The Real Thing

Part II and Part III of my 20th Birthday

Monday morning my dad took me out for breakfast – which is something he’s done since we were little girls. It's our birthday date with dad. And for the majority of my life, we haven’t been able to do this because I’ve had school. But this year it was possible because we both had off for Labor Day. Sadly, our favorite diner, Emma’s, was closed because of the holiday. We went across the street to another restaurant. And that’s the last time we’ll ever go there… Dad said, “If you can’t make breakfast, you can’t do anything”.
Yes you heard it here first.

Then Tuesday – my actual birthday – Kayla, Bucky, Grandmom, and Grandpop came over for dinner. My Grandpop’s birthday was the 1st – so we had a joint partay. And even though it was raining buckets and cats and dogs, everyone arrived safely and also quite hungry :) Mom made asparagus, mashed potatoes, homemade applesauce, grilled pork tenderloin, and we also had fresh bakery rolls and cantaloupe. It was so so good. She also whipped up ANOTHER chocolate cake. Only this time the vanilla icing was homemade. (Yes, this is the moment when you realize my family demolished two cakes in about 5 days. And I’ll be in a bathing suit in two days. Awesome.) But it was all delicious. DELICIOUS.

When it was time for cake, I handed my dad my phone and asked him to take a few pictures.  That man is so dear. He held that phone up with such intensity making sure he got every possible shot.

Very precious. I’m not sure if you can tell, but the candles, wish making, and singing were already way finished and he was still snapping away :) This last picture ^^ resulted in an AWESOME shot of Kayla and Bucky… Am I right? Or am I right?

Here are the others he took… yes he got every single step. The pre-lights-off smile. The candle adjustment. The smiling while singing. The making of a wish (Which I totally forgot I had to do and panicked!). And the candle blowing. YAY.

 

Then I got to open my presents which included a lovely cheetah clutch from my parents, two books that I REALLY REALLY wanted from Sar-Bear, and an extremely comical card with a stay-tuned-your-present-has-been-shipped notice from Kay and Bucky. I’m a very blessed twenty year old. For the gifts I was given and for the wonderful family I have :)

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!!
I’m wearing jeans because I sit at a desk all day and no one will see my legs anyway.
That rhymed. Yes.
Cheers to the freaking weekend.Yeah.Yeah.

It’s my party… dance if I want to…

We can get crazy – let it all out.

And let it all out we did. In a good way of course. My 20th was celebrated over 4 days – which really is the best way to celebrate. I’m a big fan of stretching the love out… so I’m gonna stretch it out on the ole’ bloggy-blog too :)

Sunday after church Dad, Mom, Sarah, Mark and I went to Red Robin… I got a free sundae and that pretty much rocked. Especially because the waiter and I both agreed that singing would be embarrassing – for me and all the teenage boys who were waiting tables. Seriously there was not one waitress.

I absolutely love their grilled chicken salad with the poppy-seed dressing. It’s amazing. I used to be a Red Robin Burger girl. But now I’m hooked on this salad! I’m really glad Sarah wants to go back for her birthday in a few weeks :) After lunch we went back to the house for cake. My mother got up early on Sunday and made it before church! Best.Mom.Ever. I personally love the fact that it’s lopsided… Chocolate cake with vanilla icing – delish!!

I had to work that afternoon which was kind of a bummer. Actually it was a huge bummer. But I did have off on Labor Day, so that made it all tolerable :)

In other news: I hope none of you are drowning under all this rain… I’m faring quite well but I really wish it was raining over Texas. They need it. Praying for them – I cannot imagine what the threat of forest fires must be like.

Pots, Pans, and Plates – OH MY!!

 

My sister’s bridal shower was a month ago! Holy Canoli – where does time go!?

Between work and life I’ve been crazy busy and now with only 10 days left until the wedding it’s only getting busier!! I think the last time I blogged about the shower was in April - the invitations my mother made were beautiful!! She did an amazing job coordinating the shower too! 

Keeping the surprise was really tricky for us because Kay still lives here at home. My mom was constantly hiding stuff in her closet and in the basement! It was crazy! She was convinced that Kayla had figured out when the shower was, but she was totally surprised! She thought it was going to be a few weeks later due to one of her future-sisters-in-law coming to town… When she walked in she was completely stunned!

She thought she was just showing her fiancé and his mom around our church… little did she know we were all waiting in the dark!! And wait we did… they couldn’t get her downstairs and we waited with the lights off for 15 minutes!!

She was surrounded by white and purple – gotta love Bed, Bath & Beyond free gift wrap!!

Congratulations Jeremiah & Kayla!!

These were the favors – little boxes in the shape of a slice of cake filled with candy – these were SUCH a pain in the rear end. If you’re throwing a shower don’t choose these… we had to glue them together and no matter how many times we glued them, they kept on popping open!!

 
I love these ladies!!!

When it was all over we loaded up three cars in the pouring rain and delivered it all to their apartment!! It was such a nice afternoon with friends and family!!