celebration of the escape from the womb (19 years later)

12.05.92 and 12.05.11 was a fantastic day. and every december fifth in between has also been fabulous.

i would feel weird doing a self-absorbed post of myself (oh, wait, i do all the time...) but just to record for history sake, i want to remember why it was so memorable, and say a loving and forever THANK YOU for everyone who helped make my birthday special, and made me feel love, and most of all for those who have helped shaped me these past 19, and most of all to my mother who was willing to have children and sacrifice so much of herself to raise me and bring me into this world. Thank You doesn't even touch the surface of the love and admiration I have for my mother and father. So....thank you. 

Sunday night: I was able to have Lynette & Jennie (our 2nd cousin) Lewis over for dinner, and then we watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional together. It was bliss to hang out with them. I made them my birthday dinner including my favorite items of food: couscous salad with chips (easier version of cafe rio), sweet potato fries, chicken and a green salad. my roommate Hannah brought this tree and decor, and we had a blast setting it up. we danced to christmas music and hung lights on our window. 

christmas is magical. 

Jennie brought hot chocolate, and I made an apple pie,  because lets be real here, who actually likes cake?

monday, the fifth. was absolute bliss. roommates gave me rides to and from school which is a beautiful thing when the weather is 15 degrees. my friend announced my birthday in my new testament class, entirely against my will, and turns out it was my professors birthday too. (and this isn't just any professor, this my absolute favorite religion professor that i had for Book of Mormon and he's helping me prep for the seminary program). 

conner, my friend since we were 6mo. old, brought me hot chocolate and a donut to anthropology, which was just splendid, since i didn't have time for breakfast that morning. 

someone offered to work for me, which was just a wonderful break. I studied for most of the day in the library and then cousin Harrison took me to the cannon center for lunch. I went back to the library for more studying, and once i start falling asleep at the computer, i decided to walk home, and Gemma picked me as she saw me walking. 

i came home to a package from my favorite family in Washington, the Vances. I almost just cried looking at the box, but then i opened it and of course my heart melted with the sweet inside joke items and a few darling decorated cards by my neices and nephews. my favorite was from bryson. it was completely blank and on the inside said: love, bryson. precious :)

i also got a sweet card from my mom and dad! Thanks so much again for the Thomas S. Monson book. I love love love it!

my favorite part of the day was when my siblings called and left messages of their kids singing happy birthday. it was the best. thanks for thinking of me fam!

my roommates were so kind to take me out to dinner that night to California Pizza Kitchen. It was delicious. And free ice cream sundae is a plus always a plus!

then we came home, and i thought i was having the best birthday ever, until i walked in and there were surprise guests waiting for me. i'm pretty sure my pulse has calmed since then, but i was so surprised. i'm quite certain that my brother Crismon and I are the most oblivious people on this earth.

that was so sweet of them. they put up streamers, ballons, signs, and made brownies (my favorite). 

cousin Harrison, summer roommates Sami, Amber (and Sara dropped by later), cousin Lynette, and friends Jorgen and Craig. 

the 19th most valuable wish of my life. (do you see the M&M's spelling Emily? Lynette is the best!)

I seriously was overwhelmed by all the love and kindness everyone gave to me. It seriously was one of the best birthdays ever. I am so lucky to have such great friends and family who care so much about me. I am so grateful to be here--and to celebrate life on earth! 

thank you again. 

have the happiest of day, everyday.

final sights from D.C.

i'm on my final victory lap around the D.C. trip. I can't believe its already come to an end, but so happy that i was able to go. a huge fist pump to Ondalynn who didn't kill me for living with her and her family for 11 days. thanks a million sis! 

On Saturday, as a fam we went to Mt. Vernon, George Washington's Estate! the grounds were beautiful! And as we drove in the car, my love for Virginia grew immensely. A crush wouldn't justify it. Mt. Vernon is a must see if you go to the East Coast. The museums were kid & adult friendly and the least overwhelming--you just enjoy everything!

{right: George Washington's tomb/coffin, with Martha W. on the left. Vance Co. and I in front of Mt. V}

Friday: the JIMMER FREDETTE BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR MR. B

of course, basketball, football, baseball brownie/cupcakes were on the menu, with alot of other sugar as well. 

it would be an understatement to say he was estatic about his new basketball hoop. Or...to prounce it as mr. b does it would be a "baketball hoop"

we love mr. b aka the next jimmer fredette.

the trip was so wonderful. and i realized vacation life is ten times better than reality life. but oh well. that will be my last vacation in a long time. and it was absolutely the best place i could have gone. all the sights were wonderful, but the best part was being with my family.

its cheese, i know. 

but true.

so go grab a kleenex now, or two.

the end.

