Old Lady

This was my treasure from the shopping trip. I've had my eye on these statues for a while. I told my mom I really wanted those for Christmas. She said, "I'll just buy it for you now!" I'm keeping them up all year long. I don't need to think about the Savior's birth only at Christmas! Thank you Mom and Dad!

To entertain ourselves at the wedding, we started taking pictures of everything!
Silly
Raychel BEGGED Grant to dance with her. He sweetly complied!
Trying to steal birthday kisses from Anna. I said, "Gimme a kiss!" She said "NOPE!" I was a little hurt. :-)
I just forced Leah to kiss me...she wasn't given a choice! She's like "Dang, Mom! Respect my personal space!"

So I'm 29. I'm happy to report that I still feel totally young. I actually don't mind getting older. I will take 29 over 15 ANY DAY! Ha ha! Glad to have adolescence/junior high/high school under my belt. I feel like life has really only begun. I'm excited to live the next 29 years!

Here's a synopsis of my birthday...July 10, my mom and I loaded up and went to Sacramento for some mother/daughter shopping time. I am a major shopper. The phrase "shop till ya drop" does not apply to me because I never "drop." My mom is super patient and is a wonderful shopping partner. OK...now here comes to old lady in me. I have to tell you what we ate! (Do you ever notice how old people tell you about their vacations by telling you everything they ate?) Lunch: Cheesecake Factory. Delish. Pizza and Salad. Shared a piece of lemon raspberry cheesecake. Dinner: P.F. Changs. Fried Green Beans, Lemon Honey Shrimp, Sweet and Sour Chicken over white rice. Dessert: Baskin Robbins DOUBLE scoop ice cream. Yeah, hello, no holding back on the birthday! A scoop of peanut butter chocolate and a scoop of gold medal ribbon. 29 pounds instantly packed on to my butt! Thank you, mom for such a special day. Our birthday shopping tradition is something I look forward to every year. I will cherish those memories always!

July 12 (my actual birthday) Mom, Amy, Grant, Raychel and myself all went to my mom's very good friend's wedding. I did the Bride's makeup, and we had a good time laughing and watching the people. After the wedding I came home, and we went out as a family to dinner then roamed the isles at Target. James surprised me (well our whole family) with a cool swing to set up in the backyard. It will be great for summer evenings. Oh, and Yvonne brought me some of my favorite cookies in an adorable box that Lauren made. I always tell her that her food is the best because she makes it all with love.

Tonight, July 13, we had tacos for dinner at my mom's. Tacos was the last meal she ate before she had me. We had to relive the memory! Of course they were wonderful...fried tortillas can't beat it! Donna brought me a case of Diet Coke. Is there really a better gift?! I still haven't tried the cleaner (bar keepers best friend), Tammy, but I am excited to! Yes, I'm weird.

Thanks for the phone calls and text messages! I couldn't ask for anything more. Cecilee, I'm excited for my LDS magazine subscription. You are too kind!

So obviously, I'm spoiled. Spoiled with great friends and great family! I love you all tremendously! You make my life special and bright!

PS If you want to see some Vintage Ali, check out May's blog. Warning: it's a serious time warp!