A Birthday to Remember

I had a wonderful birthday this weekend!  Michael really managed to surprise me this time.  I had no idea the day would be anything out of the ordinary.

It started Friday morning after I opened a few gifts (including an espresso machine...mama loves coffee!)  Michael dropped a quick remark to me to be ready at 2:30 with my bag packed.  What?!?  What happened to our family dinner at TFIFriday's?

Grace and Jack were in on the secret too.  They did a good job of keeping things quiet after Michael left, although Grace reassured me that I would "approve" of the friends they were staying with.  I wish I had a picture of her face because she wanted to tell me all the details SO badly.  She just couldn't stand it!

Michael picked me up in the afternoon and took me to Great Fosters, a gorgeous historic hotel only a few miles away.  After he dropped me off, he left for awhile to shuttle the kids around.  We stayed in the Tapestry room, a huge room with old wood floors, 17th century tapestries, a huge bathtub, and a mantle from the 1600's.  We had gorgeous views of the traditional English gardens.

When Michael got back, we strolled around the grounds, had a cocktail, and ate a delicious gourmet dinner. It was really a birthday to remember!

The front entrance of the hotel

A tiny door to enter the hotel

The reception area.  A few fires were lit since the autumn chill had arrived.

Our room...look at the ceiling and the tapestries!

View from our room

Fireplace in the bedroom

The bathroom.  Please excuse the iPhone pictures!

An afternoon snack for the birthday girl

I loved the old windows.

Fireplace in the bathroom

Beehives on the 50 acre property

Our old-fashioned room key

The wood for all the fireplaces

There were 2 weddings on that day 

A fruit/chocolate/champagne tray from Wes and Suzette

A sneaky and sweet husband