ode to meredith

HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY MEREDITH

Meredith--

Happy 24th Birthday! I still can't believe you are expecting your second child. I feel like you should still be in high school and all I hear is your piano practicing day & night. Thank you for being such a fantastic sister to me. I have learned so much from you, anything from the gospel, life, happiness, boys, make-up, hair, hygiene, fashion, cooking, excercise, massage theraphy, babies, music, movies, books, everything! I love being around you because you are so happy & kind, you never fail to serve anyone (especially me!) Thanks for letting me always bum in your tinnnny apt. in provo and always taking care of me and entertaining me and taking me to cafe rio. I can't thank you enough for being such a wonderful sister, and taking me to Rock Canyon and letting me rock climb daily, or letting me take a nap up there too :).  I'll always remember you helping me through my schooling years. A) You showed me how to use Google for the very first time when I was researching "african elephants" in 3rd  grade. B) You stayed up with me until 3 AM building a roller coaster project in 6th Grade for my Workshop class. C) You braided my hair at 6 AM on your non-school day so that I could have braids for school that day. D) You gave me piano lessons (and that was no easy feat). E) You let me hang out with your friends in high school, that is truly admirable (considering my level of low maturity and very pecuilar behavior). F) You STILL talk/text/skype with me daily. Even for hours sometimes. THANK YOU. I think i've stayed sane with your help! Heck, we probably even communicate telapathatically too! :) G) You ALWAYS let me borrow your clothes (not for long though you are getting too dang skinny). H) You were always supportive of me, like when you came to my violin recital the day you ran your 1/2 marathon! And you're going to come for my graduation....right :)  I) lastly, I remember you always would try on outfits for me to approve (not that i had any fashionable taste back than) but that always made me sooooo happy. 

Thanks for being the best sister meredith! I am so glad you are my sister, and I love the memories we have as a family together. 

Happy Birthday!

{THANK THE HEAVENS (alabama accent of course!}

Love, 

bubs

p.s. and thanks mere, for always being my #1 commenter on the blog. you may be the only to actually read this blog....so thank you :)

i'm legal now, and proud of it.

Dec. 5 marked my day of birth--and the wonderful 18 years i've been here to torture and love you all. :) Actually, we should probably all thank mom for that, afterall, she was the one to give birth to me. You all remember my birth much better than me, i'm sure...but all i know was that there was a significant snow/ice storm that Oregon had ever seen. Perhaps, it was a sign of my birth. That would make sense.... anyways. I am so happy to be here, especially the youngest and i am just loving life. What made my birthday so great (despite being home alone most of the day...and not opening a SINGLE card from any of my siblings *cough* cough*or any presents because mom was out of town.)

Vivienne-my great sister puts you all to shame. She was the sweetest to take me out to Truffle Hunter. The restaurant that has such a historic significance in our town. It has been there since the 1800 ish (okay more 1900's, but still). It was so delicious. That was the third day in a row I had ate out somewhere and that was by far the best food I have ever had in a long time. The sandwhichs were huge. I had never seen or ate one so big. Than, they brought out their dessert platter...and my mouth just watered alittle bit thinking about it...but just try to imagine heaven on a platter (various chocolate cakes, pies, crisps, everything!) When Vivienne convinced me to get one to split, she said, "come on its your birthday" than thats what prompted the waitress to bring me a candle and light it for me. It was so great! :) (even better side note, our waitress was my middle school secretary--who DEFINITELY remembred me...5 years later...just sayin.)

2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Party-this is probably the highlight of my friends and I winter. Instead of explaining every detail i'll share pictures.

three claps for me. (first I just wanted to show my 2 gifts to myself! first clap: these printed tights that i love second clap: vintage suede navy blue shoes from salvation army. I found them on line at urban outifitters for $40 in the same color-although they are out now...but i got mine for $4!) third clap: Check out that huge sandwhich--yep the very one from truffle hunter. Thanks viv. 

Last satuday when I was all alone and the tree was needing some trimmin...I got all the christmas boxes down from the garage and blasted some j-i-n-g-l-e tunes. I was feeling very "while you were sleeping-ish" being all alone. So needless to say, I put on my largest oversized grey sweater, bun on the top of my head, and sweats. All that was missing was a cat and dipping oreos in the milk. :)

 {HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY TO ME!} I spent most of the day webcamming with family and talking on the phone. The rickers were nice enough to let me eat dinner-cake-ice cream with their family. Than...the jensen's (bishops family--I just adore them) made sweet rolls for me (and i literally almost fell over and died they were so good).

  {ugly sweater party} scratching our first lotto tickets as 18 years old---and look who won a dollar. bingo!

{chummy, michael, alex, emily, julie, allie, fabian}

and its always tradition to play the chocolate game...which usually ends up like this...me attacking the table to eat every piece of chocolate I can.

brownies. not your typical birthday "cake" but i loved it. and we lacked candles so we did matches as candles and used just enough to have 9 candles total (6*3=18...good enough in my books)

It was a great birthday! Unfortunatly...this means I have responsibilities...but I am so excited. I am pretty much a college girl now!

thanks for all the birthday wishes. and as for the bet Meredith and I made on how many birthday wishes I would get on facebook. 

emily's estimate: 33

merediths estimate: 39

facebook total: 86

i guess people love me? 

My 17th

Since I really didn't have a "sweet sixteen" birthday party, I had to make up for it with my

1st Annual UGLY SWEATER CHRISTMAS PARTY

Here are some of the highlights...
I should probably explain the cup! Well when I got my first piece of Oreo Dessert, someone shoved my head/face into the cake and my fork sitting next to it, hit my gum and made me bleed! I found the blood on the cup, fork, and parts of my oreo dessert!