"I got something for you....it's green, but not a frog...."

In April of 2001 I met my very bestfriend in the universe. I can't quite describe the love I have for this human being, but what I can say is that Nikki is more than a bestfriend, she's the little sister that I always wanted. She's family. For the past 11 years we have had some of the most amazing and memorable times together...road trippin' around the Canadian Maritimes (Nova Scotia, PEI and New Brunswick), AZ, San Fransisco, Eureka, CA, Las Vegas, UT...we've had several trips to Disneyland, TV show tapping's (Ellen, Sharon Osborne, Joey...to name a few), too many concerts to count or even name for that matter...I've been there for the birth of two kids, we've laughed, we've cried, and most importantly we've always been there for one another. I know that I can always count on Nik, just like she can always count on me. I feel SO blessed to have her in my life and everyday I'm grateful for her.

Because I've known her since she was 16, I've watched Nikki grow into the person she is today. I've seen her go from the spirited cheerleader at Horton High School, to the Palm Tree hugging Canadian-turned-Cali-girl over night, to the selfless, loving, thoughtful wife and mother she is today. She has grown into the type of woman I strive to be everyday. Nikki is full of grace, compassion, warmth and laughter. She's the most loving mother to her two kids. I watch her in awe and dream that I will not only be a mother someday, but that I'll be a mother like her. She is such a great example to me and I look up to her, not just literally, but figuratively ;-)

Nik - I love you to pieces and I hope you have the best day of your birth ever! When I say I'm grateful for your birth, I mean it. You've touched more lives than you'll ever comprehend. Happy birthday bestfriend! ....now, let's go see Katy Perry's movie, have a dance party and celebrate the only way we know how! OH...and enjoy a little stroll down memory lane ;-)

Enjoying an LA Galaxy game - Thanks, Uncle Booz!

My 29th birthday dinner...was only a few years ago....

Momma and her babies

Spending quality time with my favorite couple

Christmas Card Lane = holiday tradition

She makes giving birth look like a Sunday stroll through the park

Taryn's wedding in Banff, Alberta

Taylor Swift concert (our 2nd time)

Enjoying a Velvet Hot Chocolate treat!

Family gatherings!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIKKI!!

Let's re-cap, shall we?

My 30s so far...
- Spent an amazing week with my college roommates, who I adore, for a 30th birthday trip!! We went to Newport, RI and toured mansions, laid out at the beach and took a polar plung with Athena; NYC where we saw Phanton of the Opera; zip-lined through New Hampshire and stayed in a cottage over looking a blueberry farm.
- Spent 5 days in Atlanta, GA visiting family!!!!
- Moved into my condo, and learned that I actually really enjoy decorating! (who knew?!)
- Started a job with a new client and team (same firm!). Definitely my best decision since working with this amazing company!
- My family threw me a surprise 30th birthday party that meant the world to me!...my sister Paige surprised me by coming down too and it moved me to tears!
- I went to Europe for the first time, and fell in love with Venice!
- Learned a lot about myself, relationships, and identifying my biggest fault/weakness = my expectations for myself and others is extremely (often times unrealistically too) high.
- Made friends with an amazing group of women that encourage me to constantly strive to be better.
- Got promoted!
- Spent a weekend in Las Vegas with Nikki for our friend, Taryn's bachelorette party!!
- Flew with Nikki and her daughter Emmy to Calgary, Canada for Taryn's wedding - it was unbelievably gorgeous and SO good to see old friends!
- Saw Wicked in Orange County with many friends!
- Took my sisters with me to NYC and spoiled ourselves with two broadway shows (Memphis and Mary Poppins), dinner at the Mesa Grill, toured the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, spent hours in Times Square, walked throughout Central Park, ate at the Carnegie Deli, hungout on the NYU campus, and discovered that my sister Natalie is allergic to cold weather.....say whaaaaat?!?
- Competed in the Ragnar So Cal race (200 mile relay with a team of 12) and finished 2nd in our category (All women)!...and were local celebrities being interviewed on LA's ABC news.
- Saw Mamma Mia in San Diego with several great friends!
- Flew to Eureka, CA to spend my sister, Paige's birthday weekend with her and enjoyed her birthday lunch with just her and I at a Mexican restaurant where we reminisced about our trip to NYC.
- Countless trips to Yogurtland and Smashburger.
- Good ol' Fosty (my Ford Escape) died....RIP Frosty, RIP.
- Bought an Acura TSX as a reward for all the long hours I put in at the office.
- Countless trips to Disneyland - the happiest place on Earth.

It's been a GREAT year, and I'm anxious to see what the next year will bring!!One thing is for sure though...I'll continue to work hard, and play harder cuz that's just how I roll ;-)

Escrow

It's official! I'm in ESCROW!

