quarter of a century.

Well. It happened. I turned the big 2-5. 

Despite my love for all things party and birthdays I was nervous I wouldnt be excited with this upcoming birthday. I mean, its kind of a big deal, right!? But it came and I was just as excited as ever. 

I starting brainstorming for my birthday months ago. And was a little stumped.

The NR3 guys moved out of their house. So no party there. 

Granada Hills doesnt offer many great hang outs for a party. So a repeat of the golden year was out too.

Much to my dismay, most of my crew here complains of birthday dinners. There goes the Lanai tradition. 

And my mother hates when I have more than 2 people over at the house. Oooof. 

My birthday was on a Sunday. Hard to celebrate then.

And it was Stake Conference weekend. No dinner outings on Saturday night. 

Then my father informed me that him and my mom would be out of town Friday night, no family celebration then that night either. 

I was getting a little bummed. And out of ideas. 

Sitting at work one day, it was like a lightbulb just turned on. 

Parents out of town? House to myself on a Friday night?

Let the secret party plans begin. 

Linden offered to make me a cake. I thought of some great decorations. Sent out the facebook invite. 

I had myself a party in the works. 

And it turned out to be a great success and one of the best birthdays.

I started the evening out with dinner

 (Lets be real, Im not not gonna go to dinner!) 

with a group of great ladies. 

Then back to my house for cake, chatting, a Dodgers pinata and dancing for the rest of the night. 

I was so proud of my Pom Poms that I made!! They were so adorable and perfect. They are still hanging up cause I refuse to take them down yet. Thanks pinterest!! 

Some of the party people gathered waiting for the pinata.

Im a little disappointed in myself for the lack of photos. 

(Allie Barker dont get mad at me!)

My excuses are that one, I was having too much fun to be bothered with snapping photos

and two, well I was still on the fence about coming clean to my parents and didnt want photographic evidence. 

The party was such a success! I had so much fun celebrating by dancing and being surrounded by all of my friends. 

And of course the celebrations continued on throughout the weekend with two family dinners and forcing my family to tell me all the things they loved about me. (I wont let that tradition die either!)

And so here is to being twenty-five. 

Inside I tell myself this means I need to be an adult. 

Although I fight it by still claiming hot dogs are my favorite food, sleeping until past 10 on the weekends and still living with my parents. 

But Im happy knowing that I like this 25 year old version of me more than the 20 year version of me. And knowing that, I think the years will just continue to get better. 

And as a finally side note, as I sat in Stake Conference on Saturday night, listening to my dad speak on honesty and integrity...having my friends poke me throughout the whole talk...needless to say, I came clean about my party.