milestones and pirates

Ten years ago, on Durel's birthday, he went to a Tool concert in San Antonio with his friends, Sean and Emily.  Sean and Emily liked each other, but I can't remember if they were dating.  Yet.

Durel and I liked each other, but we were not dating.  Yet.

This year for Durel's birthday, I blew it out.  2012 has been quite a year.  And of all the milestones worth celebrating, what better than a birthday and a ten year anniversary of us, you know, hanging out sometimes?

Ever the libation-conscious hostess, I set up a bar.  (The beer was outside.  You know there was beer.)

Liz, I blame the Fresca on you.  Also, world, note the Yoda napkins.

I made a ton of food, guys.  And I didn't take pictures of anything but this white bean and artichoke dip, which was totally awesome:

I found the recipe for the white bean dip on Two Peas and Their Pod.  I totally recommend it.  It's like hummus, but if you're like me and always forget to buy the tahini, you're still good.

I made a baked wheel of Brie, wrapped in dough, and covered with a raspberry chipotle sauce.  With apple slices for dipping.  Yum.

I also bought the spinach dip from HEB that is *addictive*.  With veggies for dipping.

And, the piece de resistance, I made the Pioneer Woman's veggie lasagna.  It's really good, guys.

And, of course, ten years later, Durel, Sean, Emily and myself were not out at all the cool bars, which we knew without having to ask or even ponder.  Nope.  We're all happily married and parents now, and so, instead, this happened:

Sorry, Emily. You are awesome.

With the help of our dear friends J&J&J, and T&M&D&L, other dear friends for the same decade, our boys (they're all boys, go figure) built what they were calling a "tree stick house."  Which entailed moving all of Durel's firewood from its neat pile near the fence to a pyre-like structure which helped the big guys to climb the tree.  

They're crafty.  We used to just have to watch out for ourselves, but now we have Jack and the Neverland Pirates to think about:

So, happy birthday, Durel.  And happy tenth anniversary of our hanging out-ness, Sean and Emily.  Here's to many more decades of all that fun.

Hope your day had some kick ass friends in it.

Talk soon,
Heather