We've Had Some Birthdays-Shout Hooray!

Birthdays are kind of a big deal around here. It's basically the perfect excuse to partake in all your favorite things! I like to make sure that all birthdays involve a lot of whatever the birthday person loves-myself included! Well mine and Nate's birthdays are only nine days apart, so what has been happening instead is one day of a lot of celebrating, a week of minor celebrating, capped off by another day of lots of celebrating.

It's kind of the best!

This year for my birthday we took it fairly easy. I had a pretty bad cold, but we still managed to make it one of my very best. We went to lunch at Black Sheep Cafe, went to see the Cinderella movie, got as many free birthday treats as possible and relaxed all evening. It was perfect.

That weekend we met up with my family to celebrate both of our birthdays. We took a stroll around the capitol, had a delicious dinner at Tucanos and opened a few presents. Sunday we had cake and ice cream with the rest of the family. It was a blast to celebrate both of our birthdays with so many people we love.

 (For me-two small candles representing a 2-for a "25")

  (for Nate-he's 26 now!)

 This past Saturday was Nathan's birthday! I made sure we did all of his favorite things! We stayed up late so he could open his presents at midnight. The next morning we slept in, and went out for breakfast. After that we went shooting, and we both had the best times-we probably only missed three clays between the two of us! Later we went to dinner at a delicious Chilean restaurant and went bowling.

We had the happiest nine days celebrating together. I loved my birthday, and Nate spoils me every year. But I have to admit that I love his birthday even more-I just love getting to celebrate him and have so many of his friends and family reach out to tell him how great he is. Because he really is the best.

This year especially I was overwhelmed by the love and kindness extended to us both by our friends and family during our birthdays. I have always said that I am surrounded by the best best people. Since Nate and I got married that circle of people has only grown. I'm so grateful for the wonderful people in both of our lives. Thanks for your friendship!

I can't wait to see what this next year has in store for the two of us-as 25 and 26 year olds. I have a feeling it is going to be a memorable one!

On my 25th Birthday

Today I turn 25.

25 is such a big number, at least it seems that way from this side of it. 

24 was so good to me, it may be a little hard to say goodbye. 24 brought me to the temple; in it I was married. I filled the days of 24 with hard work, good books, prayer, wonderful people, exciting vacations, and more laughter than ever before. Every day of it was filled with kind words, and kisses from my best friend.And for all this, along with the times of struggle and difficulty that came in it, I am so grateful.

I have high hopes for 25.

Hopes for more happiness, and new adventures. I hope 25 brings more self assurance, even more peace with who I am and where I'm at. I hope it brings new friends, and  better relationships with those I'm lucky to claim now. I hope it brings continued growth, increased knowledge, and even more laughter. I hope that in it I become a little better in each of my roles-wife, daughter, sister, friend. I hope it brings the kind of deeply-rooted strength that comes from overcoming hard things, and the overwhelmingly pure joy that comes from fully appreciating the blessings that are mine. 

I hope it brings more days at the zoo-days of complete happiness with Nate. Days where we let the worries and stresses go, and just look lions in the eye. 

And more than anything I hope that one year from today, among all the celebrating,  I'll read this little post and come to find that all my hopes for 25, and those I don't even know of right now, came true.

At least, that's what I'll be wishing for when I blow my candles out today.

A Birthday of Favorites

As I mentioned before, my sweet roommates decided to throw Melissa and I a little combined birthday party Saturday night. The theme was all of our favorite things. They had our favorite treats (the Samoa cupcakes were outrageously good), our favorite snacks (the homemade salsa was to-die-for), our favorite drinks (so much Diet Coke!) our favorite music was playing, our favorite people were there, they even had the guests write down their favorite things about us!

It was fun to share so many of my favorite things, with so many of my favorite people. Mostly though it was fun to share it with Melissa-one of my favorite friends.

Of course we failed miserably at taking pictures, but here are a few we got from the fun night!

Actually this one is my favorite from the night.... it's really our true personalities 

Keeping in the theme of favorites, Monday night my roommates and I built a birthday blanket fort to celebrate. It was so fun to have a little slumber party. And then on Tuesday I bid farewell to 22, and welcomed 23!

Hanging out in the blanket fort, reading one of my favorite gifts

My actual birthday involved so many more favorites: my roommates surprised me with Einstein's for breakfast, Ash joined me for bagel lunch/fort hang/Friends watching, my family came and took me to dinner, friends came for dessert, other friends called and text me throughout the day.

Basically it was a perfect day.

All these kind words made my day

Surprise treats at work

Sunday we finished the week of celebrating with the traditional chicken roll up dinner, and dessert with the Childs, some of my very, very favorite people.

Honestly though, and yes I'm about to get cheesy, the very best part was celebrating with my favorite people. I say it in every post here but I am surrounded by the very best kind of people. I didn't need a party, bagels, JT's new CD, Diet Coke or even a blanket fort to have a good day-really all  needed was them. So thanks pals and family-with all of you in my life how could 23 not be the best?

