successfully reaching the mid-twenties

This weekend was full of birthday fun. I am again reminded of how blessed I am to have such wonderful, creative, loving, generous people in my life here. 

As a friend of mine gladly pointed out, I have officially reached my mid-twenties. Why does that sound so much older than early-twenties? I don't know. I'm sure turning thirty someday will be a way, way more traumatic dramatic event.

Some birthday highlights are as follows...

Flowers delivered to the office from that very thoughtful man of mine >>

Playing a few rounds of pool. I'll let you notice that creep-o in the background on your own. >>

So many beautiful and kind birthday cards from my oh-so-artistic friends >>

Night walks after a late dinner >>

Saturday shopping spree with the roommates >>

The most creative little gifts >>

more beautiful cards, I really can't tell ya'll how lucky I am to know such kind and flattering people >>

 A little out of town trip with this man to visit some good friends >>

 These fabulous roommates >>

So many people I love in one place >>

24 year resolutions are as follows:

Keeping the athletic sock wearing to just workout times.

Liking tea.

Reading more books.

Running longer.

Cleaning regularly.

Learning a bit of graphic design.

We'll see how that pans out.

birthday madness

so it turns out that with so many people living on the property now, there were four who had birthdays within a week of each other recently. of course, we had a big party. any reason to buy pepsi, right??

we set up everything in the activity center, made four batches of brownies, 2 major pot-loads of arroz con pollo (the fave party food!) and loaded ourselves up with pepsi. the little ones were turning 1 year, 2 and 3 years and the oldest turned 14 on friday. whew! lets do this again next year, shall we?

first, the preparations...brownies. nail painting. and fan flashing. 

you guys. aside from the fact that we've had some serious mascara melting days around here {we like to complain about how "tropical" it is around here instead of hot. sounds more fun and less suffocating}, when you're baking brownies all afternoon long with the oven cookin' there are not words to describe. 

anyway, then there was the party. the kids had fun popping all the balloons and chasing each other with bubbles before dinner.

believe it or not, above is the best shot of all the birthday girls. do you know how tricky it is to be taking pictures of 3 girls under the age of 4?? 

baby kelly is turning the big "1" this week! and yes, that's the biggest cheese smile you've ever seen, right? check out the johnson's blog to see life in the jungle from their perspective.

partner in crime for life, monica. or as the kids like to say....moquia. don't ask me why i/we                                    are standing that way. it just happened, alright?

then came the after-party, complete with a bonfire, marshmallows and face painting.

hope you all had a wonderful weekend too!