I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 26!

So I recently turned 26.. I had this list of 26 things I wanted to do before I turned 26, but not all of it got done. The past 8/9 months have taught me a lot about myself, others and my inability to stop drinking coffee.. I have a serious problem. 
So my birthday was pretty fantastic, I was surrounded by friends who are like family and my fantastic boyfriend who went above and beyond to make me feel special. He brought me flowers at work and my dearest BFF Tresa said "awwwwww" super loud, I was a little embarrassed in a cute way. Mike loved it. 

Also I got this fantastic egg filled with wonderful things from my coworker Amy, and the story behind this is.. I give eggs filled with random things I find in the office to my managers so Amy got me one and to her it was "the best 45 minutes ever!" 

After work my wonderful group of friends went to Sakura in Grand Forks and celebrated. I love that my friends all took turns to take sake to the mouth, can we say num nuns? The chef was super funny too and I got sushi which was delicious.  
Below is a bunch of pictures for you to enjoy and possibly giggle at. Yes I am wearing a dragon hat, I did want to steal it and I did walk around the restaurant with it on. 

The only "decent" picture of us, haha.. I'm a terrible person for making so many faces.

Meet my BFF Tresa, this is a totally normal face, we both make similar faces. 

Also I want to give a shout out to my friend Laura who drew me this beautiful picture of Brutus. Honestly, this is was one of the most amazing gifts I've ever received she made me tear up! 

Aside from all of the fun I had with my friends, I was also surprised with a new MacBook Air from my amazing beau Mike.. I think this is going to be a good year, a blessed year and I'm lucky that i have such an amazing group of friends and boyfriend to spend it with. 

My beautiful boy

I remember when A said we were getting a puppy, and by we.. I mean he, and I was utterly terrified. A dog, insanity! But here you are, almost one year later from your 'gotcha' date (I'm borrowing the term from legitimate adoption) and you're one! A whole year, I know its been tough on you, you've had to watch daddy go off to war and have been my best friend for the last few months.. and even though you ate my boot and chewed on the table AND learned how to open the baby gate with your mouth.. I still love you. You're the best dog anyone could ask for, and I am so lucky that you are apart of our family. 

Brutus, my love, my genius and the light of our life.. heres to you! 

I can't believe how big you are! :) 

One more year

Call me crazy, but I enjoy getting older. 

I'm 24 now, that would be twenty + four which equals twenty-four, only one more year till I'm half way to fifty (which is 24+24) which means I've lived a good portion of my life. Sort of. 

The last four years have been some interesting ones. Made some giant mistakes, then made some better decisions. Kept my head mostly on my shoulders... fell in love, like legitimate love. Had my heart broken for the first time.. only in my twenties. Did some fun things i.e. went to Maui, snowboarding, photography, got a dog.. wore some awesome "not acceptable for public functions" hats. Met some bloggers, then met some friends, made some music and art. 

I can remember my first day in the Northwest, living here, and remember the last time I was in Arizona.. I remember the friends I had thought I'd made, but turned out.. were really great players. I've learned my lesson on a manner of things, and now I'm just patiently waiting to see what my next road will be. Will I PCS with A, or maybe take a wonderful trip by myself? 

Will I go to Europe, school.. further my photography or maybe just cash it all in and finally become a folk artist like dad said I would.

That's the fun part about life. I don't know. 

But I'm another year older, another year closer to maybe being wiser and definitely less mature than I was yesterday.. okay I'm mature, but I refuse to grow up. 

Was my birthday good? Yes, I saw my dad for the first time in three years. My dad can easily be called one of my best friends.. thanks dad! 

I'll post pictures and events and what not later.. but right now, I have to do what all grownups hate doing.. go to bed and not waste my time.