For the past SEVERAL years, I've talked a lot about owning my own home and "building my real estate empire". ....so it's a strange feeling that all that talking is FINALLY turning into doing. I always thought that I'd be married when I bought my first place. Have someone to rely on when struggling with a decision, or even someone that I could just enjoy this crazy ride with -

....but that's not in the cards for me. At least not right now. SO...I'm off to be a big bad adult, all by myself. I'm a big girl! I can do this!

I'll let you know how escrow goes...if everything goes according to plan...I'll get the keys on 10 March. Keep your fingers crossed! This is going to be a STRESSFUL next few weeks.

Bring. It. On.

=)

Sunny San Diego

Just so you all know, I went to the beach today. It's the END of October and I went to the BEACH! Not only that...I was sitting in a beach chair, soaking in the warm rays and enjoying the cool breeze when I realized that I had no sunscreen on. WHOOPS.

Nothing a little Sooth-A-Cain can't fix.

Love for you, San Diego. Love for you.

Monday Night Softball

Most people, when they think of their favorite day of the week, say "Saturday" or "Friday". I say, "Monday". Why, you might ask? Two simple words. BARNYARD CUTIES. That's my team. I love them. I love playing ball with them. I love KILLING other teams with them. I love that we won a trophy last season. I love that we have matching baseball shirts with red sleeves. I love it. I love everything about it.

Last week, we won 22-3. Mercy rule was enforced. GO BARNYARD CUTIES!!

Last night, we played a team called "Momentum". They are from the Momentum Church in the greater San Marcos area...or so I was told. Momentum vs. Mormons. Who would prevail? It was a battle of the churches. BARNYARD CUTIES (aka BC) was up 3-0 in the first 2 innings. Then Momentum caught up. Tied. They scored, then we scored. Back and forth, forth and back. Til at the end of regular game time (hour and 10 mins approx) the score was tied up: 13-13. We were the visiting team, so we HAD to score or it would be over. We scored, not once, not twice, but 4 runs in that innining. Momentum scored one. BC WINS 17-14 and the true church prevails.

What are you doing next Monday night? Come cheer on the BARNYARD CUTIES, and wear your favorite barnyard coustume.

F-f-f-f-amily!!

Everyone (or, almost everyone) thinks that they have the greatest family on earth. Well, sorry world, I do. I have the greatest family on earth. Period. What I love most about my family, is that we laugh - A LOT. When we get together, all we do is laugh at each other's jokes, even when no one else is laughing. We make fun of each other, we talk about the "good ol' days" - anything, and everything. We just laugh and have a great time together because in all seriousness, we love each other to no end. We literally drop everything for one another - just the way it should be, right?

So why bring up my family and brag about how great they are and how I love them so much? WELL - my sister, Paige and her family (husband and 3.5 kids) are coming into town on Saturday. My Auntie Robin and cousin Tina (on my mom's side) are flying in from Atlanta, GA on Wednesday this week - and why? To have a little family reunion, that's why! Natalie (my oldest sister) and I got Thursday and Friday off next week and we're ALL (even my sweet sweet dad) going up to Disneyland for 2 days, and then we'll enjoy a 3 day weekend together. I'm SO excited, I can hardly even stand it!

I LOVE being an Auntie!

I get the pleasure of being an Auntie TWICE this year. I can't wait. First, my bestfriend/sister (okay, not "blood" sister, but I swear we should've been) is going to have a little girl named Emmerson Claire Nielsen. I can't WAIT!!! Nikki and I have talked about being mom's for as long as I've known her...and trust me, that's a very long time. We used to keep this running list of baby names (both boy and girls names). If we decided we didn't like a name anymore, out it went. When we discovered a new name, it didn't matter what we were doing, we'd say "Write this down, I have a new one." Ironically, Emmerson and Claire were never on that list. That's beside the point. Emmy is going to be GEORGEOUS. Have you seen Nikki and Greg?! Picture perfect family. They should be models.

A month after Emmy is born (she's due in October), my sweet-sweet sister, Paige (yes, one of my "blood" sisters) will have her 4th baby/3rd girl! I can't WAIT - again!! Holy cow, I get SOOO excited for babies... especially if they make me an Auntie again. Baby girl Boone, does not have a name yet. So, I'm asking for suggestions that I can send to my sister. Here's the criteria to play the game:
- Has to be a city. (Doesn't matter what city, just a city...anywhere in the world).

That's it. Only rule! Paige and her husband, Jeff have this awesome tradition with their kids names: first name is a city, middle name is a family name. ...and because I know you'll ask, here's the older 3's names: Davis Jackson (Davis, because that is where Paige and Jeff met...in Davis, CA. and Jackson because that's my dad's name); Brook Lynn (put it together...Brooklynn...get it? Brooklyn, NY...and Lynn is Jeff's mom's name! Clever? I say, yes!); and Londynn Elise (She has my favorite name so far, just cuz I think Londynn is an awesome name AND cuz she's the sweetest little thing ever!! and Elise is the same middle name of another of my nieces)

So...give it your best shot! Just looking for a first name here people!!