I'll take what I can get.

On Thursday night, we headed to a bar in Minneapolis to celebrate my sister's golden birthday.Upon arrival I handed the bouncer my ID.
Erin: Oh, I should tell you...my driver's license isn't completely accurate.
Bouncer [hesitant look of fear]: What? Why?
E: Well, I weigh less than what it says. I need to get a new one.
B: Really? How much less?
E: One pound.
B: Uh...congratulations?
E: THANK YOU!!!!! That's so nice of you to notice.

An Introvert's Birthday

Happy 30th Birthday, Richard!

I had a nice birthday party all planned out for Richard, and was all set to send out the invitations about two weeks ago when Richard stopped me.

"Erin, giving me a birthday party is like giving me an anti-birthday present."

We'll be celebrating Richard-style, at home, quietly enjoying eachother's company. :)

50

Happy Birthday (weekend), Mom!!!

I love you very much.

p.s. You are very good at staying out of the camera's way. This is the ONLY photo I have of you holding SJ since Christmas!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

People who remember other people's birthdays amaze me (you know who you are).
I've been friends with Sarah since 1986, and I'm pretty sure her birthday is in July.
Just kidding, it's January.
The point is, It's been 23 years, and I'm only pretty sure.
I try to make a point of remembering family member's birthdays, but beyond that, I'm hopeless.
So, dear friends, I'm going to forget your birthdays. It's not personal. I care about you. A lot.
What if I were to just wish all of you a blanket Happy Birthday from time to time? Perhaps quarterly?
I'll try.
So, Happy Birthday to YOU! (All of you.)

Happy Birthday, Lauren!

I love you.

Happy Birthday from Beyonce!

I'm pretty sure Beyonce did this for me because she knew that today I would reach my "scary age," and this was the only way she could think of to cheer me up.
Thanks, B.

Yes, that's Justin Timberlake.

Happy 80th Birthday, Shirley, Sr.!

Today, we had the honor and priveledge of throwing an 80th birthday party for Grandma Shirley. It was a small picnic with fantastic food, laughter and stimulating conversation. "Shirley Sr." got a new set of sheets, a memory foam pillow, a "Broadway Classics" CD and Special Edition Dark Chocolate Starbucks Frappuccino for her birthday.

Here are the Shirley Girlies!
Chatting with Gram during the party.

We had the opportunity (finally) to take a five-generation photo.
Here's a photo of the whole fam. A legacy of Christ-followers. My great-great-grandmother's prayer (six generations ago, if you're counting) was that each generation after she was saved would come to know Christ. I believe this includes our spouses as well. God has been faithful in honoring her prayer. God is good to us!

One of the big events of the day today was to go pick up Gram's Centurian award at the Polk County Fair. Leaving the house is nearly impossible for her these days, so McClain and Richard went to accept it for her. She was thrilled.

My Birthday

I had a wonderful birthday.

I got to sleep in, then Rich and I drove to St. Cloud to watch Mandi play hockey. She was AWESOME! It was St. Ben's first conference win AND a shut out, led by freshman goalie, my sister! What a fun game to watch.

Afterword, Rich, Mandi and I went out to dinner and then to the mall where Richard bought me a pair of aquamarine earrings (the birthstone of our baby) for my birthday. They can be seen here (click on the photo to zoom in).

We came home andd I got to spend two hours reading Love in the time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, my all time favorite author of all time. That's two all times. THE MOVIE CAME OUT ON FRIDAY!!!! I'm trying to finish the book (again) in time to see it before it leaves the theaters. I have low hopes. Anything I like doesn't last long...

Anyhow, could a girl ask for more for her birthday? Really?

Here are some photos from the day:

26

I turn 26 tomorrow.
I'm dealing with it a LOT better than I did with 25.
For my 25th birthday a bunch of us went out for dinner where I proceeded to get veeery drunk. In front of my in-laws.
I feel like I should be embarassed about that, but I think they found it amusing.
The best part of the night?
My friends singing Frere Jaques in rounds instead of Happy Birthday. That will forever remain embedded in my memory of all time favorite things.
The next best part of the night?
The meatball eating contest.

Guess you had to be there.

Singing Frere Jaques and blowing out candles.

This should give you an idea for where I was at...

Drunk face...and flashing the camera. All class, all the way.

Is this going to be one of those things I regret in an hour?

Don't worry--I didn't ACTUALLY show anything. It looks worse than it is because of the crop. I swear.