Birthday Mase! 27th on the 27th!

March 27th was Mase's 27th birthday! Fun, right?!

Mase is one of my BFF's. We go way back (one of these days I'm gonna go through all my non-digital pics and scan them all in so I can post embarrassing pics of all my friends).


































She's the A to the SKANKs.
















Believe it or not, she does enjoy hanging out with us . . . . .


































She's always the life of the party . . .















































And is the woman of a million faces . . .




























But seriously, she's one of my best friends. She is one of the most beautiful people I know. Both inside and out. She makes me laugh so hard and her heart is just as emotional as mine. She loves kitties. And she is an amazzzzzing cooker/baker. We always try to have her make the food when we all get together because it's always so good. Her chicken enchiladas . . . delish! She's there for you when you need her, and there for you when you need someone to bring you back down to earth. Without her, I probably wouldn't have learned about one of my favorite sports . . . volleyball. I tried out for the team my senior year of high school because of her, and ever since then we've been great friends and have been playing volleyball together. Mase is also an amazing interior designer with a great fashion sense all the way around. Her voice . . . awesome. Her love for Jesus. . . awesome. Her love for her family and for her friends . . . amazing.


















Thanks for being one awesome, amazing person Amy Grace! So blessed to have you in my life!

My Birthday!

Here are some random pictures that I forgot to post from celebrating my 27th birthday:

Cake 1 (made by Giant Eagle - purchased by my lovely mother)


Cake 2 (made by my awesome sister-in-law Sommer, brother-in-law Bry, and niece Bryce! I'm sure nephew Bowen helped some how too!)


I had some help with the candles. . .


This was actually from when we went out for KC's birthday to the Plymouth. I'm pretty sure I took pictures from our joint birthday bash but I can't find them . . .


I had a great 27th birthday! The End.

KC's Birthday! & MM&M!

Today marks a special day . . . one of my BFF's 27th birthday (Happy Birthday KC!)!!






















I cannot imagine my life without her. It's a funny story, because we were never friends (but she hung out with my elementary friends, and I hung out with her elementary friends --- same people) until 7th grade. Once 7th grade hit, God gave us all the same classes together, and we instantly bonded! We kicked major bum in our home ec class . . always getting bonus points for being done first in the class, having extra clean and extra dry dishes, and for the yumminess of our concoctions (let's forget about the time where I took the biscuits out of the oven and burned my hand and the cookie sheet flew and all the biscuits fell all over the floor).

We then did cheerleading and auxiliary (flag & dance team) together where our bond got even closer! And although we had completely different majors in college, we ended up being "undecided" for the first two years, so we were able to take the same classes, and I crashed at her dorm room a lot.

Kristen is one of the most thoughtful, unselfish people I know. She always knows some how when I'm in a sad or bad mood, and knows exactly what to do and say to make me feel better. She's recommended me for several different awards/speeches in college, and I know without her, I wouldn't have received the experiences and the opportunities that I did.

If I want a good laugh, I hang out with her. . if I want a REALLY good laugh, I just give her some gin and tonic.

If I ever need fashion advice or home decorating tips, or for someone to help me with words, she's it! And if I ever need a shoulder to cry on or someone to celebrate with me, she's it!

So blessed to have her in my life and so proud to call her one of my best friends!

Oh. . also! The SKANKs are getting together tomorrow to celebrate KC & I's birthdays. KC dibbed it as "MM&M"! Mexican, margaritas, and movies! Love these girls and can't wait! I'm going to make them do Just Dance 2 and take video and post it on here.

Grandma's 82nd Birthday!

My grandma turned 82 on February 9, 2011!


She didn't know how old she was, and I think she was kinda confused as to why everyone kept saying "happy birthday", but she's always a sucker for cake and presents, so she went with it.


A new coat!


One of her kitties (brother to our 2 kitties) & her birdie! Definitely get my love of animals from this woman! And my love of sweets! And maybe my forgetfulness too. . . .


But really, it was great to be able to celebrate her 82nd birthday! I sure do love her.

p.s. - Happy Valentine's Day!! Nothing big planned for us. Nice, relaxing dinner at home. . . Shane is also going to give me a back and foot massage, although he doesn't know it yet.

Sommer's 30th!

Also over labor day weekend (it was a crazy one), we celebrated Sommer's 30th Birthday!



This was also the first time seeing Bowen since the day he was born at the hospital (so this was pretty much the only picture I took of Sommer. . . but the party was great! Lots of yummy food and cookies and cream ice cream cake from ColdStone)!

Couple of my favorite pics of Bowen:




Bryce was super excited when she got to hold him. It was so cute!







My favorite to date:

Bowen with Grandma Rita

Austin's 7th Birthday!

