Happy 29th to Me! {Christmas Post to Come}

Hellllooooooo!  Today I turned 29.  I'm old.  But that's okay.
This 29th year, my last in my 20s, is going to be amazing.  I just know it.  I'm so excited about the path my life, family, etc., is on right now…. Big things are coming :)  It feels good!

Today didn't start out so well, though.  I needed to get a new drivers license.  I arrived at the DMV early, I checked in, and I didn't have all my paper work.  So I drive home, get more paper work to prove I am who I am, and head back to the DMV.  I exit my car and the persons behind me tell me that I have a really flat tire.  GREAT.
After new license is given--with the 500+ documents stating I am Shannon of the D--I go to the car and started changing the tire.  It went well.  I was taught the basic steps by my dad, and with some trial and error it all came together in the end.

Come home and prep some food for dinner, then me and Marcie (who is here for a visit--YAY!) go into Savannah for some space to work.  Mood is improving by this time.
Work is productive, and we head back home.

Food is completely prepared, and then completely eaten by me, the boys, Matt, Marcie and Tyson and Jaxson, and Paige and Zach and V and J.  The food is sooooooooo good!!!  Some Cafe Rio style chicken, burritos, and just plain goodness.  HEAVENLY.  (I might be hungry again while I'm writing this, so all I'm remembering is the food, haha)

The cake is served.  Listen, let me tell you about this cake.  I wanted to make a pretty cake.  And I really tired.  And I kinda failed.  Frosting prepared the night before, cake baked the night before----everything homemade.  I woke up extra early this morning to bring it all together, and then the frosting started to hate me.  Grrrrrr…. Fondant.  I hates you.  Buttercream.  You are delicious, but too heavy.  
So.  Pretty.  But a hot mess.

After cake was eaten I opened presents.  I had a lot of littles helpers, and I loved it.
Got some good presents.  Good job, babe.

Matt and I then got goofy, and we tried to do Butt-Fives and Back-Fives.  Matt's backside pushed me a lot to the ground, but we got some good pics in the process.  Plus it was just fun.  And if I didn't know before, I was once again reminded: Matt's athletic, and does sweet moves (reminiscent of his "skater-punk-days").

Boys went down to bed.
Me and Paige went on a walk.  Sweet.
Me and Matt went on a run.  Sweet.  Then I finished a mile or two more and completed my OldGuyRunning's TinMan challenge!  93.3 miles ran for the month!  Yay!


So…. That's my birthday.
Happy 30th, to you all!  Kisses and hugs!

Give THANKGIVING!

As a military fam, we consider ourselves so lucky to be around so much family!  How often does one get stationed near a family member, let alone 4 groups of family members---from both sides!  Say, "Wha...??"

My parents are in B'ham, my sister and her fam are at Auburn, my mom's whole side of the family is in FL, and now Matt's sister and her family are in NC!  Again, say, "Wha...??"  I mean, this never. happens.  And I seriously doubt it will ever happen again.  (Sorry family.)

Since we hadn't been to visit Matt's sister, Marcie, in their new home, we decided (and they happily agreed) to go to NC for Thanksgiving.  It was so much fun!  Our boys and their boy had a great time together.  Seriously, cousin time has to be the best thing in the world.
+ really good food
+ really enjoyable company
+ really neat and quick road trips

I had brought some foods for the feast, but Marcie and Tyson are pros at cooking Thanksgiving.  (Has to be one of the top 3 turkeys I've ever had.)  I guess they have been doing Thanksgiving by themselves for over 5+ years straight.

After the Day of Thanks, we were able to have shopping trips around their town, able to go and visit Duke University only an hour-ish away, and even us adults were able to go on a fun double date.  Saweet stuff.
OH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And not to mention visiting Pre-Revoltionary sites.  Yay!  Really lots of fun. A battle happened between some unhappy settlers and the British Royal NC Governor.  Could be considered the first battle of the Revolution... but... not really.   So the boys and us adults frolicked around the field, checking out positions, reading old statues, and taking a nature walk through the woods.

North Carolina.  You rock.  And now that you have the residence of Marcie, Tyson, and Jaxson, you rock even more!