Amanda's Birthday Celebration

Okay, so Amanda turned the big 40 on September 2nd, and we decided to celebrate in a very classy setting. She chose to go to The Spa at the Grove Park Inn. She's been there before but I haven't and oh my.....I was almost intimidated just walking into the place. It is absolutely beautiful with stone and rocks everywhere. Simply breathtaking. They allowed no cameras except for a couple of places, but I snuck mine around just a little....still didn't get shots of the inside of the place. This was a true day of relaxation. All of us (6 ladies) had massages scheduled and after that we got full use of all the pools, hot tubs, fire places, saunas, etc., etc. The only problem was that the place required extreme quietness everywhere....this would be a problem. My big mouth and Mom's and Shirley's giggles (especially after mojitos) probably could have had us thrown out.

The three amigos!

Shirley, Mom, Sharon, me, Amanda, and MaryJo right outside the spa at another sitting, resting area.

Amanda and her sister.

These pictures, by the way, were taken after we had been rubbed with oils, extracts, lotions, etc.

Everywhere you went, there were gigantic pots of flowering plants. Beautiful, to say the least.

These were Amanda's birthday napkins...because we both like Grey's Anatomy.....the other part would have probably been okay too.

Amanda and her cake...made by Demetria, of course. Chocolate cake with coffee buttercream icing....extreme deliciousness!

A margarita glass decorated with beachy stuff....check out the turtle.

This is Herbert the Turtle....a sentimental touch from Jr. High and High School beach trips. We had a huge 'turtle' float for several trips and used it endlessly. Needless to say, he appeared again on her cake!

Had fun!! Happy Birthday, Amanda Jane! MaryJo and I both have birthdays in November....could we possibly...........................