You say it's your birthday

"Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional."

It was my grandpa's (a.k.a. Papa) 80th birthday celebration on Sunday. We toasted to our Patriarch that he would rule for many more years. The reason he was so excited to celebrate was he knew he was getting his iPod. What other 80-year-old asks for an iPod for their birthday??? Papa, you're too cool!

Singing 'Happy Birthday' to the Birthday Boy

Luckily he didn't have 80 candles to blow out!!!

Papa with 'the fab four.' Linds and I seem to be glowing for some odd reason. I went to Treehouse that morning, but Linds, what did you do?? :o)

Too cute! This rivals our black and white picture.

Goin' to the Chapel

"Two are better than one. . .A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9 & 12

Well, it's official: one of my best friends is now a married woman! Miss Rachel McGonigal is now Mrs. Rachel Gault. Check out these fun pictures:

The bridal party at the rehearsal: me, Carrie, Tonya (Rachel's sister) and the bride-to-be.

Rachel and Matt (speed) walking back down the aisle as husband and wife. If it was physically possible, I think she would have had a bigger smile. :o)

Are you two old enough to be getting married??? I'm sorry but they both look about 12!!! This isn't Alabama you know! Hehe!

Co-winners of the bouquet toss. Heather (Rach's cousin) caught the bottom half and I caught the top half.

Me and groomsman JJ coming back down the aisle. We caused a little trouble for the wedding coordinator at the Thursday night rehearsal but is there really anything wrong with laughing or chewing gum? I would even bet no one noticed JJ started with his left foot and not his right. Athey Creek Pastor, Brett Meader is in the back on the left. (He's so great!!)

QUOTES!!!

I LOVE QUOTES!!!

Check back as I add to my list of favorites.

"And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you." Psalm 39:7

“Tourists don't know where they've been, travelers don't know where they're going." - Paul Theroux

“They keep saying the right person will come along. I think mine got hit by a truck.”

“God, who foresaw your tribulation, has especially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.” ~ C.S. Lewis

"There's no half singing in the shower, you're either a rock star or an opera diva." ~ Josh Groban (and may I add "in the car" to that Josh)

Oompah!

Who in their right mind would say no to eating baklava, trying a hand at belly dancing and smashing plates for fun??? If you answered "no" to any of the above, you are not exciting enough to be my friend and should leave my blog immediately! But first, please look at the pictures below of Rachel's bachelorette party at the Greek Cuisina and how dang cute she is!!

Rach had the, um, honor of the first dance with our host for the evening.

Count to 3 and then yell, "Oompah!!!"

Ah yes, the blog entry would not be complete without a picture of the bride-to-be with yours truly!

CHECK BACK THIS WEEKEND FOR WEDDING PICTURES!!!

School's out forEVER!

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. and you know what you know. You are the girl who'll decide where to go." - Dr. Suess

Saturday was a celebration for my best friend in the whole wide world, Miss Charla Swanson. After 28 months - no, make that grueling months. . .no, better make that hellish months - the girl graduated from Physician's Assistant school at Pacific University. . .with honors I might add.

The graduate before the ceremony. (Awww. . .I have such cute friends!)

Charlie's Angels: our favorite pose!

Double wide pride!! This was her classroom for the first 18 months.

Sea Cruise

So the family completely splurged and went on a cruise last week for the annual summer vacation. We started out in Southern California visiting. . .

our cousins!!! Lindsay, Emily and me. (Disclaimer: Linds and I had been up for a VERY long time and had traveled hours by plane and car so we're not looking our cutest. But Emily has enough cuteness for the 3 of us.)

Laguna Beach (has always been a family favorite destination and had nothing to do with some show named after the city. . .)

and Rodeo Drive.

Our first day's stop was San Diego. ("You know what San Diego means, don't you?")

Linds and I in front of our ship: The Monarch of the Seas.

Day Two: Catalina Island

Dang it's pretty here!!! We rented jet skis, took a golf cart tour of the island and admired all the rich people and their cute-million-dollar houses.

Day Three: Ensenada, Mexico

For all you non-Spanish speakers, this is Linds and I at a Stop sign.

Nike counterfeit!!! It wouldn't be so bad except it looks like it's ready to star in the sequal to the 80's smash hit, Flashdance.

The final night at dinner: No, Lindsay did not have any alcohol. Yes, I am sipping an adult beverage. No, my mom did not take the shot that was in the shot glass she's holding.

LINDS - I NEED YOUR PICTURES OF MARTIN FOR THIS TO BE COMPLETE!!!