Mumford & Sons : Awake My Soul

It's My Birthday!

I will admit right now I will never be the person who "doesn't like birthdays" or won't tell anyone when it's their day of birth. I have told possibly every person I know, and several I don't. I mean, it's the day you get to eat cake, do whatever you want just because it's your birthday and people give you presents- I mean, what's not to love?!
So tomorrow will be my "big" birthday. The quarter-century birthday. Dun dun dun. I don't feel like I'm 25. I still feel like I'm 20- just starting life on my own. But sometimes I feel really old- like when I talk about my 401k, or when I had the news broken to me last week that I would need to wear bifocals. Yes, that one stung a little more than a little. (I would like to take this opportunity to thank my mother for passing down her stellar eye sight to me and not my brother. Thanks. Thanks a lot).
So as I reach this pinnacle, this momuntus occasion in life I would like to reflect back on the greatest parts of life pre-25 in, of course, chronological order:

• Birth. Thanks mom for birthing me and sorry I was too quick for an epideral.
• Ice Cream- while ice cream is delicious, I am referring to my Cabbage Patch Kid. She smelled like vanilla (I hope that was intentional) and she was my companion during alot of hard times in preschool.
• Sesame street curtains- I think my brother will share this sentiment.
• The giant red bean bag- this beauty was the most comfortable thing to nap on and made the greatest sparks when you rubbed it really fast.

• Butch- our first dog. Yes, he would hump my leg alot, but he was a good dog.
• Sledding/ hide-and-go-seek tag/ whiffle ball/ spaceship tree house/ and snow forts. These things defined my childhood and why I want a giant yard when I grow up.
• Moab, Utah. Lizard catching, sand dune tumbling, pizza eating, 4-wheeling, sunburns. Need I say more?
• Soccer and Swimming- some of the greatest memories and my best friends were because of these glorious sports.
• Peru! LeaAnn made my life with this trip. I will never look at guinea pigs the same after this trip.
• College. Not at all like it is in movies. That's all I'm sayin.
• Lindsey's wedding. Never have I been so stressed/ excited/ nervous and overall euphoric as that event. I'm getting married in jeans in a field, I can tell you that right now.
• Camp Echo. Oh camp. It was by far the worst/ best summer of my life.
• Philly/NYC/DC trip. This was whirlwind trip and one I will not soon forget.
• The Mish/ Head for the Hills/ Bike Prom: best friends + music + prom dresses = a good time.
• Oregon! My new adventure and new life. So far it's been pretty great.

2011!

We rang in the new year here in freezing Portland in style. And I mean in a karaoke bar singing Spice Girls. Ok, just Emily and I sang Spice Girls, but Brendan rocked out as well. I was so proud.
At midnight!


He was my New Year's kiss. :)


This photo says it was. It was a crazy, funny, weird, random, wonderful night!

Journey back to FoCo

While I was in CO I made the journey up to my old stompin grounds. Yes, I just said old stompin grounds. I went with my parents to the Butterfly Pavilion, where I held Rosie the tarantula with all the other 5 year olds. It was terrifying, but I got a sticker, so it was worth it.




I also got to spend the night with Jamie and Diane. We went to Odell's- which was delicious and then had an amazing dinner- thanks to Diane's dad and our amazing wonton folding skills.


I also got to have lunch with my friend Jeremy and see Mariah and Ryker! I havent seen Ryker since September and he's soo big now! I can't believe it. It's always good to see Mariah and get caught up on life. I'm so glad to know who my true friends are and to really know what it feels like to be welcomed home.

The Whirlwind that was Christmas

Christmas. I have always loved this holiday- probably because I am still a kid at heart, or maybe because I love the lights and snow and cookies. Lots and lots of cookies. This year was a little strange having to get on a plane and fly back home, but it was like I never left once I got home.


Kyle, Weston and I after downing 3 bottles of sparkling cider! woo- we still got it.


Kyle and I enjoying our plunders!


Kyle got a phone, I got a new backpack. I kind of like it, alot.


The kids, up to no good as usual.


The whole family around the dinner table. Gail looks pretty excited.