A Fabulous Birthday

On June 5th, I turned 24 years old.  It has been celebrated for the last week, and I've been loving it.  It was the first time to have most of my family (absence of Jeff) sing me Happy Birthday since I was like, 10 years old?  Maybe the song "Happy Birthday" isn't big to you, but it is to me.  Especially when my dad is to my right shouting the song with a look of enrage on his face that makes it all very comical. 

On the morning of my birthday, Austin cooked up loads of bacon and pancakes, and poured my beloved bottle of Spekuloos (thanks Laura!) on them.  He had originally planned on taking me up skiing since resorts are open until July now, but in the valley it would be 83 degrees so we opted not to since we were just in freezing Tahoe and wanted some sun.  For my birthday present, we went to Ikea and got a large desk to go with the present his mom would be giving me (more on that later).

Afterwards, I kicked it old school and had a little birthday party at a pool.  We went to a friend's pool in their apartment complex, and I was amazed upon arrival at the 60+ people at the pool, most who I didn't know (I'm not that popular).  Word got out that it was my birthday and pretty soon I had a bunch of drunk people singing me the Happy Birthday  song.  See, I love that song.  You can put any twist on the song you want!

We ended the night by grilling steaks, asparagus, and eating chips and dip with close friends.  I couldn't have planned a better evening with good food and good company.

Yes, that is a Bichon calendar.  Another fine gift from his mom.

The following evening, I had my birthday dinner with Austin's family.  Austin's mom is the biggest gift giver I know.  She LOVES giving over the top presents, so when I saw a pile in the corner of the room, I felt guilty but also excited.  I got...a SEWING MACHINE.  It is a Singer with some digital features and it is super pretty.  She also got me a sewing book, a sewing machine transport case (not sure of the name), and 10 online workshop classes.  I was BEAMING.  And the presents kept coming.  She got me a little herb garden, and Austin's sister made us a stippling screen print (she is an artist, obvi).

I am really excited to get back into this hobby.  The last summer I was home, I tried my hand at sewing a bit with my mom who is an amazing seamstress.  I sewed a dress for my niece, Emaline, and altered some clothes of my own while watching Project Runway for inspiration.  Unfortunately, I always made her thread the machine and correct my mistakes, so I will have to learn a lot on my own, but learning to sew will be one step closer to being like my mom.  And with her and my dad's present, I can go out and buy patterns, thread, and needles for my workstation!