IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

Wahoo!

I turn 32 years young today.

I sure don't feel like I'm 32.  :)

The Coleighpalooza celebration started yesterday!

My parents came to visit me and took me out to lunch.

Then we took a quick trip to Target and Hobby Lobby {a couple of my favorite stores}.

I got some sweet gifts from them!

 

Staple gun

A variety of threads, needles, and a seam ripper

Set of 3 ceramic dishes

2 pillows {I saw them on Facebook and mom copied them for me}  :)

A few hours after I bid mom & dad a 'see ya later',

it was time to go out to supper with some girlfriends.

We went to The Cafe in Ames.

{I guess it was a questionable choice to some. 

But I love their mac & cheese....and it was back on the menu!}

I even had dessert here.

It was AMAZING!

 

 Chocolate peanut butter mousse cake.

Oh my.  This was absolutely delicious!

I would seriously go back there today to get just this dessert.

YUM!  {Good thing I have some leftovers!}

If you are in the area and haven't tried this dessert yet
{and you like chocolate and peanut butter together},
you really should go try it now!

After we were all stuffed and sweetened up,

we headed to Hobby Lobby.

Who doesn't enjoy 2 trips to Hobby Lobby in one day?  :)

Coleighpalooza continues today!

After church, some friends and I will be heading to a nearby town for lunch that involves chocolate!

Maybe play some games as well.

And apparently I spoiled a surprise for tonight already.

Oops!  I didn't mean to!

So, I'll report on it after it happens.

:)

Happy Birthday Carson

Happy 2nd Birthday Carson!

You are my favorite {and only} 2 year old nephew!

I hope your day is filled with many fun things, and lots of playing outside or in the shop.

See you next week! 

:)

Happy Birthday Gina!

Happy 27th Birthday Gina!!

 When I see you next, maybe there will be lots of snow on the ground,

so you can do this!

:)

Grandpa's 90th Birthday

Last Saturday night, some family gathered together to celebrate Grandpa's 90th birthday.

His birthday is actually on Christmas day.  And his name is Herald.  I don't know when I figured it out, but I did figure out why my grandpa is the only one I know with his name spelled Herald. 

In attendance:

Grandpa & Grandma...of course  :)

3 children and 2 spouses 

One of Grandpa's brothers

8 Grandkids & 6 spouses

18 Great Grandkids

2 Great Great Grandkids

1 Nephew & wife

Total number in all:  44

That's a LOT! of people in one house! 

I tried to take more pictures of people.  However, the younger kids called me 'camera lady', and ran whenever they saw me.  It was actually a fun game for a little while.  But, the pictures weren't the greatest because of it.  :) 

Now how about a picture of  G&G with the younger great & great great grandkids.

It was a bit chaotic to get everyone looking in the same direction, to keep everyone in the picture and not crawling away, but I think this next one is the best at that.  A couple of the little ones aren't looking....and one is hiding.  But that's what you get.

My sister wanted this picture.

Jacquelyn (my niece), Mom, Grandma (aka Great Grams), Andrea

We also tried to get one of the babes. 

Carson was almost too old for this picture.  He didn't want to just sit there. 

It was great to have almost everyone there to celebrate such a milestone birthday.  Due to Gina and Jay traveling in England, they weren't able to Skype for this birthday party.  :( 

The next time we will all get together will hopefully be the Christmas in July party!

And now we are done!

Celebrating Without The Guest - Gina

Monday night...Gina's birthday...our friend Amy and I decided to have a little party for Gina, without her there. Since spaghetti is one of her favorite meals, that's what we had! Amy even made a little angel food cake for the party as well, in addition to some decor.

It was a fun party Gina. But it would have been better if you were actually there. And here are the pictures.

A little bit of decor.

Supper time!! Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread.
Dessert time! Gina...you'd be proud. I got this fantastic ice cream from Aldi.

Eat up!

Amy having some fun after the 'party' with the balloons before she walked her few feet home.

I like this idea of having birthday parties, even if the guest of honor isn't there. I think we might have to continue this tradition.

HaPpY BiRtHdAy GiNa!!

Today my little sister turns 25.

HaPpY BiRtHdAy GiNeRd!!!

What a Great Birthday!

Today was my 29th birthday!!


And it was a great birthday at that. Even though the day started out not so fun with some sinus, ear, and headache problems, it ended great. Mandy had a little gathering at her house for me, which was more than what I was expecting. Usually I spend my birthday like any other day of the year. But THANK YOU Mandy for celebrating me! And thank you to all who showed up and celebrated my birthday with me. Some of my favorite people showed up and gave me some amazing gifts....which were my favorite things! Thank you!

Gina!!! Thanks so much for the flowers! I'm sorry I wasn't in the office to receive them today. But thank you!! I'll take a picture of them for you tomorrow....in the daylight. And bummer that my birthday is so close to Valentine's Day, when flower places can jack up their prices to obscene amounts. I will enjoy these flowers for as long as they let me!