The best 25 years of my life...

Well folks, I turned the big 2-5 this past weekend! I have always said, I hope I live to 100 years and that is still true today. Sometimes people get caught up worrying about their age, or afraid to look their age, or that age somehow changes who they are or who they can be. Although most of you would say, ha, easy for her to say she is still young; I have always believed in celebrating age. Think of all the things you have seen, learned, acquired, and felt during those years of your life?!?! Would you really give them all away to be younger; would you give them all away to change something? Well, my answer is no. I truly think growing old is a blessing, and when I reach 100 years old I will sit in my rocking chair, on my porch in the mountains, on that beautiful fall day and say, "Thank you God for allowing me this many years and allowing me to see the world you have created for us."

I celebrated my first quarter of century of life in Clemson, of course! I couldn't think of a better place! We played Boston College this weekend and were granted a win for my birthday! A little celebration at the Esso and let's just say the rest is history.... yes, history... that is the best thing to call it! :)

I got to see a few friends I haven't seen in a while! I love reunions! I spent Friday night with Tamra Brock, one of my great friends from nursing school. We had dinner and spent the evening checking out the homecoming floats on Bowman field. Only got to see Elizabeth and Ryan briefly, which makes me sad, but hopefully a longer reunion soon! We also spent time with some good ole Chapin folks, Daivd and Jake! They were at my after party/birthday party where the "history" was being made. All right, all right... it included me purposely falling asleep on the couch before my birthday cake was even cut. But it was a great!

Bentley came along with us on the trip too. He was much more behaved in the car this time. He must be getting used to the long rides! :)

picture update...

I haven't blogged in quite a while, so I figured the best way to update everyone would be just a picture update. Otherwise this would be a very VERY long blog. So here is what the pictures indicate: our visit from David, our finished stockings, our first kinda big snow (4inches), new carpet installation, baking with my new stand mixer! (buckeyes of course), visit from Amanda and Christina, and baking Gary's birthday cake (late).

he's here, he's here....

Our nephew, Peyton Kyle was born the morning of November 15th. 9lbs 2oz, and 21 inches!! what a monster! :) Needless to say, I'm not sure if the baby cocoon I made for him will be big enough. Maybe it can stretch! haha. We cannot wait to get home next week for Thanksgiving so we can meet him!

Hailey, our niece is already becoming the best big sister!

post dated blog: My Birthday

Hello blog followers. Due to an increase in extra curricular activities in my life lately, I have gotten behind on blogging about those activities. So, today I am going to update you on my birthday. As you know, this was my first birthday away from family and friends :( but, seeing as I have the best husband in the world, the festivities were not lacking. We woke up and Gary had my presents laying out on the couch along with a very cute card. I opened them up and found a new sweater and also a new hair dryer. (the previously blogged about hair dryer still works, but it doesn't blow hot air.)We had planned a day in National Harbor, so after opening gifts I hopped in the shower. Unknown to me, while I was in the shower Gary set up a pinata for me. haha. It was kinda funny and childish at first, but it was actually REALLY fun breaking it open. We didn't have a bat or anything to swing with, so I had to use a really large wrench, also very funny.

So we ate some candy (all the best varieties of course), finished getting ready and started off for National Harbor. National Harbor is a touristy/ unique restaurant/ shops kind of place. Very cool! We walked around for a while, saw the sights, had lunch at a place called Ketchup, and walked around some more. We spent the whole day hanging out there. There was even a PEEPS store. I know my dad would love that! There was beautiful landscaping, water fountains, architecture, and art!
We sat on a bench at the river walk and watched the sun set on Potomac River! It was perfect, the best birthday ever! As it got dark we returned to our car to change clothes, we had dinner reservations at a really nice restaurant called Grace's Mandarin!















The town lit up at night and was beautiful! The restaurant had a water fall that flowed through the two levels and a very large Buddha (who I am posing with). I had teppanyaki salmon and Gary had a seafood medley! Delicious!













After dinner we head back home, I had such a wonderful day! Little did I know I had more in store! :) Gary bought a chocolate pie and put candles in it to spell out "24"


Whew... what a day! I will definitely need to do something spectacular for Gary's birthday... good thing I have a while to think it up!!