Labor day weekend we celebrated my cousin, Austin's, 7th birthday!

He had already had the party with his friends before we got there, but he was still all sugared up from the cake and all the kids were running around like crazy!



My grandma caught him real quick to give him a hug though!



Can you tell this girl is growing up with two brothers?



Ava, playing on top of the playhouse instead of inside of it.

Here's Tyler (Austin & Ava's baby brother) with his dad.



Man I feel old. Just yesterday these kids were born. I swear.

August is C-R-A-Z-Y!

1). . . Holy cow it's August already.
2) This summer has been amazing weather wise.
3) I need three more months of summer in order to fit everything in that I want to do.

Upcoming Events:

• last sand volleyball game (sniff, sniff)
• Jess & Jase's wedding
• Bryce's 2nd birthday party
• Shane & I's 3rd Anniversary
• RENT @ Erie Playhouse
• Waldameer
  
• Erie Zoo
• Birthdays
• Anniversaries
  
• At least ONE more day at beach (only been there once this summer)
• Mani/Pedi
  
• Rehearsal & Dinner
  
• Josh & Mase's Wedding
• Crawford County Fair
• Baby Nephew being born
• House list (too big to mention deets)
  

I'm starting to get antsy because I feel like I have too many things on my list and not enough time to do it. But really . . . when does anyone have enough time to do the things they need to do?! And yes I NEED to go to Waldameer and the Zoo and the Fair. I feel like I don't take advantage of the things Erie has to offer, and I need to enjoy them more!

Behren's 4th Birthday!

Happy 4th Birthday, Behren!

Shaney's 26th Birthday!

This past weekend, we celebrated Shaney's birthday!

Friday, we went to JR's Last Laugh with his fam and my parents! It was so much fun, and I really don't know why we don't go there more often!
Saturday, we had the fam over to celebrate with some pizza, cake, and icecream!
We like to get fun cakes, because who says that you have to have balloons on every single cake past 16?!And the awesomely true card that my parents got Shane . . . .
Gosh do I have the best parents and hubby anyone could ask for! ;-)

Seriously though.

Birthday Bear!

Aww! Look at what got delivered to me today (I didn't even know I could get things delivered to me here at work)! The cutest bear ever by the cutest person ever, my hubby!!

Thanks baber!! I can't stop smiling!! You are the best! :-)

Grandma's Birthday!

Sunday we celebrated my Grandma's 81st birthday! We went to the golden corral for brunch and then back to Shane and I's house to eat cake and open all her presents (she opened them, we all watched . . . . and ate all the cake).


(still in the process of fixing up our house and decorating)



It is so nice to be able to be home and celebrate with everyone. These are the moments we missed out on when we were living in Virginia, and this is why I am so glad to be home. My grandma and family mean so much to me and we are just so blessed to have what we have.

Tuesday was her actual birthday, so after my 30 minute trip from work to McDonalds (to get her a cheeseburger, fries - to split -, and a hot chocolate) to her house (which should have only taken like 5 minutes), I surprised her for lunch! She was so excited. Her smile went from ear to ear and she was there with open arms walking towards me (because she just couldn't wait to hug me). I could feel her enjoyment and love, and I sure love her too!

Mommy's Birthday!

Today is my Mommy's birthday! We actually celebrated yesterday, because she has to work until 8pm tonight (I know, right?!)! We brought her a cake and flowers and a picture of us and some custom coasters and an eyebrow pencil and a bag where some of the proceeds went towards Breast Cancer Research.
Behren was helping her open the presents. He's such a good helper!
Got the cake from Giant Eagle in Harborcreek. Was very happy with it! I told them I didn't want the normal "flowers" or "balloons" . . . that I wanted something different. I said hearts and purples and blues and this is what they came up with!
I really hope my mom has the best birthday ever, because she deserves it! My mom is the most caring, selfless person I know. She is always putting other people first and takes so much time out of her day to help other people and to make their lives better. She is such a strong woman, who knows what she wants. Whenever I need her, she is there, and she loves me more than anyone I know. She is my best friend.

I love you mommy! :-)

Austin’s 6th Birthday!

We celebrated my cousin Austin’s 6th Birthday this past weekend at one of the zoo pavilions! It was a little chilly, but the kiddos were having a great time with their face painting, playgrounds, and cupcakes!

To be young again though . . . the funniest part of the whole birthday was when Austin and his friend Ryan were waiting for their friend (Liam – snake face) to get his face painted. Ryan leans over to Austin and says, “Hey! Do you want to chase me while we wait?!” . . . to which Austin replies, “Yeah!” and he starts chasing Ryan around with his transformer mask on! I could not stop laughing!