Beginning of Mother/Daughter Travels!

My mom came to visit me in Europe back in November. Over two months later...I'm finally writing about it!

She flew into Geneva on October 31. Happy Halloween to me! Since her birthday is October 24, we ordered a cake to celebrate. We spent the rest of the night talking and packing for our week-long trip. I was so excited to finally see her after six months. It's awesome having Skype to communicate, but being with her in person was so much better.

We started our trip in Modena, Italy. I was able to introduce her to my host family from two years ago. It was awesome to combine those two worlds. Sadly, I have no pictures of us all together. That just means we have to go back again! While we were there, we took a bike tour around the town, had dinner with Nonna, went to the new Ferrari museum, and ate a lot of really delicious food. I went to Ski Pass with my "siblings", which is a huge ski exhibition hosted by Nissan. It was a lot of fun and there was even a huge party that night. Italians sure know how to party. I got to hang out with a lot of people I had met the year before, and I met some of their friends that I hadn't previously met. I even impressed myself with the amount of Italian I could understand. We were out until 4 am, and I was exhausted the next day, but it was fun.

While I was at Ski Pass, my mom went around town with the parents. I was a little nervous about leaving her alone but they all got along great. Further proof that these people are just the sweetest. I'm so glad my mom was able to meet them after hearing so much about them.

After Modena, we hopped on a train headed to Firenze!

Benevento e Roma

My birthday this year was not very conventional. I wasn't around any friends or family. Which was kind of sad. But I can say I turned 23 in Rome, so that is pretty exciting.

I went with my host family to Italy for a four-day trip. Most of it was spent in Benevento, the dad's hometown. I walked around the city, met some new friends, watched Catching Fire in Italian, ate pasta for Thanksgiving, and devoured A LOT of pizza.

On Saturday, my birthday, we drove to Rome. Unfortunately, we were only there for about half a day and it got dark very early, so I didn't see a lot. However, I loved what I saw. I can't wait to go back and see more!

#godawgs

first cannoli

Doing 23 the Right Way

In three short days, I will be turning 23!! It's pretty exciting to think I will turn 23 in Europe. But you know what's even better? The fact that I will be turning 23 in Italy. I don't know what it is exactly, but I just love that country.

We are leaving this afternoon to head to Italy. We will be in Benevento, my host dad's hometown for a few days. Then we are driving to Rome for my birthday. I'm so excited to visit this city that I've heard so much about. My Italian host family from last year has been telling me to go for a long time. And my Italian friend here is actually from Rome. So obviously he thinks I should go. I'm more than happy to oblige.

While I'm gone, here are some unedited pictures of the first snow!

I took the little one outside to play. The snow was almost all gone, but we had a lot of fun making snow balls. She also wanted to carry her "peeg" around in her jacket. So cute.

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Woohoo! Party! Confetti! Celebrate!

It's my birthday!

21 and legal baby!!

I love birthdays. Love. Them.

And today is turning out to be a great one!

-I started my day off with some pattern blocks

{thank you early childhood education}

-Got a free bagel at Panera

-Caught up on my celebrity news

{speaking of...the VS fashion show was amazing}

Also I've been getting texts from celebs* all day

Like these two (along with their captions):

"Taylor and I are wondering when we can see you" 

"Happy Birthday from the sweetest
boy on Gossip Girl!"

-Got a brownie sundae at Chili's with my bestie

And the day is only halfway over!

Yay for birthdays!!

*AKA my best friend sending me pictures of hot celebs with captions

Guess what.

It's November!!

Which means...

Happy birthday month to me!!!

Woohoo! And the countdown begins.

De Soto Falls

Every year, we go to the mountains for my mom's birthday.

This year, we went to Vogel Park and De Soto Falls.

Those guys.

Callaway. Such the model.

It was a good day all around. We sure missed Zeb, though. As my mom says...he's the life of the party.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

As I mentioned yesterday, today is my mom's birthday.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

You are such an incredible role model.

You taught me to always pursue the Lord.

Your faith and determination through your battle with cancer was inspiring.

You are an awesome mother to Zeb, Cal, Wyatt, and me.

I'm so glad I got to spend this weekend with you. I'm so blessed to have you as a mother!

Love you to Heaven and back!

Love, Boo

Mom's Birthday Weekend

My fabulous mother has a birthday tomorrow!

One of her favorite things to do is visit the mountains.

We don't have a specific place; we just drive and stop somewhere.

I love these spur of the moment family outings.

And we're going today!!

Sadly, Zeb isn't at home. But the rest of the family is super excited.

Today's Agenda:

-have fun

{duh}

-boiled peanuts

-picnic

-hike

-pictures

-toss a little pigskin

{three brothers...remember?}

Hope this post finds you enjoying your Sunday!

Here's a little snapshot of my mom's birthday in 2009.
We've all grown up. A lot.

Friday Favorites: Birthday Edition

I've been in a birthday mood lately. I have always loved birthdays. Except for my 20th. That one was pretty rough for me. I think for me it just meant I was really growing up. Like it was serious now. Anybody else have that same experience?

Anyways, my best friend turned 21 earlier this month and I have been in a birthday kick since then. So I thought I would let you in on the fun!

Birthday Gifts on the Hour

via

How cute is this idea? This means you would get 24 presents on your big day! And personally, I think 24 small things are much better than one big thing. Unless it's a car. Because that definitely wins.

Grand Entrance

via

How fun is this?! I don't know anyone who wouldn't enjoy busting through a door of streamers. I might have to try this on a gloomy day. It's sure to make me feel better.

Birthday Board

via

This is more for a classroom than a family. It's a great way to keep track of everyone's birthday.

Birthday Rolex

via

This is also a classroom idea. How cute are those cards?!

Monogrammed Frame

I made this recently for my best friend. I loved how it all turned out! Such an easy but perfect gift.

All of these ideas (except for the last one) are courtesy of Pinterest (what else?!). I'm not kidding, y'all. I'm so obsessed with Pinterest. Just so we're clear.