck off and chopped one of them completely off with a pair of scissors.  And so for the next several years, my poor mother had a little girl with a bowl haircut. 

One of my best birthday parties ever was my ZOO party, where a zookeeper actually came to my house with things like snakes and baby crocodiles.  You better believe I was the hit of the 1st grade that year.

The next year I had a gymnastics party, and I can say with a smile that the girl helping me blow out my candles is still one of my closest friends in the world today.  Our friendship is 28 years strong!

I was a total child of the 80s, and embraced Umbros, Jams, puffy paint, LA Gear, and all the rest of it with open arms.  Check out my mom’s rockin’ perm!

My great-grandmother had a beautiful beach house in Stone Harbor, New Jersey, and every summer my mom would take me and my sisters there from June to August while she cared for Grammy.  I had no idea that ALL kids didn’t grow up living one quarter of their lives at the beach.  Ahhh to be young…

I was clearly a charmer back in the day.  :)

Although just like today, even then I still found myself at a loss for words sometimes.

For 14 years, my life was gymnastics and dance.

And I probably spent as much time upside-down as I did standing up.

Eventually my hair grew back.  Just in time for my teeth to fall out.

And I celebrated more birthdays with the same great friends.

You may have noticed, I was also blonde.  And apparently didn’t brush my hair very often.

The blondeness came from the summers in the sun.  Once we left New Jersey each year, we headed to Hilton Head to spend the rest of August with my dad’s family – swimming the pool, catching frogs, and riding bikes until the sun went down.  (Hi cousin Dana!)

I reached my awkward pre-teen years just in time for the height of 80’s fashion.

And I can distinctly remember at the time thinking this was one of the coolest pictures ever taken.  (After we got them developed, of course!)

For ten years it was just me and Rebecca – permanent playmates.

But then as a surprise to us all, Sarah came along right before my 10th birthday!

And she instantly became my new favorite toy.

I like to remind her today that I basically raised her.

Eventually, I became an awkward teenager with braces and weird baggy clothing.  I remember thinking at the time that this dress was SO short and scandalous.  What?

I will do us all a favor and stop at the horrific teenage years.  When I think about growing up, I picture the sandy haired little firecracker who always did her own thing, and never took no for an answer.

My hair color may have changed, but my mom will agree that I am definitely still that same little girl 30 years later.  I know some people see turning thirty as a scary or depressing foray into adulthood, but I’m totally ready for it. 

Here’s to the next thirty – may they be full of life and love!