Another Birthday

Guess who just turned 20.

This fashionable girl!

Oh Megan Annie,

Happy happy birthday to one of the best people I know. I had a blast celebrating with you this weekend. Keep being the happy, kind person you are. I'm sure this will be a great year for you. May 20 bring lots of change, laughter, and happiness. And of course sister time.

I love you always,

Colie

21 Years Old

Better late than never I just want to do a quick post about my birthday. I spent the entire weekend celebrating and It was great because of the opportunity I had to surround myself with friends and family I love very much.

Also, lots of good food, ncaa basketball, laughter, shopping, and more food :)

Friday:I started my new job-great early birthday present. I'm loving it very much so far and I'm grateful to have a job that understands how important school is to me, and lets me make that my first priority.

That night I met up with a bunch of friends and had a great dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. I'm so grateful for my friends that drove all the way to Provo to come (some even from Logan, and although my birthday was not priority #1 for that drive, we can pretend!) and for the time I got to spend with all of them.

However, I was so busy having so much fun socializing I took hardly no pictures. So, here is what I do have:

Amanda and I at dinner

Shell, Rach and Stace... 4th times the charm

After dinner we went back to my apartment for dessert. My roommate Lizzy was so kind to make me such a great birthday cake. It was delicious. And Lins was so great to bring candles that never blow out. If my wishes don't come true I blame the candles ;)

Saturday-my actual birthday

I did exactly what I wanted to. Hung with the family and went shopping!

I was not only able to get 30% off at banana on 3 very cute tops, but I found/fell in love with what I refer to as my "skirt that goes with everything", which was also 15% off. (i love that j.crew loves students) And I also got 10% off another top I bought. I paid full price for nothing and that was the best birthday gift I could have received.

After shopping I met the family at The Cheesecake Factory. Before everyone else got there though mom and I waited at the bar and had some diet cokes. And I got carded for the first time. It was epic, and I loved being able to sit down and enjoy my dc while waiting instead of standing in that huge crowd of people-see being 21 already has great perks.

Look at how sweet the Cheesecake Factory was with my birthday cheesecake? I blame the creepy waiter...

Sunday

I spent hanging out with the family. We had one of my cousins over for my birthday dinner and then we all headed over to Aunt Debbies to celebrate with the family. I loved having so much help blowing out my candles and it's always fun to share a birthday with Scott.

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes! It was a great one!

A Letter to my 7 Year Old Self on my 21st Birthday

(Today I'm taking a cue from my friend, who in the blogging world goes by Sera. I adore her, and when I saw her letter posted on her blog I melted. So, here is my shot at at it)

7 Year old Nicole,

Yes, you will indeed make it to 21, although sometimes when you drove it was questionable.

Your 21st birthday will be great, as will all the others in between. Your 16th was especially great-don't stress about it at all... it'll be the best.

When grandma gives you a gift question her about it more. Ask how grandpa paid for it? Was she surprised? How long had they been dating?

When your afraid to put yourself out there, just smile. Always fake that smile, and pretty soon it'll be real.

Defend your sisters till the end. They will still be your best friends in 14 years, and I'm guessing 14 more after that, and 14 more after that, and so on.

When your living very far from home, completely broke, about to sleep on a disgusting airport floor and your best friend is mean to you just break down and cry. It won't change the situation at all, but you'll never feel more love for your parents as you do when they're sitting on the end of a computer listening to you bawl your eyes out thousands of miles away. However, no matter how serious you maybe about changing your flight and heading home that very day-don't do it!!!! That next week you spend in yet another country will be one of the greatest of your life. And, you'll be home before you know it.

Yes, another country. You know what-for a little while you'll have the opportunity to call a city and country that you've always dreamed of visiting "home" Take it all in, enjoy the mundane and write to your family often.

His name is Jose. I know this doesn't make sense right now, but know this, and don't forget it. Really.

Right now, go over to Pop's and sit on the couch drink juice and eat croutons and ask him to sing the song about the wooden Indian, and tell you about dead ed.

Now, that your back... yes I was very serious about the "right now". The fact that you can do that right now is the beautiful part.

You probably don't want to hear this but mom and dad usually know what they're talking about.

You'll always love football. Some things never change. What does change is that instead of feeling like an outcast because the other girls don't when your 21 you'll feel very cool... because the boys appreciate it. (also your ncaa brackets that rock-they'll definitely appreciate that one too)

Jump in the fountain. You wont get deported :)

Stay close to your cousins-they're pretty great. And it would be really lame if you weren't friends with them for a few years and then just when you became close one decided to leave for a year and a half...

And finally on the day you turn 21 you'll still feel very uncertain about many things in your life and as much as it may kill you to admit this, there will still be lots and lots that you don't know. But guess what- You'll still be very, very happy.

-21 Year old Nicole