My Birthday

Yesterday was my 26th birthday. I do not feel old(er) but have been more reflective about growing up. So much has changed in the last five years and even in the last year. All of the changes have been positive and exciting, but it's still shocking to me how fast time flies since graduating college. I'm sure once I get married, have kids, and do more grown up things it will go by even faster. This year I'm going to make an effort to savor the days and soak in the memories.

I am so grateful for the amazing friends who celebrated my birthday this year. Here's a quick recap of the multi-day celebrations:

• Friday, Sept 23rd: P treated me to dinner at Masa 14 and a Head and the Heart concert at the 930 Club
• Saturday, Sept 24th: We went to the Mighty Pint to watch Penn State football with LOTS of friends and beer
• Monday, Sept 26th: P and I had a mini date night and attempted to find a birthday present (I thought I wanted a leather jacket but after several failed attempts to find one, am rethinking it)
• Tuesday, Sept 27th: Our amazing friends Kyle and Donavan (remember their wedding?) had us over for dinner. We had such a good time catching up and drinking wine. Donavan also baked a killer pumpkin cheesecake!
• Wednesday, Sept 28th: I only worked half of a day and after a birthday nap I was able to get a four mile run in. P treated me to dinner at Circa and cupcakes from Whole Foods.

It was a perfect way to celebrate my birthday. I'm looking forward to 26 and have a feeling it's going to be one of the best years yet!

My 21st birthday at Penn State. I thought it was appropriate
since yesterday marked the 5th anniversary of turning 21!

Hello Fall....

.....so glad you're officially here and bringing cooler mornings and evenings.

I'm excited for the fashions that Fall has brought.....

Perfect plaid tunic for a chilly day via Jcrew

Ideal Fall outfit for Penn State football via Pinterest

....And craving it's perfectly spiced treats......

Pumpkin Praline Trifle via Pinterest

Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake via Pinterest

Starbucks Chai Tea Latte

....and anticipating the colors it promises to bring:

Capitol Fall Foliage

Monumental Fall

We have so many exciting things planned for this Fall. In October we will be flying to a wedding in Los Angeles and then driving (hopefully along colorful roads) to a wedding in Pittsburgh. Then we're hoping to get away to Harpers Ferry for the day before I run the Wicked 10K at the end of the month. Our Saturdays will be filled with college football and hopefully lots of wins for the Nittany Lions. And of course this fall will bring a two new little additions to our lives - Aubrey is due any day now and Allison is due in November.

Hello Fall, I'm ready for the season!

Philly, Phriends, and Phootball

Long time no blog. I'm not sure where last week went but I just never got a chance to update the blog after work. I spent most of the week giving the apartment a good clean and prepping for our trip to Philadelphia for the Penn State - Temple football game.

Before I share pictures from this past weekend, here are some pictures from the previous weekend:

Getting drinks at the beer garden on Friday night

Headed into the festival

So excited for Cut Copy to perform

Calvin and his new bestie Ernie

This past weekend we headed to Philadelphia on Friday night for another fun weekend with Catie. We got up bright and early on Saturday to tailgate before the game. It was so awesome to be around so many Penn Staters even three hours away from campus. Penn State won the game, but just barely. We tailgated more after the game and eventually made it home for naps before a late dinner. P and I always have so much fun when we go to Philly, especially when we get to hang out with Catie (and Ernie)!

P and I at the tailgate

P and Catie 

Our grillmaster

No tailgate is complete without a boombox

Love the Philly skyline leaving the stadium

This week promises to be less busy than last and hopefully more relaxing. I'm enjoying the cooler weather that fall is bringing already and am excited for fall tv to start tonight. P and I are most looking forward to How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family, and Big Bang Theory. Other than getting lots of couch time in during the evening, I'll be continuing my 10K training and spending time with Elizabeth while she's in town for work.

Hope everyone has a great week!

T.G.I.F.

Happy Friday!

Even though this was a short week it took forever for Friday to get here. Maybe because we've been fighting rain and thunderstorms for five days straight. Hopefully that all ends today because tomorrow we have plans to go here and catch the sweet sounds of Cee Lo, Cut Copy, the Black Keys, and more! Our awesome friend Catie is coming down from Philly and bringing her equally awesome dog Ernie to play with Calvin. We're excited to see how the two get along because they'll be hanging out again next weekend when P and I go up for the Penn State - Temple football game.

P and Catie earlier this year

All this rain has had me looking for new rain boots. They are a must in the city during rainy days, especially when Calvin needs to be walked. Here are a few I've had my eye on:

Classic Hunter short black rain boots

Love the print from Sperry

Kate Spade boots with a heel: LOVE

And one last VERY important thing....Penn State is hosting the Alabama Crimson Tide tomorrow. Even though I won't be watching, I'll be sending lots of love up north to Happy Valley. WE ARE PENN STATE!

Love ya Lions!

Happy 21st Buddy!

I have affectionately called my little sister, Amanda, "buddy" for as long as I can remember and today my buddy is 21! We had a yummy dinner at Gordon Biersch in Annapolis with my mom, P, and one of my good friends Megan (who has known Amanda since she was 6 or 7). In true 21st birthday fashion, Amanda ordered the beer sampler and finished every drop.

Yeah buddy!

Amanda is starting her 21st year with some big changes and exciting opportunities ahead of her. I know no matter what path she chooses for her future it will be the right path for her and she will continue to have great successes. I'm so proud of all that she has accomplished so far and can't wait to see what she does next!

Side note: mother nature is acting all kinds of crazy! This past weekend she continued to dump more rain on the mid-Atlantic and is expected to continue doing so most of this week. In addition to the rain showers it was cold today. We're talking jeans and cardigans cold (a light weight cardigan, but still). Don't get me wrong, I love good cardigan weather, but not the first week of September. I hope this isn't a sign of what this winter has in store.

September Love

September has always been my favorite month. Here are some reasons why this September is getting some extra love from me:

• My little sister Amanda is turning 21 on the 6th and I get to celebrate with her

Can't believe this pretty girl will be 21 in less than a week!

• Penn State football starts and the opportunities to see my Lions defeat Temple in Philly

P and I at the Penn State-Indiana game at FedEx field last year

• My birthday and the celebrations that come with it
• The arrival of Aubrey and Brent's baby (which will hopefully be my birthday)

Aubrey and I during our Penn State days

• The beginning of fall and the colors and cooler air it brings
• Transitioning from shorts & tanks and jeans to tees

Hope you all feel the love this September too!