Birthday Weekend

The big "30" bash started off on Thursday with a trip to my parents' for a yummy dinner followed by a delicious cake made by Tim.  He made a very delectable Coffee Cake with a coffee batter and coffee icing.  We played a rousing game of Camping Trivia where I think we all learned a lot!  We spent the night because we were headed to Missoula the next the day.

We were actually planning on going to Vegas with some friends for a birthday celebration, but that didn't quite work out!  So I guess Missoula was the next best place!  Actually Tim had made some new countertops for my cousins and we needed to get over there and install them, so we thought we would make a whole weekend of it.  We left early Friday morning with about -25 degree weather.  We stopped in Helena at Tim's sister's for lunch and a quick visit then headed on to Missoula where it was a balmy 15 above!  We did some quick shopping then went to the Pearl for a wonderful meal.  We completely stuffed ourselves on Scallops and Shiitake mushrooms in a ginger cream sauce, roasted cauliflower curry soup, Bison Tenderloin with a Huckleberry & Wine Sauce and a Beef Tenderloin with a Peppercorn Gravy.  One of the best meals we've had!

Saturday morning we headed for Lolo.  We were planning a little Ostertag Cousin Reunion, so Debbie had arrived from Conrad the night before.  Sue cooked us breakfast and then Tom and Tim quickly got to work dismantling the old countertops while we girls chatted and got in the way! 

We spent the day visiting and shared many laughs as usually happens when there is more than one Ostertag present!  Of course we had to pose for a family photo since we don't all get together that often.  All cousins were in attendance!

Tom, Debbie, Kristi and "Mike"

Tom and Sue treated us to a wonderful dinner at Lolo Creek Steakhouse, where we once again stuffed ourselves!  Thanks for all the entertainment Ostertag Family!  Wished we cold see eachother more.  Tom and Sue's girl, Brenna and Amy are growing up fast!

Sunday Tim and I had breakfast at Finn and Porter where I got to visit with some of my old co-workers that are still there!  After our usual stop at the Good Food Store, it was time to hit the road again.  We surprising had mostly bare roads the whole way.  It's still a long trip when we have to haul our big tool trailer behind, but we didn't have any problems.  We stopped in Great Falls to have lunch with Sarah, Jimmy and the boys.  So glad we live so close now!  Had a very nice, relaxing weekend and it was hard to leave the "tropics" of western Montana!  I had a most enjoyable birthday thanks to Tim and my parents!  So far, 30 ain't bad!